Perry Como salutes the "other" Ray Charles

I'm posting this in honor of the late Ray Charles, who passed away last week at the age of 96. Ray was an astoundingly talented arranger, choral arranger, conductor, composer, singer and a wizard at writing "special material" for variety shows such as this example.
This clip is from the Perry Como Show, Season 10, Episode 10 which aired on November 23, 1957. It is from the private collection of the Charles family, and features Ray in all his glory. Ray worked with Perry Como for many years, and in this episode Perry really wanted people to get just how versatile Ray was, and the result is wonderful. Enjoy.

[@almassa4057]

I think it is very telling and says a lot about Perry Como's character that he gave his musical director a chance to get up there and shine. Not a lot of guys would allow somebody else to take the spotlight.

[@flaguy999]

I haven't see this group in years and had forgotten just how good they were. I remember as a kid growing up in the 50's watching Perry's show and many other great shows of that era, to me anyways, they were light years ahead of the "entertainment" shows of today.

[@francisalanwormald6328]

AT 82 I had forgot how fantastic they all were...&RAY & PIERINO TOO THX

[@OldRustySteele]

Little known fact: Ray Charles is the male singing voice on the Three’s Company theme song. “Come and knock on our door…we’ve been waiting for you…”. And Ray wasn’t a young man in the mid-70’s when that show came out, but his voice sounded young.

[@michaellazzeri9439]

Real talent ----------real singers ----------oh, how we miss them.

[@almassa4057]

You can feel the sincere love they all have for each other

[@lorrainechandler7864]

Ray Charles had a good voice.💙

[@gotmusic0915]

My grandfather is one of the tenors! Alan Sokoloff!

[@Jimbo.05]

I was about 8 years of age when "Love Me With All Your Heart" hit the radiowaves here in Australia. Loved their beautiful harmonies, but had no idea the choir was formed by the "original" Mr. Charles. They remain legends along with the wonderful Perry Como. God bless your dear Grandfather.

[@adf3comcast1]

Thank you Ray Charles for your gift of great music.

[@1FrankFan]

Love Me With All Your Heart...one of my favorite songs of all time.

[@rodneyrawlings7100]

Mine too! I am a composer now, a writer of art songs, myself.

[@CarlDuke]

Great, great stuff. The real Ray Charles.

[@WPM_in_ATL]

Mr. Charles & his singers recorded a number of albums for the "Command" records label in the sixties.

[@pcguy01]

This is awesome!

[@WPM_in_ATL]

From the pen of Irving Berlin, "The Girl That I Marry" is taken from "Annie Get Your Gun". Back in the day, Ethel Merman played Annie Oakley.

[@glennmillerfan]

I know this episode was originally broadcasted in color (the Perry Como Show began being broadcasted in color in September of 1956). At the time this episode aired, there were maybe about 250,000 color TVs in use and only NBC regularly broadcasted in color.

[@michaellazzeri2069]

10000% class----------the likes of which, we'll never see or hear, again.

[@johnjames4591]

Very nice of you to post this in Mr. Ray Charles honor

[@CarlDuke]

June Night is one of my favorite songs. And seldom heard.

[@1mespud]

This is gold!!

[@michaellazzeri9439]

Ahhhhh, TV------------who could imagine this would all be gone too soon ?-------------------MJL, 74 y/o

[@thomasbrady8056]

Excellent upload. This was such fun to watch.

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

This is wonderful

[@prycerobertson4695]

Ray Charles (the vocal arranger) collaborated with the R&B singer several times, and as a result, began referring to himself as "the other Ray Charles".

[@jerryjohnson4625]

Oh Hell yes !!!🎙🎼

[@BRUBURGER]

Great seeing this. My father in law was one of Rays singers. Alan Sokoloff.

[@Jimbo.05]

Sorry I meant to say your father in law. Apologies...

[@BRUBURGER]

@@Jimbo.05 you got it right. You wrote under my sons comment.

[@Jimbo.05]

@@BRUBURGER cheers Bradley, thanks!

[@michaellazzeri2069]

I'm certain I saw this --------even if I didn't want to . I was 11 y/o.

[@SoldierUSArmy]

This looks like a part of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In fact, one-third of them are from Utah, 30% of them have a few years experience singing in and being a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, one-quarter of them are from Salt Lake City Utah, and 36% of them are Mormon Church members, even though half of them are from east of the Mississippi River(like Chicago, Philadelphia and New York City).

[@Darrell1019]

Why was he holding Ray's arm?

[@deelb9462]

Why not?

[@BJBear36]

Bob Harris is the father of actor Ed Harris

[@josieschulz8123]

Love this group Rey Charles voice is great

[@Wolfsky9]

This is total, 10,000% Class, the likes of which, we'll not see or hear---------sadly-------ever, again. I grew up to this,-------WolfSky9, 75 y/o

[@SCAOLO]

Can anyone help me locate any 1944-1946 audio recording of Ray Charles (birth name Charles Raymond Offenberg) when he was in the Navy assigned to Hunter College WAVES choruses. I just interviewed a 95 year old Navy WAVE who sang in the Singing Platoon under direction of Ray Charles. We will be honoring this woman veteran and others in November and I want to surprise this amazing 95 year old veteran with some music. Thank you. Susan