The Rays

The Rays, a '50s "doo-wop" group, formed in Brooklyn, NY, in 1955, composed of members of other local vocal groups that had broken up. The group's manager got them an audition with prominent Philadelphia record producers Bob Crewe and Frank Slay. They recorded a few songs for Chess Records that were local hits but went nowhere nationally. Crewe and the group formed their own label, XYZ Records, and released a few songs, but again nothing charted nationally. However, in 1957 the group released "Silhouettes", written by Crewe and Slay, on XYZ and it took off. The group appeared on the popular Philadelphia teen dance show American Bandstand (1952), which was syndicated nationally, and the exposure caused the record to start climbing the national charts. It was soon picked up by Cameo Records for national distribution. The group also appeared in one of famed DJ Alan Freed's rock shows at the New York Paramount Theater, along with such acts as Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. In addition, they signed up for a national tour with such major artists as The Everly Brothers, Paul Anka, Eddie Cochran and Danny and the Juniors. By 1958, however, their star began to wane. They recorded a variety of songs for several other labels, both major and minor, but aside from "Magic Moon" in 1960, which made it into the Top 50 list, nothing hit for them. Lead singer Hal Miller led several groups under the name Hal Miller & The Rays over the next 20 years or so, making personal appearances in "oldies" shows.