Ray Peterson, the American singer of the worldwide hit “Tell Laura I Love Her” passed away at the age of 65. He died after a struggle with cancer in his house in Nashville. Peterson was barely 18 when he entered the Billboard Top-30 with his version of “The Wonder Of You”, written by Perry Como and Baker Knight. Elvis performed the songs many times over. His version of February 19th 1970 (International Hotel) sold over 2 million copies that year, and had a 12 week stay on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, reaching a height of Nr. 9. The song was number one in the UK for six consecutive weeks. It was Elvis’s first live single release ever. The arrangements were written out by Glen D. Hardin.
Ray Peterson Passed Away
January 30, 2005 | People
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dailyone wrote on
January 31, 2005
tell laura i love her, havent heard it for years but remember it. and also wonder of you, and i did like the other side. sad memories on this one. life goes on
peter t wrote on
January 31, 2005
ray perterson had a 5+1/2 octave voice you should hear his greatest hits cd!
harmston wrote on
January 31, 2005
It's sad when anyone dies but to get all misty-eyed over a singer who no one other than his neighbours would recognise is ridiculous. The guy was OK but that's about it - not a greater singer or entertainer, indeed nothing more than typical American middle-of-the-road junk a la Perry Como.
The worldwide hit of 'Tell Laura...' was actually by Richie Valens, yes Petersen recorded a hugely inferior version but the hit ws Richie's. Ray Petersen is best, actually only, remembered for two things. Firstly for recording the original version of the 'The Wonder of You', a goddamn awful record and song that Elvis should never have sung. Secondly, 'Corrina Corrina', which was (the genius) Phil Spector's, first top ten hit.
Dirk Bendfeld wrote on
January 31, 2005
To Harmston: The worldwide hit of "Tell Laura..." was actually by Ricky Valance, not Ritchie Valens! Ritchie Valens was the singer of "La Bamba", wo died in the Buddy-Holly-planecrash in 1959!
King Of Western Bop wrote on
February 01, 2005
" 'The Wonder of You', a goddamn awful record and song that Elvis should never have sung." Rubbish! It's a great song that Elvis made part of his repetoire. That's what made Elvis great, that he enjoyed singing many styles of music. Some fans seem only to want to hear Hound Dog sung for the zillionth time.
harmston wrote on
February 18, 2005
Eclectic styles and/or tastes have nothing to do with it. The Wonder of You is simply a goddamn awful song. I stick by my view that Elvis should never have recorded it. As for only wanting to hear Hond Dog, you're showing incredible arrogance and ignorance by trying to presuppose my favourite songs, of which Hound Dog is not one! Inded that's not even my favourite Elvis era... jeez...
old shep wrote on
February 20, 2005
Your leader states that The Wonder of you was Elvis first live single ever. How about If I Can Dream?
pasa-ryu wrote on
March 12, 2005
an elvis classic and and no.1 in the uk in 1970 and a fav in karaoke pubs..how elvis fans on this site say its a shit song i do not know?-its an elvis live classic and caught the magic of elvis in vegas..not shit at all.