Early Life and Childhood

Ray Peterson was an American pop singer who was known for his distinctive voice that could reach high notes.

Peterson was born on April 23, 1935, in Denton, Texas, but grew up in San Antonio. He spent a bit of his childhood on crutches after contracting Polio at the age of 14. He took to singing in church and school choirs.

Move to Los Angeles and Early Career

Peterson moved to Los Angeles in 1957 and signed a contract with RCA Victor. He got the contract as a result of a four-octave singing voice.

Breakthrough with Dunes Records

He recorded several songs for RCA Victor, but none of his songs were successful. He then switched to Dunes Records in 1960 where he recorded his biggest hit song, “Tell Laura I Love Her”.

Success with “Tell Laura I Love Her”

The song reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies. The song was controversial as it depicted a young man dying in a car crash after entering a stock car race to win money for his girlfriend’s engagement ring.

Later Career and Decline in Popularity

He went on to record a couple more hit songs before his popularity declined in the mid-1960s. He continued to record and perform until the 1970s when he retired from the music industry and became a Baptist minister.

Personal Life and Legacy

Ray Peterson was married with seven children before he passed away due to cancer in 2005 at the age of 69.