Tributes paid to influential soul singer Ray King
Ray King, a formative figure in ska and 2 Tone music, has died. Originally from St Vincent and the Grenadines, King settled in Coventry in the early 1960s after being encouraged that the city offered opportunities for aspiring musicians. He established the Ray King Soul Band, which gained renown for their stagecraft and professionalism, eventually earning a residency at London's Playboy Club where they shared the stage with artists including Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney.
King's lasting impact stemmed from his influence on the musicians who would become central to the 2 Tone movement. Founding members of The Specials and The Selecter, including Lynval Golding and Jerry Dammers, identified King as a crucial musical foundation and source of inspiration. The Coventry Music Museum commemorated his contributions with a Wall of Fame plaque in 2012, recognising him as a key figure in establishing the city's distinctive musical heritage.
- Soul and ska musician Ray King, who shaped Coventry's music scene from the 1960s onwards, has died
- His Ray King Soul Band directly influenced founders of major 2 Tone acts including The Specials and The Selecter
- Honored with a memorial plaque in 2012 for his foundational role in nurturing the local music scene