Life and Career
Ellington's first break came in 1937 when he joined Harry Roy and His Orchestra as the band's drummer, replacing Joe Daniels. His vocal talents were put to good use too, from the time of his first session when he recorded "Swing for Sale." Ellington was called up in the spring of 1940 when he joined the RAF as a physical training instructor where he served throughout the war.
After demobilisation, Ellington resumed his career, fronting his own group, playing at Bag O'Nails club. Early in 1947, he rejoined the Harry Roy band for a few months.
Ellington specialised in jazz but experimented with many other genres throughout the show's history and his musical style was heavily influenced by the comedic jump blues of Louis Jordan. Ellington's band was one of the first in the UK to feature the stripped-back guitar/bass/drums/piano format that became the basis of rock and roll, as well as being one of the first groups in Britain to prominently feature the electric guitar. They were also reputedly the first jazz band in the UK to use an amplified guitar, which was produced and introduced by their guitar player, Lauderic Caton.
Early in the Goon Show's run, there were many jokes linking Ellington to the African nation of Ghana, thus leading Ellington to say that he came from Ghana.
He was married to Anita West, who was to become the second female presenter of Blue Peter when she replaced Leila Williams, but she only lasted a few weeks in this role. They had two small children (Lance and Nina) when the marriage ended in divorce, due to Ellington's constant touring.
Ellington's recording of "The Madison" reached #36 in the UK Singles Chart in November 1962.
Ray's son Lance Ellington is a singer who has recorded several jazz oriented albums, and is one of the backing singers in the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing. Lance Ellington also appeared in tributes to Peter Sellers and in the film The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, where he played his father.
Ray Ellington died of cancer on 27 February 1985.
Read more about this topic: Ray Ellington
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