Ray Sawyer with his signature eye-patch who was the singer of the 1970’s band Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show died at the age of 81 in Daytona Florida. Page Six stated that no official cause of death was given, but he did have a ‘brief illness.’
Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show most famous song was ‘When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman’ which hit #6 on the Billboard Charts and spent 3 weeks at #1 in the UK in 1979.
Sawyer joined Dr. Hook in 1969, two years after a car crash in 1967 which almost killed him in Oregon. Consequently, during the crash, he lost his right eye and wore an eyepatch. The eyepatch made people think the singer was ‘Dr. Hook.’ As a joke, when somebody asked a band member who in the band was ‘Dr. Hook’ the individual was sent to the bus driver.
The singer was born in 1937 in Chickasaw Alabama. He was the lead singer on the 1972 hit ‘Cover of the Rolling Stone.’
One lyric from the song was:
The biggest thrill we’ve never known is the thrill that’ll getcha when you get your picture on the cover of the Rolling Stone.
A thrill for Sawyer was when he appeared in 1973 as a caricature on the cover of the magazine.
Sawyer stated to Ultimate Classic Rock that here was a small band from Alabama who stood on a corner and said please put us on the cover and they did. He also stated that it was a dream for him.
In 1981 Sawyer left the band to start a solo career. However, he spent much of his later career touring with Dr. Hook featuring Ray Sawyer.
Three years ago at age 81, due to his failing health he stopped performing.
Sawyer had multiple hits in the 1970’s and 80’s including “Sylvia’s Mother,” “A Little Bit More,” “Only Sixteen,” “Walk Right In,” ”Sharing the Night Together,” “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman,” “Better Love Next Time” and “Sexy Eyes.”
Written By Barbara Sobel
Sources:
Rolling Stone: Dr. Hook’s Ray Sawyer, ‘Cover of Rolling Stone’ Singer, Dead at 81
BBC: Dr Hook’s Ray Sawyer dies aged 81
Al.com: Alabama-born Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook dead at 81
Featured and Top Image Courtesy Of Kris Mouser Brown’s Flickr
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