Link Wray R.I.P. (?)

Link Wray's Raymen, reunited at the tribute to Link in January, are seeking a vocalist and/or a lead guitar player/vocalist to join the group. The guitar player is needed primarily to back the vocals. Most of the instrumental presentations will be handled by current group members. The intent of this endeavor is to perform Link's music, both instrumentals and vocals, to preserve his distinctive sound and innovations for his many fans. Ideally, these musicians should themselves be Link fans and familiar with his music and style. The current group is composed of two of Link's Raymen, a drummer who played with Link many times, and Link's grandson, Chris Webb. The repertoire will be limited to material that Link released and the songs that he usually performed live. Rehearsals are normally in the Falls Church, VA area.
Anyone interested in discussing this opportunity should contact Ed Cynar either by e-mail at: teleman2@cox.net or by phone at: (703) 532-1076.
Also, anyone having knowledge of the whereabouts of former Rayman Chuck Bennett (Charles Avery), is urged to make contact.
Chuck was an extraordinary vocalist and showman, and one of the hardest working musicians I have known. The last we heard many years ago was that he was driving a cab in Alexandria. I have been unable to find him or any helpful leads.
The other thing is that if we cannot locate Chuck, we are seriously looking for a vocalist who can handle Link's songs, and for a guitar player who can fit in and who can back the vocals in Link's style. We have the instrumentals pretty much covered, but the vocals (and there are some great songs of Link's that we want to include, like Fire, Goodtime Joe, Super 88, etc.) are a problem for us. Our objective is to present Link's music as closely as possible to the way he played it, not merely to play another "interpretation" as most bands do. If you know of anyone who has the ability and might be interested in getting involved with this endeavor, we would appreciate it if you could pass on my contact information or let us know.

MES: "You're alright, Link, man.

The late Link's bass player from his days in DC, Chuck Bennett, just died.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/18/AR2009021803307.html?wprss=rss_metro/obituaries

As Chuck Bennett, his stage name, Mr. Avery had been a singer and bass player with Link Wray and the Raymen, a hard-rocking Washington band of the 1950s and 1960s known for the menacing sound it produced on "Rumble" and "Jack the Ripper," songs that influenced hard rock, grunge and punk.

"Chuck had an unbelievable voice and an unbelievable amount of energy, kind of like James Brown," musician Elwood Brown recalled. "He'd glide across the floor, down on his knees; he had great moves."

I'm Chuck Bennett's daughter...did you know my dad, curmudgeon, or just because he played with Link?

I'm listening to "Be What You Want To" at this very moment.

x-post. Sorry I never knew your dad. Read the obit and I thought he deserved some attention.

BLANG BLANG BLANG

BLANG BLANG BLANG

BLANG BLANG BLANG

BLANG BLANG BLANG

BLANG BLANG dum B-d-d-ling

dew-dew-dew-dew-dew-dew-dew-new-new-new-new duh

BLANG BLANG BLANG

it's almost... too... good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00XZFPXPo4I

Holy shit

Tick.jpg

Here's a tale, from the year he passed as well:

For real: @signifyingwolf & I opened for @Link_Wray in Paris 2005.
Rumor was he’d had trouble with the cops & might not make the show.
He arrived radiant, right before set time, gave me a fist bump on the way to the stage, & 1 minute into “Rumble” threw his guitar into the crowd.

— matt sweeney (@theheavyjamz) May 2, 2019

Link Wray stood with both fists above his head watching his unmanned guitar howl feedback and ride over the churning crowd while the hired band vamped to its screams until it was thrown back into his hands, and Rock’s King ripped the last run of “Rumble” and left the building. 👑

— matt sweeney (@theheavyjamz) May 2, 2019

was listening to the '64 swan demos today, really enjoyed the tenderness of this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o81VdufMcr4
"my alberta"