{"id":2053083,"date":"2026-07-20T12:38:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T09:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2053083"},"modified":"2026-07-20T12:38:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T09:38:29","slug":"tributes-paid-after-death-of-influential-soul-singer-ray-king-who-inspired-the-ska-and-2-tone-movement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2053083","title":{"rendered":"Tributes paid after death of influential soul singer Ray King \u2013 who inspired the ska and 2 Tone movement"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ray-king@2000&#215;1270.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>Music News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Tributes paid after death of influential soul singer Ray King \u2013 who inspired the ska and 2 Tone movement<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>\u201cHe was a gentleman, a musical genius and his passing will leave a giant hole in Coventry music\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Liberty Dunworth<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-20T13:38:29+01:00\">20th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ray-king@2000x1270-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"Ray King on the &apos;Jordan River Over There&apos; album artwork\" title=\"ray-king@2000x1270\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Ray King on the &#8216;Jordan River Over There&#8217; album artwork.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Tributes have been paid following the death of soul singer Ray King, an influential artist who helped inspire the ska and 2 Tone movement.<\/p>\n<p>The artist was born Vibert Cornwall, and played a vital part of the music scene in Coventry having emerged in the \u201870s. News of his passing was confirmed over the weekend, and he was aged 87.<\/p>\n<p>Having moved from St Vincent in the 1960s, King helped form multiple groups over the years and had bandmates that would later go on to be a part of groups including The Specials and The Selecter.<\/p>\n<p>His first group was the Ray King Soul Band who played their first gig at Coventry\u2019s The Walsgrave Club, and they went on to gain momentum \u2013 eventually holding a six-month residency at London\u2019s Playboy Club, where huge names like Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney reportedly joined them for the odd gig (via <em>BBC News<\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>Taking inspiration from artists including Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke and more, King helped inspire the ska and 2 Tone movement, and was cited by The Specials\u2019 Lynval Golding in 2019 as being the \u201can amazing foundation for all of us musically\u201d and \u201cthe guy we learn from\u201d.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"fb-post\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SpottedCoventryCity\/photos\/rest-easy-ray-king-you-were-a-great-friend-and-inspiration-in-my-early-music-car\/1459610972876961\/\" data-width=\"696\"><\/div>\n<p>Numerous tributes have come through since news of the artist\u2019s death, and founder of the Coventry Music Museum Pete Chambers wrote: \u201cRay King has left the building, a musical creator in Coventry and beyond born. His influence on the 2-Tone scene is immense. He was a gentleman, a musical genius and his passing will leave a giant hole in Coventry music.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Specials\u2019 Lynval Golding shared that King was \u201cthe most important man in 2-Tone that inspired all of us. The great man himself Vibert Cornwall, also known as Ray King\u201d (via <em>Coventry Telegraph). <\/em>\u201cWithout him there would never ever ever have been a 2-Tone, The Specials or Selecter. Ray King was the godfather of all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Specials bandmate Neville Staple, also wrote a message, as per the outlet, writing: \u201cRest easy Ray King. You were a great friend and inspiration in my early music career, from the Jah Baddis days at the Holyhead Youth Club, and performing with you and for you, long before the Specials.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThank you for all you did for the people of Coventry and beyond. Condolences to all your family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ray King<\/p>\n<p>Coventry soul<\/p>\n<p>Riephttps:\/\/t.co\/MJBkQZqMch<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Angela Joy Allison (@anjijoy) July 20, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In 2012, the artist was honoured with a plaque on the Wall of Fame at 2 Tone village in Coventry, celebrating his career, contributions to the UK music industry, and the role he had in help inspiring the ska and 2 Tone movement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Ska<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div 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Kelly wants Trump to commute his 30-year prison sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Tributes have been paid following the death of soul singer Ray King, an influential artist who helped inspire the ska and 2 Tone movement.<\/p>\n<p>The artist was born Vibert Cornwall, and played a vital part of the music scene in Coventry having emerged in the \u201870s. News of his passing was confirmed over the weekend, and he was aged 87.<\/p>\n<p>Having moved from St Vincent in the 1960s, King helped form multiple groups over the years and had bandmates that would later go on to be a part of groups including The Specials and The Selecter.<\/p>\n<p>His first group was the Ray King Soul Band who played their first gig at Coventry\u2019s The Walsgrave Club, and they went on to gain momentum \u2013 eventually holding a six-month residency at London\u2019s Playboy Club, where huge names like Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney reportedly joined them for the odd gig (via <em>BBC News<\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>Taking inspiration from artists including Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke and more, King helped inspire the ska and 2 Tone movement, and was cited by The Specials\u2019 Lynval Golding in 2019 as being the \u201can amazing foundation for all of us musically\u201d and \u201cthe guy we learn from\u201d.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"fb-post\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SpottedCoventryCity\/photos\/rest-easy-ray-king-you-were-a-great-friend-and-inspiration-in-my-early-music-car\/1459610972876961\/\" data-width=\"696\"><\/div>\n<p>Numerous tributes have come through since news of the artist\u2019s death, and founder of the Coventry Music Museum Pete Chambers wrote: \u201cRay King has left the building, a musical creator in Coventry and beyond born. His influence on the 2-Tone scene is immense. He was a gentleman, a musical genius and his passing will leave a giant hole in Coventry music.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Specials\u2019 Lynval Golding shared that King was \u201cthe most important man in 2-Tone that inspired all of us. The great man himself Vibert Cornwall, also known as Ray King\u201d (via <em>Coventry Telegraph). <\/em>\u201cWithout him there would never ever ever have been a 2-Tone, The Specials or Selecter. Ray King was the godfather of all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Specials bandmate Neville Staple, also wrote a message, as per the outlet, writing: \u201cRest easy Ray King. You were a great friend and inspiration in my early music career, from the Jah Baddis days at the Holyhead Youth Club, and performing with you and for you, long before the Specials.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThank you for all you did for the people of Coventry and beyond. Condolences to all your family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ray King<\/p>\n<p>Coventry soul<\/p>\n<p>Riephttps:\/\/t.co\/MJBkQZqMch<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Angela Joy Allison (@anjijoy) July 20, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In 2012, the artist was honoured with a plaque on the Wall of Fame at 2 Tone village in Coventry, celebrating his career, contributions to the UK music industry, and the role he had in help inspiring the ska and 2 Tone movement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/tributes-paid-after-death-of-influential-soul-singer-ray-king-who-inspired-the-ska-and-2-tone-movement-3958010&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ray-king@2000&#215;1270.jpg&#8221;] NewsMusic News Tributes paid after death of influential soul singer Ray King \u2013 who inspired the ska and 2 Tone movement \u201cHe was a gentleman, a musical genius and his passing will leave a giant hole in Coventry music\u201d By Liberty Dunworth 20th July 2026 Ray King on the &#8216;Jordan River Over [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2053083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2053083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2053083"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2053083\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2053083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2053083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2053083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}