Ritchie Valens Tribute Artist Ray Anthony

Ray discovered rock and roll at the age of 7, while watching Elvis Presley on television, never dreaming that he would eventually come to know and  work with the legendary musicians and singers who worked with Elvis – Charlie Hodge, JD Sumner and the Stamps, DJ Fontana, and The Jordanaires.

Career highlights include performing on stage in  “Rock and Roll Heaven,”  “Legends of Rock and Roll,” “Superstars in Concert, “Legends In Concert,” “50’s At The Hop,” “A Really Big Shew”  “Legendary Stars” and “The Winter Dance Party.”  Ray also played the title role of “Johnny Rocker”  in the  Las Vegas based feature film of the same name.

Ray Anthony has been working  at the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri, performing 50’s and 60’s music with such artists as  Bobby Vee, Fabian, Shirley Alston Reeves, Little Peggy March, Chubby Checker, Danny and the Juniors, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Johnny Preston, the original Comets,Diamond Dave Sommerville( the Original lead singer of The Diamonds), and  Bill Medley.

Ray has also become widely known for his tribute to  Ritchie Valens.  He has also become close  to Valens’ family.  As Erma Valenzuela says, “Every time I see Ray perform, I tear up.” 

February 2009 marked 50 years since the plane crash which took the lives of Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and The Big Bopper.  In appreciation of the role that Ray Anthony has played in keeping Ritchie Valens’ legacy alive, he was presented with a special gold record by the Valens family.

Ray Anthony delivers an energetic, fast-paced, and fun performance each time he steps on to the stage.