Dr. Hook singer Ray Sawyer dies at 81

[Dion]

Ray Sawyer, the Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show member who sang the 1973 Shel Silverstein-penned hit “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone,'” has died at the age of 81.

Page Six first reported Friday that Sawyer died in Daytona Beach, Florida following a brief illness; a representative for the band confirmed the singer’s death to Rolling Stone.

The Alabama-born Sawyer – who founded the group with Dennis Locorriere, Billy Francis and George Cummings – was a member of Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show from 1969 to 1981. A few years before the band’s formation, Sawyer lost his right eye in a car accident; Sawyer wore an eyepatch that made him resemble the Peter Pan villain Captain Hook, which served as the inspiration for the Dr. Hook moniker.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...r-dead-773938/

[GreenLantern]

Grew up on Dr. Hook at the lake, lots of good tunes. Back in those days when music videos were rare and you generally just had the cover art to go on, so I always assumed Sawyer to be the lead singer.

[transplant99]

One of the more under rated 70's bands IMO.

Sawyer had a unique if not unusual voice. It certainly suited their style.

Most won't know them beyond the sappy crap they were forced to produce later on in their existence (Sharing the night?...ugh), but they did some very (for the time) edgy stuff, particularly lyric wise.

Freakin at the Feakers ball, Get my rocks off, Carry me Carrie...lots of really different stuff.

RIP Ray.

[GreenLantern]

Queen of the Silver Dollar is still one of my favourite original sounding songs of all time.

But as far as sappy goes.. Sylvia's Mother is an epic song.

[guzzy]

Saw him in Edson about 3 or 4 years ago. Still rocked. Great show. RIP