Johnnie Ray was a prominent American singer, songwriter, and pianist, active primarily during the 1950s. Known for his emotional, wailing vocal style, Ray's music straddled the line between pre-rock pop and R&B, earning him the moniker "The Prince of Wails." He is perhaps best remembered for his song "Cry," which topped the Billboard charts in 1951, and his deafness, which contributed to his unique vocal delivery and performance style. Ray's work had a significant influence on the development of rock and roll, and he is often cited as a precursor to artists such as Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard.