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Dan_Shues
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NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- Ray Peterson, whose 1960 hit "Tell Laura I Love Her" exemplified the teen tragedy song popular in early rock 'n' roll, has died. He was 65.
Peterson, who was known as "The Golden Voice of Rock 'n' Roll," died Tuesday at his home in Smyrna, a Nashville suburb, officials at Woodfin Memorial Chapel said. He had been suffering from cancer.
Peterson's version of "The Wonder of You" reached the top 30 in 1959, and Elvis Presley later hit the pop charts with a cover version.
But Peterson's signature hit was "Tell Laura I Love Her," which reached No. 7 on the Billboard chart.
The recording was a best-selling example of the "teenage tragedy" subgenre that included "Teen Angel" and "Leader of the Pack."
"Corrina, Corrina" was Peterson's last major commercial success, but he toured for years after. He opened for the Beach Boys in several foreign countries and was a supporting act on their "Summer Safari" tour of 1964.
****************
Laura and Tommy were lovers
He wanted to give her everything
Flowers, presents,
But most of all, a wedding ring
He saw a sign for a stock car race
A thousand dollar prize it read
He couldn't get Laura on the phone
So to her mother, Tommy said
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura I may be late
I've something to do, that cannot wait
He drove his car to the racing grounds
He was the youngest driver there
The crowed roared as they started the race
Around the track they drove at a deadly pace
No one knows what happened that day
Or how his car overturned in flames
But as they pulled him from the twisted wreck
With his dying breath, they heard him say
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die
Now in the chapel where Laura prays
For her poor Tommy, who passed away
It was just for Laura he lived and died
Alone in the chapel she can hear him cry
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die
Peterson, who was known as "The Golden Voice of Rock 'n' Roll," died Tuesday at his home in Smyrna, a Nashville suburb, officials at Woodfin Memorial Chapel said. He had been suffering from cancer.
Peterson's version of "The Wonder of You" reached the top 30 in 1959, and Elvis Presley later hit the pop charts with a cover version.
But Peterson's signature hit was "Tell Laura I Love Her," which reached No. 7 on the Billboard chart.
The recording was a best-selling example of the "teenage tragedy" subgenre that included "Teen Angel" and "Leader of the Pack."
"Corrina, Corrina" was Peterson's last major commercial success, but he toured for years after. He opened for the Beach Boys in several foreign countries and was a supporting act on their "Summer Safari" tour of 1964.
****************
Laura and Tommy were lovers
He wanted to give her everything
Flowers, presents,
But most of all, a wedding ring
He saw a sign for a stock car race
A thousand dollar prize it read
He couldn't get Laura on the phone
So to her mother, Tommy said
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura I may be late
I've something to do, that cannot wait
He drove his car to the racing grounds
He was the youngest driver there
The crowed roared as they started the race
Around the track they drove at a deadly pace
No one knows what happened that day
Or how his car overturned in flames
But as they pulled him from the twisted wreck
With his dying breath, they heard him say
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die
Now in the chapel where Laura prays
For her poor Tommy, who passed away
It was just for Laura he lived and died
Alone in the chapel she can hear him cry
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die
