Park Foundation Music App

Home > Artists

Walter Wray

British singer and songwriter, born 7 February 1959 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Melodic pop singer/songwriter Walter Wray began singing in local church choirs as a schoolboy. However, by the age of 16 he had mastered the guitar, and started writing songs with his first band, entitled Shitehot. Reading music and English literature at Sheffield University, Wray continued writing until in 1986 he, and his band, [a=Junk (6)], signed to local label Native Records. Junk's debut album, Cuckooland, and accompanying single, "The World Doesn't Turn", were all that emerged from the deal, though the single did enter the UK indie charts. By 1988 Wray had moved on to form [a=King Swamp]. After signing to Virgin Records and touring extensively this outfit also petered out, despite more positive press for Wray's songs. Possibly taking the hint, he retreated instead to a more self-sufficient guitar/voice solo format, though he kept up the punishing touring schedule inaugurated by his former bands. Opening for INXS, Jeff Healey, Gary Clarke, Julia Fordham and Jools Holland, Wray went on to deliver his debut album in October 1993. Co-produced with Sting guitarist Dominic Miller, Foxgloves & Steel Strings drew fawning reviews from the critics. The first single taken from the album, "Heaven On Our Side", was inspired by the blue and gold mask of Tutankhamun. The second excerpt, "Can't Call It Love"/"A Hand To Hold", conversely took its subject matter from the black US doo wop singers of the 50s and 60s.