Ray Woolf will be ''doing it my way'' at the Sinatra Lives concert next month. Ray, an entertainer for the past 45 years, says, ''I couldn't be and never want to pretend to be like him. ''I think my renditions of his songs will stand up on their own. But
by no means can I deny that 'he's the man'.'' The 62-year-old vocalist says he's really enjoyed working with Frank Sinatra's music, particularly over the past 20 years. He says although Sinatra has been a big influence on his performance, he's made sure he gives it his own treatment. Ray says his mum Edith, to whom he attributes his talent, was always supportive. His dad on the other hand ''thought it was a bit of a joke. His reaction to Elvis was 'he will never last'.'' Ray has come a long way since he was a member of his school band The Wild Cats in London as a 13-year-old. Shortly after moving to New Zealand in 1962, Woolf toured with English pop sensation Helen Shapiro, having met her when studying at the Jean Berman School of Music in London. He went on to appear on television shows including In the Groove, C'mon, a Happen In and had his own primetime show on TV One for many years. Ray, who lives with his wife Chrissy in Doubtless Bay, says he can't remember life without music since he stood up on his parents' radiogramme when he was 6 to sing Al Jolson's Rock-a-bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody.
Sinatra Lives, SkyCity Theatre, April 26-27, 8 pm. Tickets: Ticketek, ph 307 5000 or www.ticketek.co.nz
By Sharu Delilkan
