Tributes have been paid following the death of soul singer Ray King, an influential artist who helped inspire the ska and 2 Tone movement.
The artist was born Vibert Cornwall, and played a vital part of the music scene in Coventry having emerged in the ‘70s. News of his passing was confirmed over the weekend, and he was aged 87.
Having moved from St Vincent in the 1960s, King helped form multiple groups over the years and had bandmates that would later go on to be a part of groups including The Specials and The Selecter.
His first group was the Ray King Soul Band who played their first gig at Coventry’s The Walsgrave Club, and they went on to gain momentum – eventually holding a six-month residency at London’s Playboy Club, where huge names like Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney reportedly joined them for the odd gig (via BBC News).
Taking inspiration from artists including Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke and more, King helped inspire the ska and 2 Tone movement, and was cited by The Specials’ Lynval Golding in 2019 as being the “an amazing foundation for all of us musically” and “the guy we learn from”.
Numerous tributes have come through since news of the artist’s death, and founder of the Coventry Music Museum Pete Chambers wrote: “Ray King has left the building, a musical creator in Coventry and beyond born. His influence on the 2-Tone scene is immense. He was a gentleman, a musical genius and his passing will leave a giant hole in Coventry music.”
The Specials’ Lynval Golding shared that King was “the most important man in 2-Tone that inspired all of us. The great man himself Vibert Cornwall, also known as Ray King” (via Coventry Telegraph). “Without him there would never ever ever have been a 2-Tone, The Specials or Selecter. Ray King was the godfather of all of us.”
Specials bandmate Neville Staple, also wrote a message, as per the outlet, writing: “Rest easy Ray King. You were a great friend and inspiration in my early music career, from the Jah Baddis days at the Holyhead Youth Club, and performing with you and for you, long before the Specials.
“Thank you for all you did for the people of Coventry and beyond. Condolences to all your family and friends.”
Ray King
Coventry soul
Riephttps://t.co/MJBkQZqMch
— Angela Joy Allison (@anjijoy) July 20, 2026
In 2012, the artist was honoured with a plaque on the Wall of Fame at 2 Tone village in Coventry, celebrating his career, contributions to the UK music industry, and the role he had in help inspiring the ska and 2 Tone movement.
