Charlie & Ray: “unabashedly gay” doo-wop duo ran the ’50s club circuit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHVZE2NlsFs&ab_channel=ElmerSnail

It almost seems Charlie Jones and Ray Williams were renowned not in spite of their flamboyant stylings, but because of them; their catchy songs and undeniably fey voices (along with the entire taboo concept of effeminate men) made for a captivating show for audiences of the time.

So captivating, in fact, that the duo won their debut amateur night at the Apollo Theater in the early ’50s — and went on to win for the next four weeks straight.

https://www.queerty.com/listen-little-known-unabashedly-gay-doo-wop-duo-ran-50s-club-circuit-20220719