The Unforgettable Journey of Ray Sawyer: The Man Behind Dr. Hook’s Magic

Ray Sawyer, the charismatic frontman of Dr. Hook, is remembered not just for his distinctive eye patch but also for his unforgettable voice and contributions to music.

Born on February 1, 1937, in Chickasaw, Alabama, Sawyer’s musical journey began at an early age.

He started playing guitar at the age of 11, drawing strong influences from legendary artists like Hank Williams, as well as New Orleans blues and R&B musicians such as Smiley Lewis and Huey Smith.

As he matured, Sawyer became a well-known figure in Mobile’s vibrant music scene, primarily playing drums in various local bands.

He recalled his early experiences fondly, stating, “I was in a lot of bands before Dr. Hook, mostly they didn’t have names, except one called The Chocolate Papers.”

Sawyer played with many local black bands in Mobile, singing soul and old rock and roll, and performed in clubs from Houston to Charleston.

His early career saw him recording a couple of singles on Mobile Sandy Records, receiving a solitary fan letter for his first release, “Bells in My Heart.”

However, in 1967, after leaving The Chocolate Papers, Sawyer felt overwhelmed by the music scene and decided to pursue a different path as a tree logger in Portland, Oregon.

Equipped with a plaid shirt, cork boots, and a pike pole, he headed west, but fate had other plans when he suffered a near-fatal accident that resulted in the loss of one eye.

After his recovery, Sawyer vowed to return to music, and in 1968, he rejoined former bandmates George Cummings and Billy Francis to form Dr. Hook.

The lineup was completed by Dennis Locorriere, who initially joined as a bass player but eventually took on lead vocals.

The band, originally named Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, drew inspiration from Sawyer’s eye patch and the character Captain Hook from Peter Pan.

They began their journey in New Jersey, initially with drummer Popy Phillips, who later left to pursue a career as a session musician.

During the recording of their first album, Jay David replaced Phillips, becoming a full member of the band.

Their demo tapes caught the attention of Ron Haffkine, the musical director of the film “Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?”

Haffkine invited them to record two songs for the film, including “The Last Morning” and “Bunky and Lucille,” which they performed in the movie.

This exposure helped Dr. Hook secure their first recording contract with CBS Records, leading to a significant turning point in their career.

During an unforgettable meeting with Clive Davis of CBS, the band showcased their talents in a unique way, with Francis dancing on Davis’s desk while the others played and sang.

With Haffkine as their manager and producer, Dr. Hook achieved international success over the next twelve years.

Haffkine’s keen ability to select songs led to a fruitful collaboration with acclaimed poet Shel Silverstein, who wrote all the tracks for their self-titled debut album, released in 1972.

The album featured lead vocals by Locorriere and included Sawyer, Cummings, David, and Francis, selling over one million copies and earning a gold disc from the RIAA.

One of the standout tracks, “Sylvia’s Mother,” initially a flop, became the band’s first million-seller, reaching the top five in the summer of 1972.

Silverstein continued to collaborate with Dr. Hook, writing all the songs for their second album, “Sloppy Seconds,” which featured iconic tracks like “Freakin’ at the Freakers Ball” and the cover of “Rolling Stone.”

The latter song, with Sawyer as the lead vocalist, humorously suggested that a musician had made it if they were featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

In 1972, Dr. Hook expanded their lineup by adding bassist Jance Garat and guitarist Rick Elwood, aiming to enhance their sound.

However, their next album, “Belly Up,” faced difficulties in living up to the high expectations set by their previous successes.

The band’s wild stage antics became as famous as their music, but their lack of attention to business matters led to significant financial troubles.

As Locorriere noted, “If we were in the black when we finished a tour, we’d party into the red.”

This lifestyle eventually forced them to file for bankruptcy in 1974, despite continuing to tour relentlessly.

In 1974, Dr. Hook recorded an album titled “Fried Face,” which was ultimately never released.

In 1975, they shortened their name to Dr. Hook and signed with Capitol Records, releasing the aptly titled album “Bankrupt.”

This album featured original material written by the group, revitalizing their career with a reworked version of Sam Cooke’s “Only Sixteen,” which reached number six on the US charts.

Haffkine discovered “A Little Bit More,” a song by Bobby Goldsboro, which the band recorded, hitting number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the UK singles chart.

Following “Bankrupt,” they released the album “A Little Bit More” in 1976, which was certified double gold in Australia.

This was quickly followed by the 1977 album “Making Love and Music,” featuring hits like “Sharing the Night Together,” “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman,” and “Sexy Eyes,” all of which became million sellers.

“When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman” reached number one in the UK in 1979, solidifying their status in the music industry.

Despite constant touring, the band struggled to translate their single success into album sales.

Their 1978 album “Pleasure and Pain” became Dr. Hook’s first gold album in the US, but they switched labels to Casablanca Records in 1980 without replicating their earlier successes.

In late 1980, they released “Girls Can Get It” and had their final top 40 hit with “Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk” in 1982.

By 1983, Sawyer left Dr. Hook to pursue a solo career, reportedly unhappy with the band’s direction and the compromises that came with commercial success.

Locorriere remarked that the band felt like they had sold out, disliking their new sound, while Sawyer was frustrated with being seen as a product defined by his eye patch and hat.

In 1985, Sawyer obtained a license to tour separately under the names “Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook” or “Dr. Hook featuring Ray Sawyer,” briefly joined by Billy Francis in 2001.

Meanwhile, Dr. Hook continued to tour for a couple more years, concluding with their one and only farewell tour in 1985, with Locorriere as the sole frontman.

Sawyer continued to tour until 2015, when he suffered a serious accident on his way to a performance in Torquay, breaking his arm badly.

After requiring surgery, he decided to retire later that year due to declining health.

On a personal note, Ray Sawyer married Linda Lombardi in 1969, and they remained together until his passing in 2018.

They had a son, Casey, who joined his father on the road as his drummer, continuing the family legacy in music.

Sawyer’s music career spanned an impressive 56 years, starting with the release of his first single “Rock and Satellite” in 1960 and culminating with his final live performance in October 2015.

His musical legacy continues through his nephew, Zach Sawyer, who is the vocalist for the group Wildfire.

On December 31, 2018, at the age of 81, Ray Sawyer passed away peacefully in his sleep following a brief illness.

At the time of his death, he and Dennis Locorriere were estranged, but Locorriere acknowledged their past friendship, stating, “It does not erase the fact that we were once close friends and shared an important time in both our lives.”

Ray Sawyer’s contributions to music and his unique persona continue to inspire fans worldwide.

His journey from a small-town musician to a rock legend is a testament to his talent and resilience in the face of adversity.

As we remember Ray Sawyer, we celebrate a life dedicated to music and the joy it brings to countless fans around the globe.

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