In the Summer of 2005 Ray Lowry the original rock and roll artist set it upon himself to visit all the towns and venues that Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran played on their UK tour in 1960, to record, draw and record peoples memories of it, this became a magnificent obsession with Ray and like Gene and Eddie's tour was to be ill fated. I actually trekked around Manchester with him one sunny day in Manchester to the Rampant Lion, Anson Road which was then known as The Milverton Lodge when Gene and Eddie stayed when they played the Manchester Hippodrome, 28th March 1960, the hotel has become famous as this is where Eddie had a premonition of his death, sadly the staff had never heard of them and the annexe where they stayed was locked and empty... we slunk away, dejected. Shortly after Ray had a bad fall at home which put a stop to his pilgrimage, however this enforced lay off gave him time to fully focus his attention to his labour of love which he did with a new found passion. I saw some of his original artwork for the book and it was both astounding and yet frightening, with visions of death, breakdowns, coupled with newspaper cuttings, period photographs and Ray's signature hand written text scrawled across the pages... and then? Ray sadly died in October 2008 ironically just as his career had just taken off again following a sell out exhibition of his work at See Gallery in Crawshawbooth and I feared the book would never see publication... but wait. Last month I visited Ray's son, Sam who is now the Guardian of Ray's estate who is doing an incredible job of looking after Ray's legacy through his website https://raylowry.com/ as we were leaving he mentioned the book and was astounded when he told me that it was now in print! Yesterday the postman banged on the door with a huge parcel as heavy as the old telephone directories, you young 'uns will not remember them, I opened it as excited as a child at Christmas opening his football annual present... and it really is Somethin' Else. I doubt I have ever seen such a magnificently presented book which comes in a hard back presentation case and then has 102 pages of text and images, most never seen before in what I have been told is" 102 pages of text and images on heavyweight paper, using layflat binding technology, this ensures that each double page spread lies flat when open, and nothing is lost from view in the central vertical gutter between the pages. in a bespoke presentation box which also includes two 8 x 10 inch limited edition prints (one of Gene, one of Eddie) suitable for framing. I am almost lost for words as I turn the pages of the book and I can see Ray's passion for rock and roll literally screaming from the pages, it is truly a phenomenal work of art from the packaging to the minute details all a product of Ray's feverish mind, the man was genius, this can't be denied. what I wouldn't give for Ray to have seen the finished product... Sam you have done your Dad proud. The book is available in two formats the De Luxe Box Set and Regular Version, I urge you to buy this book, sell your clothes, your guitars, your blood if necessary, why wait? Available from info@snapgalleries.com
