RAY SAWYER Vocalist/Percussionist of Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show 

They were a fun band; I think they didn't take themselves too seriously and making the music was what made them happy.

I grew up listening to Dr. Hook. Their songs bring back so many great memories of growing up in the 70s and early 80s! Never had the opportunity to see them live.

I met and had the great privilege of meeting Ray as a singer in a supporting band in Casper Wyoming in 2014. We were all warned backstage that if Ray came out of his dressing room we were to immediately go back to our dressing rooms. This included other artists Foghat and Black Oak Arkansas. Sure enough,Ray emerged looking tired and sporting a long flowing beard and his infamous eye patch. Everyone skeedattled except me. I had loved him for decades and had to meet him. I was afraid that he’d become upset at seeing me but imagine my surprise at his reception of me. He and I sat and talked about Dr Hook and his influences as he sat and ate a sandwich. After 15 minutes or so it was time for me to take the stage so we shook hands, hugged and said goodbye. During our short set, I looked over to stage left and there was Ray and watching me intently even smiling from time to time! After all the acts including Ray had finished their sets we were asked to all take the stage for a bow. One more surprise happened as I stood on that stage so close to so many successful artists of my youth. Ray, who had headlined the show, still had the mic. He said he’d met a great new friend and fellow back stage and called my name. As I approached him there was that unforgettable twinkle in his eye as he Sung my praises and Ben proceeded to give me a kiss right on the mouth In front of 8000 people!!!! The n do morning, my wife asked me “ How soft was his beard?” 😂 God, what an honor. RIP Ray

Man I saw these guys back in the 70s and they were so fun to watch on stage so many classic lyrics to the cover of the Rolling Stone it’s hard to mention them all we keep getting richer but we can’t get our picture on the cover of the Rolling Stone

Loved Dr Hook since I was about 16. Saw Dennis perform solo twice here in the UK about 10 years ago. They will always be my favourite band of all time. It’s funny that at 45 I’m probably amongst their youngest fans.

I'm 74 years old, and saw these guys numerous times. I always made a point to get tickets and go see them when they played anywhere around my area. They were a good band and always fun and entertaining to see. I'd have to say that I liked their earlier stuff much better than the later material. I really enjoyed them and I'm grateful that I got to see them so many times. I still have some of their recorded music that I listen to when I'm kickin' back or when I'm out driving in my Jeep.

Love that album cover , yellow with a moon 🌙

I wasn't a great fan of Dr. Hook until I heard Shel Silverstein's "Freakin' At The Freaker's Ball" album in 1972. Been a big fan of both since.

Got to see Ray and his son play at a show in Myrtle Beach back in the early 2000s even being 70 years old that man put on one hell of a show we were at a biker bar and he came out with a cup of whiskey in one hand and a cup of beer in the other to start the show then stole the joint from my friend in the front row it was great really summed up my childhood from the 70s

Ray was my favorite. He was a very handsome man

Thank you, RAY SAWYER for doing your part to help tame mankind with your gift and talent. May GOD bless your legacy and surviving family.

Never got to see them live, but they have been riding around with me for 50 years. Great band.

I have been to 1000s of concerts and it all started in 1972 with Dr. HOOK . Six Flags In St.louis

I love Dr Hook, always have. However I was two years old in 1974

I was just a young buck in 72 when I first heard the song. I will never forget that summer, singing it on the way to beach. It was a fairly long walk from the cottage. Sylvia's mother said, Sylvia crying...then my brother and I use to make up our own words..WKBW out of buffalo with Sandy Beach...Canada was free then. The phone booth on 3c in front of Thunder Bay drive in stood as our prop. We always checked it for change... you never know. What a time it was. I miss the old cottage.

I saw Dr Hook and the medicine show around 1975 at Boss Hardware in Destin FL, had a hell of a time! They were great! In the mid 90s or so Ray showed up at a local festival here in my little home town in nw Florida....Ray came out did a few songs, lasting about 20 minutes then he walk off stage....seemed to be to drunk to carry on. His voice just wasn't what it had been.

I saw them in the early 90's here in Owensboro Kentucky. I understand that Ray was the only original member in that band that night. They were going by Dr. Hook. It was a great show. I am 62 at the time of this writing. I used to hear Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show on the radio a LOT on the radio while I was living in San Diego throughout most of the 70's.

Our band, MSFunk, opened for Dr. Hook in Huntsville Alabama in 1972. We ran into them again in Michigan the following year. Yes…they loved to have fun and party!

Nice. Thank you.

A great but, sadly forgotten band. Love their music and great sense of humor. Thanks for giving them the recognition that they so greatly deserve.

My very first concert. My dad took me and my sister to see Dr. Hook with special guest Sha Na Na!!! 77 I think...I know I was very little and I was totally bummed that Sha Na Na didn't end their performance by jumping off the stage. In the 70s, the Sha Na Na TV show would end with the members of the 50s DoWop group jumping off the stage and freeze frame in mid air as the credits would roll and as a 5 or 6 year old kid I totally expected an exact version of the TV show. I remember Dr.Hook doing When you're in love with a beautiful woman, My Dad loved that band and that was one of his favorite songs from that band. My dad was a musician also and as I grew into a teenager I began playing guitar myself but never had a desire to perform or play local establishments like my dad used to do. It's cool how music works for different people. Music, especially real music not the garbage being passed off as music for the past 20 something years since the year 2000, music for me is like a snapshot of the period. Like a photo album, where I remember little bits and pieces of my life and the friends and family around me at whatever time a particular song had been released. Back when radio was all you had and the occasional TV performance or live concert. You dig a particular group or artist and you found their album, you took it home and opened it up and lay it on the turntable and dropped the needle. In my case I put on my big olive green headphones with the long coiled cord that was able to reach all the way across your bedroom. I'd lay on my bed and read the album jacket backwards and forward. Stare at the pictures or the album art. Today people just buy a file or download a free file. Technology isn't necessarily a good thing.

Saw Dr Hook in the 70s Liverpool Empire ....Been Hooked ever scince .And I have seen Dennis a few times when he has been on tour . still play there music a lot . today . better than a lot of the music out today

I saw Dr Hook many times. They played in my home town back in the 70's. I actually met Dennis at the Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville and drank beer with him. It was a highlight in my life.

Their music is engrained in my mind. Thank you for posting this well spoken video.

Hey rid of all the face and lip hair. Dye your hair blondish. Look younger. Very talented.

❤ Sylvia's Mother, great song of my youth ❤

When I was in elementary school didn't know a lot of the bands just would here them on the radio thanks for the info and background that was good old days wish I could turn the clock back sometime cause I hear a old song it's like a time machine for me I can tell you what was going on when that's song was out keep these good old videos coming stay safe

I loved them and I didn't realized that Ray Sawyer was from Alabama and I am too 😅

This was my all-time favorite band until they tried to go commercial. It kind of went downhill from then. But I always loved this band. I wish to God I could have seen this band, but it is one concert I will never be ab le to say I have seen.

Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks and Dr.Hook were my favorite bands back in those days.

Amazing band.. have many of their albums and tapes.🎤🎼🎶🎸🎸🎸🥁

Yes I saw them I think it was 1976 and I was very excited. I played in a rock band back then and these guys and their onstage Personna was my idea of what a show should be … I always felt like when you’re performing you should keep in mind that that’s what it is put on a show put on a great performance and keep in mind that the audience is the most important thing and Ray and the medicine show Fulfilled every expectation

My Oldest Brother Turned Me on Dr Hook and The Medicine Show Back in The Mid 70's I Was Hooked 👍👍. I Got The Pleasure of Turning My Wife On To Them and Wound Up Taking Her & Our 9 mo. Old Daughter To See Them in Concert @The L.A. Fairgrounds in 1980. Then in 81 I Took My Wife To See Them @ The "Birdcage Theatre" @ Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, Cali. Fri. Sat.& Sun. Nites ‼️She Actually Got EVERYONE'S Autograph ( except The Drummer's ) . Those Were The Days My Friends. God Bless All !!!

Well we're big rock singers we got toes and fingers and we're loved everywhere we go.......we sing about beauty and we sing about truth at 10 thousand dollars a show. Great band Great lyrics highly underrated guitar player was amazing also

Saw Dr. Hook in ‘88 at Buffalo Chip in Sturgis. They opened up for the Doobie Brothers. Was a fantastic show. In the middle of the show Ray flirted with my buddies wife right from the stage as we were standing up front. Of course she flirted right back with him! Was pretty funny, her hubby was the jealous type and we had to hold him back from jumping up in the stage to confront Ray. Good times, good times…

I seen them at big surf in Tempe az in 1971or 72 great show had a great time

Sir you do a nice job. I could listen to your voice all day. Dr. Hook had some great songs. Sadly i never got the opportunity to see them. Boe

My GF has known Ray for many years, always speaks fondly of him!

"Carry me, Carrie"

I remember seeing them at old Chicago amusement park back in 79

My older brother saw them 4 times in the 70s in Miami and where we're from Cleveland .Music has always been a big part of our lives any almost any song we here will put us back in time .Me being born in 1965 I did not realize what a great band dr hook was I new there music but did not realize why they were until last year I love these guys and I love their stage show Awsome ,Awsome Awesome

Late 80's early 90's Webster Texas. I gave my mom a cat I named Dr.Hook. We went to the show and she told Ray she had a cat named Dr.Hook. Enjoyed the show it was like Midnight Special.

Great band ! Great show ! Very entertaining and lots of Recognizable hits !

Geweldige band, fantastische muziek en veel lol. Love to see their live video's, it's the best medicine for having a good time.

I saw them in 1983, I think, can't be sure of the year, however, I loved every minute of it. Great performance and I loved every song they had out! Such talent..............

Really enjoy your videos man, thanks for sharing 😎

I sent a fan letter to Rik Elswit a few weeks ago. He never wrote back , unfortunately.

Saw Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show 3 times at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington Tx. 1974 -1976. They were funny and outrages. The last time at SixFlags 3 of my friends Andy I showed up at there Show wearing eye patches. Other than shirts , they would have made a lot of $$$ if they would have sold Sawyer Eye Patches. Loved them and miss them. RIP Mr. Ray Sawyer.

Im 58 years old, when I was in my late teens and early 20's, I "romanced" MANY women by singing DR HOOK love songs to them.... ahh... memories of our youth....lol

Somebody told me years ago and opinion is like an a****** everybody's got one. You may think that Ray Sawyer was an okay singer and that maybe your opinion only but thank God not everybody thinks the way that you do because I thought he was an awesome singer and he was extremely entertaining so does that mean that his song cover of the Rolling Stones was an okay song and that his vocals were okay? I think there are millions of people that would disagree with you! Ray Sawyer was a very attractive man and he was very talented and he was a very good percussionist. Please don't sell this man short. He must have been great to be in the entertainment industry for many years and make a name for himself! I'm sorry that you didn't find him as talented as we all have. I guess we all have our own opinion. Ray Sawyer was amazing

Saw them in Butte, Montana in 1974. It was a great show and they did an encor song dedicated to Butte. The song was Freakers Ball and fit Butte to a tee. When my wife and I left for California then Colorado, in 1972, to attend schooling Sylvia's Mother was their big hit and we listened to it on the radio through the entire trip.

I am one of eight retired baby Boomers 7 GIRLS play the guitar and I am the lead singer although I am a Soprano I can use my voice in many ways like sounding very much like Ray Sawer the female version LOL. we are performing the cover of the rolling Stone for our next concert and boy are we having fun rehearsing and getting into caricature

Dr Hook was first concert I ever seen 1978.Also seen his solo in mid 80s in of all places Yellowknife of the NWT. Last time I seen Dr HOOK would have been around 2013 or 14 all good shows.

The Bankrupt album is one of my all time favorites, I still have a playable copy of it. I definitely wore out a couple of copies tho. Great party album 👍✌️

He had a ball,,,these guys were awesome still love ❤ his music in 2022

We had a guitarist from South Dakota in our band in North Dakota who had played with Ray in the later years. He said Ray was a good guy and the eye patch wasn't just a prop. They ended up in Denmark.

Sad thing is, he couldn’t sing for toffee. I worked with whim on BBC Top of the Pops and he was terrible.

My old man played guitar for Ray, he was always happy, the best ray story is him meeting Michael Jackson….

Great Band, great Memories. Thank you so much. All the best from Bavaria.

Dr. Hook appeared nude on Danish TV back in 1973.

2024, and they're still relevant. Can't say that about many others.

Ah yes. I saw Ray Sawyer in Alton Illinios at the Alton Bell Casino and theatre back around 1997 ? He was being Ray . Fun animated and did his part of the face of the old Medicine Show routine. They had an early show from 7-9 pm and did not fail to wail and play their greatist hit songs. After their show around 10:00pm. Ray came in the game floor moving to various one armed bandits end up sitting , next to where I was sitting .About 10 minutes later his machine hit and lite up like a christmas tree for payout of $1000.00 dollars. Damn luck to you I said in congradulations to the patched eyed guy I knew it was RaySawyer . Yeah he said , that was just enough to cover for their bar tab from the two night shows he told me . We laughed . He cashed out and that was the last I seen of him . Cheers 02/12/2022

Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk is my favorite Dr Hook song.

Funny story, years ago I had met Robert Garfat, father of Jance Garfat of Dr. Hook. Jance died in a motorcycle wreck in San Francisco back in the 1990s. Anyway, I am up in Southern Oregon camping near a National Forest campground and while talking with the rather sketchy campground host, he bragged that he was in Dr. Hook and sang the bass parts on this song. I asked him his name. He said something other than Jance's name and I said I actually knew Jance's dad and that he (the campground host) was not really in the band. He then rather rudely asked me to leave the campground. There are posers everywhere. lol

Ray’s roadies seemed to like him. I was at a show and one of his former roadies was working for someone else and spoke well of him.

I saw Ray in the late 90s (?) in a summer series at Fred Brown Amphitheater in Peachtree City, GA where they would have shows that combined 3 or 4 "orphan" musicians from old acts and do a best of. I was pleased to get to meet him afterward, spend a few minutes and get his autograph. He was gracious, funny and having a good time. My friend got him to sign her bra (an extra one she brought with)!

Went to see dr hook in Joplin Mo after their hay day. Show was canceled just as it started because, we were told, Sawyers son overdosed on the bus. Disappointed and saddened.

My favorite song by Dr Hook was Penicillin Penny.

saw him in 1992 as a one show and he was great played all the hits

Does anybody have a clue about what the falling out between Dennis and Ray was all about?

Cork boots

River Docs voice and narration reminds me of the Cowboy guy (Sam Elliott) sitting at the bar in the Big Lebowski

In 1975 I was riding shotgun on a trip from Ft Myers FL to Miami with my older brother. He was going to go see his soon to be wife and wanted help driving as it was still a long drive back then. When we got there he rather unceremoniously dumped me to have a good time by myself.....on foot. After trudging around in the summer heat I skulked sullenly into a fast food joint for a milk shake to improve my mood. I had the place to myself until this crowd of noisy guys came in the place. I had taken the big booth in the corner visually sending the message to LEAVE ME ALONE! These guys were laughing and really being loud. They promptly spotted me and crowded into the booth around me. They continued to cut up and prod me with questions. The guy with the eye patch says, "Hey guys! This cat really don't know who we are!" "Tell him who we are Ray!" said one of them. "Boy, do you listen to the radio? You know, like rock and roll?" Still in a funk I said of course. "Boy, you ever hear of Dr. Hook?" Wham! It suddenly dawned on me who I was sitting with. Well that improved my mood considerably and I had a good time hanging out with one of the most famous bands at the time. When they found out how I ended up where I was at they offered me a ride back to my soon to be sister in laws house. They were being driven around in an airport van and apologized profusely that they didn't have any goodies for me to prove to my asshole brother who I had been hanging with that afternoon. They finally dug a napkin out of one of the bags and every one put down their signature. One of them even drew a stylized "Dr. Hook" at the top. I had that McDonald's napkin for years and it got lost to time somewhere. But I'll never forget hanging out with Ray and the gang that one afternoon. Cheers Terry

Thanks so much for this! At 5:29, finally learned who sang "I got a freaky old lady..." and at 5:48, who started the song. I'm referring to "The Cover of the Rolling Stone." They actually did get thier likeness on it on the 3-29-73. issue.

They "Get my Rocks off". Great band.

They took over a radio station in the 70s my dad recorded it very funny

It would be fitting if his head stone read " I got stoned and I missed it"

Totally Love This Band i Still Play Them In The Car OFTEN Even My Grown Up Children Have To Tolerate Them Whenever They Visit, Ive Put Them Thru All The Music I Grew Up Listening Too Yet Unfortunately My Youngest (28yrs) Prefers That Terrible Japanese Techno Noise !

It's weird how Ray was definitely the face of Dr. Hook, yet Dennis sang lead on most of their hits other than Cover of the Rolling Stone. I saw the band once and Ray was a riot!

I also saw Dr Hook and the Medicine Show in 1974. They were opening for Uriah Heep at Barton Colosseum in Little Rock Arkansas.

I got to see them in 1980 (ish) I wish I would have been smart enough to take pictures and have been sober enough to enjoy it and remember it.

Saw them at Duke University opening for Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Great show.

saw them @ 1981, took my 1yr old daughter cause our babysitter fell through and grew up listening to them .I'm 66 now.Saw them in Kamloops

Dr hook had a concert in Joplin MO in the early 70's. It was held in a sports stadium next to a railroad track, my brother and I road our chopped-out Schwinn bicycles there thinking we could watch them thru the fence. we parked next to some Harley Davidson motorcycles sitting on our bikes thinking we were pretty cool when the train started coming our way. The horn was so loud it stopped the concert and someone on the stage said I hope that train don.t hit my hog out there. Everybody turned to look our way, we thought we would be in trouble for opening the tarp that was on the fence so we could see. We rode off as fast as we could. Thanks for posting and bringing back some memories.

I wish I had seen them live. I'm 54 and have many of their songs on my music phone app.

A guy at work says he met some of the band when their bus broke down in Omaha .Some of them stopped in Norfolk & partied with him & his friends while the rest of em went up to Yankton.or so my coworkers story goes.I my self never had a bad night with 2 bottles of boones farm and a Dr Hook tape !

my daughters still talk about us singing Dr hook on road trips......memories less complicated times...

At 4:08, it said there were conflicting stories about how Ray lost the eye. I was led to believe the auto accident story, but now I wonder.

'Eye' always wondered if Ray 'patched' things up with Dennis?

I'm from Chickasaw and remember hearing them rehearse walking to the playground in the 70s...

Awesome band in person!

The only band i ever seen where all of there songs were my favorite, i grew up in 70's and loved the music!

Hey thanks so much for the great documentary on Dr. Hook. They deserve the pub.

Saw them in Tulsa in 72, had an awesome time . So much fun! RIP Ray.

God bless Ray R.I.P.

Aw man, I brought this up to watch it, but then I got stoned and I missed it.....

Favorite song freaks ball

Maybe he's not a real doctor.

First time hearing about them, but I'll be flag to sit down and listen to this tail.

I saw them in '74 at the Municipal Auditorium, Charleston, SC, and they were hilarious! I saw them in early '76 at a local club there, long defunct, right after they signed with Capitol and had a hit with their version of "Only Sixteen." George was gone, they were a little less unruly, but still lots of fun. I later read that at roughly the time between those gigs, they had really hit bottom with their popularity and had been reduced to playing in places like biker bars to keep going. I'm so glad they persevered, even though their last period had the most hits and the least Shel Silverstein.