Rae Bourbon - Let Me Tell You About My Operation 1950s

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Rae Bourbon	Ray Bourbon Hal Wadell, Texarkana b. 1892 Ramon Icarez,  Chihuahua b. 1898 Richard F Mann (pen name)	Texarkana, Texas or Chihuahua, Texas
1892 or 1989 - 1971	Unofficial Site	Unofficial Bio

Ray Bourbon, was in my opinion the leading drag artist of the early years,  and by far the most prolific regarding recordings, issuing around 40 78 rpm  records, and over a dozen albums. Shown here are many of his albums, issued during the 1950s. Starting in vaudeville he attracted the attention of Mae West, who cast him in two of her shows. Around 1956 he concocted the ingenious gimmick of claiming to have had a sex change operation, which he milked for the rest of his career. He even entitled one of his albums, "Let Me Tell You About My Operation," and at that time changed his name from Ray to Rae. Colorful to the last, in 1968 he went to prison as an accomplice in a murder, stemming from a dispute over pet dogs, and he died in prison, of a heart attack in July of 1971. Diamond Lil, my feature interview for this show, remembers seeing Rae perform, and relates a couple of her memories of him. Source: queermusicheritage.us

Founder of UTC (Under The Counter) Label.

01 Let Me Tell You About My Operation

02 Oh Doctor

03 I'm In The Family Way

04 Mrs Willoughby Will Definitely Object

05 When I Said, No To Joe

06 I Don't Want To Be A Madam

07 Millie

08 The Piano Teacher

09 Telephone Girl At The Ritz

	Under The Counter UTC-7
	Queer Comedy
Enjoy!

Rae Bourbon - You're Stepping On My Eyelashes 1950s

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Rae Bourbon	Ray Bourbon Hal Wadell, Texarkana b. 1892 Ramon Icarez,  Chihuahua b. 1898 Richard F Mann (pen name)	Texarkana, Texas or Chihuahua, Texas
1892 or 1989 - 1971	Unofficial Site	Unofficial Bio

Rae Bourbon started in show business in silent movies and English music hall and, in the 1930s and 40s, was known for his gay themed nightclub review and performances in San Francisco, Los Angeles and many other cities.
"You're Stepping on My Eyelashes" was recorded and released in the 1950s and was the second album self-published by Ray on the UTC (or "Under the Counter") label. The album; sold at Bourbon's nightclub dates, via mail order, and in select record shops; consists of studio versions of some of Ray's popular nightclub songs. A 10" version of this album was released which omitted "Tom Thumb" and "The Party Line"; these files were mastered from the 12" version of the LP. Source: www.archive.org

Founder of UTC (Under The Counter) Label.

01 Life Goes to a Party

02 Queen of the YMCA

03 Back in Drag Again

04 Queen of the Ballet

05 The Family Tree

06 Queen of the Navy

07 I Must Have a Greek

	Under The Counter UTC-2
	Queer/Gay/Drag Comedy
Enjoy!