Ray Sharpe was an R&B singer and guitarist best remembered for his 1959 hit "Linda Lu." While he came out of the blues tradition, his most popular music was also informed by country sounds, and his music has been embraced by rockabilly fans for its rootsy rock & roll feel. Born in 1938, Sharpe picked up the guitar after he first heard the music of Chuck Berry, and in 1956, he launched his first band, Ray Sharpe and the Blues Whalers. In 1958 he made his first record, produced by Lee Hazlewood. Hazlewood was also at the controls for 1959's "Linda Lu" (with Duane Eddy on guitar), which took him to the nationwide singles charts, and would prove to be his most enduring tune, covered by the Rolling Stones, the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Kingsmen, and Johnny Kidd & the Pirates.