- Music
- 21 Aug 23
Ray Hildebrand of Paul & Paula has died at the age of 82
He wrote the multi-million-selling ‘Hey Paula’ which enjoyed three weeks as No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Ray Hildebrand of 60s pop duo Paul and Paula, passed away on Friday 18 August in Kansas City at the age of 82.
A statement from his publicist said that Hildebrand died “peacefully” and was surrounded by family.
Born in 1940 in Texas, he met his singing partner Jill Jackson at Howard Payne College.
Performing as Paul & Paula, the pair landed a number of songs which appeared on Billboard’s charts, such as ‘First Quarrell’, ‘Young Lovers’, ‘Something Old’ and ‘First Day Back at School’.
Their best-known hit was the multi-million-selling ‘Hey Paula’. The track was released in 1963 and enjoyed three weeks as No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Paul & Paula released, two albums and a Christmas-themed set, before brining the project to an end in 1965 when Hildebrand wanted to finish university and go in a different musical direction.
The pair remained friends and occasionally joined forces for special gigs.
As a devout Christian, Hildebrand’s solo work reflected his faith. His record Say I Do, is considered a seminal work in the contemporary Christian genre. He went on to team up with Paul Land, performing Christian music under the name Land & Hildebrand.
RELATED
- Film And TV
- 21 May 24
The Beach Boys: "Our music has always been a release and celebration of life"
- Culture
- 14 Jul 23
New Beach Boys book to be released next year
RELATED
- Music
- 08 Nov 21
George Harrison's childhood home to be auctioned
- Pics & Vids
- 30 Jun 25