Sol Raye

Who was Sol Raye?

Neville Marshall-Corbin was a Guyanese cabaret singer, composer and recording artist who moved to England in the 1960s and originally studied acting, performing with the English Stage Company. He was born in Christianburg, Guyana.

His singing style was reflective of Nat King Cole. A nine-time winner of the British TV talent contest Opportunity Knocks, he recorded such popular songs as "Mona Lisa", "How Sweet It Is", and "Come Home Love".

He was best known for the semi-regular role of Burt in the Black British sitcom Desmond's, as a member of The Georgetown Dreamers, a band that featured Desmond and Raye's fellow real-life musicians Porkpie and Vince.

Raye performed several cabaret tributes to Nat Cole and also produced and directed the 1985 TV tribute to Cole entitled A Nightingale Sang. He was also an opening act for such performers as The Supremes and Eartha Kitt.

His younger brother, Robert Corbin, is the current leader of the People's National Congress Reform, the main Guyanese opposition political party. His legacy lives on in the shape of Okan Fahri his great nephew.

Raye died in London, England, on Friday, 31 March 2006 of prostate cancer.