Rudy Grayzell

Rudy "Tutti" Grayzell (June 8, 1933 - November 26, 2019), also known as Rudy Gray,^[1] was a Rockabilly musician.^[2]

He was born Rudolph Paiz Jimenez in Saspamco, Texas, and took his stage-name from his German great-grandmother. He first formed "The Buckles", which became "Texas Kool Kats" and a popular local group. He also had a daily radio show in 1957.^[3] These groups were country-oriented, but he moved toward a more rockabilly sound with "Let's Get Wild" or "Duck Tail." In the 1950s he toured with Elvis Presley,^[4] who came up with his nickname, suggesting he should have recorded ”Tutti Frutti”.^[5] He is an inductee of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.^[6]

His chief mainstream contribution has been as "celebrity spokesman" for Pine Brothers Softish Throat Drops, sporting a wild pompadour wig, much jewelry and a pasted-on thatch of chest hair.^[7]