Larry Ramos, lead vocalist and lead guitarist with the band The Association, which produced such hits as “Along Comes Mary,” “Cherish,” “Windy” and “Never My Love” during the 1960s, was born at Waimea, Kaua‘i in 1942, and was raised on
Larry Ramos, lead vocalist and lead guitarist with the band The Association, which produced such hits as “Along Comes Mary,” “Cherish,” “Windy” and “Never My Love” during the 1960s, was born at Waimea, Kaua‘i in 1942, and was raised on Kaua‘i.
He gives his mother, “Pat” Obtinario, an accomplished singer in Filipino bands, credit for his musical talent. From his father, Larry — a self-taught inventor and owner of a dry-cleaning business in Waimea who once cleverly modified washing machines to dry-clean garments — he inherited his creative gifts.
Larry was 3 or 4 years old when his father presented him with his first musical instrument, an ‘ukulele he’d strung with catgut. A natural musician, he shortly thereafter played his first song, “My Bonny Lies Over The Ocean.” Quickly learning songs by listening to the radio, he soon honored his father by playing the “Anniversary Waltz” for him while accompanying himself with his ‘ukulele.
Larry met fame in 1947 when he and his sister, Carmen, won the Honolulu KGMB radio “Amateur Hour” by his playing ‘ukulele and singing harmony with her. He then appeared in the film “Pagan Love Song” starring Esther Williams in 1949, won a territory-wide ‘ukulele contest organized by broadcaster Arthur Godfrey and performed nationally on Godfrey’s radio and TV programs in 1950 and 1951. In his teens Larry played the crown prince in the touring company of the musical “The King and I” with actor Yul Brynner.
Before joining The Association in 1967, Larry was an original member of the folk group the New Christy Minstrels. Notably with The Association, he sang lead with Russ Giguere on “Windy” and “Never My Love” with Terry Kirkman.
Still performing with The Association, Ramos resides in Idaho with his wife of 46 years, Helene.
