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From Broadway to the West End and beyond: The remarkable journey of Ray Shell
For this episode of the Unusual Histories Podcast, Danny is joined by the actor, director and singer Ray Shell who was the original Rusty in Starlight Express. He is also the author of the impossible to put down novel – Iced, which is being developed as a film.
Ray grew up in America and moved to London in 1978. He shares his fascinating first impressions of London and the UK and how things have evolved since, including different approaches to crime, racism, the structure of society, politics and far more. Ray has had an amazing career and life, including some low points. He shares it all here.
If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled and fact-packed history-related videos.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Compared to New York, London was very quiet.
- London used to be far less colourful, almost grey.
- For Ray, the UK was very much a haven. There were barely any guns or cocaine in the UK at the time. In New York, they were rife.
- Racism in the UK was there in the 70s, but it was more subtle than in America.
- In some ways the UK was less racist than America e.g. interracial relationships were more accepted.
- Opportunities come from some surprising places; it really pays to be nice to people.
- Push yourself to do new things to create opportunities you never expected.
- Ray´s book "Iced" transformed his finances. If you have a book in you, write it.
- When Ray landed the role of Rusty in Starlight Express he couldn´t roller skate.
- Ordinary people do not realise the power they have if they stick together and act in unity.
- If you have an idea, someone will buy it, so make it a reality.
BEST MOMENTS
“My first impression of London was that it was so quiet compared to New York City.”
“We could walk down the street without looking over our shoulder.”
“Meatloaf could sing his ar** off .”
“I´ve had an incredible career, but most of these things happen by accident.”
“Poverty has no colour.”
“We are just unconsciously giving our money away - we have power.”
“My total book deal was worth about £350,000.”
“Your life is not hopeless.”
EPISODE RESOURCES
https://x.com/rayshell
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Ray-Shell/author/B001KE89ZS
https://streetangelsbooks.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/tribewilson22
HOST BIO
Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.
CONTACT AND SOCIALS
https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638
https://twitter.com/dannyhurst
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720
View all episodes
By Danny HurstFor this episode of the Unusual Histories Podcast, Danny is joined by the actor, director and singer Ray Shell who was the original Rusty in Starlight Express. He is also the author of the impossible to put down novel – Iced, which is being developed as a film.
Ray grew up in America and moved to London in 1978. He shares his fascinating first impressions of London and the UK and how things have evolved since, including different approaches to crime, racism, the structure of society, politics and far more. Ray has had an amazing career and life, including some low points. He shares it all here.
If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled and fact-packed history-related videos.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Compared to New York, London was very quiet.
- London used to be far less colourful, almost grey.
- For Ray, the UK was very much a haven. There were barely any guns or cocaine in the UK at the time. In New York, they were rife.
- Racism in the UK was there in the 70s, but it was more subtle than in America.
- In some ways the UK was less racist than America e.g. interracial relationships were more accepted.
- Opportunities come from some surprising places; it really pays to be nice to people.
- Push yourself to do new things to create opportunities you never expected.
- Ray´s book "Iced" transformed his finances. If you have a book in you, write it.
- When Ray landed the role of Rusty in Starlight Express he couldn´t roller skate.
- Ordinary people do not realise the power they have if they stick together and act in unity.
- If you have an idea, someone will buy it, so make it a reality.
BEST MOMENTS
“My first impression of London was that it was so quiet compared to New York City.”
“We could walk down the street without looking over our shoulder.”
“Meatloaf could sing his ar** off .”
“I´ve had an incredible career, but most of these things happen by accident.”
“Poverty has no colour.”
“We are just unconsciously giving our money away - we have power.”
“My total book deal was worth about £350,000.”
“Your life is not hopeless.”
EPISODE RESOURCES
https://x.com/rayshell
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Ray-Shell/author/B001KE89ZS
https://streetangelsbooks.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/tribewilson22
HOST BIO
Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.
CONTACT AND SOCIALS
https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638
https://twitter.com/dannyhurst
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720