Gil Ray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gil Ray
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Gil Ray in 1985
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | George Gilbert Ray |
| Born | September 17, 1956 |
| Died | January 24, 2017 (aged 60) |
| Genres | Power pop, alternative rock |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Instruments | Drums, guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1970s–2016 |
| Labels | 125 Records |
| Associated acts | Game Theory, The Loud Family, Rain Parade |
George Gilbert "Gil" Ray (September 17, 1956 – January 24, 2017) was an American musician. He was a talented drummer, guitarist, and singer. Gil Ray was best known for playing in the bands Game Theory and The Loud Family during the 1980s and 1990s. Later, in 2012, he also joined the band Rain Parade for some special reunion shows.
Contents
Biography
Early Musical Adventures
Gil Ray grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. He started his very first band when he was just a kid in 1966.
By the mid-1970s, Gil played in many different bands in Charlotte. These bands played all sorts of music, like glam rock, prog rock, jazz, disco, and punk/new wave. In 1979, he recorded a song with a band called The Happy Eggs. They also released a four-song album called Wake Up in 1981.
In 1982, Gil Ray moved to San Francisco. There, he played in more bands, including Fade To Black, which played goth rock.
Joining Game Theory
In 1985, Gil Ray became a member of the band Game Theory. This band was led by Scott Miller. Gil played the drums and sang backup vocals for Game Theory. He helped record three studio albums with the band. These albums were produced by Mitch Easter.
Their 1986 album, The Big Shot Chronicles, was recorded while the band was on tour. Critics said it was a special pop record that could make you feel many emotions. They also noted its "difficult time signatures" and "criss-cross rhythms."
Gil Ray also contributed to Game Theory's 1987 album, Lolita Nation. He played on the album and even wrote an instrumental song called "Where They Have To Let You In." This double album was seen as unique and exciting. The CD version of Lolita Nation is now a rare item for collectors.
The band's 1988 album, Two Steps from the Middle Ages, was less experimental. Even though it received good reviews and was played on college radio, it didn't become widely popular.
After this album, some band members left. Gil Ray was the only one who stayed with Scott Miller. In 1989, Gil had a back injury, which meant he couldn't play drums for a long time. So, he started playing guitar and keyboards for Game Theory shows. Other musicians joined the band to fill in.
Sadly, before a tour in 1989, Gil Ray was hurt in an incident in San Francisco. He suffered a serious eye injury. He eventually left the band in 1990. Scott Miller then started a new band called The Loud Family.
Game Theory had a short reunion in July 2013. This was a special show to remember Scott Miller. Gil Ray played guitar and sang at this tribute.
In 2016, Gil Ray went into the studio to record drums for Game Theory's final album, Supercalifragile. This album was finished after Scott Miller's death, using his original recordings.
Playing with The Loud Family
Gil Ray was able to play drums again in 1998. He joined Scott Miller's new band, The Loud Family. Gil played on their last two studio albums: Days for Days (1998) and Attractive Nuisance (2000).
Live recordings of Gil playing were included on The Loud Family's album From Ritual to Romance in 2002. He also appeared in a concert video called Loud Family Live 2000.
In 2006, Gil played percussion on The Loud Family's last album, What If It Works?.
Other Music Projects
After Game Theory ended, Gil Ray formed a band called Shiny Wet Parts. They released two cassette albums in the early 1990s.
Gil also released his first solo album, I Am Atomic Man!, in 2006. One critic described it as a "loving throwback" to older indie rock music.
Reunions with Rain Parade
In September 2011, Gil Ray played drums live again after eleven years. He reunited with his early 1980s band, Fade To Black, for a music festival.
Later that year, he played drums for Scott Miller again at a show in Berkeley.
In 2012, Gil Ray joined Rain Parade. This band was famous in the 1980s for its "Paisley Underground" sound. The band members felt that Gil was the perfect drummer for them.
Gil played drums at Rain Parade's comeback concert on December 20, 2012, in San Francisco. This performance was later released as a live CD called San Francisco 2012.
Gil continued to tour with Rain Parade in 2013 and 2014. They even played two shows with other famous Paisley Underground bands like The Bangles and The Dream Syndicate.
In 2016, Gil recorded percussion for the final Game Theory album, Supercalifragile, which came out in 2017.
Illness and Passing
Gil Ray bravely battled cancer for several years. He shared his journey on his blog. He passed away on January 24, 2017, at the age of 60. His death was announced on The Loud Family's website.
Discography
With Game Theory
- The Big Shot Chronicles (Enigma, 1986)
- Lolita Nation (Enigma, 1987)
- Two Steps from the Middle Ages (Enigma, 1988)
- Tinker to Evers to Chance (Alias, 1990)
- Supercalifragile (2017)
With The Loud Family
- Days for Days (Alias, 1998)
- Attractive Nuisance (Alias, 1990)
- From Ritual to Romance (live) (125 Records, 2002)
- What If It Works? (125 Records, 2006)
With Rain Parade
- San Francisco 2012 (live) (090 Records, 2013)
Other
Solo
- I Am Atomic Man! (125 Records, 2006)
With The Happy Eggs
- "You Can't Avoid Love" b/w "Blue Skies" (12-inch single) (Ovo Records, 1979)
- Wake Up (7-inch EP) (Ovo Records, 1981; reissued on DBK Works, 2014)
With Fade to Black
- Corridors of Gender (12-inch EP) (CD Presents Ltd., 1984)
- SF Revisited (1982-1985) (CD compilation) (Sound Cultivator, 2008
- Corridors Revisited (CDr compilation) (Tenderloin, 2011)
With Shiny Wet Parts
- Riding The Big Brown Horse With No Legs (1991, cassette)
- Telejism (1992, cassette)
Videography
- Loud Family Live 2000 (DVD) (125 Records, 2003)
