Ray Toro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ray Toro
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Toro live with My Chemical Romance in 2011
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| Birth name | Raymond Toro |
| Born | July 15, 1977 Kearny, New Jersey, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1994–present |
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Raymond Toro (born July 15, 1977) is an American musician. He is best known as the lead guitarist and a backing singer for the band My Chemical Romance.
Contents
Growing Up and Discovering Music
Ray Toro was born on July 15, 1977, in Kearny, New Jersey. His family has roots in Puerto Rico and Portugal. He grew up in a small house with his parents and two brothers.
When he went to Kearny High School, Ray became very interested in music. His brother showed him many bands. Their guitarists really inspired Ray. He took guitar lessons to learn how to play. He also took typing lessons to make his hands faster!
Ray played in several local bands. One of the most successful was The Rodneys, formed in 1994. They released their only album, "Soccertown USA," in 1997. Matt Pelissier, who later became the drummer for My Chemical Romance, also played in this band.
After high school in 1995, Ray thought about studying film instead of music. He went to William Paterson University to learn about editing movies. During this time, he only played drums in a short-lived band called Dead Go West. Ray once said he enjoyed putting movie scenes together to make them make sense.
Ray Toro's Music Journey
Shawn Dillon, the lead singer of The Rodneys, introduced Ray Toro to Gerard Way. Ray agreed to practice with Gerard and Matt Pelissier. They often practiced in Matt's attic. Later, Gerard's younger brother, Mikey Way, joined them on bass guitar. This is how My Chemical Romance was formed!
Guitar Style and Influences
Since My Chemical Romance's third album, The Black Parade, many people have compared Ray Toro to Queen's guitarist, Brian May. Ray has always said that Brian May is a big influence on his guitar playing. Ray feels honored by these comparisons. He thinks Brian May is an amazing guitarist who can do anything with his instrument.
In 2011, My Chemical Romance even performed with Brian May at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.
Helping Others with Music
Ray Toro was a main force behind My Chemical Romance's #SINGItForJapan project. This project helped people affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Ray arranged the band's song "Sing" to sound like traditional Japanese music. "SINGItForJapan" was released on April 13, 2011. All the money raised went to the Red Cross to help those in need.
My Chemical Romance Albums
My Chemical Romance has released four studio albums. They also have two live albums, many singles, and music videos. The band was working on a fifth album before they decided to take a break.
Solo Music and Other Projects
On May 24, 2013, Ray Toro shared a solo song called "Isn't That Something." He played, sang, recorded, and mixed everything himself!
Later in 2013, Ray joined James Dewees's band, Reggie and the Full Effect. He toured with them and played on their album, No Country for Old Musicians. In 2014, Ray also played guitar for the singer Voltaire on his album, Raised by Bats.
Ray released his first solo album, Remember the Laughter, on November 18, 2016. He recorded most of it at his home.
My Chemical Romance Reunion
On October 31, 2019, My Chemical Romance announced they would be getting back together! They played a show in Los Angeles on December 20. They also announced a tour for 2020. However, the tour was postponed to 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who Inspired Ray Toro?
Ray Toro has said that heavy metal guitarist Randy Rhoads and hard rock musician Brian May are his two biggest inspirations. As a teenager, he loved Randy Rhoads because he mixed classical music with metal and hard rock. This was very inspiring to Ray.
Later, he listened to classical guitarists like Andrés Segovia and Christopher Parkening. He loved how they arranged classical pieces for a single guitar.
Ray also says his older brother was a huge influence. His brother bought him his first real guitar and taught him how to play. His brother also introduced him to bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Mötley Crüe, and Metallica.
The first CD Ray ever bought was Cowboys from Hell by Pantera.
Ray's Family Life
Ray Toro married his wife, Christa, in November 2008. This was during a break for My Chemical Romance. They have two sons. One was born in September 2012, and the other in April 2016.
Ray Toro's Music Releases
Solo Albums
- Remember the Laughter (2016)
Solo Songs
- "Isn't That Something" (2013)
- "For the Lost and Brave" (2015)
- "I Think You're Really Cool (Ray Toro Remix)" (with Guardin, 2021)
With The Rodneys
- Soccertown U.S.A. (Sellout Soon Records) – 1997
With My Chemical Romance
- I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (2002)
- Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004)
- The Black Parade (2006)
- Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010)
With Reggie and the Full Effect
- No Country for Old Musicians (2013)
Images for kids
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Ray Toro (right) performing in 2007.
See also
In Spanish: Ray Toro para niños
