Ray Weston

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Ray Weston
Birth nameRay Weston
Born Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Genres Alternative rock, jazz, funk, reggae
Occupation(s)Musician, arranger, producer
InstrumentsDrums, percussion
Years active1980s–present
Labels EMI, IRS
Associated acts Wishbone Ash, Tom Jones, Iron Butterfly, Ultravox, Bay City Rollers, The Armoury Show, Fire Next Time, Right Said Fred, Alternative TV, Hautewerk, Jason Feddy, Tom Ricci [1]
Website Official website

Ray Weston is a Scottish drummer, most noted for his work with Wishbone Ash. [2]

Early career

Weston began his drumming career studying with notable Scottish drummer George McGowan, as well as Bob Armstrong, whose former students include Oasis's Alan White, and The Who's Zak Starkey (also the son of Ringo Starr from the Beatles).

After performing in numerous Scottish bands, Ray moved to London in the 1980s, where he met Martin Turner. He quickly established himself as a session musician, performing in the studio with such artists as Del Shannon, Mick Jones, Andy Summers, Bill Wyman, Cliff Richard, Björk and Gavin Rossdale.

Additionally, Ray Weston (on drums) toured with Ultravox keyboard player Billy Currie, under the name Ultravox, before Currie decided on the side project Humania. In 1990, Weston once again met with Martin Turner, who requested he replace Steve Upton in Wishbone Ash. [3]

Wishbone Ash

Weston joined Wishbone Ash for the Strange Affair album and subsequent tour (of which the Live in Chicago album was made).

On leaving in 1993, he continued work as a session player and joined the house bands for Viva Cabaret with Tom Jones, The Jack Dee Show , The Paul Merton Show and An Audience with... Freddie Starr . He rejoined Wishbone Ash in 1997, and recorded several albums with the band, including Bona Fide and Clan Destiny , before leaving once again in 2007. [3]

Iron Butterfly

In 2010, Weston toured with Iron Butterfly as substitute to longtime drummer Ron Bushy on their twelve country European tour, nightly being featured in their seventeen minutes hit In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. The same year saw him producing Chris Amodeo's new album Homo Luminous. He is currently the drummer of Southern California band Hautewerk, whose songs can be found on the highly successful Rock Band video game by Harmonix.

As of 2015, Weston is once again performing with Iron Butterfly; now in the capacity of an official member alongside Bushy (although due to Bushy's current illness, Weston is at present essentially the only active drummer within the band).

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References

Credits at AllMusic

  1. ↑ "Scared (ft. Ray Weston) - Daily Play MPE®". Play MPE. 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  2. ↑ "Biography". Ray Weston. 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  3. 1 2 "Ray Weston profile". Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash. 2008. Archived from the original on 7 June 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
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