Michael Rea (born April 4, 1960) better known by his stage name Michael Ray or M. Ray, is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer, who was a guitarist for the punk rock band Plasmatics and for fromwoman Wendy O. Williams' solo projects.Plasmatics biography at MTV.comAbout Michael Ray's association with PlasmaticsMichael Ray working on Wendy's solo projects He also worked with hard rock band Kiss and toured with the English rock band Motörhead.SPIN, Michael Ray with Motorhead. SPIN Media LLC, July 1986, p. 32.Working with Kiss
Early life Ray was born in Queens, NY in 1960. He grew up in Woodhaven, New York and attended Beach Channel High School. He was discovered by Gene Simmons at My Father's Place, a club on Long Island in 1982 at the age of 22.Michael Ray's biography at artistdirect.com
Career In the year 1982, Michael Ray auditioned for the band Kiss as the replacement of Ace Frehley. He recorded guitar solos for the album Creatures of the Night at Record Plant Studios, New York. Michael recorded as lead guitarist for the songs Keep me comin, Creatures of the Night, I Still Love You, and War Machine.Replacing Ace Frehley as lead guitaristLead guitarist for WOW
In 1983 after the departure of Vinnie Vincent, Michael played live with Kiss at Rocket Rehearsal Studios, New York for the Live Lick it up audition. He performed the songs Fits like a Glove, Gimme More, Exciter and Hells Breakin Loose.
In 1984, Michael recorded as lead guitarist for the Wendy O. Williams first solo album WOW, produced by Gene Simmons. He signed the management contract and the record was released on Passport Records. He also wrote songs for Wendy O. Williams second solo album Kommander of Kaos.Michael ray at discogs.com
He appeared on The Joan Rivers Show in 1986 in Studio City, Los Angeles and performed two songs. In 1987, he collaborated music for the New World Pictures release of Reform School Girls.Reform School Girls at AFI Catalog of Feature Films
Ray also wrote songs on the Plasmatics 9th Anniversary album, Maggots: The Record that was released on Profile Records in 1987. It was considered to be the biggest selling Plasmatics album to date.Details of Maggot:The recordPlasmatics/Wendy O. WIlliams Maggot:The Record
Discography
Vocals Wendy O. Williams / Plasmatics - Maggots: The Record (1987) Wendy O. Williams - Kommander Of Kaos (2000)
Instruments and performance Wendy O. Williams - WOW (1984) Wendy O. Williams - It's My Life (1984) Wendy O. Williams - Live (1985) Wendy O. Williams - Fuck N' Roll (1985) It's My Life - Reform School Girl (1986) Wendy O. Williams / Plasmatics - Maggots: The Record (1987) Wendy O. Williams - Kommander Of Kaos (2000) Wendy O. Williams - Bump 'N' Grind (2000) Sara Johnston - Trespassing (2011) Kiss - Gene Simmons Vault Disc One Track 6 solo on Legends Never Die (1982)
Writing and arrangement Goin Wild Various - Reform School Girls (1986) Wendy O. Williams / Plasmatics - Maggots: The Record (1987)
References