Monday, April 19, 2004

So long RAY CONDO. ERic (Mr. Rock-n-Roll) supplied this obit from Velvet Rope.com,

"It is with great regret that his close friends must report the sudden death of Rock and Roll legend Ray Condo. Ray was found dead in his apartment in Vancouver, April 15 from an apparent heart attack.

Ray did not have any immediate family but did have a family of friends that cared for him dearly; this family stretched around the world.

Ray had recently returned to an active music career after a three year break during which he worked for the Canadian National Railways. Ray was Canada's representative at the many international festivals he played and was preparing to tour the US, Europe and Australia this coming summer. His recent shows (including a sold out show in Los Angeles at the Derby) had shown Ray to be in fine form.

Ray became a country and rockabilly singer through the back door of punk, playing in Vancouver's The Secret V's. Exposure to the Cramps led him to revisit his Elvis roots and in 1984 he formed Ray Condo & The Hardrock Goners in Montreal. The group quickly became Canada's premier rockabilly act. Ray moved back to Vancouver in 1994, forming Ray Condo & The Ricochets, whose mix of western swing, rockabilly and jazz delighted fans around the world.

At the time of his death, Ray Condo was in the process of building a new group and sound with longtime guitar player Stephen Nikleva and fellow music veteran Ian Tiles. Ray was optimistic, and looking forward to the future. He will be sorely missed.

Edited by Gigliamo (04/19/04 05:50 PM)

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