R.I.P. Ray Neale

R.I.P. RAY NEALE 1950-2012

It is with great sadness that I have to write yet again the passing of yet another old friend and founder member of my old band Shotgun.
Rockin’ Ray passed away on March 18th at the age of 62. He had been suffering from ill health for several years with severe breathing problems that finally proved to be fatal, he passed away peacefully in his sleep at home.

I first met Ray back in 1967 when he was playing with his band The Kingpins at a Rockers reunion party in South London, and from then on we became close friends and frequently jammed together with many players around at that time throughout the South London Rock ‘n’ Roll circuit, and in 1978 the name Shotgun was born.

Ray’s vocals and guitar playing were out of this world and were second to none. He was loved and admired by everybody who had the privilege of knowing him throughout the length & breadth of the international Rockin’ scene.
He was a true character, and one of my best friends who I shall miss dearly. There will only be one ‘Rockin’ Ray Neale’, as he was unique, and from that old school from where Shotgun first began.
This has again been a very bitter pill to swallow, but his memory will always live on through his music, and all who knew him.
He was and always will be a true ‘Son Of Rockabilly’, and a ‘Rockabilly Brother’ to us all in Shotgun!

R.I.P. Ray.
Always a Friend,
Wild Bob Burgos.

– We Will Always Rebember You // BadAssLifestyle.se