
Ray White
Ray Shirley White Sr. is an African American soul vocalist and rock and blues guitarist, best known as a member of Frank Zappa's touring ensembles. He was drafted into Zappa's band in late 1976, being featured on rhythm guitar and vocals, forming a vocal harmony partnership with Ike Willis on later tours in 1980 and 1984. White's vocals can be heard on Zappa in New York (March 1978) and You Are What You Is (September 1981) as well as others. White can also be found on a The Torture Never Stops and Does Humor Belong in Music?; the former is a DVD from Zappa's 1981 tour (without Ike Willis) and the latter filmed at the pier in New York in 1984; the video features White and Ike Willis' vocal harmonies. According to Zappa, White, who was deeply religious, was uncomfortable with the atheistic views of some of the other band members, which led to his departure. White has also worked with jam-oriented groups like KVHW, Don't Push the Clown and Umphrey's McGee since his contributions to the Zappa band, and has worked with a variety of Michigan artists, including former Rare Earth drummer Bob Weaver, as well as members of the funk/fusion combo Generic Produce. In 2007 Ray White joined Dweezil Zappa as a special guest for the Zappa Plays Zappa Tour. White is also a member of the group Band From Utopia (also called Banned from Utopia), formed by former members of different formations of Frank Zappa's band who wanted to pay tribute to his work. White is also a member of the Zappa Band, an alumni band consisting of former Frank Zappa contributors keyboardist/guitarist Mike Keneally, multi-instrumentalist Robert Martin, bassist Scott Thunes, drummer Joe Travers, guitarist Jamie Kime and White on vocals and guitar.
Known For
Credits
- 2020 · Zappa as Self - Played with Zappa 1976-1984
- 2018 · Kosmische Brocken - Frank Zappa und die Deutschen as
- 2016 · Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words as Self (archive footage)
- 2008 · Frank Zappa - Live in Paris 1980 as Self
- 2008 · Frank Zappa: The Torture Never Stops as Self
- 2008 · Frank Zappa: The Broadcast Archives as Self
- 2007 · Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation as Self (archive footage)
- 1997 · Classic Albums as Self (archive footage)
- 1987 · Video from Hell as Self
- 1985 · Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music? as Self
- 1982 · Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special! as Self
- 1980 · Frank Zappa: New York and Elsewhere as Self