Ray Collins (musician)

Ray Collins (November 19, 1936 – December 24, 2012) was an American musician.

Collins grew up in Pomona, California singing in his school choir, the son of a local police officer. He quit high school to get married.[1]

Collins started his musical career singing falsetto backup vocals for various doo-wop groups in the Los Angeles area in the late 1950s and early 1960s,[1] including Little Julian Herrera and the Tigers. In 1964, Collins, drummer Jimmy Carl Black, bassist Roy Estrada, saxophonist Dave Coronado, and guitarist Ray Hunt formed The Soul Giants.

Hunt was eventually replaced by Frank Zappa, and the group evolved into the Mothers of Invention.[1] Ray was the lead vocalist on most songs for their early albums, including Freak Out!, Absolutely Free, Cruising with Ruben & the Jets and Uncle Meat. He additionally provided harmonica on Freak Out!. In 1968 Ray quit The Mothers of Invention and was replaced by Lowell George, but continued to contribute to other Zappa projects through the mid-1970s.[1]

Currently Ray Collins niece/protege Shay Collins has been leading her own mission to carry on the name and memory of Ray Collins, with an American rock duo Mother Legacy. Labeling herself as Ray's legacy, determined to carry on all of his teachings and steadfast beliefs and desires in music.