Drummer Bill Ray, originally from Mississippi, has toured the world with various bands and is best known for his position as Ike Turner's drummer during the last 7 years of his illustrious life. In 2007 the album "Risin' With The Blues", Ike Turner's final release that Bill played on won a Grammy for "Best Traditional Blues".

Bill Ray was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi surrounded by music. His parents were well known photographers who were responsible for many album covers and promo shots for Malaco Records. A steady stream of names such as ZZ Hill, Dorothy Moore, King Floyd, Mississippi Mass Choir, The Jackson Southernaires, Jean Knight, and many others became familiar faces to the young impressionable kid. "I didn't know their names, but these really unique people would show up and have photos made", says BR.

A drummer from pretty much day one, BR found his father's 1961 Ludwig "Joe Morello" series drums, and it was pretty much go-time. "When I was three or four, I sat behind the drums and stared out into space and thought "this is going to be a long road"....or whatever the toddler equivalent to that would equal...." and so it goes, now some odd 35 years later and Bill is still "driving the groove bus".

In 1989 Bill relocated to San Diego, CA. from Jackson and took a gig with a band of brothers (The Ceins) who had a small following on the local club circuit playing oldies and Beatles tribute-like things. It was a good introduction to the local scene. Many interesting gigs came forth; playing for troops in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East was a highlight, as was a residency at a club in Downtown Taipei, Taiwan. "Costa Cruise lines- the Alaska run....that was a complete blast" says Bill about the time where he gained 35lbs in 9 weeks!

Throughout his time playing with virtually every musician in San Diego, several friendships emerged; Kevin Cooper, bassist extraordinaire and Billy worked many gigs together and hung out frequently. Along the way "New York Seth" came to be in the car as well. In 2001 "Coop" suggested to BR that he audition for Ike Turner. So...Bill showed up at Ike's place and the rest is pretty much how history tells it. "Ike called me "the drummer of my soul". That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me, and I'll accept that compliment."

Bill played with Ike for the last 7 years of his life.

Live at NorthSea Jazz, 2002 (w/ Ike Turner)