Ray Shulman, co-founding multiinstrumentalist for English prog rock group Light Big, has died at 73, older brother Derek confirmed yesterday afternoon (April 1) by way of Fb.
His submit reads:
I’m deeply saddened to announce that my youthful brother and my greatest good friend Ray Shulman handed away on March thirtieth at his residence in London. I used to be with him till the tip as he bravely battled a protracted sickness. A minimum of I do know he’s now at peace. Ray actually was a genius in so some ways. He was such a sort and caring soul. He was an unbelievable composer, musician, music producer & tech wizard. He was a real artist and most well-liked to remain within the background and let his physique of labor converse for him reasonably than discuss himself.
Along with myself and my elder brother Philip he was a founding member of Simon Dupree & The Massive Sound and subsequently Light Big. He went on to provide artists like The Sundays, The Sugarcubes, Ian McCulloch and plenty of extra. Extra just lately he devoted his tech and musical experience in authoring and remixing different artists. He will likely be deeply missed by the music neighborhood as an entire. Extra importantly, I’ll miss him as my brother and really my greatest good friend. He leaves behind his spouse Barbara Tanner & his older brother Philip. To all who knew Ray or know of him ‘Consider him with kindness’.
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Born in Portsmouth, England in 1949, Shulman’s first instrument was the trumpet, and by his teen years, he’d additionally realized to play guitar, bass and violin (all of which he performed in Light Big). In 1966, he, Derek (vocals), and brother Phil (horns) shaped psychedelic/pop/soul band Simon Dupree and the Massive Sound. Though they’d reasonable success with 1967’s “Kites” and their lone LP (With out Reservations), points with how they had been being marketed led to them breaking apart in 1969.
Virtually instantly, the Shulman trio teamed up with guitarist Gary Inexperienced, keyboardist Kerry Minnear and drummer Martin Smith to kind Light Big.
Between 1970 and 1976 (and amidst just a few line-up modifications), they crafted among the most beloved, attribute and influential albums within the historical past of progressive rock, resembling In a Glass Home, The Energy and the Glory and Free Hand. Afterward, they ventured into an easier, extra commercially viable rock aesthetic till their closing file: 1980’s Civilian.
Following Light Big’s disbandment, Ray Shulman grew to become a file producer, and he finally labored with artists resembling The Sugarcubes, Ian McCulloch and The Defects. He additionally scored just a few video video games (1996’s Privateer 2: The Darkening and Azrael’s Tear) and launched trance EPs underneath the pseudonym Head-Physician.
Seeing as how Light Big impressed legions of style proteges – Haken, Spock’s Beard, The Flower Kings, Echolyn and Dream Theater, to call just a few – it didn’t take lengthy for followers and fellow musicians to pay tribute to Shulman.
As an example, Mike Portnoy tweeted: “Unhappy to listen to of the passing of Ray Shulman. Along with being the bassist/multi instrumentalist within the legendary Prog band Light Big, I’ve had the honour of working with him by means of the years on numerous DVD/Blu-ray Authoring initiatives for Inside Out. My condolences.”
Likewise, Dream Theater/Liquid Pressure Experiment keyboardist Jordan Rudess replied to Light Big’s Instagram submit: “That is unhappy information. Light Big had an enormous affect on my musical life. Sympathies go to the household and associates.” In the meantime, New Jersey troupe The Tea Membership posted to Fb: “Ray Shulman was one of the proficient musicians in progressive rock historical past. Relaxation Within the Energy and the Glory.”
Equally, Jethro Tull mastermind Ian Anderson reminisced: “It’s with nice disappointment that we hear of the passing of Ray Shulman, bassist of Light Big and the authoring of many Tull DVDs over time in his capability as technical audio and video engineer. I bear in mind Ray fondly for the numerous excursions we did with Big within the 70s. He will likely be missed enormously by fellow professionals within the music trade and by all followers of Light Big.”
You may see extra tributes to Shulman beneath, in addition to try a few of his distinctive work with Light Big.
In fact, Loudwire sends our condolences to Ray Shulman’s associates, household and numerous followers.
Light Big, “Options from ‘Octopus’” (Dwell)
Light Big, “Cogs in Cogs”
Light Big, “Free Hand” (Dwell)
Light Big, “The Runaway”
Followers + Rockers Pay Tribute to Light Big’s Ray Shulman
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