Ray Russell

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
Studio Musician, Composer

Ray Russell is the noted English studio musician and composer who has also performed with a number of bands over his long career including the prog rock group Mouse. His guitar can be heard on hundreds of records with such artists as David Bowie, Gil Evans and Roxy Music. Working with Sir George Martin in Air Studios was a meaningful experience for Ray as was working on the James Bond Theme Song. His go-to instruments for much of his studio recordings were a Fender Stratocaster and a CF Martin guitar. He also used a Bartell fretless, which was given to him by George Harrison. His noted solo albums include Turn Circle, Dragon Hill, Ready or Not, This Side Up and Goodbye Svengali.