Ray Lyell and the Storm
Hamilton, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 1987
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Discography
Ray Lyell and The Storm - 1989
Desert Winds - 1992
Working Man - 1995
Running on Faith - 2005
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Bio
Singer-songwriter, and guitarist Ray Lyell grew up during the 60's and 70's in Hamilton Ontario Canada absorbing the diverse musical influences of the steel town he called home. By the age of thirteen, he was writing and performing his own songs in the Hamilton area. He formed his first band in 1980 with musicians who would later become his backing band, the Storm and throughout the 80's the band continually toured performing six nights a week in bars and clubs playing covers and original songs while also opening shows for such recording artists as Trooper, Goddo, The Kings, and Max Webster. In 1987, radio station, 97.7 HTZ-FM sponsored it's first songwriting contest for which Ray won first place with his song, "Take This Heart". After years of touring Canada and parts of the U.S., Ray Lyell and the Storm signed a recording contract with Spy Records / A&M Records. In 1989 the band released it's self-titled debut recording, "Ray Lyell and the Storm" releasing the single and video "Another Man's Gun". That song reached the top 10 and was soon followed up with two more singles and videos, “Carry Me” and “Cruel Life”. Ray Lyell and the Storm continued to tour across the country during this period performing alongside recording artists such as George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, Randy Bachman, Waylon Jennings, John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band, Alannah Myles, and Kim Mitchell. In addition. the band continued to headline their own shows in rock clubs across the country. The year 1990 saw the band's CD released in Australia and Japan and Ray was nominated for a Juno Award as Most Promising Male Vocalist. Between 1990 and 1995, two more recordings followed, “Desert Winds” (1992), which included the singles, “Gypsy Wind” and "Don't Let Go," and “Working Man” (1995). In addition to his career with the Storm, Ray also co-wrote Helix’s title track to the hard rock veterans’ fourth CD, “Wild in the Streets”. The success of “Wild in the Streets” earned Ray Lyell a gold record. In the late 90's after years of grueling tours across Canada and parts of the U.S., the band members took a break from performing to concentrate on other ventures. During the 2000's Ray continued to perform and teach music in the Hamilton area to young singers and musicians. 2016 saw the original members of the band reunite for a few limited engagements, however, the shows were so successful that there are plans for new music in 2018. Ray Lyell and the Storm continue to perform and record new music.
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