Ray Vanderby

Raymond Henry Vanderby (born Reinder Hendrik Vanderby, 17 January 1953) is a Dutch rock musician, the former lead singer and guitarist of Australian rock band Cosmic Nomads. He is also the founder and songwriter of Cosmic Nomads, which he formed in Sydney in 2003. Vanderby formed 4 piece stoner rock band Severed Demons in late 2011 who recorded his song Trelucabeth along with a music video but the band was short lived due to personality clashes. Ray Vanderby's current and latest musical project is the reformation of his heavy progressive rock band Eros in 2012. Eros is a band that Ray originally formed in 1968 with drummer Joe Nieuwendyk. Eros began in Orange, the band won 2nd prize in the Hoadleys Battle of the Sounds Competition in 1972. Eros supported Sherbet and Richard Clapton on a Central West NSW tour. The band moved to Sydney and played shows at the Royal Hotel Bondi, Governor Bourke Hotel Parramatta and other Sydney venues. Eros broke up due to internal pressures in 1973.

Vanderby was born in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. He is a keyboard player, guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer and record producer. He was a founding member of Australian bands, Eros, 98 Degrees (Australia) and 93-D. In total he has performed in over 20 bands and musical projects including theatre productions.
Vanderby played keyboards for Blackfeather, Stevie Wright, Marcia Hines, Jon English Band of Light and Doug Parkinson. Vanderby was invited to be the in house session keyboard player for Studios 301 in Castlereagh St. Sydney and worked alongside record producer G. Wayne Thomas and ex Abbey Road recording engineer Richard Lush. At Studios 301 he recorded jingles and played piano and keyboards on the Jon English Hollywood Seven album, Shona Laing's debut album Shooting Stars and Moog Synthesizer on the Crystal Voyager surfing movie soundtrack.

It was at the Orange Methodist Church Hall that Ray first saw a girl playing the tune "Heart and Soul" on the old piano. When she had finished playing he walked up to the piano and played the same tune by ear. Word got back to his parents about this, and they arranged organ lessons for him where he was taught show tunes and cabaret songs. Vanderby played his first show at the Dubbo Myer Store at a fashion show when he was 12 years old. While attending Orange High School, Vanderby held a 4-year residency at the Hotel Canobolas, Orange, New South Wales playing for weddings in the Regency Ballroom under the leadership of manager Geoff Riley. He also performed for dances and parties at various venues such as Duntryleague Golf Club, Parkes RSL Club and Newstead Bowling Club, Orange. When he turned 16 he began a 4-year apprenticeship as a piano tuner learning piano tuning for W.H. Palings & Co. and the Beale Piano Factory manufacturing the Beale piano. He also started listening to rock music, in particular bands like Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and King Crimson.

Eros (1969–1973)

At the age of sixteen in 1969, Vanderby started writing songs being influenced by the rock music at the time. He decided to form his own band which he called Eros after the Greek God of love in Greek mythology. In the beginning Eros was a 2 piece band with Vanderby on keyboards and Joe Neiuwendyk on drums who supported Sherbet and Richard Clapton on their Central West NSW tour. Later that year more members were added including Albert Calvo on guitar, Bob Carroll on bass and Stephen "Step" Delaney on vocals. This line up of Eros played heavy rock and included covers of songs by Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Neil Young and Cactus. Eros entered the Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds band competition and won 2nd prize in the 1972 regional final in Orange beaten by The Confederates. The band decided to relocate from Orange to Sydney in late 1972 but went their separate ways by 1973 without doing any recording unfortunately.

Stevie Wright Band

In 1973 and 1974 Vanderby was tuning pianos throughout Sydney as a contract piano tuner for Elvys and W.H. Palings in 1973. He tuned pianos at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, television stations Channel 7, 9, 10 and the ABC as well as for the ABC Concert Series and Roger Woodward later. He was called out to tune a piano for a Mr. Young in 1974 and when he got to the house the door opened and it was George Young (rock musician) from The Easybeats. He got along well with George and played some piano for him and before the week was out Vanderby was booked to tour with the Stevie Wright Band who were about to embark on the Stevie Wright (Australian singer) Hard Road album tour. The Stevie Wright band line up was Stevie Wright on vocals, Stephen Housden on guitar, Malcolm Wakefield on drums, Billy Rylands on bass and Larry Durea on percussion.

Doug Parkinson Band

Vanderby played sessions through the day and gigs at night with the Doug Parkinson Band. The Doug Parkinson Band was Doug Parkinson on vocals, Bruno Lawrence on drums, Rod Coe on bass and Mick Liber on guitar. When the residency at The Grange Restaurant finished he joined Marcia Hines's backing band.

Marcia Hines Band

The Marcia Hines 1974 band line up was with Marcia Hines on vocals, Ray Vanderby on keyboards, Jackie Orszaczky on bass, Sunil De Silva on drums and guitarist Stephen Housden. The band toured nationally including shows at Mt Isa, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to promote Marcia's single Fire and Rain by James Taylor. Vanderby recorded strings on Marcia's album version of Jumpin Jack Flash but was not credited on the album sleeve.

Blackfeather Mark III and IV

In 1975 Vanderby joined two line ups of Blackfeather. The first line up was with Neil Johns on vocals, Ian "Willy" Winter on guitar, Billy Rylands on bass and Doug McDonald on drums. This line up toured throughout Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne including playing supports for Osibisa and Boomtown Rats at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney plus Joe Cocker at Sidney Myer Music Bowl in front of a crowd of 27,000 people. The 2nd line up of Blackfeather in 1975 included Neil Johns on vocals, Stuart Fraser on guitar, Warwick Fraser on drums and Lee Brossman on bass.

Band of Light

In late 1975 Ray Vanderby was asked to tour with Phil Key of Band of Light, ex La De Das. Vanderby played keyboards and sang backing vocals for a few months at venues throughout Sydney and Wollongong.

The Jukes / Silent Movies

In 1979 Vanderby joined a band called The Jukes with bass player Mick Radatti, drummer Bill Britton and New Zealand guitarist Colin Bailey. The band signed up to record label Result Records run by Sebastion Chase ex Dragon manager. The band released an E.P called The Top of the Class with another band The Motivaters adding 2 tracks. Following the E.P. which was aired on Double J the band released another E.P called The Jukes which featured the song Man and Machine recorded at Albert Studios (Albert Productions) engineered by Colin Freeman. A single and music video was then released in 1981 called Don't Put Me Away.
The band changed their name to Silent Movies and recorded an album at The Music Farm near Byron Bay and also Paradise Studio Sydney. Vanderby left the band shortly after completion due to health problems as he was battling addiction.

98 Degrees

In 1989 after coming out of rehab Vanderby formed a band called 98 Degrees (Australian band) with ex Tropical Penguins members Greg Grant on drums and Ralph Marshall on bass. 98 Degrees were signed to Might Boy Records run by Miora Bennet and Grant Carlton. Later sax was added when Don Raphael joined the band (ex Party Boys). The band released a single and music video called Dream on and appeared on Countdown Revolution. 98 Degrees also featured 2 backing singers, Nadine Flick and Margaret Umbers among others that came and went. 98 Degrees played a lot of gigs at the Kardomah Café and Manzil Room (later Springfields) Kings Cross.

93-D

After some average success in with 98 Degrees the band folded and in 1993 Vanderby formed a dance orientated band called 93-D with Ralph Marshall and Don Raphael. He wrote a song called Suspicious which he entered into the W.R.O.C./BMG Song Writing Competition and won first prize out of 2,500 entries from around Australia. This caught the attention of manager Nick Chance who signed the band to Possum Records run by Phil Israel distributed through Polygram. Suspicious was recorded at Rhinoceros Studio Darlinghurst engineered by visiting English engineer Jerry Peal. A music video was released and the song reached within the top 100 after being to full rotation on 2Day FM among other stations in Australia. Vanderby kept the name 93-D and changed the line up and genre to rock, adding guitarist Ted Yanni (Ted the Head) and Geordie singer Marty Martin. This rock trio recorded a single written by Vanderby called Everyday I Pray at EMI Studio 301 with senior recording engineer at Abbey Road Studios Peter Cobbin. A tour was set up along the east coast and when Vanderby went to collect Marty Martin for the tour, his flat mate told him that Marty had gone walk about. The tour was cancelled, the band split up and Vanderby left the pop scene in disgust and disappointment.
Vanderby kept the name 93-D and went on in 1993 to sign a recording contract with New World Productions. He recorded and released 5 self-produced world music albums between 1993 and 1997 working with various Aboriginal artists, "Lightning Ridge", "Biame Great Spirit", "Gapu Womens Water Dreaming", "Jakurrpa Tribal Connection" and "Wandjina Dancing The Dreamtime". Ray Vanderby has recorded a total of 17 albums of various genres including blues, jazz, progressive rock, alternative rock and new-age music all of which are stored at the NFSA.

Cosmic Nomads

In 2003 not being able to shake the rock bug Vanderby formed Cosmic Nomads. He was the songwriter, lead singer, and organist. The band recorded a single, music video and album both called Make Love Not War released in 2004 through MGM Distribution on his own record label Majique Records (later Majique Music). The Make Love Not War album line up was Vanderby organ and lead vocals, Michael Smith (Scandal, The Atlantics) bass, Wayne Davison drums, Rod Brogan guitar. The band performed shows in Sydney and NSW but broke up the following year due to members living too far away from each other. In 2005 Cosmic Nomads was reformed by Vanderby mainly using session players to record an E.P. called Dreamin About You (Cosmic Nomads E.P.) The E.P. featured Rex Goh on guitar and Victor Rounds on bass.

In late 2006 Vanderby re-ignited the 2nd line up of Cosmic Nomads. He bought a 1959 Hammond C3 organ with two 147 model Leslie Speakers and record an album called Vultress. The Vultress line up featured Vanderby organ and lead vocals, Con Patogiannis guitar and backing vocals, Gina Woods keyboards, Miam Lentini drums and Anni Lang percussion and backing vocals. The band rocked hard and performed extensively in Melbourne at The Esplanade Hotel, Cornish Arms Hotel, Noise Bar, National Hotel Geelong and Ruby's Lounge at Belgrave. Cosmic Nomads appeared on C31 Melbourne on the Noise TV SBS one show and Asylum Music Show Channel 31. In 2007 Vanderby recorded the 3rd Cosmic Nomads album called Millennium. The Millennium line up featured Vanderby organ and lead vocals, Con Patogiannis guitar and backing vocals, Kon Zissis guitar and backing vocals and Gordon Graham drums. In June 2011 Vanderby decided to teach himself how to play guitar so he bought a Gibson Explorer and Marshall stack and re formed Cosmic Nomads featuring himself on guitar and lead vocals, plus Caillan Gilbert guitar, Mick Swift bass and Steve Dickie drums. The band played their first gig on Saturday 1 October at Jon Carter's 4 on the 4loor at the Victoria Hotel Orange where the band was received with much acclaim. Cosmic Nomads entered the recording studio with engineer Tim Roebuck and recorded the band's 4th album called Damage. The Damage album features 10 songs written by Vanderby and includes the single I Hate You.

Jazz Bands

In 2008 Vanderby pulled up stumps to escape the Melbourne hot summers and moved back to Orange, New South Wales where his musical career had started. In 2009 he recorded an album called Orange Not Blue with his Hammond Combo, and Ray Vanderby Hammond Combo in 2010 he released 2 jazz piano albums Amoresque with the Ray Vanderby Quartet and Ju Ju – Live at the Mirror Bar with the Ray Vanderby Trio all albums released through Majique Music. In February 2009 Ray founded the Orange Jazz Club which he uses to promote modern contemporary jazz throughout Central West NSW as well as the Orange Blues Club and a blues band called Roadhouse Rebels who recorded an album called Wanted To Be Alive released through his label Majique Music.

Blues bands

Vanderby moved to Adelaide late 2004 where he had also started performing blues gigs playing organ and singing lead vocals until 2006 under the guidance of manager Tess Coleman. He signed to Black Market Music record label and released 3 blues albums, "Mockingbird Blues", "5th Dimension Blues" and "Married to the Blues" working with producer John Durr. Vanderby also released a live blues album called The Blues Sessions through his own record label Majique Music. He was invited by organist Tim Neale to perform at the Rainbow Hotel Fitzroy Melbourne and sit in with the Paul Williamson Quartet. In 2005 Vanderby moved to Melbourne and was immediately signed by Geelong-based manager Hetha Griffiths of Griff Management. Vanderby played the blues scene in Melbourne performing as the Ray Vanderby Combo which also appeared at Thredbo Blues Festival, Australian Blues Festival (Goulburn) and Bluestone Blues Festival. Vanderby had notable blues side men on stage at various gigs including guitarist John Dallimore.

Rock Bands (2012 – 2015)

In 2011 Vanderby needed a new challenge so he decided to teach himself how to play guitar. Drawing from his 1970’s roots he had always been attracted to the heavy Gibson sound by bands Free, Manfred Man, The Who, Black Sabbath and King Crimson. He is also influenced by more recent California Stoner bands Fu Manchu and Sleep. After some months of songwriting and lounge room rocking on a Gibson SG Standard and Gibson Les Paul Traditional through Marshall and Vadis stacks he emerged with a sound he liked and a handful of songs.

Severed Demons (2012)

Ray Vanderby started recruiting musicians in the local Central West area in 2012 and he soon found like minded players. A 4 piece band emerged named Severed Demons. The line up was Ray Vanderby – lead guitar, lead vocals, Ben Hardie – lead guitar, Jon Carter – bass vocals, Steve Dickie – drums. Severed Demons recorded an E.P. self-titled. The single Trelucabeth received local radio airplay. The music video so impressed the producers of the ABC TV Rage music program they made Severed Demons “Band of the Week”. The band was about to enter the next phase of popularity when differences occurred between 2 of the members that could not be reconciled so after 12 months the band broke up.

External Links

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/severeddemons YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7WrSk4It94

Spotify https://play.spotify.com/album/1z4Q2Qmq6ZOLQJsWgwHbMR?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

Heavy Planet http://www.heavyplanet.net/2012/08/new-band-to-burn-one-to-severed-demons.html

ABC TV RAGE http://www.abc.net.au/rage/archive/s3570258.htm

Central West Photo News http://issuu.com/cwpn/docs/cwpn_20120830v2/14

Eros (2013 - 2014) Out of the ashes of Severed Demons in 2013 Vanderby reformed Eros using 3 members from the previous band. Eros was a 3 piece Retro Progressive Rock band. The line up was Ray Vanderby – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, Jon Carter – bass, vocals, Steve Dickie drums, vocals. The band recorded an album which was released by Majique Records in 2013 called No Desolation. A single from the album was also released titled Tripsville with a video clip that was aired on the usual television music shows. Live gigs ensued but without roadies the band had too much gear to carry around as well as perform at a level they were happy with. Without major or large independent record company interested in Eros the guys decided to pursue other projects until 201

Stoner Doom Rock band (2015)

In 2015 Ray Vanderby celebrates 50 years of performing live shows. He began at age 12. He announced retirement from live cover gigs on keyboards and vocals so he can concentrate on his Stoner Doom Rock passion playing guitar and singing lead vocals with former Eros and Severed Demons members. A new band with new songs is predicted.

As a child, Vanderby's family relocated from Apeldoorn, Gelderland to Sittard, Limburg, in the south of the Netherlands when he was 4 years old. At the age of 6 his parents decided to migrate to Australia where they settled in Sydney for 2 years. Between 8 and 10 years of age his family moved to various regional towns wherever his father could get work, at Black Springs, Yeoval, Wellington and Bathurst before finally settling in Orange, New South Wales. Vanderby attended Orange High School in his teen years. At 16 he began a piano tuning apprenticeship with W.H. Palings & Co. in Orange, which he completed 4 years later. He has been divorced 3 times.