Ray Tabano
Ray Tabano (a.k.a. Crazy Raymond) (born December 23, 1946) is an American musician, who was a founding member of Aerosmith in 1970.
Ray Tabano | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 23, 1946 The Bronx, New York, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford in 1971, at which time he concentrated on maintaining the band's office, hangout, and recording studio, "The Wherehouse". Tabano started the band's fan club and line of merchandise, designing and selling merchandise himself and writing the band's fan club newsletters. He was fired in 1979, by Aerosmith's managers Steve Leber and David Krebs.[1]
Friendship with Steven Tyler
Tabano was a childhood friend of Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler in their hometown of Yonkers, New York. They would eventually form into Steven's first band, The Strangeurs.[1]
The Strangeurs
Originally called the Strangers, the Strangeurs added a "u" to their name to avoid confusion with another band called the Strangers. The band consisted of Ray Tabano on bass guitar, Steven Tyler on drums, Green Mountain Boys member Don Soloman on keyboards and vocals, Peter Stahl on guitar, Alan Strohmayer on bass, and Barry Shapiro on drums.[2] The Strangeurs played in the local area as a cover band. The band focused on Top 40 hits and earned a steady wage as a party band around the New England area.
After Aerosmith
As of September 2009, Tabano was running a catering company in Yonkers, New York.
In 2014, Tabano was featured on an episode of Pawn Stars where he sold two prototype Aerosmith tour T-shirts to Rick Harrison. One was signed by the band; the other had both Tyler's and Tabano's names on the sizing tag. Tabano originally asked $3000 for both shirts, but after having them appraised for about $2400, Harrison bought them for $1100.
In 2018, Tabano was featured on an episode of American Pickers where he authenticated an International Harvester Metro Van as having been used by Aerosmith in the early days of the band's career. The van was purchased by the show's Mike Wolfe for $25,000, after which the van was restored on behalf of the band, who then bought it back.
References
- Davis, Stephen; Aerosmith (1997). Walk This Way: The Autobiography of Aerosmith. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-380-97594-5.
- Bienstock, Richard (2011). Aerosmith: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Boston Bad Boys. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-1-6105-9769-2.
