Ray Monette

Ray’s music career started at age eleven. His father played guitar and harmonica and he decided to give guitar lessons a try. Rock and roll was in its infancy and his brother was buying rock and blues records and this style of music attracted his interest. He would listen to all the records he could get his hands on and learn all the riffs. With the help of Bob Babbitt, Ray started doing recording sessions with Terra Schirma and Motown. He has recorded for Russ and Ralph Terrana and numerous hits produced by the legendary Holland/Dozier/Holland. During this time, Ray also played in the musical “Hair” and was hired by Motown do play in live Motown Reviews. In these recording sessions Ray got the attention of Ron Strasner, Manager of “Rare Earth”. He soon called Ray and asked him to join “Rare Earth” in 1971. After Ray joined the band they recorded their hit record “Celebrate” and the rest is history. Ray played with Rare Earth for 33 years. Last year, Ray was asked to join The Funk Brothers just before they played live on American Idol.