Life in the spotlight started for Ray in the summer of 94. A certain well known brand of designer jeans began playing a song on its adverts which immediately grabbed the attention and admiration of the public.
That song was Inside and the band were Stiltskin. The track soared to the top of the charts swiftly, and just as speedily thrust Stiltskin, and particularly its front man, Ray Wilson, into the public eye. A hugely successful album followed, and a massively successful sell out European tour. Soon Inside had reached a legendary status as being one of the most memorable songs of the 90s.
However, in May 96, the members of Stiltskin went their separate ways. Before Ray really had time for a breather, the rollercoaster had started to roll again, as Genesis got in contact, asking him to be their new lead vocalist. How could anyone resist? So Ray became the most recent member of one of the most legendary British groups ever.
1997 saw the release of Genesis album Calling All Stations, which went straight in at number 2 in the UK charts. After enjoying this success, and touring again throughout Europe, Genesis abruptly made the decision to split, leaving Ray very much a solo artist, an experience he had never really had before. Suddenly his career appeared very lonely and desolate, without a band standing behind him.
After a great deal of soul searching and a few exciting collaborations Ray gradually began to come round to the idea of recording as a solo artist. In 2002, he released 'Ray Wilson- Live and Acoustic' (recorded during 13 sell out shows at the Edinburgh International Festival), an album which really highlighted his individual talents as a singer/ songwriter. The public embraced Ray as a real musical tour de force in his own right, as opposed to a front man of a band.
His following tour, the 'Live and Acoustic tour' was sold out, both in Germany and the UK. 2003 saw him gigging with the rock legend Joe Jackson, and releasing a further album, called 'Change'. Ever adaptable to fresh ideas, Ray also wrote and featured on Armin Van Buuren's dance track 'Yet Another Day', frequently played on Radio 1 by Pete Tong on his essential selection and also going straight to number 1 in the Dutch Dance Charts along with additional success in over 20 countries including the USA.
2004 saw Ray release his second solo album to date, titled 'The Next Best Thing' with the single These Are The Changes debuting on Johnny Walker's Radio 2 drive time show .Written from a mostly introspective angle, the album is deeply personal and asks some important life questions. It also highlights the rollercoaster ride that is rock stardom, and the highs and the lows in-between. Ray performed 12 full band shows during this year's Edinburgh Festival.
May 2005 saw the release of Ray Wilson Live, a 32 track double CD including 11 songs from the world of GENESIS and a collection of songs from his Solo career and Stiltskin.
August 2005. Following the success of Yet Another Day in 2003, Ray and Armin Van Buuren released their second collaboration GYPSY in 23 countries. The song taken from the album Shivers is due for a single release later in the year.
Ray has also just completed the long awaited second Stiltskin album, Lemon Yellow Sun, due for release in early 2006 and will commence a European tour with his own band through September and October this year.
