"Ray Wilson & Stiltskin"
"Ray Wilson & Stiltskin"
RAY WILSON & Stiltskin
Ray Wilson, recognized as one of the UK's finest ever vocalists by Classic Rock Magazine, is renowned across the music world as an exceptional singer/songwriter, and is acclaimed for his charismatic stage presence, and his abilty as an extraordinary entertainer.
A native Scotsman, Ray founded his first professional band GUARANTEED PURE with his brother Steve in the early nineties, releasing three albums, and touring constantly around the UK and Europe.
In 1994 Ray joined the Scottish band STILTSKIN as their frontman. Their debut single "Inside" was an immediate success, reaching number one in several European countries, and to this day "Inside" remains one of the most recognisable rock songs ever recorded, being used of course by " Levi's " as the soundtrack to one of their legendary jeans commercials.
Due to the amazing success of STILTSKIN, Ray was brought to the attention of one of rock's biggest ever bands, GENESIS, and was given the job of lead vocalist after the resignation of Phil Collins in 1996. From 1996 to 1999 Ray was singer/songwriter with the rock giants, and in the process, they recorded the fourth best-selling album in the band's history - "Calling All Stations", following this up with a European Tour, and headlining the world famous Rock am Ring/Park festivals in 1998 . In March 2010 GENESIS were inducted into the "Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame" being recognized as one of rock'n'roll's most important and influential bands.
After the rock legends split, Wilson went back to his roots, and in 1999 released the album "Millionairhead" with his new band CUT_, the songs being written by him and his brother Steve, the band being made up of the former members of GUARANTEED PURE, along with GENESIS drummer Nir Z. A stadium support act tour followed, CUT_ supporting the SCORPIONS in arenas all over Europe and WESTERNHAGEN on a football stadium tour of Germany, playing to over a million people in the summer of 2000.
In 2001 Ray Wilson began his solo career in ernest, playing 12 Acoustic shows at the world famous Edinburgh International Festival. Ray followed this up by recording his first solo album " Change " in 2003, touring with his band all over Europe, and appearing as special guest, on tour with JOE JACKSON and SAGA. In 2004 his second solo album " The Next Best Thing " was released, again followed by tours of Europe and South / Central America, as well as performing on tours with Dolores O'Riordan from the CRANBERRIES, and SUPERTRAMP frontman Roger Hodgson. Proving his diversity, Ray also collaborated with the Dutch DJ-star ARMIN VAN BUUREN; recording a remix of his own song " Yet Another Day " the song strolled to the top spot in the Dance Charts in 2005.
In late 2006 STILTSKIN returned, Ray going back to his " rock roots " with the studio album "SHE". Together with his new band line-up, Ray toured the critically acclaimed album, to audiences all over Europe, with a live album being produced from the tour. Ray followed this with his album " Propaganda Man " in 2008, and coupled with endless touring, quickly established himself as a " must see " performer
In addition, another of Ray's live projects GENESIS CLASSIC, brings together 12 musicians, with the members of his band STILSKIN being joined by the Berlin Symphony Ensemble, with the string section, joining his traditional rock band, GENESIS CLASSIC celebrates the music of Genesis, and it's members, taking classical interpretations of world famous songs, and airing them in a form never heard before.
In September 2011 Ray Wilson & STILTSKIN will release their long-awaited new studio album, "Unfulfillment". With typical Scots calm, he has combined here the energy of rock music, with lyrics of great depth, alongside complex string arrangements. All of the songs have been written by Ray, Uwe Metzler, and Peter Hoff, one of Stuttgart's most successful producers (Die Fantastischen Vier, Beth Hard, Lou Bega). The video for the single "First Day Of Change" has been produced by the renowned German company "Camelot", directed by Robert Broellochs (Xavier Naidoo, La Bouche, Mel C., Shaggy). Cameraman on the shoot was none other than the famous Englishman Joe Dyer (Kylie Minogue, Take That, Bryan Adams etc).
In the Autumn of 2011 Ray Wilson and Stiltskin will tour the album "Unfulfillment", providing rock fans everywhere with the opportunity to witness rock music at it's best.
Players:
Ray Wilson - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar | Ali Ferguson - Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals | Lawrie MacMillan - Bass, Backing Vocals | Steve Wilson - Acoustic Guitar, 12 String and Backing Vocals | Uwe Metzler - Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar | Ashley MacMillan - Drums and Percussion | Filip Walcerz - Piano and Keyboards