SINGER Ray Rozells, son of the renowned Penang Hawaiian guitarist Joe Rozells, lived a life filled with music, adventure, and passion.
He passed away peacefully in his sleep at age 75 on the evening of Sept 14 at Penang Adventist Hospital, with his wife, Rita, by his side. His funeral is scheduled for today, with the cortege leaving the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus for Mount Erskine Crematorium at 10am. However, the echoes of his melodies will continue to inspire many local musicians.
Known for his wide vocal range, Ray had a heart attack in 2019 and underwent a quadruple bypass. Despite his health struggles, his love for singing kept him connected to the stage. Just three months ago, he performed at Chili Head in Straits Quay, defying his failing health.
Paul Augustin, former director of the Penang House of Music, fondly remembers Ray whom he invited to perform at the Penang Jazz Festival that he organised in 2008.
“I first heard about him through his brother Frank, a fine guitarist I had the privilege to play with in a band during the 1980s. When I did eventually meet him, I was overwhelmed, to say the least as his whole persona was one so full of life, passion and enthusiasm. That man seemed to be on a constant natural high and could talk!
“I was based in KL and many a time, when I came back to Penang, especially if Frank was back from Bangkok, I would drop by Ray’s place for a coffee and a chat. Ray played in the festival about five times – three times on the main stage and twice at the supporting Fringe stage at Tropical Spice Garden. He was very supportive of the work we did and he even performed at my daughter’s wedding. He was more than just a singer – he was an entertainer, a storyteller! When he took to the stage, he brightened up the place and you could not only see but also feel that he enjoyed what he did.
“Whenever I had an idea to do something and wanted to involve him, he never spoke about compensation and never said no and would listen. A very rare trait in the industry which I very much appreciate. I have not come across many people with the warmth, enthusiasm, passion, calibre and integrity of Ray Rozells in the industry. I never had to worry about programming or recommending him because I knew he would always deliver and more.
“We often do not realise and recognise what we have until it’s gone and with Ray’s passing, it is a great loss not only to his friends and family but also to the music industry and Penang. This is one of the days that the lights dimmed in Penang and the night shines much brighter with a new star in the sky.” Augustin reflected.
Born into a family steeped in musical tradition, Ray’s journey began early. He was educated at St. Xavier’s Institution (SXI), and by the early 1960s, he had already embarked on a path that would see him become a celebrated singer.
His father’s band, performing at the Chusan Hotel, needed a fresh voice to deliver the era’s energetic rock ‘n’ roll and pop tunes. Ray, at just 14 (and still in school), was more than up for the task, captivating audiences, including American servicemen who came over to Penang for rest and recreation during the Vietnam War. After leaving school, Ray got a job working daytime at the Penang Ice Company.
In 1967, Ray was invited to join his first band, Equinox, by his brother Frank who was the lead guitarist for the band. Soon after that, the allure of foreign shores beckoned, and Ray left his daytime job and Penang for Thailand with Equinox to perform at the Windsor Hotel in Bangkok.
After briefly returning to renew his visa in 1969, Ray joined a Thai band that performed at U.S. military bases in Thailand for nearly a year. Upon a second return to Penang, Ray faced a moment of profound personal loss when he learned of his father’s passing from Frank at the railway station in 1970.
Frank also told Ray that he had a contract for him in Thailand performing in Pattaya with “Generation Gap,” a band that included his brother Frank, Colin and Harold Capel, Azizah Basri, and a Thai drummer.
Ray’s next chapter saw him join the band “New People,” which covered hits from artists like Blood, Sweat & Tears, 3 Dog Night, Elton John, and Chicago. His career blossomed as the group, comprising Rizal & Remy Soliano, Nicholas Franciscus, and Albert Puma, toured and played at prestigious venues in Thailand, such as Narai, Rama, and the Playboy Club at Marco Polo, Caesar’s Quay Club, Buccaneer, etc.
In 1971, an opportunity took Ray across the Pacific to San Francisco. After an initial gig that did not suit him, he left the band. After nearly a year of searching, his journey into the U.S. music scene began when he responded to an audition advertised in a local newspaper for a club called Mother’s. Out of 30 to 40 people auditioning, Ray was hired after performing just two songs.
Not long after, Ray caught the attention of a talented pianist, leading to them teaming up as a duo that performed across San Francisco, Oakland, and Monterrey. This marked a new high in his career, though it was far from the end of his adventures in music.
In 1972, Ray joined a band called “Highway One,” performing with two brothers, Gary (bass and saxophone) and Rich (guitar), and a drummer named Terry. The group gained a loyal following, playing at U.S. military bases and restaurants. Their travels took them as far as Alaska, where they played an extended gig in Juneau, appearing on a regular slot on television for a year and performing for high-profile events, such as a house party for actor Robert Conrad.
The band evolved, eventually becoming “Cosmic Ray” and later “Mr. Music,” with a rotating line-up of talented musicians.
Many musicians would come by wherever they were playing and sit in with the band. Musicians such as Pete Escovedo. James Levi, Armando Peraza, Norton Buffalo, David Lewark and the Tower of Power horn section (Emilio Castillo, Lenny Pickett), etc.
After two decades in America, Ray and his wife Rita relocated to southern California in 1987. However, his singing career took a long pause as vocal cord nodules forced him to rest his voice and he took on a day-time job at an electronics retail company for nearly 20 years.
It was not until his return to Penang that he found the stage again when he was invited to perform at the Penang Island Jazz Festival in 2008. His love for music rekindled, Ray later joined Penang’s vibrant jazz scene, performing with The Jazzhats and other local musicians.
Ray lived a life marked by music, perseverance, and global adventure. From the stages of Penang to the clubs of San Francisco and beyond, his voice resonated across decades, touching audiences in ways that few performers could. His legacy will continue to live on through the many stories that will be told by those whom he touched through his music to inspire future generations of musicians.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of Paul Augustin