Badlands: The Rise & Fall Of the Band & Death of Ray Gillen

The Rise & Fall of the Band Badlands and the Death of Frontman Ray Gillen.
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[@wigimonster8909]

The second I heard the opening riff to High Wire, I was hooked. What an incredible debut album.

[@jeffreyp1855]

When I was a kid, I had to learn it on guitar after I heard it. Nice riffs! 🤘

[@Bernz66]

That riff still gives me chills every time I hear it…..

[@Dude101p]

That first album still kicks ass in my opinion. I loved it. I guess it came out in a time in my life that just made it stick lol

[@nonprogrediestregredi1711]

The first album is a top ten album from the 80s, imo. I never get tired of it.

[@jeffreyp1855]

@@nonprogrediestregredi1711 , it wasn't the typical "ass rock" that was promoted as metal. Awesome lineup!

[@1985malibuexpress]

I was fortunate enough to see these guys in concert. Great band.

[@dwade6322]

Ray was one hell of a singer..the whole band had top notch talent. R.I.P. Ray. 🤟

[@Zaaxun]

That dude had an unbelievably soulful voice.

[@jasonbrauner3007]

Ray was one of the greatest rock singers ever. I wish I had seen Badlands live. 🔥🔥🔥

[@silentskystudios]

Badlands was such a talented group! Thanks for giving coverage to such a grossly underrated band!

[@shawnsdrumcave]

Badlands was definitely one of the best bands from that whole era and ray easily one of the best voices ever.

[@garyrouleau4676]

The first Badlands album is one of my desert island albums!!!!

[@mikelachey824]

I was fortunate enough to have seen them live. Ray had the most amazing voice. He would of been a rock legend had he not of passed away. He truly was that good

[@foesfly3047]

Although Badlands created only 3 albums, they remain my second favorite band, only behind the almighty Zeppelin. I was introduced to Greg Chaisson by my guitar salesman friend at Scottsdale (Arizona) Guitar Center. He told me about the third album, Dusk. It took a few listens for it to grow on me but now I think it’s better than Voodoo Highway. After a couple more conversations with Greg at Guitar Center, I was invited to his home and he shared with me, the stories behind most of the songs on Dusk. BTW this third album was mixed much better in that, Greg’s bass playing is more prominent and it absolutely Rocks. This band deserved MUCH more recognition, respect and success than they got.

[@WeGachaMetal]

I was sooo lucky to work with them on Voodoo Highway at Atlantic. They were one of the best 5 live bands I’ve ever seen. Jake was ferocious at this time. Total fire! We had sooooo much fun too, as Ray and I got on reeeeally well being north jersey guys.

[@am3986]

Dude, spill the beans!!!!!! Write a book or something!

[@jamesmoss3424]

R.I.P. Ray Gillen he was a great lead singer for Bandlands.

[@bumpyroad3251]

He did great in Phenomena also... Ray Gillen sang shortly with Black Sabbath, but unfortunately those records were never released and he got replaced with Tony Martin. Together with Coverdale my favourite vocal ever.

[@TikuVsTaku]

@@bumpyroad3251 Actually, on the reissue of the eternal idol there are at least some tracks sung by Ray. ✌️

[@mickward7769]

​​​​@@bumpyroad3251PeteWaan is correct although that Eternal Idol reissue features almost all the album sung by Ray ie all but one of the albums songs🤘

[@jonnyhafer7376]

greg chaison coached baseball for central high in phoenix and now runs the boutique guitar shop bazzare guitar which has been in biz since the 70s. greg is such a nice guy

[@jamescon55]

Yeah, he definitely seems cool AH...From ALL that I have seen/heard of him 😏🤘. "Didn't get along with Eric Singer"..??? 🫤 Wow, big saprize there Lol....That dude is the biggest tool 😒

[@strobey]

He's not such a nice guy, when I saw badlands play newcastle, UK the tour which was rescued by a sacked Ray Gillan in the early 90's he was less than complimentary about Ray saying they'd replace him with someone better.

[@atlavga]

@@strobeynot fair to make that assessment from that one time, a long time ago… being in bands is really hard. Especially hard at that level, musicians with so much skill, talent, drive and dedication to their passion, having some notoriety, but still fighting hard to stand on firm ground with your career. Trying to keep a record deal, which in itself is a nauseating thought of how much the business sucks… Members having falling outs, not to mention their own personal issues, which start affecting the livelihoods of your band mates as well. Feeling get hurt, people say shit… anyway, I could on and on, but I won’t. If you’ve been there, or still there, you can totally understand where I’m coming from.

[@atlavga]

@@strobeyI will add- I’ve met Eric within the last decade, when I played on a kiss cruise. And I can’t really disagree with @jamescon55

[@Vinylrebel72]

Jeff Martin wasn’t the drummer for Racer X, he was the singer.

[@Camcodrummer]

Your right but Martin is an awesome drummer as well.

[@fromalongtimeago]

Scott Travis was Racer X's drummer and for the last 30+ years Judas priest

[@scottroberts3011]

The first album is a monster. Ray Gillan had a voice like no other A+++++

[@killrmillr]

The back cover of the first album doesn't say side one and side two on the track listing. It says East Side and West Side to reflect that some were recorded in LA and some in NY.

[@zman0729]

Yes! I still rock their stuff regularly! I caught the Tesla/Great White/Badlands tour as well. Didn't buy the debut until after I caught their live show; all 3 were out-freakin'-standing. I'm so glad I digitized all three albums [yep = 3] Badass!

[@leftygtrplr6184]

I went to that show too and it is one of (if not the) best shows I have ever seen! Tesla was the headliner in Detroit (Palace of Auburn Hills), they were at the top of their game and great as always. Great White was at their pinnacle and put on a great show. Badlands opened and were amazing. They set the bar high and the others had to pull out all the stops to compete! An aside to how great the music scene was back then was that Mr. Big was playing at a rock bar (Ritz in Roseville, MI) the same night as this show. We considered going after the concert, but did not.

[@paigedemeyer7265]

Badlands is Long overdue for a complete albums box set. Put all studio work, demos and all,maybe a live album and a nice book with photos and liner notes. They were a great band and shouldn't be forgotten. 🙂❤️🤘

[@Hanzey1966]

EXCACTLY ! ! 🤘♥🤘

[@rfmdesigns706]

I just started listening to their music again about a month ago. It's been 20 years since I had put on these old CD's. I can't get their music out of my head. I just love "Seasons".

[@Scottocaster6668]

BADLANDS self titled & Voodoo Highway are awesome. A must have for Jake/Gillen fans. I still have my 2 cds. Jake's in my top 3 players.

[@barryb90]

Jack E Lee, is one of the most underrated guitarists around.

[@killrmillr]

Jeff Martin wasn't the drummer in Racer X. He was the singer.

[@GorditoCrunch343]

A damn good singer at that.

[@juanramirez-wk8ty]

Love the way this channel digs deep into the subject and doesn't just stick to the widely known facts of the mainstream music scene.

[@derekm3180]

Badlands will always be my all-time favorite band. Sucks that they didn't do more. Ray Gillen is one of the best rock vocalists that ever lived, and Jake is one of a kind as well. Those first two albums got played every day for 10 years in my car

[@hitfan2000]

I saw Badlands in 1991. Ray Gillen was nice to give me his autograph.

[@chrisharris4975]

First two records by this band are essential listening, Dusk the third record is hard to find but amazing . Badlands should be considered essential listening and some great songs. Greatness

[@Scottocaster6668]

Agree 👍

[@mikeg6666]

Yeah those first 2 albums were fucking incredible!

[@stephenjacks2785]

I can find dusk but not the first two which annoys the crap out of me because they were my fav’s

[@mikeg6666]

@@stephenjacks2785 They aren't on Spotify? I agree with you on that...

[@jamescon55]

Now, DID Jake PLAY on the 3rd CD Dusk? OR is it just Ray Gillen with other musicians at the time??? 🤔

[@Jason_Maier]

From what I've read, Jake E. Lee's roommate (also his guitar tech) told him he was fired from Ozzy's group. Still find it interesting how the lineup was all descended from Ozzy/Sabbath.

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

I met Ray Gillen a few times in NJ and he was pretty approachable and cool.

[@frankwells7520]

They left a grim legacy behind them.

[@kimchi2780]

Dreams in the Dark was such a banger.

[@JRodG72]

Awesome I love this band!

[@borderlinedelusion]

I saw badlands in Los Angeles. Amazing band!! Jake is a god!! Thanks for uploading! This is why I play guitar.. keep it up. We need to listen to the classics because new music is crap. We can’t let rock die. Danny guitars Borderline Delusion band. Thanks!

[@MarioLamRedRebel]

I love this band, it belongs to one of my first ten cd's i buy and still play..... Winter call. Its a shame that they went so underaded.

[@melharth667]

Thanks for this content. One of my favorite bands of all time. And two of the best ever, Gillen on vocals, and Jake on guitar, as you would expect, their egos got the best of them. Tragic untold story, thank you for telling it.

[@rnrtruestories]

@@melharth667 you’re welcome! Appreciate the kudos!

[@aguyandhisbible]

great video... I LOVED their debut disc.... I would like to put a suggestion in, would love to see a video on Arc Angels

[@jeffreymiers8793]

Great video! Saw them in '92 at a club in Phoenix and we sat in a booth next to Rob Halford that night. All of the albums are incredible!

[@brianelkins8604]

I have the first album on vinyl. I love it.

[@DanoSuits]

Thank you for making this! I love their first album. I bought it on CD, on ebay a while ago cuz I couldn't find it streaming anywhere! Ray Gillen was a handsome man with an amazing voice and range!

[@jacintofragoso1211]

Hopefully the remastered ones

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Propably one of the most promising bands ever.

[@tc68bird]

I feel so extremely conflicted that this guy is one of my all-time favorite singers. Truly amazing. Too bad his horrible behavior with groupies ruined so many lives, prevented us from being able to easily listen to the first two Badlands albums, plus whatever might have been released had he not died so young.

[@TikuVsTaku]

It’s not like the groupies were completely innocent though…

[@annprince5218]

Those are really just false rumors. The whole "lawsuits" against Gillen for allegedly infecting groupies with the HIV virus is ridiculous. These lawsuits would be public record, would go after his estate and not his employer (the record company).

[@TheRook-td4fn]

​@annprince5218 sadly it is true. There were deaths because of it. Although it wouldn't bring the victims back Ray changed at the end and apologized.

[@kneeboarderndevon]

Thank you for doing that one. Loved all three albums especially Voodoo Highway

[@frekitheravenous516]

I was 15 when the first album came out. I listened to it till the tape broke. lol. And i was primarily a Thrash fan. But i always loved bluesy rock.

[@MatthewBaumgarten]

Wow just wow, thanks for the video, this is a band I really liked, they sounded great on “Voodoo Highway” very underrated album and the first album was great too, I unfortunately never got to see them perform live in concert

[@King5150Ed]

The first 2 Badlands albums are in my top ten greatest of all time.....top to bottom, all of the songs are amazing

[@bassadelica]

Incredible first record. Unfortunately they can’t get it on Spotify

[@dpault]

When I first heard "Dreams in the Dark" I thought it was one of the best songs to ever come out in that era.

[@switchbladeromance1466]

Seen Badlands at the Bristol Bierkeller..Amazing..Still have my t-shirt, drum stick and signed photo ❤❤❤❤❤

[@bornagainbornagain6697]

This band was short and sweet. They should have been in the hall of fame. Killer rock.

[@Nativgod]

Record labels say they didn't hear a hit song. Meanwhile they were one of the best bands ever and every song was great.

[@fherrivera951]

Ray was a great singer!

[@Metalic1]

He sang with Harlette and then Arson. I have the basement tapes. Plus his next door neighbor became just like Ray. Ray was his idol. I was close to Ray. Sad shit!

[@drg6161]

That Voodoo Highway Badlands record was fantastic and it is on absolutely no streaming platforms. Will most certainly be forgotten as a result 😢

[@Chad-wk2pm]

I liked the first one better

[@Hanzey1966]

@@Chad-wk2pm No difference to Me . . BOTH great

[@Chad-wk2pm]

@@Hanzey1966 ya I liked the first one better thx

[@YtuserSumone-rl6sw]

I liked the 2nd better. It had more funk/soul influences. I guess it's just a matter of stylistic taste.

[@Chad-wk2pm]

@@YtuserSumone-rl6sw ok thanks

[@OneManParade]

I love and still have the vodoo highway cd.

[@garrykim9098]

Wow. I always wondered why they broke up. I got to see them on tour for their first album and it was fucking treat. They had great energy and Jake was such a badass.

[@jongolsteyn9680]

The first album is amazing. I still love it. High Wire kicks my ass. What a shame they didn't stay together longer. I am so glad that I got to see them twice.

[@mauricioleme7658]

Winter call & dreams in the dark. Classic

[@jpwieczorek]

Great story! Great band! Love the debut. Voodoo Highway, another good one. One of my all time favorite songs is "The Last Time"! Kind wish Jake's new band would maybe re-record that one....

[@MrDevins]

Their first album was one of my favorites back then.

[@tonymcnamara9368]

Brilliant band! Voodoo highway is a brilliant record too!

[@bloodpoetvids]

Loved those albums.. Always thought they could've been huge..

[@KarmaNDuality]

Great band. It's very unfortunate how things went down... I love Jake's work in all its forms, but man... that guy has some bad luck in the music industry.

[@zublacus]

You have a mistake. Jeff Martin was the Lead Singer for Racer X, not the drummer. Judas Priest drummer, Scott Travis was the drummer for Racer X.

[@TheBadThad]

One of the greatest bands ever!!

[@jimmyr204]

Was lucky enough to see Badlands live on the Voodoo Highway tour back in the day at Baltimore's legendary Hammerjack's. What a show! Great memories.

[@flyerbob7525]

Saw them at Rock and Roll Heaven in Toronto opened with Highwire and proceeded to kick Ass one of my fav shows

[@deannadrake2040]

11 Aug. 89, Tesla/Great White/Badlands, Fayetteville, NC. Great show. Love your shirt, Sydd!

[@ronjohnson9032]

Saw the same tour in Muskegon, Michigan.

[@tonepoet]

That sounds amazing.

[@zman0729]

09 Sep. 1989 - Cedar Rapids, IA - Same lineup.

[@wc1994]

Swiss Villa Amphitheatre. Lampe, MO. Great Show

[@christophermerlot3366]

Glad I got to see Badlands when I could at Rock n Roll Heaven (a long gone club in Toronto). RIP Ray.

[@SquierBulletBass-sj5bg]

That first album is one of the best I’ve ever heard. It’s amazing.

[@mikerivera7509]

I need to check this band out. When they were out back then I only liked groups like Rush

[@billshogun7068]

Winter’s Call has one of the best guitar solos I’ve ever heard!

[@kxmrock]

Informative, Thx…. more than i really knew

[@slimsantilli4476]

I know the story of Ray. I get it. But Jesus Badlands was so amazing.

[@tahoeboulderingguides1864]

It would have been nice to give Jeff Martin more credit in this video. The dude wasn’t just in Racer X and Badlands, he was a lead singer and drummer respectively.

[@STETTRACE]

DAMN SON!!!!! You should have mentioned it!!!!! I LIVED THiS!!!!!!!!

[@Brentastrophe]

I don't know a lot of Badlands, but I know "Winter's Call" and I freaking love that song

[@robmitchell3864]

Jake speaks of Ray's cat out of the bag moment when getting pulled over by police in Jake's car. Trunk had to be opened, revieling all Ray's medicine.

[@MJ74NC]

I loved Badlands!

[@darkstar92772]

That first Badlands album was an amazing. I wish they would reissue it.

[@3doyoyolifestylegood534]

They cant reissue it cause they are not allowed too.

[@safelyanonymous5717]

would love to have it on vinyl

[@infernicide666]

Paul O’ Neil was also the producer of Savatage and Omen’s Escape to Nowhere album from 1988. The latter of which was a shit show for the most part save for a few songs (The album opener “It’s Not Easy” most notably). He did manage to revive Savatage’s career though after the commercial failure of their Fight For The Rock album in 1986. He produced their 87’ comeback album Hall of the Mountain King which should have been HUGE in the US but never even went gold.

[@Flapperdame16]

Thanks for this, it's very interesting.

[@mishapikin-b8c]

sun red sun from dusk album -what a voice

[@aaroncoroner5915]

If you are doing subscriber requests how about one on Los Angeles' greatest unknown sleaze rock band Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction. The High Priest of Love e.p. is one of the greatest rock records most people have never heard. Thanks!

[@mattskustomkreations]

Great band! I had the Voodoo Highway CD. Sad & Disgraceful end for Ray.😢

[@Krullmatic]

One of my favorite bands and guitarists ever! I wished they could've made some more music for us, but alas, life happens. Edit: Thanks for this!

[@mauriciocabral1270]

The band was very good, Gillen is an excellent singer, Jake E Lee, great guitar, but both of their egos got in the way, in addition to, of course, the tragic illness! I love the three albums with Ray Gillen singing!

[@ferox965]

Had their first on cassette and CD. The second one is hard to find. I'll find it someday.

[@gabrielbrouwer]

Ray Gillen recorded The Eternal Idol with Sabbath, but he left the band so all of his vocal parts got redone by Tony Martin.

[@jamescon55]

Okay, So 🤔WHICH/WHAT "Gillen" DID that "Born Again" vocals??? IS it Ian Gillan from Deep Purple? ALWAYS got those 2 confused......🫤

[@gabrielbrouwer]

@@jamescon55 yeah Ian Gillan from Deep Purple sang on Born Again and on the tour. I love that album.

[@babywah3290]

The Ray Gillen recordings are on the double cd release of the Eternal Idol.

[@richardrogers5482]

Saw Badlands with Cinderella and Tangier in Bakersfield. Unfortunately Badlands had sound problems that night.

[@robhake]

Three of my favorite bands. I would have loved to have been there!

[@richardrogers5482]

@@robhake Still have my Cinderella and Tangier CD’s. And still listen to them to this day.

[@andreaskallenbrunnen2614]

Eric Singer is coming from Gary Moore after the wild frontiers tour! I saw them 14.4.1987 at LU Germany with Opener Shy!

[@dalekoch6687]

All 3 Badland albums are very good. If you like blues rock you should give a listen too. Surprised to hear negative things about Paul Oneal.

[@jefferysteen1041]

Debut album is very good

[@neilvetter662]

incredible riffs & tone

[@richbotch9752]

Martin was not the drummer for Racer X Scott Travis was. Martin was the singer.

[@rnrtruestories]

My bad he joined badlands as the drummer after Eric singer left

[@jesterr7133]

It's a shame that there music is virtually impossible to find now. I managed to piece together most of the first album through mp3s from various sources, but there are three songs that I have never been able to find. I have never been able to find anything on the second one. It sucks.

[@christervainio]

Badlands was a supergroup.👏👏👏👏👏

[@am3986]

It's excruciatingly painful to have no more badlands music in the world. This band is the best rock band the world never heard of. I wish the band would get together at least for special events and get someone to sing. Ray can't be replaced but at least we'd get the music. One thing I don't get is when did they really record Dusk?. Was that while touring for Voodoo Hyw? How could they have recorded such an amazing album while not getting along? Just doesn't make sense..... I get the feeling Jake is a very difficult person to work with.

[@mrshredder0076]

killer band - should have been bigger. too bad

[@lisajarvis6401]

They were the greatest band

[@burkejones8277]

That first record was great.

[@hattleysengineroom]

Gosh. VooDoo Highway is one of my all time favorites

[@YtuserSumone-rl6sw]

same

[@wangdangle73]

Reason they weren't supposed to rerelease material because of all the lawsuits against ray ... horrible stuff