Ray Collins

Ray Collins (November 19, 1936 – December 24, 2012) was an American musician. He is best known for being an original member of the Mothers of Invention and the primary lead vocalist on their earliest albums.

Early life Collins grew up in Pomona, California singing in his school choir, the son of a local police officer. He dropped out of high school just before graduation to marry his girlfriend, who became pregnant.

Career Collins started his musical career singing falsetto backup vocals for various doo-wop groups in the Los Angeles area in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Cruising with Ruben & the Jets and Uncle Meat. He additionally provided harmonica on Freak Out!. In 1968 Ray quit The Mothers of Invention because of tension in the group, citing that the band was "too much comedy and making fun of stuff" and was replaced by Lowell George, but continued to contribute to other Zappa projects through the mid-1970s.

Discography With Little Julian Herrera And The Tigers "I Remember Linda" / "True Fine Mama" (1957, 7", Starla Records, USA) - feat. Ray Collins on high falsetto backing

With Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention Freak Out! (1966) Absolutely Free (1967) Cruising with Ruben & the Jets (1968) Uncle Meat (1969) Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970) Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970) Apostrophe (') 'Tis The Season To Be Jelly You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 5 The Lost Episodes Mystery Disc Joe's Corsage