Ray Laidlaw

Ray Laidlaw (born 28 May 1948) is a British drummer. He is best known for being a member of Lindisfarne from 1968 to 2003. He plays in The Lindisfarne Story, a tribute band to the group with ex-member Billy Mitchell. On his thirteenth birthday, his grandad gifted him his first drum kit. Laidlaw, Cowe and Hull formed Lindisfarne (at first called Brethren) in 1968 with Hull Ray Jackson (vocals, mandolin, harmonica) and Rod Clements (bass guitar, violin).

In 1973, Laidlaw, Crowe, and Clements all left the band to form Jack the Lad, a group made to perform more traditionally folk group instead of Lindisfarne's Progressive folk sound. The band sometimes toured with Lindisfarne. Laidlaw left the band a few months before they split up and joined another group, Radiator for a year.

In 1978, the original five members of Lindisfarne reformed and had another top ten hit, "Run For Home" (UK #10). The band continued to tour until 2003, when they played their last gig. Laidlaw is now a semi-retired drummer and works full-time as an event producer. He helps run the Sunday for Sammy charity gigs, that was initially set up by Tim Healy and Jimmy Nail in memory of Healy's co-star Sammy Johnson.

Personal life Laidlaw lives in Tynemouth with his wife Lesley Ann. They have a son, who lives in California. He enjoys cycling.