Instagram story viewer> @brianrayguitar> Posts

Brian Ray

@brianrayguitar

40.3K

followers

6921

following

Etta James: '74-'89
Lead, rhythm, bass guitar with Paul McCartney
Artist on Wicked Cool Records
Bon Vivant

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Hey friends, this stunning original 59 Les Paul came home with me the other day, and I still can’t believe it!

James III, son of the original owner, pictured here with his mom Saundra, decided it was time to move their late father’s prized guitar down the road, to play new music with a new steward. James Sr. got this guitar as a gift in 1972 and it’s been in the family home right here in Southern California ever since. I’m so grateful that they chose me.
Long story alert!

One year ago I was browsing on social media when I saw this beautiful original 1959 Les Paul. My buddy & local luthier, David Neely of Neely Guitars said the guitar had been stashed away for years and he was hired to clean it and set it up, and they were interested in selling it.
I was ready to make an offer, when David told me that my friend Joe Bonamassa had already done so.
I decided to call Joe to tell him that I was thinking of making an offer too. To my surprise and delight, Joe told me he would step back so that I could have a better chance. I couldn’t believe it! How cool is that!?

For a whole year, I stayed in touch, patiently chillin’ while the family decided what they were going to do, while this amazing community of guitar aficionados texted & called to see how it was going. We’ve all heard that guitar collecting can be a shark feed sometimes, but that hasn’t been my experience here.
Yes, they had other big 11th hour offers on the guitar & I had to step up quite a bit, but they also wanted me to have it. We made a deal and had a lovely afternoon over lunch in Glendora. I will treasure it and honor its history.
I want to thank these people for their friendship and kindness.
I’ll never forget it.

Joe Bonamassa
Vic DaPra
Drew Berlin
Trevor Boone
Colin Cripps
Joe Riggio
John Ladas
David Neely
And most especially, my beautiful and brilliant girlfriend Alli Standefer who heard ALL about it and loves me despite my nerdy obsession. She helped me name it too.
The Cali Burst by @brianrayguitar

4k

437

12 days ago

Since opening its doors again to the public on December 1, 2025, The Plaza Theatre has featured comedy, classical, opera, pop and rock music, along with documentary and classic films. Now, The Plaza Theatre will be shining a spotlight on local and emerging talent from all corners of the Coachella Valley.

Brian Ray (part-time Palm Springs resident, member of Paul McCartney’s band, and member of the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation’s board) and Matt King (award-winning Coachella Valley journalist, events promoter at Dunes Booking, and musician) are teaming up to offer Brian Ray Presents: Desert Scene, an event designed to unify the local music community.

As local music hubs close, and venues increasingly cater toward touring acts and established names, opportunities for local artists shrink. Desert Scene will spotlight emerging talent from all the desert cities on a historic local stage, and help foster connections throughout the valley’s creative community.

The inaugural Brian Ray Presents: Desert Scene event will feature three artists whose modern twist on classic soul and Latin rock have garnered them local adoration and global recognition.

Performances by
@cafecanelamusic
@burgundyblues
@gisellewooandthenightowls

Brian Ray Presents: Desert Scene Spotlighting Local Music | Nov. 20 | Plaza Theatre

Tickets on sale Friday at 10am! Click the link in my bio! by @brianrayguitar

613

40

24 days ago

Brian Ray talks about what it was like to play bass in front of Paul McCartney for the first time.

#musicianshalloffame #paulmccartney #brianrayguitar #bass #thebeatles taken in The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum by @brianrayguitar

1k

89

4 months ago

You were hot, Hollywood!
It was a thrill to play my home town at The Fonda, with these titans!

Repost from @paulmccartney
•
We came, we saw, we rocked! Thank you Los Angeles for two amazing nights!

📸 by @mjkim_lalala by @brianrayguitar

4k

113

7 months ago

#happybirthday @brianrayguitar #canonphotography @canonusa canonusa #rockphotography #rockphotographer #joeschaefferphotography gigphotography livemusicphotography concertphotographer concertphotography 📷 All photos © Joe Schaeffer Photography 2026 by @brianrayguitar

1k

77

9 months ago

Here’s a piece of our mind! The Earls of Babylon’s new single, Piece of My Mind, is up for @littlesteven_ug’s Coolest Song of 2025! You can vote every twelve hours through Christmas Eve on The Underground Garage website. Have you heard the song yet? Check it out at the link in my bio. by @brianrayguitar

281

18

10 months ago

Brian Ray sat down with Mighty Manfred to talk about his side project with Steve Conte: Earls of Babylon, touring with Paul McCartney, and more! by @brianrayguitar

146

7

10 months ago

In November of 2022, we Rocked the Plaza with Joshua Homme, @paulrodgersofficial, @alicecooper, and @iamorianthi @petethornguitarist @jonbuttonbass @mattsorum, Teddy ZigZag Andeadis & Spike Edney! @joezookmixer mixed it and it sounds great!
It was a thrill to help out on this benefit show to save @plazatheaterpalmsprings, which just reopened after its restoration. Now, you can experience the magical 2022 night with Rock the Plaza, out now wherever you listen to music. Take a listen and grab a Ltd Edition double vinyl LP, or CD on @omnivorerecordings at the link in my bio.

Big thank you to all of the wonderful photographers who helped capture the evening: @glenwexlerstudio, @danielgray2121, @melhummel, @uenz77, and @ronlyonphoto by @brianrayguitar

248

8

10 months ago

Here are just a handful of photo souvenirs from our GOT BACK tour.
So many key memories aren’t captured by cell phones, because you’re busy enjoying the moments. I look forward to more of those kind of moments in the new year!
Huge thanks to Paul, the best crew on the planet, and our fantastic band for making these 21 shows and three months together so memorable.
Lots of love shared with my lovely sweetheart Alli who visited me while on tour, tooling around the South together in her 80s Mercedes!
Stay tuned for lots of other news in the coming days and weeks. by @brianrayguitar

2k

117

a year ago

Rock the Plaza is out now on double vinyl, exclusively for @recordstoredayus on @omnivorerecordings! The 2022 show was a concert to save the historic @plazatheaterpalmsprings featuring @alicecooper, #JoshHomme of @queensofthestoneage , @iamorianthi, and @paulrodgersofficial. All proceeds from the album go to a continued endowment for The Plaza Theatre.

Support your local record store and grab your copy to relive the magic of the evening! #rsdbf2025 #rsdblackfriday #rocktheplaza by @brianrayguitar

205

14

a year ago

Guitar Safari: Des Moines Edition: When I’m out on tour looking for something to do, I sometimes search “vintage guitars nearby”. This led me to @lawmanguitars in Des Moines, Iowa. Michael Lawman told me about a few cool things that he had stashed away and one of them was an oddball 60’s custom color Mosrite Guitar, Ventures model, made popular by the surf and hotrod custom car culture of the early 60’s.

It looks like it was painted in a custom car auto body garage in the mid 60’s because it probably was! Some guitar makers use auto body paints on custom orders back in the day. In this case, the order was for a two tone, red and gold sparkle finish, with Gibson parts, and custom gold hardware! This guitar should not exist, but here it is! Check out my Guitar Spotlight page and read more about my latest addition! by @brianrayguitar

3k

181

a year ago

Three years ago, I was honored to help put together a benefit show to restore the Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs. We were joined by @alicecooper, @paulrodgersofficial, @iamorianthi, and Joshua Homme in addition to an all-star backing band. Now, you can relive the triumphant magic of that night! The show is coming out on double vinyl exclusively for @recordstoredayus Black Friday on @omnivorerecordings. Find your local record store (locator is in the link in my bio) and take a listen to the historic show! by @brianrayguitar

620

32

a year ago