Ray Lucas

Ray Lucas (1939-2017) was an American drummer and was a major innovator of R&B, and soul drumming in New York City. He was like Buddy Rich (self taught and only needed to hear a song one time and could play it). He played and recorded on over 130 albums with Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, George Benson, Dione Warwick, Paul Simon, Stanley Turrentine, David "Fathead" Newman, Esther Philips, Wayne Wallace, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimi Hendrix, Shirley Scott, Junior Mance, Harvey Wainapel, Red Halloway, Bobby Timmons, Huber Laws, Yuseef Lateef, Mongo Santamaria, Eddie Kirkland, Jan Akkerman, Robin Kenyatta, Eric Kaz, Charlie Mariano, Freddy McCoy, Jack McDuff, Illinois Jacquet, Freddie Roach, King Curtis, many others. Jimi Hendrix (who also played with King Curtis) wanted Ray to go to England with him to form "the Jimi Hendix Experience), but Ray declined because he didn't want to leave New York City.