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Ray Schulte was a legendary St. Louis guitarist, who dedicated his life to music by recording and touring with numerous bands for over 50 years. Since the early 1960s, his masterful guitarwork, soulful voice, and emotive lyrics inspired music lovers and musicians alike with acclaimed albums ranging from Street Suite by Touch to his final album This Endless Night by Ravaged Hearts.
Ray was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in his mid-sixties, and the disease placed a very difficult and unforeseen burden on him and his family over the last decade. Sadly, Ray passed away on January 24th, 2021 at the age of 75 after a long and painful battle. Unfortunately, he did not have life insurance, and his family is seeking financial support to assist with end-of-life costs as well as memorial and funeral expenses.
Ray was born on April 4th, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri and attended McCluer High School. At an early age, he studied classical guitar under George C. Krick (a student of the classical guitarist, Andrés Segovia), and he won many competitions throughout the Midwest. As a young teen, Ray would hang out at the legendary Club Imperial in St. Louis, where Ike and Tina Turner famously got their start. Some of his earliest guitar lessons were with Ike, and he spent many hours with him honing his craft.
Later, Ray attended the St. Louis Conservatory of Music at Washington University. He excelled at classical bass and was offered a position with the St. Louis Philharmonic, but the blues and rock and roll were his true calling. He went on to work with bands such as The Sheratons, Bob Kuban and The In-Men (who went on to have the top 12 hit, ‘The Cheater’), blues legend Albert King, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Pavlov’s Dog, The Spirit of St. Louis, Not On File, and Steve Davis. During these years, he found time to do several Department of Defense entertainment tours, performing for troops stationed in Europe, the Far East, Central America, and the Mediterranean. He also toured with Pavlov’s Dog throughout Europe in 2006-2007.
His band Touch was a major milestone. They released Street Suite in 1969, which is still sought out by collectors today. Touch opened for bands such as Cream, Janis Joplin, The Allman Brothers, Iron Butterfly, and many more. During this time, Ray started working with Royal Robbins who ended up being a lifelong collaborative and creative partner.
Ray and Royal performed together for over 40 years and formed the duo Ravaged Hearts. In 2016, they released the hauntingly beautiful album This Endless Night. Ray was already struggling with Alzheimer’s during this time, but he never lost the enduring drive to create new and innovative work. His deep reverence for the arts, especially music, was something he carried with him until the very end.
As Ray’s daughter, I have created this campaign on his behalf, and all of the funds raised will be accessed by his brother, Bob Schulte. My Uncle Bob was the primary caretaker for many years before my father was moved to a nursing facility, and we are very grateful for his help.
I feel blessed to have a father who sparked so much joy and inspiration through a lifetime devoted to making music. To anyone who was ever inspired by his guitar work and songwriting, who has a deep appreciation of music and the arts, or whose family has been affected by this disease, I ask with humble gratitude that you donate to assist with Ray’s end-of-life costs as well as his memorial and funeral expenses. For those who know his music, know that his spirit will endure through the body of work he created and the many lives he touched.
Extinguish the last candle
No need to fear the dark
Feel the night surround us
As we mourn the day's last spark
-Ravaged Hearts
Ray was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in his mid-sixties, and the disease placed a very difficult and unforeseen burden on him and his family over the last decade. Sadly, Ray passed away on January 24th, 2021 at the age of 75 after a long and painful battle. Unfortunately, he did not have life insurance, and his family is seeking financial support to assist with end-of-life costs as well as memorial and funeral expenses.
Ray was born on April 4th, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri and attended McCluer High School. At an early age, he studied classical guitar under George C. Krick (a student of the classical guitarist, Andrés Segovia), and he won many competitions throughout the Midwest. As a young teen, Ray would hang out at the legendary Club Imperial in St. Louis, where Ike and Tina Turner famously got their start. Some of his earliest guitar lessons were with Ike, and he spent many hours with him honing his craft.
Later, Ray attended the St. Louis Conservatory of Music at Washington University. He excelled at classical bass and was offered a position with the St. Louis Philharmonic, but the blues and rock and roll were his true calling. He went on to work with bands such as The Sheratons, Bob Kuban and The In-Men (who went on to have the top 12 hit, ‘The Cheater’), blues legend Albert King, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Pavlov’s Dog, The Spirit of St. Louis, Not On File, and Steve Davis. During these years, he found time to do several Department of Defense entertainment tours, performing for troops stationed in Europe, the Far East, Central America, and the Mediterranean. He also toured with Pavlov’s Dog throughout Europe in 2006-2007.
His band Touch was a major milestone. They released Street Suite in 1969, which is still sought out by collectors today. Touch opened for bands such as Cream, Janis Joplin, The Allman Brothers, Iron Butterfly, and many more. During this time, Ray started working with Royal Robbins who ended up being a lifelong collaborative and creative partner.
Ray and Royal performed together for over 40 years and formed the duo Ravaged Hearts. In 2016, they released the hauntingly beautiful album This Endless Night. Ray was already struggling with Alzheimer’s during this time, but he never lost the enduring drive to create new and innovative work. His deep reverence for the arts, especially music, was something he carried with him until the very end.
As Ray’s daughter, I have created this campaign on his behalf, and all of the funds raised will be accessed by his brother, Bob Schulte. My Uncle Bob was the primary caretaker for many years before my father was moved to a nursing facility, and we are very grateful for his help.
I feel blessed to have a father who sparked so much joy and inspiration through a lifetime devoted to making music. To anyone who was ever inspired by his guitar work and songwriting, who has a deep appreciation of music and the arts, or whose family has been affected by this disease, I ask with humble gratitude that you donate to assist with Ray’s end-of-life costs as well as his memorial and funeral expenses. For those who know his music, know that his spirit will endure through the body of work he created and the many lives he touched.
Extinguish the last candle
No need to fear the dark
Feel the night surround us
As we mourn the day's last spark
-Ravaged Hearts
Organizer and beneficiary
Heather Soltis
Organizer
St Louis, MO
Robert Schulte
Beneficiary