Ray Anderson – Photographer and more…..
When Protex formed, I asked Ray,my cousin and a photographer, if he could help the band with some promo shots. He did a few sessions, and gave us, free of charge, a quality portfolio of shots. Some of these shots were used on the Good Vibrations ‘ Don’t Ring Me Up single, and others taken from 1978-1981 are available in the photos section. The Polydor single cover shot “Place in your Heart” is also one of his.
I asked Ray to check out the band, and he regularly came to see us play at rehearsal and at the Harp Bar. It seemed like a natural progression towards working with the band, and Ray quickly took on the role with a job spec that would make Del Preston wince. Photographer…Tour Manager…Sound Engineer…Roadie….Driver….Minder….to name but six.
When we signed to Polydor and headed to London to live, Ray promptly quit his job and came with us, working unbelievably long hours to look after the band on the road in the UK, Ireland and the USA
Ray stayed with the band until 1981, when 3 of the band returned to Belfast. Ray stayed in London, and he’s still there, living in married bliss with Jo and family.
It’s hard to do justice in this short piece to what Ray did for Protex – it was a huge amount of commitment and work and I felt that here was a window to acknowledge his contribution.
By the way…..enjoy the photos….Ray took most of them.
Thanks Ray
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