Ray Toro

Toro was born July 15, 1977,{{cite web|title=Ray Toro biography|url=http://ray-toro.com/ray/bio/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111164917/http://ray-toro.com/ray/bio/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 11, 2009|website=ray-toro.com|date=November 30, 2008 |access-date=October 19, 2017}} in Kearny, New Jersey.Ray, Michael. [https://books.google.com/books?id=WfGcAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT87 Alternative, Country, Hip-Hop, Rap, and More: Music from the 1980s to Today], p. 87. Britannica Educational Publishing, 2012. {{ISBN|9781615309108}}. Accessed November 8, 2017, "The group's original lineup consisted of Way, brother Michael James (Mikey) Way (born September 10, 1980, Newark, New Jersey) on bass, drummer Matt Pelissier, and guitarists Ray Toro (born July 15, 1977, in Kearny, New Jersey) and Frank Iero (born October 31, 1981, in Belleville, New Jersey)." He is of Puerto Rican-Portuguese heritage. He grew up in a small house on the border between Kearny and Harrison, New Jersey, which he shared with his parents and two brothers.

By the time he entered Kearny High School, he had become interested in music. Toro's brother introduced him to several bands whose guitarists influenced him greatly. He enrolled in guitar lessons, as well as typing lessons to improve his manual dexterity.Haydn, Reinhardt (2008). My Chemical Romance: This Band Will Save Your Life. London: Plexus Publishing Limited

Toro became involved with several local bands, the most successful of which were The Rodneys, who formed in 1994 and released their first and only album "Soccertown USA" in 1997. Future My Chemical Romance drummer Matt Pelissier also played for the band. However, after graduating from high school in 1995, Toro decided on film instead of music. He enrolled in an editing course at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, and his only musical pursuits{{when|date=October 2013}} involved playing drums in the short-lived band Dead Go West.Bryant, Tom. "My Chemical Romance Interview". Kerrang!. {{cite web |url=http://www.tom-bryant.com/my-chemical-romance-kerrang--tom-bryant.html |title=My Chemical Romance Kerrang! | Tom Bryant - tom-bryant.com |access-date=2012-12-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501193629/http://www.tom-bryant.com/my-chemical-romance-kerrang--tom-bryant.html |archive-date=May 1, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

In an interview with Rock Sound, Toro said that "being in a band wasn't really a dream of mine. I always wanted to write music. I enjoy recording more and the process of writing, I never thought that being in a touring band was a possibility. I enjoyed getting a bunch of scenes and cutting it together so it makes sense. I made one short film about a guy who was obsessed with eating eggs every day. He finally opens up this egg carton and there's one egg left, but he can't crack it open, so he gets driven insane." Ray himself has also stated he enjoyed Release the Bats by Pete Wentz.{Haydn, Reinhardt (2008). My Chemical Romance: This Band Will Save Your Life. London: Plexus Publishing Limited

Rodney's frontman Shawn Dillon is credited with introducing Toro to Gerard Way in the late 1990s. Toro agreed to work with him and Pelissier in practice sessions, which were primarily held in Pelissier's attic. After Gerard's younger brother Mikey

joined the trio as a bass player My Chemical Romance was formed.

In 2007, Toro appeared as himself in the slasher/horror/comedy movie Punk Rock Holocaust 2, with bandmate Frank Iero."Ray Toro and Frank Iero get murdered...?". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXvMkPKaUWs

File:My Chemical Romance BDO Feb 4 07 2.jpg

Since My Chemical Romance's third album The Black Parade, Toro has been compared to Queen guitarist Brian May. He has long cited May as a key influence on his guitar style. As Toro said in an interview: "I appreciate [the comparisons]. He's one of my favorite guitarists. I just love his work. That guy is capable of everything. He can lay back when he needs to, then writes some of the best leads. He comes up with great harmonies, he's a great singer. To me it's an honor for anybody to say that I play like him or that parts remind them of Queen". My Chemical Romance performed a portion of their 2011 Reading and Leeds Festivals headline concert with May."My Chemical Romance joined by Queen's Brian May at Reading Festival". NME. http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/58869

Toro was the leading force behind My Chemical Romance's #SINGItForJapan project, which was dedicated to supporting those affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan."My Chemical Romance Interview with Gerard and Frank (03.05.2011)". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NviPfsowdfU He arranged much of the instrumentation of the band's original track "Sing" to create a sound that emulated traditional Japanese music. "SINGItForJapan" was released on April 13, 2011, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross.Toro, Ray. "#SINGITFORJAPAN". {{cite web |url=http://singitforjapan.com/post/4583044684/singitforjapan |title=#SINGItForJapan |access-date=2012-12-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801061359/http://singitforjapan.com/post/4583044684/singitforjapan |archive-date=August 1, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

My Chemical Romance has released four studio albums, two live albums, six extended plays, 19 singles, four video albums, 15 music videos, one demo and have 11 original appearances on other albums. The band was working on a fifth studio album before their split."My Chemical Romance: 'Our new album won't just be a collection of songs'". NME. http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/61780

On May 24, 2013, Toro posted a solo song, "Isn't That Something", to his SoundCloud account.{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Bryant |url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2014-06-12/life-after-my-chemical-romance-exclusive-ray-toro-interview|title=Life After My Chemical Romance: Exclusive Ray Toro Interview|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|date=June 12, 2014|access-date=October 28, 2017}}{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Kraus|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/ray_toro_ex_my_chemical_romance_posts_new_song_isnt_that_something|title=Ray Toro (ex-My Chemical Romance) posts new song, "Isn't That Something"|publisher=altpress|date=May 24, 2013|access-date=October 28, 2017}} He also stated how the track was entirely a solo effort: "I played everything. Sang everything. Recorded everything. Mixed everything. Myself" via his Twitter.{{cite tweet|user=raytoro|author=raytoro|number=338129158121082880|date=25 May 2013|title=I played everything. Sang everything. Recorded everything. Mixed everything. Myself.}}

Later in 2013 Toro joined James Dewees's band, Reggie and the Full Effect for a tour and contributed to his album No Country for Old Musicians.{{cite web|url=http://www.alterthepress.com/2013/09/frank-iero-and-ray-toro-ex-my-chemical.html|title=Frank Iero And Ray Toro (Ex-My Chemical Romance) To Appear On Reggie And The Full Effect Album|publisher=Alter The Press!|access-date=October 28, 2017}}

In 2014, Toro provided guitars for Cuban American dark cabaret singer Voltaire's tenth studio album, Raised by Bats.{{Cite web |url=http://www.voltaire.net/raised_by_bats_cd/ |title=Voltaire – Raised by Bats |access-date=July 1, 2014 |archive-date=June 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623045142/http://www.voltaire.net/raised_by_bats_cd |url-status=dead }}[http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/raised-by-bats-a-star-studded-gothrock-album-from-aurelio-voltaire/x/67837 Raised by Bats: A star-studded Gothrock album from Aurelio Voltaire]

On January 1, 2015, he released a new song, titled "For the Lost and Brave", on his website, mentioning Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teen who committed suicide, in the blog post.{{cite web|last=Weldon|first=Casey|title=Former My Chemical Romance guitarist Ray Toro dedicates song to Leelah Alcorn|date=Jan 4, 2015|access-date=October 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913082821/http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/warren-county/my-chemical-romances-ray-toro-dedicates-song-to-leelah-alcorn|archive-date=September 13, 2016|url=http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/warren-county/my-chemical-romances-ray-toro-dedicates-song-to-leelah-alcorn|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://www.raytoro.com/thoughts/2015/1/1/for-the-lost-and-brave |title=For The Lost And Brave |date=January 1, 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102044444/http://www.raytoro.com/thoughts/2015/1/1/for-the-lost-and-brave |archive-date=January 2, 2015 |df=mdy-all }} In an interview with Toro, Kerrang! magazine described the song's style as "aching synth-rock brimming with [My Chemical Romance]'s us-against-the-world spirit" and revealed that Toro intended to release his debut solo album later in 2015; Toro also commented that this was the first time he's ever "written lyrics or songs on [his] own".{{cite magazine |title='When I Heard About Her Death... I Knew It Was Time to Return' (Interview with Ray Toro) |magazine=Kerrang! |publication-date=January 17, 2015 |issue= 1551 |page=6}}

On November 18, 2016, Toro released his debut album, Remember the Laughter, after recording it primarily at his home since 2013.{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Pettigrew|url=https://www.altpress.com/features/entry/mcr_guitarist_ray_toro_readies_solo_debut_check_out_take_the_world_now|title=MCR guitarist Ray Toro readies solo debut: Check out "Take The World" now|publisher=altpress|access-date=October 28, 2017}}{{cite web|first=Bianca|last=Gracie|url=https://www.fuse.tv/2016/11/my-chemical-romance-ray-toro-responds-reunion-rumors|title=My Chemical Romance's Ray Toro Responds To Reunion Rumors|publisher=fuse.tv|date=November 7, 2016|access-date=October 28, 2017}}

On October 31, 2019, My Chemical Romance announced they would be reuniting with a date in Los Angeles on December 20 and a new merchandise line.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B4SyPJKBvAr/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B4SyPJKBvAr |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Like Phantoms Forever... Tickets on Sale Friday 11/1/19 at 12:00 PM Pacific|via=Instagram|access-date=October 31, 2019}}{{cbignore}}⠀They later announced a 2020 North American tour, as well as dates in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The tour was later postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-reschedule-us-reunion-tour-for-2021-2689583|title=Check Out My Chemical Romance's Rescheduled US Tour Dates for 2021|date=June 16, 2020 |via=NME|access-date=July 14, 2020}}{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Rachel|date=2021-04-16|title=My Chemical Romance reschedule tour dates for 2022|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/my-chemical-romance-rescheduled-tour-dates-2022/|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Alternative Press|language=en-US}}

Toro is noted for his shred guitar playing style. Jake Richardson of Loudwire described him as "[not] your average pop-punk player," saying he "attacks his leads with gusto, guts and a real sense of the dramatic."{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Alternative Press |title=Fan poll: 5 best emo vocalists of all time |url=https://www.altpress.com/fan-poll-best-emo-vocalists/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |language=en-US}}

Toro has cited heavy metal guitarist Randy Rhoads and hard rock musician Brian May as his two biggest influences.{{cite web|url=http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/artist-interview/ray-toro-of-my-chemical-romance/|publisher=seymourduncan.com |title=Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance|date=July 16, 2007 }} As a teenager he was a big fan of Randy Rhoads because "he was one of the first players I can remember who mixed classical music with a metal and hard rock style of playing, and he did it very tastefully. It was really inspiring." Later he began to listen to classical guitarist Andrés Segovia and Christopher Parkening. He admitted to being obsessed with the way in which they would take classical pieces and arrange them for a single guitar resulting in a moving melody and bass lines that work together.{{cite web|url=http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/artist-interview/ray-toro-of-my-chemical-romance/|publisher=seymourduncan.com |title=Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance: Which players had the greatest influence on your musical style?|date=July 16, 2007 }}

Despite declaring to be a "music snob" when it comes to new artists, he praised Muse's work.{{cite web|url=http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/artist-interview/ray-toro-of-my-chemical-romance/|publisher=seymourduncan.com |title=Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance: Have your listening tastes changed? Do you still listen to the music that influenced you when you started?|date=July 16, 2007 }} He said that he mainly listens to the same music that he did when younger and enjoys the process of discovering harmonies or nuances that he was unable to notice during his youth, gaining a different appreciation for the music.{{cite web|url=http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/artist-interview/ray-toro-of-my-chemical-romance/|publisher=seymourduncan.com |title=Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance: With older music, do you tend to pick out things you hadn't noticed before when you listen now?|date=July 16, 2007 }}

Toro recognizes his older brother as a huge influence, being the person who bought him his first real guitar and showed him how to play it.{{cite web|url=http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/artist-interview/ray-toro-of-my-chemical-romance/|publisher=seymourduncan.com |title=Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance: When you had first heard these songs, was it on vinyl or CD? Most of the time you never could hear those very fine details as clearly on the original vinyl records as you could on remastered CDs, or even on the original version CDs.|date=July 16, 2007 }} Toro also credits him for introducing him to bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Mötley Crüe, and Metallica.

The first CD he bought was Cowboys from Hell by Pantera.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AXATNrGS-A |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/3AXATNrGS-A| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|publisher=FaceCulture |title=Interview My Chemical Romance – Ray Toro (part 1)|date=November 29, 2010 }}{{cbignore}}

Toro married wife Christa in November 2008, during My Chemical Romance's break between The Black Parade and Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} They have two sons, one born in September 2012, the other in April 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.teamrock.com/features/2014-06-12/life-after-my-chemical-romance-exclusive-ray-toro-interview# |title = Life After My Chemical Romance: Exclusive Ray Toro Interview {{!}} Louder}}

• Remember the Laughter (2016)

• "Isn't That Something" (2013)
• "For the Lost and Brave" (2015)
• "I Think You're Really Cool (Ray Toro Remix)" (with Guardin, 2021)

• Soccertown U.S.A. (Sellout Soon Records) – 1997{{cite web|title=The Rodneys – Soccertown U.S.A.|url=https://www.discogs.com/Rodneys-Soccertown-USA/release/7005365|website=Discogs.com|publisher=hadituptohere1|access-date=30 March 2018}}{{cite web|title=The Rodneys - Soccertown U.S.A.|url=http://mp3-track.com/277214-the-rodneys-soccertown-usa.html|website=mp3-track.com|access-date=30 March 2018|archive-date=March 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330212243/http://mp3-track.com/277214-the-rodneys-soccertown-usa.html|url-status=dead}}

{{see also|My Chemical Romance discography}}

• I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (2002)
• Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004)
• The Black Parade (2006)
• Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010)

• No Country for Old Musicians (2013)

• 2011 – My Chemical Romance – iTunes Festival: London 2011 (mixing)
• 2012 – The Architects – Live in Los Angeles (mixing)
• 2013 – The Architects – Border Wars Episode I (mixing on one track)
• 2019 – Frank Iero and the Future Violents – Barriers (mixing){{cite web |title=Frank Iero On That MCR Lyric Reference, The Future Violents & Playing Warped Tour 25 | website=YouTube | date=July 15, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLZ4lXmNyhA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/dLZ4lXmNyhA| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Notelist}}

1. {{note|stone}}"Teen Titans" – Rolling Stone (2005-07-14)

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{{Commons category|Ray Toro}}

• {{Official website|http://www.raytoro.com/}}
• [http://www.mychemicalromance.com/ My Chemical Romance official website]
• {{iMDb name|2427846}}

{{My Chemical Romance}}

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Category:1977 births

Category:American people of Portuguese descent

Category:American musicians of Puerto Rican descent

Category:American rock musicians

Category:Living people

Category:Guitarists from New Jersey

Category:Record producers from New Jersey

Category:Kearny High School (New Jersey) alumni

Category:People from Kearny, New Jersey

Category:My Chemical Romance members

Category:People from West New York, New Jersey

Category:Songwriters from New Jersey

Category:Reggie and the Full Effect members