Ray Collins
vocals · tambourine
301 nights + 1965–69 · 1965–1970
Ray Collins played with Frank Zappa on 301 documented nights between 31 January 1966 and 15 May 1970, in 11 line-ups. Earlier, Ray Collins was a member of the "Original" Mothers Of Invention, 1965 at some point between 1965 and 1965; the archive does not record which nights.
About
The original Mothers' lead singer — it was his invitation that brought FZ into the Soul Giants in 1964. His doo-wop tenor carries Freak Out!, Absolutely Free and Cruising with Ruben & the Jets.
Beyond Zappa
Co-wrote "Memories of El Monte" with FZ for the Penguins; drifted from music after 1970, living simply in Claremont until his death in 2012.
Runs with Zappa
- The "Original" Mothers Of Invention, 1965MAY 9, 1965 – NOV 6, 1965 · several line-ups filed as one; who played which night isn't recordedband's 3 nights
- The Mothers Of Invention, Jan–Mar 1966JAN 31, 1966 – FEB 24, 19665 nights
- The Mothers Of Invention, Apr–May 1966APR 7, 1966 – MAY 29, 196638 nights
- The Mothers Of Invention, Jun–Aug 1966JUN 3, 1966 – AUG 13, 19668 nights
- The Mothers Of Invention, Aug–Sep 1966SEP 9, 1966 – SEP 17, 19663 nights
- The Mothers Of Invention, Sep–Dec 1966SEP 27, 1966 – DEC 31, 196630 nights
- The Mothers Of Invention, Jan–Feb 1967JAN 7, 1967 – FEB 19, 196722 nights
- The Mothers Of Invention, Mar–May 1967MAR 3, 1967 – MAY 31, 196771 nights
- The Mothers Of Invention, Jun 1967JUN 1, 1967 – JUN 30, 196731 nights
- The Mothers Of Invention, Sep 1967–Feb 1968SEP 23, 1967 – FEB 18, 196833 nights
- The Mothers Of Invention, Feb–Aug 1968FEB 24, 1968 – AUG 10, 196853 nights
- MOI reunionMAY 5, 1970 – MAY 15, 19707 nights
On stage with
- Jimmy Carl Black294 nights
- Roy Estrada294 nights
- Don Preston250 nights
- Bunk Gardner240 nights
- Billy Mundi197 nights
- Ian Underwood124 nights
- Motorhead Sherwood93 nights
- Art Tripp53 nights
- Jim Fielder52 nights
- Elliot Ingber46 nights
- Sandy Hurvitz ("Uncle Meat")31 nights
- Del Casher8 nights
- Van Dyke Parks8 nights
- Aynsley Dunbar7 nights
- George Duke7 nights
nights on stage together
Most played on Ray Collins’ nights
Every documented night · 301
1966×84
- JAN 31, 1966The Trip, Los Angeles, United States
- FEB 1, 1966The Trip, Los Angeles, United States
- FEB 2, 1966The Trip, Los Angeles, United States
- FEB 5, 1966The Trip, Los Angeles, United States
- FEB 24, 1966Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- APR 7, 1966Da Swamp, Honolulu, United States
- APR 8, 1966Da Swamp, Honolulu, United States
- APR 9, 1966Da Swamp, Honolulu, United States
- APR 10, 1966Da Swamp, Honolulu, United States
- APR 11, 1966Da Swamp, Honolulu, United States
- APR 12, 1966Da Swamp, Honolulu, United States
- APR 13, 1966Da Swamp, Honolulu, United States
- APR 14, 1966Da Swamp, Honolulu, United States
- APR 15, 1966Da Swamp, Honolulu, United States
- APR 16, 1966Da Swamp, Honolulu, United States
- MAY 3, 1966The Trip, Los Angeles, United States
- MAY 4, 1966The Trip, Los Angeles, United States
- MAY 5, 1966The Trip, Los Angeles, United States
- MAY 6, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 7, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 8, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 9, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 10, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 11, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 12, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 13, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 14, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 15, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 16, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 17, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 18, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 19, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 20, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 21, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 21, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 22, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 23, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 24, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 25, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 26, 1966Frenchy's, Hayward, United States
- MAY 27, 1966Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- MAY 28, 1966Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- MAY 29, 1966Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- JUN 3, 1966Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- JUN 4, 1966Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- JUN 24, 1966Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- JUN 25, 1966Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- JUL 12, 1966Swingin' Time, Windsor, Canada
- JUL 16, 1966Club 1270, WXYZ-TV Channel 7, Southfield, United States
- JUL 23, 1966Danish Center, Los Angeles, United States
- AUG 13, 1966Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, United States
- SEP 9, 1966Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- SEP 10, 1966Scottish Rites Temple, San Francisco, United States
- SEP 17, 1966Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, United States
- SEP 27, 1966Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, United States
- SEP 28, 1966Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, United States
- SEP 29, 1966Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, United States
- SEP 30, 1966Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, United States
- OCT 1, 1966Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, United States
- OCT 2, 1966Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, United States
- OCT 2, 1966Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, United States
- OCT 15, 1966San Marcos HS Auditorium, Santa Barbara, United States
- OCT 23, 1966Hullabaloo, Los Angeles, United States
- OCT 29, 1966Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara, United States
- NOV 7, 1966Student Union Grand Ballroom, UCLA, Los Angeles, United States
- NOV 23, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- NOV 24, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- NOV 25, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- NOV 26, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 2, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 3, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 4, 1966Action House, Island Park, United States
- DEC 9, 1966Student Union, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States
- DEC 16, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 17, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 23, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 24, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 25, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 26, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 27, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 28, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 29, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 30, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
- DEC 31, 1966Balloon Farm, New York, United States
1967×153
- JAN 7, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 8, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 9, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 10, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 11, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 12, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 13, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 14, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 15, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 16, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 17, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 18, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 19, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 20, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- JAN 21, 1967New Penelope, Montreal, Canada
- FEB 3, 1967Lindy Opera House, Los Angeles, United States
- FEB 4, 1967Lindy Opera House, Los Angeles, United States
- FEB 14, 1967Ballroom, Hilton Hotel, New York, United States
- FEB 16, 1967Sacramento, United States
- FEB 17, 1967Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- FEB 18, 1967Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- FEB 19, 1967Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- MAR 3, 1967Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- MAR 4, 1967Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- MAR 5, 1967Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- MAR 23, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAR 24, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAR 25, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAR 26, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAR 27, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAR 28, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAR 29, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAR 30, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAR 31, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 1, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 2, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 3, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 6, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 7, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 8, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 9, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 10, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 11, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 12, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 13, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 14, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 15, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 16, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 17, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 18, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 19, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 20, 1967Commonwealth Armory, Boston, United States
- APR 21, 1967Commonwealth Armory, Boston, United States
- APR 22, 1967Commonwealth Armory, Boston, United States
- APR 23, 1967Commonwealth Armory, Boston, United States
- APR 24, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 25, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 26, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 27, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 28, 1967Infinite Poster, New York, United States
- APR 28, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 29, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- APR 30, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAY 1, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAY 2, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 3, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 4, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 5, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 6, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 7, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 8, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 9, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 10, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 11, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 12, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 13, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 14, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 15, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 16, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 17, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 18, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 19, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 20, 1967Village Gate, New York, United States
- MAY 20, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 21, 1967Cafe Au Go Go, New York, United States
- MAY 24, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAY 25, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAY 26, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAY 27, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAY 28, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAY 29, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAY 30, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- MAY 31, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 1, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 2, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 3, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 4, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 5, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 6, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 7, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 8, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 9, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 10, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 11, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 12, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 13, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 14, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 15, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 16, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 17, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 18, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 19, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 20, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 21, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 22, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 23, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 24, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 25, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 26, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 27, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 28, 1967Village Theater, New York, United States
- JUN 28, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 29, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- JUN 30, 1967Garrick Theatre, New York, United States
- SEP 23, 1967Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom
- SEP 24, 1967Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- SEP 25, 1967Hamburg, Germany
- SEP 27, 1967Falkoner Theatret, Copenhagen, Denmark
- SEP 29, 1967Konserthallen, Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- SEP 30, 1967Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden
- OCT 1, 1967Falkoner Theatret, Copenhagen, Denmark
- OCT 2, 1967Akademiska Föreningen, Lund, Sweden
- OCT 28, 1967War Memorial Theater, Rochester, United States
- OCT 31, 1967Town Hall, New York, United States
- NOV 3, 1967Eastern High School, Baltimore, United States
- NOV 24, 1967Psychedelic Supermarket, Boston, United States
- NOV 25, 1967Psychedelic Supermarket, Boston, United States
- DEC 1, 1967Ford Auditorium, Detroit, United States
- DEC 2, 1967Fifth Dimension, Ann Arbor, United States
- DEC 3, 1967Fifth Dimension, Ann Arbor, United States
- DEC 9, 1967Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, United States
- DEC 14, 1967Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, United States
- DEC 15, 1967Winterland, San Francisco, United States
- DEC 16, 1967Winterland, San Francisco, United States
- DEC 20, 1967Mineola Theatre, New York, United States
- DEC 22, 1967Town Hall, New York, United States
- DEC 23, 1967Town Hall, New York, United States
- DEC 26, 1967Trauma, Philadelphia, United States
- DEC 27, 1967Trauma, Philadelphia, United States
- DEC 28, 1967Trauma, Philadelphia, United States
- DEC 29, 1967Trauma, Philadelphia, United States
- DEC 30, 1967Trauma, Philadelphia, United States
- DEC 31, 1967Trauma, Philadelphia, United States
1968×57
- JAN 28, 1968Convocation Hall, University Of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- FEB 1, 1968Boston Tea Party, Boston, United States
- FEB 1, 1968Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom
- FEB 18, 1968Durfee Theatre, Fall River, United States
- FEB 24, 1968Reid Athletic Center, Colgate University, Hamilton, United States
- FEB 25, 1968War Memorial Theater, Syracuse, United States
- FEB 29, 1968Hilton Hotel, New York, United States
- MAR 15, 1968Thee Image, Miami Beach, United States
- MAR 16, 1968Thee Image, Miami Beach, United States
- MAR 17, 1968Kaleidoscope, Louisville, United States
- MAR 22, 1968Electric Factory, Philadelphia, United States
- MAR 23, 1968Electric Factory, Philadelphia, United States
- MAR 24, 1968Electric Factory, Philadelphia, United States
- MAR 30, 1968Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, United States
- APR 3, 1968Fullerton, United States
- APR 9, 1968International Amphitheatre, Chicago, United States
- APR 10, 1968Grande Ballroom, Detroit, United States
- APR 19, 1968Fillmore East, New York, United States
- APR 20, 1968Fillmore East, New York, United States
- APR 26, 1968Taft Auditorium, Cincinnati, United States
- APR 27, 1968Coliseum, Chicago, United States
- APR 28, 1968Grande Ballroom, Detroit, United States
- MAY 3, 1968The Dog, Denver, United States
- MAY 4, 1968Star Theatre, Phoenix, United States
- MAY 10, 1968Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, United States
- MAY 11, 1968Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, United States
- MAY 17, 1968Blue Law, Torrance, United States
- MAY 18, 1968Gulfstream Race Track, Hallandale, United States
- MAY 18, 1968Blue Law, Torrance, United States
- MAY 19, 1968Wreck Bar, Hallandale, United States
- MAY 19, 1968Blue Law, Torrance, United States
- MAY 25, 1968Selland Arena, Fresno, United States
- MAY 25, 1968Santa Clara Co. Fairgrounds, San Jose, United States
- MAY 29, 1968Lagoon, Farmington, United States
- MAY 31, 1968Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, United States
- JUN 1, 1968Community Concourse, San Diego, United States
- JUN 3, 1968Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, United States
- JUN 6, 1968Fillmore West, San Francisco, United States
- JUN 7, 1968Winterland, San Francisco, United States
- JUN 8, 1968Winterland, San Francisco, United States
- JUN 14, 1968Tucson, United States
- JUN 15, 1968Convention Center, Anaheim, United States
- JUN 21, 1968Indiana Beach Ballroom, Monticello, United States
- JUN 22, 1968Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, United States
- JUN 25, 1968Steve Allen TV Show (taping; broadcast Jul 24), Los Angeles, United States
- JUN 27, 1968Wrigley Stadium, Los Angeles, United States
- JUN 28, 1968Cheetah, Los Angeles, United States
- JUN 29, 1968Cheetah, Los Angeles, United States
- JUN 30, 1968Cheetah, Los Angeles, United States
- JUL 14, 1968Cheetah, Los Angeles, United States
- JUL 23, 1968Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, United States
- JUL 26, 1968St. Louis, United States
- JUL 27, 1968St. Louis, United States
- AUG 3, 1968Wollman Rink, Central Park, New York, United States
- AUG 8, 1968Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, United States
- AUG 9, 1968The Scene, Milwaukee, United States
- AUG 10, 1968The Scene, Milwaukee, United States
1970×7
- MAY 5, 1970Cinderella Ballroom, Appleton, United States
- MAY 6, 1970Auditorium Theater, Chicago, United States
- MAY 7, 1970Cincinnati, United States
- MAY 8, 1970Fillmore East, New York, United States
- MAY 9, 1970Fillmore East, New York, United States
- MAY 10, 1970Academy Of Music, Philadelphia, United States
- MAY 15, 1970Pauley Pavilion, UCLA, Los Angeles, United States