Ray Toro.
Raymond Toro (born July 15, 1977) is an American musician who has served as lead guitarist and co-founder of the band My Chemical Romance since its formation in 2001.
Career.
Toro has cited heavy metal guitarist Randy Rhoads and hard rock musician Brian May as his two biggest influences. 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 be 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.
Despite declaring to be a "music snob" when it comes to new artists, he praised Muse's work. 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.
Ray 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. Becoming Toro's gateway into guitar playing and introducing him to bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, and also Mötley Crüe and Metallica.
The first CD he bought was Cowboys From Hell by Pantera.
Despite declaring to be a "music snob" when it comes to new artists, he praised Muse's work. 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.
Ray 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. Becoming Toro's gateway into guitar playing and introducing him to bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, and also Mötley Crüe and Metallica.
The first CD he bought was Cowboys From Hell by Pantera.
Personal life.
Ray Toro married his long-time girlfriend Christa in November of 2008, during My Chemical Romance's break between The Black Parade and Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.