Billy (Del-Ray) Smith, Bass, and Vocals

Formally of the world famous “Bo Didely Band”

Del-Ray age 57 started playing music in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1962. His first gig was in a band called “The Kahns”. The Kahns enjoyed a run of popularity in and around the Buffalo area, until 1967, when he joined the U.S. Navy. During his time in the service, Del continued to play music in Europe, with Greece, Spain, and Italy, as some of the stops. Del confesses he did some moonlighting in bars around Charleston, S.C. in the early 70’s, but wore a wig to disguise himself.

In 1972, Del –Ray moved on to the L.A. scene playing in country rock bands, He had his eye on a band named POCO, but received a call from Buffalo, New York to play at the popular Lone Star Café, with Bo Didley. He also played with Tommy Walsh (AMERICA), Lawrence Taylor, and Ritchie Havens of Woodstock fame. Growing tired of the local scene, he took a road gig with Bo Didlely, and traveled the United States, and Canada, for several years. In 1989 Del-Ray moved to Englewood, Florida, and became an original forming member of “BANDANA”.