Ray and the Ravens

Dates: 1983 - 88

Band Members: Ray Renz, Moffit (lead guitar - lead vocals – harmonica – Hammond organ), Mel Bauer, Mandan (2nd lead guitar/rhythm - vocals), Alan “Cousy” Moch, Bismarck (drums), Duke Rosendahl, Linton (rhythm player - vocals), and Harvey Jahner, Linton (bass guitar - vocals), and in the fall of 1984, Ronnie Weber, Linton (lead guitar/bass guitar - vocals) replaced Jahner who quit the group because of scheduling conflicts with his business. This was also the first appearance of Les Kautz, Linton (sound and light technician and occasional vocalist).

1950's and 60's rock

In the fall of 1983, Rosendahl and Moch met at a party. They began reminiscing (as they normally did whenever they met) about the old days in the band. Rosendahl suggested that maybe the time was right to get back together again since the 50's and 60's rock genre was very popular at the time. They both agreed to call a "meeting" of the group and discuss the possibilities. A short time later the group got together at a bar in Linton. After some concern voiced by some members in the group, it was decided to just get together and jam at a local bar to see if the creative juices could be encouraged to flow again after almost 20 years. In November 1963, Ray and the Ravens played a jam session at the Green Lantern in Linton. The session proved very successful and the group agreed to come back for a new year's eve gig. They played to a packed house which proved to be the beginning of 5 more years, playing gigs all over the western and central portions of the state. In 1984, Jahner was forced to leave the group when his "on-the-road" business schedule could not be reconciled with the bands "on-the-road" bookings. The band decided to audition for a replacement. Imagine their surprise when a very young Ronnie Weber came to play for the audition. Moch asked Weber, "hey man, what year were you born anyway?" Weber responded, "1965"! He then proceeded to belt-out the 50's rock song "Johnny B. Goode which contained a wicked retro-rock instrumental. He followed it up with "Blue Suede Shoes". The vote was unanimous, and the boy who was born the year that Ray and the Ravens took their name became the newest and youngest member of the band. In 1988, after a long five year run, the band broke up for the second time. Weber moved to Texas, Ray moved from the Renz Ranch into Moffitt and tried (although unsuccessfully) to nurse his failing health. Ray died in 1998 from complications due to diabetes. The rest of the band concentrated on their jobs and families, thankful for having been able to have one last hurrah on stage.

Ray and The Ravens Linton 1985	Promotional Photo 1985	Ronnie Linton Green Lanter 1985
	Ray and The Ravens Come Back
Al (Cousy) Linton Green Lantern 1985		Harvey and Duke Linton Green Lantern 1985
Mel Linton Green Lantern 1985	Ray and the Ravens Hazelton 1985	Ray Linton Green Lantern 1985

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