1973 After meeting George Harrison, Ray is invited to England where he frequents the hangouts of the leading progressive musicians of the day, including Keith Emerson, Jon Anderson (“Yes”), Patrick Moraz, Mike Rattledge (“Soft Machine”), Bob Tench (“Jeff Beck Group / Van Morrison”). After a jam session with Carmine Appice (“Beck, Bogart and Appice” / “Vanilla Fudge”) and Rick Gretsch (“Blind Faith”), the idea of a forming a group is discussed and he is invited to the USA.

1974 On December 14th, Ray arrives in New York and in the same day is asked to work with John Lennon. [The group with Appice will see the replacement of Rick Gretsch by Jeff Berlin, and dissolves soon after, to see another formation with Bill Bruford (“Yes” / “King Crimson”), which is also short-lived.]

1975 Under Will Lee's recommendations, a meeting with Lenny White introduces Ray to the emerging scene of jazz/rock fusion, where he will collaborate with Stanley Clarke, Deodato, Narada Michael Walden, Herbie Hancock, etc.

1976  “Schooldays,” Stanley Clarke’s legendary album, is released; a true bass anthem that will be a memorable moment in the history of contemporary music. The critics recognize Ray as one of the great contemporary guitarists and he becomes known as a “guitarist’s guitarist.”

”Schooldays solo is one of the classics!” – Larry Coryell
”Ray Gomez is a genius…” – Jonas Hellborg

Atlantic Records offers Ray a contract, which is rejected in anticipation of a better offer. Due to the withdrawal of his passport by French authorities for failure to comply with the French military, Ray is unable to perform in France and Spain, and must pass on an offer to participate in a series of international tours and jazz festivals (Juan les Pins, Montreux, Pori, Nothsea…).

1978 Ray, Glenn Hughes and Narada Michael Walden put a band together, but their demands for labels were never met, and they returned to their solo careers. At that point, Ray already had a contract with Columbia to begin work on Volume.