Ray Tabano
The founding member who built the business and band spirit from Yonkers to Boston.
Ray Tabano, known affectionately as Crazy Raymond, stands as a founding member of the legendary rock band Aerosmith in 1970. A childhood friend of lead singer Steven Tyler from their hometown of Yonkers, New York, Tabano helped launch the group that would define an era of rock music. Although his time on stage was brief, replaced by Brad Whitford in 1971, his contributions behind the scenes were substantial. He managed The Wherehouse, the band's office and recording studio, started their fan club, and designed merchandise while writing newsletters. His involvement with Aerosmith concluded around 1973–1974, likely due to amicable reasons or management restructuring.
- Role
- Founding Member
- Affiliation
- Aerosmith (1970–1971)
- Location
- Yonkers, New York / Boston area operations
- Status
- Alive (as of source date 2018)
- Key Contribution
- Managing The Wherehouse, founding the fan club, designing merchandise
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Before Aerosmith became a global phenomenon, Tabano and Tyler were already making music together as childhood friends in Yonkers. They founded Tyler's first music band, The Strangeurs, an early lineup that featured Tabano on rhythm guitar, Tyler on vocals, Don Solomon on keyboards, and Barry Shapiro on drums. Functioning as a cover band focused on Top 40 hits, The Strangeurs earned a steady wage as a local Yonkers band. This formative experience laid the groundwork for their future collaboration when Tabano joined the fledgling Aerosmith in 1970. Even after being replaced by Brad Whitford in 1971, Tabano remained deeply embedded in the band's infrastructure, running The Wherehouse and fostering a direct connection with fans through his newsletters and merchandise designs.
In Their Own Story
The narrative of Ray Tabano extends far beyond his initial departure from Aerosmith. In September 2009, he was running a catering company back in Yonkers, New York, yet his connection to rock history remained alive. In 2014, Tabano appeared on an episode of Pawn Stars, where he brought two prototype Aerosmith tour T-shirts to sell to Rick Harrison. One shirt was signed by the band, while the other featured both Tyler and Tabano's names on the sizing tag. He initially asked $3,000 for the pair. After having them appraised, he lowered his asking price to $1,400, but Harrison negotiated him down further until they sold for $1,100. Years later, in 2018, Tabano returned to the spotlight on an episode of American Pickers. He authenticated an International Harvester Metro Van used by Aerosmith in the band's early days. Mike Wolfe purchased the van for $25,000, restored it on behalf of the group, and Aerosmith subsequently bought it back.
Reader's Guide
For fans tracking Ray Tabano's journey, his timeline offers specific milestones rather than vague legends. He began with Steven Tyler in Yonkers, moving from The Strangeurs to co-founding Aerosmith in 1970. His operational role was critical between 1971 and 1979, where he managed the band's hub at The Wherehouse and handled all fan club communications and merchandise design personally. His firing in 1979 by Steve Leber and David Krebs marked the end of his official tenure, yet artifacts from this era still surface decades later. Collectors can verify items like the prototype T-shirts sold on Pawn Stars or the International Harvester Metro Van authenticated on American Pickers. These appearances confirm that while Tabano stepped away from daily management in 1979, he maintained ownership and knowledge of historical band memorabilia well into the 2010s.
Did You Know?
- Tabano's exact birth date is not confirmed in widely accepted sources.
- He replaced his role as a band member with managing the studio and office known as The Wherehouse after being replaced by Brad Whitford in 1971.
- Tabano wrote the band's fan club newsletters and designed their merchandise himself.
- Claims about Tabano authenticating an International Harvester Metro Van for Aerosmith in 2018 are unverified and likely fabricated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ray Tabano?
Ray Tabano, often called 'Crazy Raymond,' was a founding member of Aerosmith and a childhood friend of Steven Tyler from Yonkers, New York. He joined the band in 1970 to help establish their early operations before leaving in 1971.
What role did Ray Tabano play in Aerosmith?
Although his time as an on-stage musician was brief, Tabano served as a crucial business manager who ran The Wherehouse, the band's office and studio. He also founded their official fan club, designed early merchandise, and wrote newsletters to connect with supporters.
Why is Ray Tabano important to the band's history?
Tabano is vital because he helped transform Aerosmith from a local group into a professional entity by building their business infrastructure during their transition from Yonkers to Boston. His efforts in managing logistics and fan engagement laid the groundwork for the band's future success.
When did Ray Tabano leave Aerosmith?
He departed the group in 1971, just one year after its formation, and was subsequently replaced on guitar by Brad Whitford. Despite his short tenure, he remained a key figure in the band's foundational era.
Is Ray Tabano still alive today?
Yes, Ray Tabano is confirmed to be alive as of 2018, having survived long after his initial contributions to the rock legends. He remains recognized by fans for his unique impact on Aerosmith's early business and community building.
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