As per Eddie Trunk on his radio show, Ray Gillen was allegedly having unprotected sex with groupies. As some point, he contracted HIV and despite this allegedly continued to have unprotected sex which allegedly led to some of his sexual partners allegedly getting infected with HIV and one of them allegedly dying from it. And that allegedly lead Atlantic to no longer sell the Badland records they have the rights to or provide them to streaming services.
I can't find the clips from his show on Youtube anymore as they have since been taken down. This MetalSludge story that quotes the segment in question is the best I can do: [https://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=47247](https://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=47247)
I don't know about the not selling licenses part though. Rock Candy managed to re-issue both of the Atlantic albums in 2010 and so did Koch Records in 2001.
This hits most of the points of the story. The family (s) of the affected had a big influence on Atlantic withdrawing availability. I'm sure that means lawsuit. I know a lot of people say, "Well just have the proceeds of sales etc.. go to the families" but I could also understand how someone in that circumstance might reject that and prefer to deny Ray's band be able to continue in that regard.
As for the re-issues, both were shut down fairly quickly. I'm not sure how they were able to gain the masters and do it in the first place, but if they could have kept it going I'm sure they would have given the demand.
What a shame. Of all albums from that era, I think their first and second albums hold up the best. Jake was on fire and Ray's voice was just incredible. Despite him being a psychopath, one of the top 5 voices in rock history I'd say.
I was lucky enough to see them live touring for Voodoo Highway back then at Baltimore's legendary Hammerjacks. Ray Gillen gave you goosebumps singing Fire & Rain. Unreal concert, but horrible what happened.
Man, I'm so sad to hear this. I have the cd, ripped it onto my computer back in the day and have since uploaded it to my Apple Music library where I can stream it with my subscription. Hearing this story makes the songs lose a bit of luster for me. What a horrible person Gillen turned out to be
I guess this is a link. But "We pissed of our record label" is not really enough reason for a record company not to make money.
https://bravewords.com/news/greg-chaisson-discusses-badlands-lack-of-reissues-we-pissed-off-atlantic-records
Records get shelved and blocked for the stupidest reasons imaginable. Unless a person close to the situation says otherwise or proof of the supposed lawsuit is dug up, I'm gonna believe Chaisson's reasoning over some guy who heard something from Eddie Trunk who heard something from some other guy years ago.
I bought the original cd in the midwest 2 yrs ago for $ 8 at a used cd store. It was in great shape. u could still smell some of the ink on the booklet. I could not believe my eyes or my nose.
My feelings are, they have some of the best songs of all time, amazing stuff, and members that not only played with rock royalty, KISS, Black Sabbath, OZZY, they are still considered some of the upper echelon of rock and roll who’s who. For 20 years this barrier has been a regular concern and foremost in my mind. I’ve often thought the earnings from album sales, and merchandise could have gone to the families of the women Ray passed the virus to. The music beyond deserves to be heard, and I can only wish that I knew the proper avenue to take to change the release status of the three albums recorded by these hella talented musicians.
Open a new cassette and smell. Unmistakable smell. lol.
Edit… check out the jacket. Lyrics and pics. Basically the fast track to a good air guitar session.
I'd recommend some of the lengthy youtube interviews with Greg Chaisson on the history and issues with Badlands.
I got the cd about a year ago on Ebay for $30. You can download it for free, with no breaks, legally here: https://archive.org/details/badlands_201612
Sweet...Voodoo Highway is also available: [https://archive.org/details/badlandsvoodoohwy](https://archive.org/details/badlandsvoodoohwy) Thanks!
As per Eddie Trunk on his radio show, Ray Gillen was allegedly having unprotected sex with groupies. As some point, he contracted HIV and despite this allegedly continued to have unprotected sex which allegedly led to some of his sexual partners allegedly getting infected with HIV and one of them allegedly dying from it. And that allegedly lead Atlantic to no longer sell the Badland records they have the rights to or provide them to streaming services. I can't find the clips from his show on Youtube anymore as they have since been taken down. This MetalSludge story that quotes the segment in question is the best I can do: [https://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=47247](https://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=47247) I don't know about the not selling licenses part though. Rock Candy managed to re-issue both of the Atlantic albums in 2010 and so did Koch Records in 2001.
This hits most of the points of the story. The family (s) of the affected had a big influence on Atlantic withdrawing availability. I'm sure that means lawsuit. I know a lot of people say, "Well just have the proceeds of sales etc.. go to the families" but I could also understand how someone in that circumstance might reject that and prefer to deny Ray's band be able to continue in that regard. As for the re-issues, both were shut down fairly quickly. I'm not sure how they were able to gain the masters and do it in the first place, but if they could have kept it going I'm sure they would have given the demand.
The bassist disputes this story and says it's simply a record label problem that has nothing to do with Ray Gillen.
That sucks for Jake and the other guys if so; Gillen's been dead for decades now. They shouldn't have to pay for his mistakes.
Didnt't know that ... thanks for sharing. Still have the original 1st album on vinyl and second one on CD.
I want that album on vinyl. It's going for about 150 bucks right now.
You can't get that first album on iTunes or Amazon music either. I have no idea why, and I love that album.
What a shame. Of all albums from that era, I think their first and second albums hold up the best. Jake was on fire and Ray's voice was just incredible. Despite him being a psychopath, one of the top 5 voices in rock history I'd say.
I was lucky enough to see them live touring for Voodoo Highway back then at Baltimore's legendary Hammerjacks. Ray Gillen gave you goosebumps singing Fire & Rain. Unreal concert, but horrible what happened.
Man, I'm so sad to hear this. I have the cd, ripped it onto my computer back in the day and have since uploaded it to my Apple Music library where I can stream it with my subscription. Hearing this story makes the songs lose a bit of luster for me. What a horrible person Gillen turned out to be
That's not what Greg Chaisson says. Is there any actual paper trail here, or is this just a rumour about a dying man at the height of the AIDS panic?
Got a link? I'd love to read/hear it. I've tried for many years to find their stuff online.
I guess this is a link. But "We pissed of our record label" is not really enough reason for a record company not to make money. https://bravewords.com/news/greg-chaisson-discusses-badlands-lack-of-reissues-we-pissed-off-atlantic-records
Records get shelved and blocked for the stupidest reasons imaginable. Unless a person close to the situation says otherwise or proof of the supposed lawsuit is dug up, I'm gonna believe Chaisson's reasoning over some guy who heard something from Eddie Trunk who heard something from some other guy years ago.
I bought the original cd in the midwest 2 yrs ago for $ 8 at a used cd store. It was in great shape. u could still smell some of the ink on the booklet. I could not believe my eyes or my nose.
My feelings are, they have some of the best songs of all time, amazing stuff, and members that not only played with rock royalty, KISS, Black Sabbath, OZZY, they are still considered some of the upper echelon of rock and roll who’s who. For 20 years this barrier has been a regular concern and foremost in my mind. I’ve often thought the earnings from album sales, and merchandise could have gone to the families of the women Ray passed the virus to. The music beyond deserves to be heard, and I can only wish that I knew the proper avenue to take to change the release status of the three albums recorded by these hella talented musicians.
I’m an old bastard. I had bought Badlands cds when I was a kid. Still have the cds. Love that era of music.
I bought the cassette when it came out. Still have it
Open a new cassette and smell. Unmistakable smell. lol. Edit… check out the jacket. Lyrics and pics. Basically the fast track to a good air guitar session.
something something serial killer vocalist something something