What was Cause of Ray Rillen death?

**Ozzy02** · 10-20-2011, 07:41 PM

Everyone: I kinda new to the other eras of Black Sabbath, ie,:Ian Gillan,Glenn Hughes,Tony Martin and Ray Gillen. Just starting getting into the other eras of Black Sabbath about 2 months ago and I love the Glenn and Tony era. Haven't heard the entire Born Again album just 30 second samples off amazon.An I just bought "The Eternal Idol" Deluxe Expanded Edition the other day An I love it. Was wondering always wanted to know what was the cause of Ray Gillen dying so young? Thanks All for your help.

**cwilder86** · 10-21-2011, 12:47 PM

HIV/AIDS... RIP Ray

**Ray Rules** · 10-21-2011, 05:02 PM

AIDS, sexually contracted.

**Pink Led Rush** · 10-21-2011, 05:18 PM

I'd also heard that he had cancer from somewhere, but I'm not sure. I know I have always heard Aids too, that's why it caught me off guard when I either read or heard it.

**Ray Rules** · 10-24-2011, 08:14 AM

No, Ray never had cancer... He died of aids, period. Man was a healthy chap all the way, he didn't even drink beer on regular basis... His usual drink was ice tea lol

**Fused1990** · 10-25-2011, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by Ray Rules

His usual drink was ice tea lol

Only Ray Rules would give you the answer about Gillen and then some! What hardcore knowledge!

**Machiel** · 10-25-2011, 01:03 PM

There were some mystery's about his death. When he died, even Glenn Hughes dind't know it was AIDS that caused Gillen's death. What I once read in a interview, Hughes even denied the "rumor" Gillen died of AIDS on MTV.

**Ray Rules** · 10-25-2011, 01:44 PM

Ray's illness was a private issue for everyone, man, only his most dear friends knew about it. If in 2011 the prejudice about AIDS is huge, imagine in the early 90's when it was called "gay cancer". Thats why I think is understandable that a man who make his living through his appearance to keep this subject private. I don't think his shows would sell too many tickets if the audience knew a man with aids was there, singing, not at that year.

Here, lemme drop some Ray trivia here: you guys knew that after Rob Halford drop by and save the day at Costa Mesa, in 1992, Ray Gillen stood at his house for some days? If my memory is right, he was there with his former girlfriend, Daisy. According to Halford, Ray was one of the best guys he ever knew.

---------- Post added at 06:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:44 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Fused1990

Only Ray Rules would give you the answer about Gillen and then some! What hardcore knowledge!

Thanks for that, man lol

**DiosSword** · 10-26-2011, 06:34 PM

When Ray first died I think Kerrang! said it was "stomach cancer brought on by AIDS-related complications" or something like that.

**Ray Rules** · 10-27-2011, 06:49 AM

Not cancer, but stomach ulceras, I think... I'm almost sure it wasn't cancer.

**mikesline** · 10-29-2011, 12:16 AM

so sad he went quik,the last time i seen him he looked ok, except he was coughing a lot and i knew he did'nt smoke ,i did'nt think too much about it at time but
it was a bad cough and he didn't have flu,only after i heard the news i understood why he had that cough,i miss the guy he was a good friend and a better vocalist
badlands were the last band i got into,lost intrest in music after he past. love you ray. mikey.
troubadour 12/91

**TrogDawn** · 01-20-2012, 03:34 PM

I played a couple of times with his former bandmate in Badlands, Greg Chaisson (bass), and he confirmed that it was AIDS/HIV also.

As a side note, Greg rewrote the lyrics to Badlands' song "The River" from the Dusk album and recorded it on his own solo album It's About Time as a tribute to Ray after his death:

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