Ray Alex
Ray Alex, born Reine Alexandersson in Huddinge, Stockholm, in 1963, was a talented guitarist, songwriter, and lyricist whose musical journey left a lasting legacy. Starting at t
he age of 11, Ray quickly developed a passion for guitar, recording his first single by 14. In 1979, at just 16, he formed his first major band, Warreins—later renamed Neptune—with his close friends Tommy Mikk and Rowland. After parting ways with Neptune, Ray played in several other bands, including Glory (1988-89), West End (1989-90), and the long-running JAR, which existed intermittently from 1990 to 2005.
As part of JAR, Ray continued to write energetic, heartfelt songs, leaving his mark across numerous musical collaborations. Despite reuniting with Neptune in 2017 and reigniting his passion for songwriting, tragedy struck in January 2019 when Ray suffered a fatal stroke, just days before completing vocals for their upcoming EP. In his memory, the band released the EP, titled The Last Flight of The Rafven, in the fall of 2019—a tribute to Ray’s enduring spirit and immense contributions to music.
Tosh Ason
Jan Tosh Ason, born Jan Andersson in 1969 in Älvsjö, southern Stockholm, is a versatile drummer, songwriter, and producer whose work has spanned decades and genres. After honing his drumming skills from the age of nine, Tosh went on to play in several Swedish bands, including Line Out (1978-1986) Unicorn (1987-88), In Time (1989-90) and the reunited metal band Neptune. However, it was with JAR (1990-2005) that Tosh truly left his mark, contributing to the band’s unique blend of hard rock and AOR. JAR became a significant part of his musical journey, serving as a creative outlet for his dynamic drumming and songwriting talents.
Beyond JAR, Tosh co-founded the pop band Jam Planet (1997-2002), which even landed on radio charts in Japan. A prolific producer and musician, Tosh continues to create music both for himself and others. When not in the studio, he finds solace in nature, often trekking through Nordic forests and sleeping under the stars—even in the cold of winter.
Anders Olsson
Anders Olsson, born in the mid-’60s in southern Sweden, is a guitarist whose career is deeply intertwined with the band JAR (1990-2005). After honing his skills in local bands during the late ’70s—drawing inspiration from Van Halen’s iconic Eruption—Anders formed Excetra, a band that eventually opened for Neptune. Following Neptune’s disbandment in 1987, Anders joined forces with Jan Tosh Ason in Unicorn (1987-88) and later In Time (1989-90).
In 1990, Anders became a key member of JAR, where his guitar work shaped the band’s distinct sound until their hiatus in 2005. Though Anders eventually set down his guitar, his creative pursuits continued, with photography becoming a new passion—one that still contributes to Neptune’s artistic vision.