Raymond Lynch[3] (born July 3, 1943) is an American guitarist, lutenist, keyboardist, and composer known for his new-age releases in the 1980s.
In the late 1960s, Lynch performed on the lute in New York's Renaissance Quartette, but he withdrew to California and began incorporating electronic music elements, as heard in 1983's The Sky of Mind.
He vaulted to fame in 1986 with the single "Celestial Soda Pop" and the 1984 album Deep Breakfast, becoming the first independent new-age artist certified Gold for sales of 500,000.
Three years later Lynch returned to the university to study composition with various instruments including guitar, lute, and vihuela.
[8] In 1967, while still in college, Lynch was invited to New York City to join the Renaissance Quartet, performing the lute alongside Robert White (tenor), Barbara Mueser (viol), and Morris Newman (recorder),[14][15][16] replacing Joseph Iadone.
[21] By 1974, Lynch experienced a "spiritual crisis" that led to his decision to move from Maine to California and give up his musical career.
[14][22][23] In an interview with The Arizona Republic, Lynch said that his return to music was prompted by a suggestion from his spiritual teacher, Adi Da, in California.
[25] Two years later, Lynch released his first album, Truth Is the Only Profound, which recites the teachings of Adi Da "set to the background of devotional music and songs".
In January 1989, the album hit number 2 on the Billboard New Age chart, then in April it was certified Gold by the RIAA.
[36] During his time with Music West, Lynch was featured on Good Morning America[37][38] as well as the Spanish La 1 program "Música N.A.".
[11] In September 2015, Lynch's house was destroyed by the Valley Fire, along with his studio, awards, and the master tapes of his music.