Born and Raised in South Lyon, Michigan, he was known as George Spannos, and went on to play drums under his given name with several groups, including Redbone, known best for their hit song "come and get your love" in the 1970s. He also played drums on the theme music for the 1970s TV series Starsky and Hutch. The melodic rock band Hardline did a cover of the song 'Hot Cherie' on their 1992 album Double Eclipse.

Ray Lyell came to prominence with his band, The Storm, in the late 1980s. Ray Lyell and the Storm released their self-titled debut album in 1989. Its first single, Another Man's Gun, scored No. 6 on the AOR charts. The second single released by Lyell, Carry Me, was a Top 40 hit on the CHR charts and still gets airplay in Canada. Three videos were shot to promote the singles: Another Man's Gun (1989), Cruel Life (1990), and Carry Me (1990).

Lyell was nominated for a Juno Award as Most Promising Male Vocalist in 1990. Shortly after the nomination, he began an international tour in Australia.