Biography
Guitarist, songwriter, and producer Ray Parker Jr. achieved success with Raydio (the million-selling hits "Jack and Jill" and "You Can't Change That"), Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio ("Two Places at the Same Time" and "A Woman Needs Love [Just Like You Do]"), and as a solo artist with the number one R&B and pop gold single "Ghostbusters." He also co-wrote hit songs for Rufus and Chaka Khan, including the chart-topping "You Got the Love" in fall 1974, and for Barry White, including "You See the Trouble with Me" in spring 1976. He stars in the new film "Hired Gun."
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Parker began as a teenage session guitarist working on recordings for Holland-Dozier-Holland's Hot Wax and Invictus Records, whose artists included Freda Payne, Honey Cone, Chairmen of the Board, 100 Proof Aged in Soul, Laura Lee, and 8th Wonder. He also played backing for the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Spinners, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and other Motown acts during their performances at the Twenty Grand Club. In 1972, Stevie Wonder called Parker to invite him on tour with the Rolling Stones. Initially thinking it was a prank, Parker hung up, but Wonder called back, confirmed his identity by singing "Superstition," and secured Parker for the tour.
Parker later contributed to Wonder's albums Talking Book (1972) and Innervisions (1973). After relocating from Detroit to Los Angeles, he continued session work with artists like Leon Haywood, Barry White, and arranger Gene Page, and collaborated with Motown producer Clarence Paul on Ronnie McNeir’s 1976 Motown debut, Love's Comin' Down. He also appeared in the picnic scene of the Bill Cosby/Sidney Poitier comedy Uptown Saturday Night.
Choosing to pursue a solo career, Parker signed with Arista Records in 1977. Lacking confidence in his singing, he formed a band featuring vocalist Arnell Carmichael, bassist and singer Jerry Knight (who later had a solo hit with "Overnight Sensation," formed half of Ollie & Jerry, and co-produced hits for the Jets), guitarist Charles Fearing, Larry Tolbert, and Darren Carmichael. On recordings, Parker played most, if not all, instruments himself, while the band members received retainers to be ready for touring if Raydio scored a hit.
Raydio’s debut album, Raydio, went gold and reached number eight on the R&B charts in spring 1978. It featured the gold R&B hit "Jack and Jill" (lead vocals by Jerry Knight), "Is This a Love Thing," and the charting single "Honey I'm Rich." Success continued with Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio’s gold album Rock On, which reached number four with the single "You Can't Change That" hitting number three R&B and number nine pop in spring 1979; the gold R&B album Two Places at the Same Time, reaching number six in spring 1980 with its title track also peaking at number six R&B; and the number one gold album A Woman Needs Love in 1981, featuring "A Woman Needs Love [Just Like You Do]"—Parker’s first full lead vocal—which topped the R&B chart for two weeks and reached number four pop. Parker’s solo album The Other Woman topped the R&B chart and reached number 11 pop in spring 1982, with the title track peaking at number two R&B for four weeks.
One of Parker’s most iconic hits, "Ghostbusters," was originally composed for the comedy film featuring Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson. Director Ivan Reitman decided to release the song as a single. The "Ghostbusters" music video is renowned for its humor and star-studded cast, including Bill Murray breakdancing. The song held the number one spots on both the R&B and pop Billboard charts for multiple weeks in summer 1984. Around that time, Huey Lewis sued Columbia Pictures and Parker for copyright infringement, alleging "Ghostbusters" copied his hit "I Want a New Drug." The case was settled out of court. The new Ghostbusters movie, set to release in July, is anticipated to be the season’s biggest blockbuster.
Parker also wrote and produced hits for artists such as New Edition ("Mr. Telephone Man"—originally recorded with Jr. Tucker for Parker’s 1983 self-titled Geffen album), Randy Hall ("I've Been Watching You [Jamie's Girl]" and the fresh "Gentleman"), Cheryl Lynn ("Shake It Up Tonight" from In the Night), Deniece Williams (the 1979 ARC/Columbia album When Love Comes Calling), Brick (the 1981 Bang album Summer Heat), and Diana Ross ("Upfront" from her 1983 RCA album Ross).
Ray Parker Jr. is currently writing his definitive memoir, Who Ya Gonna Call? The Adventures of Ray Parker Jr., and working on a new album titled 1983, featuring exceptional original songs. Both projects are expected to be released in early 2019. He continues to tour and perform to sold-out audiences worldwide.
