RAY PARKER JR.

Born: May 1, 1954
Location: Detroit, Michigan

http://image.listen.com/img/356x237/7/6/2/2/732267_356x237.jpg

Ray Parker Jr. got his start in the mid 70s as a sideman for Barry White's "Love Unlimited Orchestra".  As well, he also wrote and played session work with several artists including Rufus, Stevie Wonder, The Spinners, The Temptations, Rhythm Heritage and Gladys Knight.  In 1977, he formed Raydio * with Vincent Bohnam, Arnell Carmichael, and Jerry Knight (the latter who would become better known in the 80s as one half of the duo "Ollie and Jerry").  In 1980, the group were re-named Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio ** until Ray officially went solo in late 1981. 

As well as his solo career, he also produced and wrote songs for many artists in the 80s such as New Edition (he wrote their hit "Mr. Telephone Man), Cheryl Lynn, Diana Ross and Deniece Williams.  He also sang the theme song to the Richard Pryor Saturday morning show "Pryor's Place".  In the 90s, Ray went on hiatus following his 1991 album "I Love You Like You Are" and re-appeared in 2006 with a new album titled "I'm Free"


-- DISCOGRAPHY --

(I could only find UK chart positions for Top 40)

Year 1978 1978 1979 1980 1981 1981 1982 1982 1982 1983 1984 1984 1985 1986 1987 1990

Song Title Jack and Jill * Is This A Love Thing? * You Can't Change That * Two Places at the Same Time ** A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) ** That Old Song ** The Other Woman Let Me Go Bad Boy I Still Can't Get Over Loving You Ghostbusters Jamie Girls Are More Fun One Sunny Day <w/ Helen Terry> I Don't Think That Man Should Sleep Alone All I'm Missing is You <w/ Glenn Medeiros>

Album Raydio Raydio Rock On Two Places at the Same Time A Woman Needs Love A Woman Needs Love The Other Woman The Other Woman Greatest Hits Woman Out of Control Ghostbusters Soundtrack / Chartbusters Chartbusters Sex and the Single Man Quicksilver Soundtrack After Dark Glenn Medeiros <self-titled>

United States #8 -- #9 #30 #4 #21 #4 #38 #35 #12 #1 #14 #34 #96 #68 #32

Canada #5 -- #9 #93 #8 -- #7 -- #22 #26 #1 #43 #32 -- -- #65

United Kingdom #11 #27 ------------ -- -- #2 -- -- -- #13 --


-- MUSIC VIDEOS --

Ghostbusters | Girls Are More Fun | I Still Can't Get Over Loving You | One Sunny Day <w/ Helen Terry> | The Other Woman (Original Version) | The Other Woman (Version 2) | A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)

^ for the record, that was me who made that post lol

I like his song "Bad Boy" the best.  That guitar riff is just so catchy!  8)
I also like "That Old Song", but I'm a little sad to see that it was not a success here

I just knew that was you, Jaso! I could tell by the format! :D ;)

I'd really like to get a copy of the song "Jack and Jill" by Raydio.  It's a hard one to find though.  :-[

Believe it or not, I only know Ray Parker Jr. from his hit with Ghostbusters.

Believe it or not, I only know Ray Parker Jr. from his hit with Ghostbusters.


Same here.

The Other Woman is a really cool song.  I haven't heard it in a while. :)

The Other Woman is a really cool song.  I haven't heard it in a while. :)


It really is as is You can't change that.

It really is as is You can't change that.

You Can't Change That was a great song too. :)

I have the Chartbusters album as well as the 45 and 12" of "Ghostbusters" and the 12" of "The Other Woman" (which has the artist listing as Ray Parker Jnr. on the label - weird abbreviation).  Good stuff. 8)

^ for the record, that was me who made that post lol

I like his song "Bad Boy" the best.  That guitar riff is just so catchy!  8)
I also like "That Old Song", but I'm a little sad to see that it was not a success here
you plagiarized yourself ???

Jack and Jill *
Is This A Love Thing? *
You Can't Change That *
Two Places at the Same Time **
A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) **
That Old Song **


Um...what do the asterisks mean for these songs?  ???

you plagiarized yourself ???


I didn't want to increase my Total Topics started, so I figure I'd post it as a guest ;D


Um...what do the asterisks mean for these songs?  ???


* Raydio
** Ray Parker Jr and Raydio

I know no one has posted on this topic in at least 120 days, but I have to share a song that you missed or didn't know about.  I loved Jack and Jill, You Can't Change That, A Woman Needs Love, and even the Ghostbusters theme, but he has gotten into Smooth Jazz and now my fave RPJ song is "Mismaloya Beach".

Believe it or not, I only know Ray Parker Jr. from his hit with Ghostbusters.


same here

I'd really like to get a copy of the song "Jack and Jill" by Raydio.  It's a hard one to find though.  :-[


Really?

I'd have thought that would have been one of the easier ones!

For the record, Mr. Parker Jr. only had two more hits that stopped short of the British 40...

'Girls Are More Fun' #46
'Over You' (follow-up to 'I Don't Think That Man...') #65