Ray Parker, Jr.
Biography
Ray Parker Jr. is an American singer, guitarist and record producer who began as a teenage studio musician in Detroit, playing with Bohannon's house band and touring with the Spinners before moving to Los Angeles. After playing guitar on Stevie Wonder's Maybe Your Baby, he joined Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1973 and formed the R&B group Raydio in 1977, scoring hits with Jack and Jill and You Can't Change That. On his own he reached the Top Five in 1982 with The Other Woman, then wrote and sang the theme for the 1984 film Ghostbusters, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and brought him a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance plus an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. He also acted in Disorderlies (1987) and Enemy Territory (1987) and was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014.
72years old
Turns 73 on May 1in 216 days
- Born Detroit
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
- Ray Erskine Parker (birth name)Also credited as Ray Erskine Parker Jr. and Ray Parker
Movie Career
- Films
- 5
- Career span
- 33 years1987 to 2020
Every film, newest first
- 2020Who You Gonna Call?IMDb rating 7.5
- 2016Hired GunIMDb rating 7.2
- 1990The Kid Who Loved ChristmasIMDb rating 6.3
- 1987DisorderliesIMDb rating 5.1
- 1987Enemy TerritoryIMDb rating 6.2
Genres
Did you know?!
A first
Thom Eubank, a Hollywood producer, turned several songs from Raydio's first album into music videos in 1978. The single "Jack & Jill" became the first of these to air on The Midnight Special, and Parker was an early black artist in music videos.
A first
Parker landed his first real hit as a writer with "You Got the Love", which he co-wrote with Chaka Khan and Rufus recorded. In December 1974 the single reached No. 1 on the R&B charts.
Behind the award
Parker's "Ghostbusters" hit No. 1 for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and won him a 1984 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance, though it lost the Academy Award to Stevie Wonder.
First role
Parker gained recognition in the late 1960s playing guitar in Bohannon's house band at Detroit's 20 Grand nightclub, where the Spinners were so impressed they added him to their touring group.
Big break
In 1972, Parker played guest guitar on Stevie Wonder's soul song "Maybe Your Baby," from the album Talking Book, and that connection led him to move permanently to Los Angeles. He was also Wonder's lead guitarist when Wonder opened for the Rolling Stones on their 1972 tour.
Behind the camera
Parker founded and owned Ameraycan Recording Studios in Los Angeles and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014.
Ray Parker, Jr. movies on Netflix
Worked with
Ray Parker, Jr. made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Tony Todd's page
Ralph Bellamy's page
Alice Cooper's page
Cicely Tyson's page
Tony Plana's page
Sammy Davis Jr.'s page
Fran StrineDirector, 2 films, 2016 to 2020
All films by Fran Strine
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.