Ray Parker Jr
Performer Ray Parker Jr Honored with
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Parker Jr played an acoustic medley of his hits on guitar
Watch Ray Parker Jr Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony at the end of this page.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored musician Ray Parker Jr. with the 2,519th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today on Thursday, March 6, 2014. “We have amazing musicians on the Walk of Fame and adding Ray Parker Jr. to our famous Walk of Fame is the icing on the cake,” stated Leron Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President/CEO. “His star is next to fellow musical greats Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie and The Funk Brothers!”
Emcee Leron Gubler, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and guest speakers Brian Holland and Bill Withers helped Ray Parker Jr. unveil the 2,519th star in the category of Recording at 7065 Hollywood Boulevard. Ray Parker Jr played an acoustic medley of his hits on guitar. The star ceremonyy was streamed live exclusively on www.walkoffame.com.
Best known for the No. 1 smash hit “Ghostbusters,” Ray Parker Jr. has enjoyed quite a versatile career. He is a much sought-after guitarist, with a number of other hits to his credit, a great performer, songwriter and producer. He has been awarded the British Bafta Award as well as a Grammy and Golden Globe Award. He has also been an Academy Award® nominee.
Born May 1, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, Ray started out as a session guitarist, while still in high school, playing on sessions recorded for the legendary Holland Dozier Holland labels, Hot Wax and Invictus. Ray performed with the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Spinners, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and other Motown luminaries who appeared at the Twenty Grand Club. In 1972, Stevie Wonder called 18-year-old Ray and asked him to play behind him on a tour Stevie was doing with the Rolling Stones. Ray thought it was a prank call and hung up the phone. Wonder called back and convinced Ray that he was the real deal by singing “Superstition” over the phone! During the following two years, Ray played on Stevie Wonder’s album, Talking Book.
Moving from Detroit to Los Angeles, Parker got into session work playing on sides by Herbie Hancock, Leon Haywood, Barry White, Diana Ross, Gene Page and more. He also appeared in the Bill Cosby – Sidney Poitier comedy film classic Uptown Saturday Night.
Deciding to become a recording artist, Parker signed a deal with Arista Records in 1977. His first LP, Raydio, went gold, peaking at No. 8 R&B in the spring of 1978. The LP included the hit single ”Jack and Jill” which hit No. 5 R&B, No. 8 on the pop charts, and went gold; Hits continued in 1979 with Ray Parker Jr and Raydio’s gold, No. 4 Rock On album. The single ”You Can’t Change That” hit No. 3 R&B and No. 9 Pop. In 1980 gold album, “Two Places at the Same Time”, with same title single hit No. 6 R&B and No. 30 pop. In 1981, No. 1 R&B gold album, “A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)”, with same title single was the first song Parker sung all the way through without trading vocals, held the No. 1 R&B spot for 2 weeks going to No. 4 on the pop charts. In 1982 No. 1 R&B gold album, “The Other Woman” with same title single hit No. 2 R&B for 4 weeks going to No. 4 on the pop charts, along with “Let Me Go” No. 3 R&B and No. 36 pop, “Bad Boy” No. 6 R&B and No. 35 pop. In 1983, “I Still Can’t Get Over Loving You” held No. 12 on both R&B and pop charts. In 1984 Ray Parker Jr’s hit Ghostbusters held No. 1 R&B and No. 1 on the pop charts for 4 weeks! It is estimated that Ghostbusters had sold over 35 million in various versions. The “Ghostbusters” music video is one of the funniest and star-studded videos ever made with breakdancing Bill Murray style. Also in 1984 Ray’s greatest hits LP “Chartbusters” went gold and the single “Jamie” hit No. 12 R&B and No. 14 on the pop charts. In 1987 “I Don’t Think That Man Should Sleep Alone” hit No. 5 R&B and duet with Natalie Cole, “Over You” went to No. 10 R&B. Ray also had three instrumental hits, “For Those Who Like To Groove,” “Aftermidnite,” and, “Mismaloya Beach”.
Parker also wrote and produced hits for Nancy Wilson, Leo Sayer, New Edition, Barry White, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Johnny Mathis, Cheryl Lynn, Deniece Williams, and Diana Ross.
Ray is very involved with such civic charities as The Salvation Army, Calvary Community Church, Make A Wish Foundation, March of Dimes, The American Heart Association, and many others.
For more information and to view who shares a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com
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ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME www.WalkOfFame.com
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to add stars on the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction. The Walk of Fame is open to the public. No paid admission or assigned seating at star ceremonies.It is understood that the cost of installing a star on the Walk of Fame upon approval is $30,000 and the sponsor of the nominee accepts the responsibility for arranging for payment to the Hollywood Historic Trust, a 501(c)3 charitable foundation. The funds are used to pay for the creation/installation of the star and ceremony, as well as maintenance of the Walk of Fame.
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