While he is perhaps best known for the No. 1 smash hit “Ghostbusters”, Ray Parker, Jr. has enjoyed quite a versatile career, not only as a much sought-after guitarist, but with a number of other hits to his credit, as a performer, songwriter and producer. Born May 1, 1954, in Detroit, MI, Ray started out
Rex Smith is a multi-talented performer whose natural singing ability has led him to a successful career as a singer and actor. A veteran of stage and screen, Rex started his career as a “teen idol” heartthrob with the platinum album hit “You Take My Breath Away.” Other albums included “Rex”, “Where Do We Go
The son of an army officer, Australian rocker Rick Springfield first picked up the guitar at the age of 13. In the early 60s, he began playing in bands. In the band Zoot, Rick wrote several hits. They also had a hit with a cover of ‘Eleanor Rigby’. Rick went solo after Zoot’s breakup in
The S.O.S. Band’s story began in 1977 in their native city of Atlanta, where they performed regularly in a club known as “The Regal Room”. Original group members included Willie “Sonny” Killebrew (saxophone), Billy Ellis (flute), Jason “T.C.” Bryant (keyboards), Bruno Speight (guitar), John Simpson (bass),and James Earl Jones III (drums), surrounding the stunning voice
It’s that voice. Strong and soulful. Emotional. Unique. Completely Shannon. Her greatest songs, “Let The Music Play”, “Give Me Tonight”, and “Do You Wanna Get Away” are haunting, enduring, and made unforgettable by … that voice. There is something special there. Born Brenda Shannon Greene in Washington, DC on May 12, 1958, she grew up
Sheila Escovedo was born into a musical family and began playing with the family instruments at the age of 3. Influenced by her father, Latin jazz legend and timbalero Pete Escovedo, she made her concert “debut” at the former Sands Ballroom in Oakland at age 5, when she was invited on stage by her father
While often viewed in the shadow of another well-known New Jersey shore band, Southside Johnny Lyon is near royalty to New Jerseyans and has created a legacy of great soul influenced rock spanning 3 decades. Johnny was born on December 4, 1948 in Neptune, NJ. In the mid 70s, he teamed up with friend “Miami”
In 1957 a group of friends in a Detroit, Michigan high school came together to make music. Billy Henderson, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson, George W. Dixon, and Bobbie Smith called themselves the Domingoes, but soon changed their name to The Spinners. The Spinners first hit the charts in 1961, with “That’s What Girls Are Made For”.
At the age of 13, Stephen Bishop found himself at a crossroads. A clarinetist with hopes of becoming a History teacher, he was forever changed after watching the Beatles one night on The Ed Sullivan Show. He convinced his brother to buy him an electric guitar. He bought a “Mel Bay” chordbook and began to learn
Some may say that success comes easy. Perhaps when speaking of Janice-Marie Johnson, it’s more correct to say that success comes naturally. A brief glance at Janice-Marie’s musical accolades may seem daunting to both insiders and outsiders alike. A Taste of Honey’s self-titled debut release, rocked the record industry in more ways than one. It
Five brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts joined together to create one of the most memorable soul groups of the 70s and 80s. Many of their instantly recognizable international hits, such as “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel” and “More Than A Woman”have become classics. The brothers – Ralph, Tiny, Chubby, Butch and Pooch Tavares – originally called themselves
Terry Sylvester started his musical career at the famous Cavern Club Liverpool in the early 1960’s. His first group “The Escorts” appeared at the Cavern with “The Beatles” on many occasions. When The Beatles played at the Cavern for the last time on the 3rd August 1963, “The Escorts” were hand picked by Cavern DJ
Award winning singer, songwriter and actress, Thelma Houston’s list of achievements are a testament to her ability to celebrate success and create new opportunity. Such a simple sentence to describe an extraordinary talent. This Grammy Award winning artist, with over 20 albums, is a legend who has crafted an outstanding career, ever since her very
Warrant was formed in Los Angeles by guitarist Erik Turner in July 1984. The band’s early members included bassist Jerry Dixon, vocalist Adam Shore, guitarist Josh Lewis, and drummer Max Asher. Vocalist Jani Lane (who replaced Shore) and drummer Steven “Sweet” Chamberlain (who replaced Asher) joined the band in September 1986, and guitarist Joey Allen
The undisputed king of pop culture parody, “Weird Al” has sold more comedy recordings than any other artist in history. In a career spanning nearly three decades, he has amassed 28 Gold and Platinum albums, 7 Gold and Platinum-certified home videos and 3 Grammy Awards (with 9 nominations). An accomplished director, Al has helmed many
