Ray Parker

Born in Detroit on May 1, 1954, Ray Parker was a gifted guitarist in his teens as he played on sessions for Holland Dozier Dollands roster of stars such as Freda Payne and Chairman of the Board. He also played with the likes of the Temptations and Stevies Wonder when they appeared at the Twenty Grand Club. Parker went on to play on seminal recordings of Wonders such as "Innervisions". Also he would play behind Wonder on a live tour of the USA with the Rolling Stones. He moved to Los Angeles determined to be a recording artist in his own right. He did get a deal with Arista records in 1977 and put together a band christened Raydio. Success would soon follow with a fabulous collection of hit singles and albums that led from the eponymous gold first album through to a number one gold single, "A Woman needs Love (just like you do)" in 1981. The great run of popular recordings would lead to his most famous and recognized song for the movie "Ghostbusters" in 1984. He continued to record for some years after this quirky but hugely successful ditty but appeared to disappear from view for some time during the nineties. Only the release of several greatest hits packages kept the fires flickering. Resurfaced in the New Century and his latest recording in 2006, "I'm Free", brings his charming, funky, musical personality to a new younger audience. As well as his old fans who still make their prescence felt at his live gigs.