Funny and True story about Ray and Prince. Ray met Prince in 1978. Ray invited Prince over to his home in L.A. and Prince was blown away that Ray had a recording studio in his home. After the minor success of "For You," Prince had a little money. Prince asked Ray to help him set up a studio in his home in MPLS. Ray was happy to help. Ray hooked him up, saying "he really couldn't afford the SSL recording console that Ray had at the time, so Prince had to go with a cheaper, more inexpensive one." All In All, Ray was the one that helped Prince start is home studio.

Ray and Prince even spoke about producing some songs on his next album.

Months go by, and then Prince plays songs songs for Ray for his opinion..."I Wanna Be Your Lover, Sexy Dancer, I Feel For You, etc." Ray was excited about the new material and said, you don't need me, this is great! In the end, Ray said, "I should have played some cowbell or something, just t be a part of Prince's history and legacy."

Now I know why Ray was at so many Prince premiers and events. They are good friends and have a lot of respect for each other.

They recorded this for Unsung, but ended up on the cutting room floor!

U right Musickman. That is not for me to say if he was in the drug scene. Since I don't really know him to say that.It could start rumors. Plus he seems like a cool dude..It was my all time favorite "Unsung" also.I don't know what's wrong with me to say something like that..

G3000 said:

Funny and True story about Ray and Prince. Ray met Prince in 1978. Ray invited Prince over to his home in L.A. and Prince was blown away that Ray had a recording studio in his home. After the minor success of "For You," Prince had a little money. Prince asked Ray to help him set up a studio in his home in MPLS. Ray was happy to help. Ray hooked him up, saying "he really couldn't afford the SSL recording console that Ray had at the time, so Prince had to go with a cheaper, more inexpensive one." All In All, Ray was the one that helped Prince start is home studio.

Ray and Prince even spoke about producing some songs on his next album.

Months go by, and then Prince plays songs songs for Ray for his opinion..."I Wanna Be Your Lover, Sexy Dancer, I Feel For You, etc." Ray was excited about the new material and said, you don't need me, this is great! In the end, Ray said, "I should have played some cowbell or something, just t be a part of Prince's history and legacy."

Now I know why Ray was at so many Prince premiers and events. They are good friends and have a lot of respect for each other.

They recorded this for Unsung, but ended up on the cutting room floor!

Interesting.........

G3000 said:

Funny and True story about Ray and Prince. Ray met Prince in 1978. Ray invited Prince over to his home in L.A. and Prince was blown away that Ray had a recording studio in his home. After the minor success of "For You," Prince had a little money. Prince asked Ray to help him set up a studio in his home in MPLS. Ray was happy to help. Ray hooked him up, saying "he really couldn't afford the SSL recording console that Ray had at the time, so Prince had to go with a cheaper, more inexpensive one." All In All, Ray was the one that helped Prince start is home studio.

Ray and Prince even spoke about producing some songs on his next album.

Months go by, and then Prince plays songs songs for Ray for his opinion..."I Wanna Be Your Lover, Sexy Dancer, I Feel For You, etc." Ray was excited about the new material and said, you don't need me, this is great! In the end, Ray said, "I should have played some cowbell or something, just t be a part of Prince's history and legacy."

Now I know why Ray was at so many Prince premiers and events. They are good friends and have a lot of respect for each other.

They recorded this for Unsung, but ended up on the cutting room floor!

Wow! I never knew that. Prince & Ray remind me of eachother in a musical way they think similar they have similar musical skills & arranging skills....I can see them communicating & vibing that way. So actually Ray is in a way responsible for some of Prince success...hmmmm...I love that story!!!!!

Shango said:

As part of Stu Gardner's "First Cosins Jazz Ensemble" (1977). One year after that, Ray started releasing work with Raydio. Stu later composed the Cosby Show's theme.

Rudy Johnson is/was my uncle. RIP. He would later be Ray Charles sax player for over 25 years.

G3000 said:

Funny and True story about Ray and Prince. Ray met Prince in 1978. Ray invited Prince over to his home in L.A. and Prince was blown away that Ray had a recording studio in his home. After the minor success of "For You," Prince had a little money. Prince asked Ray to help him set up a studio in his home in MPLS. Ray was happy to help. Ray hooked him up, saying "he really couldn't afford the SSL recording console that Ray had at the time, so Prince had to go with a cheaper, more inexpensive one." All In All, Ray was the one that helped Prince start is home studio.

Ray and Prince even spoke about producing some songs on his next album.

Months go by, and then Prince plays songs songs for Ray for his opinion..."I Wanna Be Your Lover, Sexy Dancer, I Feel For You, etc." Ray was excited about the new material and said, you don't need me, this is great! In the end, Ray said, "I should have played some cowbell or something, just t be a part of Prince's history and legacy."

Now I know why Ray was at so many Prince premiers and events. They are good friends and have a lot of respect for each other.

They recorded this for Unsung, but ended up on the cutting room floor!

Unsung leaves out some good info! This should've been left in the show. They left out a whole lot of things about Bobby Womack on his Unsung. Half of his story was skimmed over.

Now about Ray's appearance, he looks different without facial hair. I think everyone is used to seeing him with a 'stache. Not everyone is blessed to age like Prince, Prince is in his own lane. Rick James wrote about Ray in his book. If Ray was doing anything suspect (drugs), Rick would've put him on blast concerning the matter, which he didn't. Rick talked about damn near everybody, Ray wouldn't have been spared. Rick touched on Ray changing his music style, not much else.

This is what Slick Rick had about Ray in his book:

I could easily have given up the funk and just played Rock & Roll for white folks, but I had seen what happened to people like Ray Parker Jr., who copped out and lost thier Black audience. I always wanted a black base and I always kept the funk in my shit. (from pgs. 189, & 190)

[Edited 2/23/12 14:26pm]

Graycap23 said:

G3000 said:

Funny and True story about Ray and Prince. Ray met Prince in 1978. Ray invited Prince over to his home in L.A. and Prince was blown away that Ray had a recording studio in his home. After the minor success of "For You," Prince had a little money. Prince asked Ray to help him set up a studio in his home in MPLS. Ray was happy to help. Ray hooked him up, saying "he really couldn't afford the SSL recording console that Ray had at the time, so Prince had to go with a cheaper, more inexpensive one." All In All, Ray was the one that helped Prince start is home studio.

Ray and Prince even spoke about producing some songs on his next album.

Months go by, and then Prince plays songs songs for Ray for his opinion..."I Wanna Be Your Lover, Sexy Dancer, I Feel For You, etc." Ray was excited about the new material and said, you don't need me, this is great! In the end, Ray said, "I should have played some cowbell or something, just t be a part of Prince's history and legacy."

Now I know why Ray was at so many Prince premiers and events. They are good friends and have a lot of respect for each other.

They recorded this for Unsung, but ended up on the cutting room floor!

Interesting.........

yes, very

HuMpThAnG said:

Graycap23 said:

Interesting.........

yes, very

Maybe the purple police had it removed out of the show.

WHO YOU GONNA CALL? RAY PARKER!

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

HuMpThAnG said:

yes, very

Maybe the purple police had it removed out of the show.

Now that's possible

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

HuMpThAnG said:

yes, very

Maybe the purple police had it removed out of the show.

Sheila's Unsung is next isn't it? How much of The Kid will be in that one?

MusickMan said:

Identity said:

Ray looks way older than 57. He hasn't exactly aged with grace, but you have to include the role of genetics as well.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Ray was a successful artist in the drug 80's. I'm sure he was part of the drug scene....Coke was everywhere.Plus he wasn't a bad looking dude...I'm sure he was given a lot...

Here is a clip of Ray Parker Jr. at the Cops 4 Causes benefit in New York City a couple of months ago. I have to say I disagree about his appearance -- keep in mind, the guy is nearly 60 years old and he's very recognizable from his '80s days. I've seen people in their 40s who are practically unrecognizable from their late 20s and 30s, and people in their 40s and 50s who look older than Parker.

Parker looks like the same guy, only a generation older. You have to keep in mind some of your reference points about Parker are pictures of how he looked 25 to 30-plus years ago. I really don't see the logic of comparing how he looks to someone like Prince, who has aged uncommonly well (not to mention Parker is older than Prince). The one thing you can say about Parker is that he apparently didn't do like a lot of celebrities in his age group and got plastic surgery to try to make himself look younger, which also may be distorting some people's perception of Parker's appearance.

And as for the speculation about drugs, this is something that is being invented out of thin air. It wasn't that long ago that I had to address speculative comments about O'Bryan and his relationship with Don Cornelius and now here we go with more unfounded speculation on another '80s artist. It really is disrespectful to the artist and this is how misinformation spreads.

[Edited 2/23/12 9:29am]

Ray looks the same to me minus hair and the 'stache plus some wrinkles... He still has that recognizable smile. People just aren't allowed to age naturally anymore.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

HuMpThAnG said:

yes, very

Maybe the purple police had it removed out of the show.

Unsung Producer Michael Ajakwe, said he contacted Prince, cause he wanted him to be a part of this episode, and he deeclined..."The Bastard." (true story). I'm sure he was kidding when he called him that!

G3000 thanks for posting that story. I knew Ray was a fan but I didn't know he gave him some help (in the early days). Very cool of Ray.

I think some of you are being a little too hard on Ray about his looks. He looks good and looks like he's taken care of himself. We all age..it's natural. Just live well.

G3000 said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Maybe the purple police had it removed out of the show.

Unsung Producer Michael Ajakwe, said he contacted Prince, cause he wanted him to be a part of this episode, and he deeclined..."The Bastard." (true story). I'm sure he was kidding when he called him that!

I know he didn't really expect Prince to accept that offer...I mean he couldn't seriously thought he would have accepted...

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

G3000 said:

Unsung Producer Michael Ajakwe, said he contacted Prince, cause he wanted him to be a part of this episode, and he deeclined..."The Bastard." (true story). I'm sure he was kidding when he called him that!

I know he didn't really expect Prince to accept that offer...I mean he couldn't seriously thought he would have accepted...

If you don't ask, you'll never know the answer! what if Prince had said yes??

[Edited 2/23/12 16:26pm]

MadamGoodnight said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Maybe the purple police had it removed out of the show.

Sheila's Unsung is next isn't it? How much of The Kid will be in that one?

I'm not expecting Prince 2 b in it at all. Especially since Sheila E said she is not touring with him ever again...

purplethunder3121 said:

MusickMan said:

Here is a clip of Ray Parker Jr. at the Cops 4 Causes benefit in New York City a couple of months ago. I have to say I disagree about his appearance -- keep in mind, the guy is nearly 60 years old and he's very recognizable from his '80s days. I've seen people in their 40s who are practically unrecognizable from their late 20s and 30s, and people in their 40s and 50s who look older than Parker.

Parker looks like the same guy, only a generation older. You have to keep in mind some of your reference points about Parker are pictures of how he looked 25 to 30-plus years ago. I really don't see the logic of comparing how he looks to someone like Prince, who has aged uncommonly well (not to mention Parker is older than Prince). The one thing you can say about Parker is that he apparently didn't do like a lot of celebrities in his age group and got plastic surgery to try to make himself look younger, which also may be distorting some people's perception of Parker's appearance.

And as for the speculation about drugs, this is something that is being invented out of thin air. It wasn't that long ago that I had to address speculative comments about O'Bryan and his relationship with Don Cornelius and now here we go with more unfounded speculation on another '80s artist. It really is disrespectful to the artist and this is how misinformation spreads.

[Edited 2/23/12 9:29am]

Ray looks the same to me minus hair and the 'stache plus some wrinkles... He still has that recognizable smile. People just aren't allowed to age naturally anymore.

Scrap the drug remarks I didn't mean that. I apologize for insinuating it...

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

MadamGoodnight said:

Sheila's Unsung is next isn't it? How much of The Kid will be in that one?

I'm not expecting Prince 2 b in it at all. Especially since Sheila E said she is not touring with him ever again...

Sheila had a huge career before she became Sheila E. Sheila E, will be the focus of the secnd half on the show, so not too much will go into that part of her life.

Remember, sheila was also a Video Vixen

G3000 said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I'm not expecting Prince 2 b in it at all. Especially since Sheila E said she is not touring with him ever again...

Sheila had a huge career before she became Sheila E. Sheila E, will be the focus of the secnd half on the show, so not too much will go into that part of her life.

Remember, sheila was also a Video Vixen

Oh Yea! I remember her in this video. She also use to play in Lionel's band & do a duet with him "Endless Love"....I met Sheila a few times very beautiful.

By the way I like ur Avatar! I was a big Lawanda Page fan...WATCH IT SUCKA!!

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

G3000 said:

Sheila had a huge career before she became Sheila E. Sheila E, will be the focus of the secnd half on the show, so not too much will go into that part of her life.

Remember, sheila was also a Video Vixen

Oh Yea! I remember her in this video. She also use to play in Lionel's band & do a duet with him "Endless Love"....I met Sheila a few times very beautiful.

By the way I like ur Avatar! I was a big Lawanda Page fan...WATCH IT SUCKA!!

My aunt Grace (who raised me) had the same personality and looked A LOT like Aunt Esther!

It makes me smile and think of her. She had a mouth on her as well!!

[Edited 2/23/12 19:02pm]

G3000 said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Oh Yea! I remember her in this video. She also use to play in Lionel's band & do a duet with him "Endless Love"....I met Sheila a few times very beautiful.

By the way I like ur Avatar! I was a big Lawanda Page fan...WATCH IT SUCKA!!

My aunt Grace (who raised me) had the same personality and looked A LOT like Aunt Esther!

It makes me smile and think of her. She had a mouth on her as well!!

[Edited 2/23/12 19:02pm]

I was shocked to find out she cussed like a sailor in her comedy act. She played a church lady so well. I use 2 c her all the time shopping at this supermarket when I was a kid. I was in awe of her...I followed her career....Prince was a fan of hers to..

G3000 said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Oh Yea! I remember her in this video. She also use to play in Lionel's band & do a duet with him "Endless Love"....I met Sheila a few times very beautiful.

By the way I like ur Avatar! I was a big Lawanda Page fan...WATCH IT SUCKA!!

My aunt Grace (who raised me) had the same personality and looked A LOT like Aunt Esther!

It makes me smile and think of her. She had a mouth on her as well!!

[Edited 2/23/12 19:02pm]

Fish eyed fool!!! Loved her!

daytonohioplayer said: Rudy Johnson is/was my uncle. RIP. He would later be Ray Charles sax player for over 25 years.

My condolences and thanks for sharing your family history. What are your memorable musical moments of him in the studio or on stage?

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

G3000 said:

Unsung Producer Michael Ajakwe, said he contacted Prince, cause he wanted him to be a part of this episode, and he deeclined..."The Bastard." (true story). I'm sure he was kidding when he called him that!

I know he didn't really expect Prince to accept that offer...I mean he couldn't seriously thought he would have accepted...

The one thing that annoys me about Prince is his unwillingness to admit he was a beginner, got advice, or was vulnerable at the beginning of his career. It's a great story where he comes out looking great in the end. To have someone who is as talented with such a vast & varied career as Ray Parker Jr say he wished he played a cowbell at least to be a part of your history or legacy is a great compliment...to me anyway. There are probably a ton of cool stories like this, but Prince seems like he has to make people believe he came out of the womb playing several instruments & singing purple rain

steelyd said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I know he didn't really expect Prince to accept that offer...I mean he couldn't seriously thought he would have accepted...

The one thing that annoys me about Prince is his unwillingness to admit he was a beginner, got advice, or was vulnerable at the beginning of his career. It's a great story where he comes out looking great in the end. To have someone who is as talented with such a vast & varied career as Ray Parker Jr say he wished he played a cowbell at least to be a part of your history or legacy is a great compliment...to me anyway. There are probably a ton of cool stories like this, but Prince seems like he has to make people believe he came out of the womb playing several instruments & singing purple rain

That's Prince 4 U. But that story is so cool.But once I think about it. I think I read that story a long time ago in a magazine....It answers a lot of questions on where he got that idea from. But he did later give Jesse Johnson the console from his studio to make his debut album. So I guess he did give back in some way... According to Jesse......

G3000 said:

Funny and True story about Ray and Prince. Ray met Prince in 1978. Ray invited Prince over to his home in L.A. and Prince was blown away that Ray had a recording studio in his home. After the minor success of "For You," Prince had a little money. Prince asked Ray to help him set up a studio in his home in MPLS. Ray was happy to help. Ray hooked him up, saying "he really couldn't afford the SSL recording console that Ray had at the time, so Prince had to go with a cheaper, more inexpensive one." All In All, Ray was the one that helped Prince start is home studio.

Ray and Prince even spoke about producing some songs on his next album.

Months go by, and then Prince plays songs songs for Ray for his opinion..."I Wanna Be Your Lover, Sexy Dancer, I Feel For You, etc." Ray was excited about the new material and said, you don't need me, this is great! In the end, Ray said, "I should have played some cowbell or something, just t be a part of Prince's history and legacy."

Now I know why Ray was at so many Prince premiers and events. They are good friends and have a lot of respect for each other.

They recorded this for Unsung, but ended up on the cutting room floor!

Cool story.It's a shame that these guys never collaborated on a song or two.

SoulAlive said:

G3000 said:

Funny and True story about Ray and Prince. Ray met Prince in 1978. Ray invited Prince over to his home in L.A. and Prince was blown away that Ray had a recording studio in his home. After the minor success of "For You," Prince had a little money. Prince asked Ray to help him set up a studio in his home in MPLS. Ray was happy to help. Ray hooked him up, saying "he really couldn't afford the SSL recording console that Ray had at the time, so Prince had to go with a cheaper, more inexpensive one." All In All, Ray was the one that helped Prince start is home studio.

Ray and Prince even spoke about producing some songs on his next album.

Months go by, and then Prince plays songs songs for Ray for his opinion..."I Wanna Be Your Lover, Sexy Dancer, I Feel For You, etc." Ray was excited about the new material and said, you don't need me, this is great! In the end, Ray said, "I should have played some cowbell or something, just t be a part of Prince's history and legacy."

Now I know why Ray was at so many Prince premiers and events. They are good friends and have a lot of respect for each other.

They recorded this for Unsung, but ended up on the cutting room floor!

Cool story.It's a shame that these guys never collaborated on a song or two.

I'm still in shock that Prince was considering working with him. Which I seriously doubt. If Ray did he may not have gotten the credit 4 playing the cowbell ...Because that was a one man band man...

SoulAlive said:

Cool story.It's a shame that these guys never collaborated on a song or two.

Ray would have added NOTHING 2 Prince's game.

Graycap23 said:

SoulAlive said:

Cool story.It's a shame that these guys never collaborated on a song or two.

Ray would have added NOTHING 2 Prince's game.

Did Apollonia add anything to Prince's game? What about Carmen Elektra? He's worked with many artists who aren't even half as talented as Ray Parker Jr.