Paul Jabara
Encyclopedia
Paul Jabara was an American
actor, singer, and songwriter
of Lebanese
ancestry. He wrote Donna Summer
's "Last Dance
" from Thank God It's Friday
(1978) and Barbra Streisand
's song "The Main Event/Fight" from The Main Event
(1979). He cowrote the Weather Girls
hit, "It's Raining Men
" with Paul Shaffer
.
s Hair
and Jesus Christ Superstar
. He took over the role of Frank-N-Furter in the Los Angeles Production of The Rocky Horror Show
when Tim Curry
left the production to film the movie version in England. He appeared in John Schlesinger's 1975 film, "The Day of the Locust", where he sang the production number "Hot Voo-Doo". In Thank God It's Friday
he played the role of Carl, the lovelorn and nearsighted disco goer, and he also contributed as a singer on two tracks on the original soundtrack album.
Jabara starred in the 1981 comedy movie, Honky Tonk Freeway
as a truck driver/songwriter T. J. Tupus, hauling lions and a rhino.
which played the Broadhurst Theatre
in New York City
in 1973. It closed in previews prior to its official opening and was never reviewed by the press. No recording was made of the score, which featured both Jabara's trademark disco
music as well as more traditional Broadway-style numbers.
Jabara released his first album, Shut Out
in 1977. Jabara's solo albums on the legendary disco
label Casablanca Records
include three duets with Donna Summer; "Shut Out
" (1977), "Something's Missing
" (1978) and "Never Lose Your Sense Of Humor" (1979).
In 1979, Jabara won both Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
and the Academy Award for Best Original Song
for the song performed by Donna Summer, "Last Dance
". Jabara's album Paul Jabara & Friends
, released in 1983, features guest vocals by a then-20 year old Whitney Houston
. It also includes the song "It's Raining Men". That song was later re-recorded several years later by drag supermodel RuPaul
and Martha Wash
. Wash sang on the original recording as part of the group the Weather Girls
.
Some other songs Jabara wrote for others to perform include:
In 2005, a workshop of a musical entitled Last Dance played New York City. It was a musical assembled from Jabara's well known disco songs and told the story of a modern day teenager who goes back in time to spend one night at Studio 54.
Jabara received many awards for his work throughout his lifetime. He died of complications from AIDS in Los Angeles
on September 29, 1992.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor, singer, and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
of Lebanese
Lebanese people
The Lebanese people are a nation and ethnic group of Levantine people originating in what is today the country of Lebanon, including those who had inhabited Mount Lebanon prior to the creation of the modern Lebanese state....
ancestry. He wrote Donna Summer
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
's "Last Dance
Last Dance (song)
"Last Dance" is a hit 1978 song by singer Donna Summer. The song appeared on the Thank God It's Friday movie soundtrack. It was written by Paul Jabara and was co-produced by Summer's regular collaborator Giorgio Moroder, along with Bob Esty...
" from Thank God It's Friday
Thank God It's Friday
The triple album was, unlike the movie, a commercial success. It contained contributions from some of the biggest names in disco at the time, including Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Thelma Houston, The Commodores, and many others....
(1978) and Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
's song "The Main Event/Fight" from The Main Event
The Main Event (1979 film)
The Main Event is a 1979 comedy starring Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal, written by Gail Parent and directed by Howard Zieff.The film received negative reviews from critics, but was among the Top 10 highest grossing films of the year at the box office...
(1979). He cowrote the Weather Girls
Weather Girls
The Weather Girls, also known as Two Tons o' Fun , are an American duo comprising two plus-size African-American women...
hit, "It's Raining Men
It's Raining Men
"It's Raining Men" is a song written by Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer in 1979 originally for Dave Balfour's album Stars , and originally recorded by The Weather Girls in 1982...
" with Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer
Paul Allen Wood Shaffer, CM is a Canadian musician, actor, voice actor, author, comedian, and composer who has been David Letterman's sidekick since 1982.-Early years:...
.
Actor
Jabara was in the original cast of the stage musicalMusical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
s Hair
Hair (musical)
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement...
and Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
. He took over the role of Frank-N-Furter in the Los Angeles Production of The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Show is a long-running British horror comedy stage musical, which opened in London on 19 June 1973. It was written by Richard O'Brien, produced and directed by Jim Sharman. It came eighth in a BBC Radio 2 listener poll of the "Nation's Number One Essential Musicals"...
when Tim Curry
Tim Curry
Timothy James "Tim" Curry is a British actor, singer, composer and voice actor, known for his work in a diverse range of theatre, film and television productions. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California....
left the production to film the movie version in England. He appeared in John Schlesinger's 1975 film, "The Day of the Locust", where he sang the production number "Hot Voo-Doo". In Thank God It's Friday
Thank God It's Friday
The triple album was, unlike the movie, a commercial success. It contained contributions from some of the biggest names in disco at the time, including Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Thelma Houston, The Commodores, and many others....
he played the role of Carl, the lovelorn and nearsighted disco goer, and he also contributed as a singer on two tracks on the original soundtrack album.
Jabara starred in the 1981 comedy movie, Honky Tonk Freeway
Honky Tonk Freeway
Honky Tonk Freeway is a UK comedy film directed by John Schlesinger. It was released in August 1981 by Universal Studios. The film, conceived and co-produced by Don Boyd, was one of the most expensive box office flops in history, losing its British backers Thorn-EMI an estimated $11,000,000 and...
as a truck driver/songwriter T. J. Tupus, hauling lions and a rhino.
Songwriter and singer
He wrote the book, music, lyrics and starred in an abortive Broadway musical, Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It)Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It)
Rachael Lily Rosenbloom is a musical with a book by Paul Jabara and Tom Eyen, music by Jabara, and lyrics by Jabara, David Debin, and Paul Issa....
which played the Broadhurst Theatre
Broadhurst Theatre
The Broadhurst Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 235 West 44th Street in midtown Manhattan.It was designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, a well-known theatre designer who had been working directly with the Shubert brothers; the Broadhurst opened 27 September 1917...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1973. It closed in previews prior to its official opening and was never reviewed by the press. No recording was made of the score, which featured both Jabara's trademark disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
music as well as more traditional Broadway-style numbers.
Jabara released his first album, Shut Out
Shut Out (album)
Shut Out is the debut album by American actor, singer and songwriter Paul Jabara.The album which was released on the Casablanca Records label in 1977 includes the singles "Shut Out" , "Dance" and "Slow Dancing"...
in 1977. Jabara's solo albums on the legendary disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
label Casablanca Records
Casablanca Records
Casablanca Records was an American record label started by Neil Bogart, who partnered with Cecil Holmes, Larry Harris, and Buck Reingold in 1973, and based in Los Angeles. The label was formed after all of them had left Buddah Records and secured financing by Warner Bros. Records to start the venture...
include three duets with Donna Summer; "Shut Out
Shut Out
"Shut Out" is a single from the Paul Jabara album of the same name and features special guest vocals by Donna Summer. On the album, it is used as the first half of a medley another with another song called "Heaven is a Disco."...
" (1977), "Something's Missing
Something's Missing
"Something's Missing" is a song by John Mayer. It is the third track from Heavier Things, Mayer's second studio album. This song is distinct from all other songs by Mayer as it was the only song to have appeared on every live release Mayer had contributed to up to Where the Light Is. This included...
" (1978) and "Never Lose Your Sense Of Humor" (1979).
In 1979, Jabara won both Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Song has been awarded since 1959. From 1969 to 2000 it was known as the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song, from 1962 to 1968 it was known as Best Rhythm & Blues Recording, and from 1959-1961 as Best Rhythm & Blues Performance...
and the Academy Award for Best Original Song
Academy Award for Best Original Song
The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
for the song performed by Donna Summer, "Last Dance
Last Dance (song)
"Last Dance" is a hit 1978 song by singer Donna Summer. The song appeared on the Thank God It's Friday movie soundtrack. It was written by Paul Jabara and was co-produced by Summer's regular collaborator Giorgio Moroder, along with Bob Esty...
". Jabara's album Paul Jabara & Friends
Paul Jabara & Friends
Paul Jabara & Friends is a the fourth studio album by American actor, singer and songwriter Paul Jabara. The album includes the multimillion-selling single release "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls, written and produced by Jabara in late 1982...
, released in 1983, features guest vocals by a then-20 year old Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
. It also includes the song "It's Raining Men". That song was later re-recorded several years later by drag supermodel RuPaul
RuPaul
RuPaul Andre Charles , best known as simply RuPaul, is an American actor, drag queen, model, author, and singer-songwriter, who first became widely known in the 1990s when he appeared in a wide variety of television programs, films, and musical albums. Previously, he was a fixture on the Atlanta...
and Martha Wash
Martha Wash
Martha Wash is an American R&B, Pop, Soul, House singer/songwriter known for her distinctive and powerful voice.-Early career:...
. Wash sang on the original recording as part of the group the Weather Girls
Weather Girls
The Weather Girls, also known as Two Tons o' Fun , are an American duo comprising two plus-size African-American women...
.
Some other songs Jabara wrote for others to perform include:
- "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)No More Tears (Enough is Enough)"No More Tears " is a duet from 1979 by Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand. While Summer was famous for her disco material and Streisand for her more easy listening and soundtrack work , this song fused both sounds with a slow beginning which then develops into a disco song...
", a duet by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer which was a BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
number one hit; - "Jinxed!Jinxed!Jinxed! is a 1982 comedy-drama film starring Bette Midler, Rip Torn and Ken Wahl. Directed by Don Siegel, the veteran filmmaker would suffer a heart attack during the troubled production...
", 1981, written for Bette MidlerBette MidlerBette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
and her movie of the same name but never commercially released; - "Work That Body", Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
' 1982 hit single included on her album Why Do Fools Fall in LoveWhy Do Fools Fall in Love (album)Why Do Fools Fall in Love is a 1981 album released by American singer Diana Ross on the RCA label. It stands as one of the biggest-selling albums of Diana's 50 year career...
; - "Two Lovers" for Julio IglesiasJulio IglesiasJulio José Iglesias de la Cueva , better known simply as Julio Iglesias, is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released 77 albums. According to Sony Music Entertainment, he is one of the top 15 best selling music artists in history,...
(1984).
In 2005, a workshop of a musical entitled Last Dance played New York City. It was a musical assembled from Jabara's well known disco songs and told the story of a modern day teenager who goes back in time to spend one night at Studio 54.
Jabara received many awards for his work throughout his lifetime. He died of complications from AIDS in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
on September 29, 1992.
Singles
- "Shut OutShut Out"Shut Out" is a single from the Paul Jabara album of the same name and features special guest vocals by Donna Summer. On the album, it is used as the first half of a medley another with another song called "Heaven is a Disco."...
" [duet with Donna Summer] (1977) - "Dance" (1977)
- "Slow Dancing" (1977)
- "Dancin' (Lift Your Spirits Higher)" (1978)
- "Pleasure Island" (1978)
- "Take Good Care of My Baby" / "What's a Girl to Do" [Paul Jabara & Pattie BrooksPattie BrooksPattie Brooks is an American singer most frequently associated with the disco era. She was born in Fort Riley, Kansas to a military family. Her first break came in 1968 when she auditioned for the chorus on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour". In the next decade she became a sought-after backing...
] (1978) - "Trapped in a Stairway" (1978)
- "Disco Queen" (1978)
- "Never Lose Your Sense Of Humor" [duet with Donna Summer] (1979)
- "Disco Wedding" (1979)
- "Take Me Home" [w/ Brenda & The Tabulations] (1982)
Studio albums
- Shut OutShut Out (album)Shut Out is the debut album by American actor, singer and songwriter Paul Jabara.The album which was released on the Casablanca Records label in 1977 includes the singles "Shut Out" , "Dance" and "Slow Dancing"...
(Casablanca RecordsCasablanca RecordsCasablanca Records was an American record label started by Neil Bogart, who partnered with Cecil Holmes, Larry Harris, and Buck Reingold in 1973, and based in Los Angeles. The label was formed after all of them had left Buddah Records and secured financing by Warner Bros. Records to start the venture...
, 1977) - Keeping TimeKeeping TimeKeeping Time is the second studio album by American actor, singer and songwriter Paul Jabara.The album which was released on Casablanca Records in 1978 includes Jabara's song "Trapped in a Stairway" from the movie Thank God It's Friday, his own version of the Grammy Award winning "Last Dance" as...
(Casablanca Records, 1978) - The Third AlbumThe Third Album (Jabara)The Third Album is a the third studio album by American actor, singer and songwriter Paul Jabara. The album includes the single releases "Disco Wedding" and "Never Lose Your Sense Of Humor"...
(Casablanca Records, 1979) - Paul Jabara & FriendsPaul Jabara & FriendsPaul Jabara & Friends is a the fourth studio album by American actor, singer and songwriter Paul Jabara. The album includes the multimillion-selling single release "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls, written and produced by Jabara in late 1982...
[featuring The Weather Girls, Leata Galloway & Whitney HoustonWhitney HoustonWhitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
] (CBS RecordsCBS RecordsCBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
, 1983) - De La Noche: The True Story - A PoperettaDe La Noche: The True Story - A PoperettaDe La Noche: The True Story – A Poperetta is the fifth and final studio album by American actor, singer and songwriter Paul Jabara. The concept/musical album, released on Warner Bros. Records in the United States in 1986, features guest vocals by Leata Galloway who also appeared on Jabara's...
[featuring Leata Galloway] (CBS Records, 1986)
Soundtracks and compilations
- Various Artists - Original Soundtrack - Thank God It's Friday (2 tracks as performer, 4 as composer, Casablanca Records, 1978)
- Greatest Hits... and MissesGreatest Hits... and MissesGreatest Hits... and Misses is a compilation album by American actor, singer and songwriter Paul Jabara. The album includes tracks from Jabara's three studio albums on the Casablanca Records label; Shut Out , Keeping Time and The Third Album .Greatest Hits.....
(Casablanca Records/PolyGramPolyGramPolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
, 1989) - The Casablanca Records Story (PolyGram, 1994)
- Mother, Jugs and Speed soundtrack (Dance)