Ray Simpson
Encyclopedia
Ray Simpson is the replacement lead singer and "Cop
" of noted musical group Village People
. Victor Willis is the original lead singer. Like his predecessor, Victor Willis
, Simpson is straight. His most memorable recordings with the group are from the days of Village People
film
, Can't Stop the Music
, a film which hastened the end of the group's heyday. His voice is not originally heard on any of the Village People
hits, though his voice was later dubbed on several of the group's biggest hits.
Born and raised in the Bronx, he labels himself a "Native New Yorker". He is a graduate of City College of New York
, majoring in English and minoring in music.
Ray comes from a successful solo career and many years performing with his sister and brother-in-law, Valerie Simpson and Nick Ashford. Prior to Village People, Simpson released a solo recording album entitled Tiger Love.
He started doing some backup singing for Village People
in its first years; soon after he was recruited (on very short notice) to join the group when Victor Willis
left.
Simpson's hobbies include sports, backgammon, bicycling, writing music and driving fancy cars. He is married to Leslie, and along with daughter Alayna, they reside in Teaneck, New Jersey
.
Ray is a member of the Board of Directors of Sixuvus Ltd. (the Village People corporation).
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
" of noted musical group Village People
Village People
Village People is a concept disco group that formed in the United States in 1977, well known for their on-stage costumes depicting American cultural stereotypes, as well as their catchy tunes and suggestive lyrics....
. Victor Willis is the original lead singer. Like his predecessor, Victor Willis
Victor Willis
Victor Edward Willis is a singer, songwriter, actor; and most known as the original lead singer of the disco group Village People. His persona was the Cop and Naval Officer....
, Simpson is straight. His most memorable recordings with the group are from the days of Village People
Village People
Village People is a concept disco group that formed in the United States in 1977, well known for their on-stage costumes depicting American cultural stereotypes, as well as their catchy tunes and suggestive lyrics....
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, Can't Stop the Music
Can't Stop the Music
Can't Stop the Music is a 1980 musical comedy film directed by Nancy Walker. It is a pseudo-biography of disco's Village People which bears only a vague resemblance to the actual story of the group's formation...
, a film which hastened the end of the group's heyday. His voice is not originally heard on any of the Village People
Village People
Village People is a concept disco group that formed in the United States in 1977, well known for their on-stage costumes depicting American cultural stereotypes, as well as their catchy tunes and suggestive lyrics....
hits, though his voice was later dubbed on several of the group's biggest hits.
Born and raised in the Bronx, he labels himself a "Native New Yorker". He is a graduate of City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
, majoring in English and minoring in music.
Ray comes from a successful solo career and many years performing with his sister and brother-in-law, Valerie Simpson and Nick Ashford. Prior to Village People, Simpson released a solo recording album entitled Tiger Love.
He started doing some backup singing for Village People
Village People
Village People is a concept disco group that formed in the United States in 1977, well known for their on-stage costumes depicting American cultural stereotypes, as well as their catchy tunes and suggestive lyrics....
in its first years; soon after he was recruited (on very short notice) to join the group when Victor Willis
Victor Willis
Victor Edward Willis is a singer, songwriter, actor; and most known as the original lead singer of the disco group Village People. His persona was the Cop and Naval Officer....
left.
Simpson's hobbies include sports, backgammon, bicycling, writing music and driving fancy cars. He is married to Leslie, and along with daughter Alayna, they reside in Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, and a suburb in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 39,776, making it the second-most populous among the 70 municipalities in Bergen County....
.
Ray is a member of the Board of Directors of Sixuvus Ltd. (the Village People corporation).