Ted Neeley

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Ted Neeley
Neeley while touring with Jesus Christ Superstar in San Diego, California, January 2008.
Born	September 20, 1943 (1943-09-20) (age 64) Ranger, Texas, U.S.

Ted Neeley (b. September 20, 1943) is a drummer, singer, actor, and composer. He was nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor in Musical or Comedy at the 1974 Golden Globe Awards.

Neeley is best known for his vocal range and his role in Norman Jewison's 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar. In the Broadway version of the stage musical he was the Christ understudy, and in the Los Angeles stage version he played the title role of Jesus Christ. Ironically, Neeley originally auditioned for the movie role of Judas, seeing it as a great opportunity to create a character few understand.^[1]

In 1969 Neeley played the lead role of Claude in both the New York and Los Angeles productions of Hair.

Ted Neeley released a solo album in 1974, called "1974 A.D.". He was a frequent musical guest star on network variety programs and as a guest actor in network dramas during the 1970s and 1980s.

Twenty years after first playing the role, Neeley gained renewed success, and a new generation of fans, in the lead role of Jesus in the 1990s touring company of Jesus Christ Superstar. This modernized version of the original production included a day-glow temple scene, and a glass crucifixion cross that elevated above the stage and was lit from within. From 1992 to 1997, the hugely successful tour criss-crossed the nation multiple times.

As of 2006, Neeley is headlining another critically acclaimed production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Billed by some (but disavowed by Neeley) as his national "farewell" tour of playing the title role, this new production is a stripped-down version with staging and set limited to a few risers. The show has performances booked until 2009. Corey Glover, famous as the lead singer of the rock band Living Colour, co-stars as Judas.

[edit] Theatre/Film/Television/Record Credits

Teddy Neeley, Capitol Records, 1966
Billing onscreen for 'Teddy Neeley Five', Dragnet
Claude, Hair, LA/NY, 1969
Reporter/Leper/Jesus understudy, Jesus Christ Superstar, NY, 1971
Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar, LA, 1972
Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar, Universal Pictures, 1973
Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar, MCA Records, Inc., 1973
Tommy, Tommy, national concert tour/LA, 1973
Billy Shears, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Road, NY, 1974
1974 A.D., RCA Records, 1974
"You Put Something Better Inside Of Me"/"Rainbow", single, RCA Records, 1974
Composer, The Big Blue Marble, TV, 1974
"Paradise"/"Don't Let It Mess Your Mind", single, United Artists Records, 1975

Ted Neeley at The Peace Center in Greenville, SC on May 13, 2007 after a show.

1975 A.D., RCA Victor Records, Spanish release only, 1975
Special appearance, Nigel Olsson, the Rocket Record Company, 1975
Vocal arrangement, Tina Turner - Acid Queen, Razor & Tie Records, 1975
Guest with Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes, American Bandstand, May 31, 1975
Guest with Ray Charles, A Touch of Gold, variety show, NBC
Vocals, Bo Diddley - The 20th Anniversary of Rock 'N' Roll, RCA Victor Records, 1976
Backup vocals, Keith Carradine - I'm Easy, Elektra/Asylum/Nonesuch Records, 1976
Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar, CA, 1976
Amos Richmond, The Shadow of Chikara, AVCO Embassy Pictures, 1977
Jack Muldoon, Man from Atlantis, "Giant" episode, October 25, 1977
Host, Rolling Stone 10th Anniversary Special, 1977
Jack Muldoon, Man from Atlantis, "Scavenger Hunt" episode, April 18, 1978
Ulysses, Ulysses - The Greek Suite, 20th Century Fox Records, 1978
Teddy, A Perfect Couple, 1979
"Teddy"/"Keepin 'Em Off the Streets", A Perfect Couple soundtrack, co-wrote "Hurricane," 1979
Lionel Rigger, Starsky and Hutch, "Targets Without a Badge: Part 1" (A.K.A.: "The Snitch"), March 6, 1979
Lionel Rigger, Starsky and Hutch, "Targets Without a Badge: Part 2", March 11, 1979
Lionel Rigger, Starsky and Hutch, "Targets Without a Badge: Part 3", March 16, 1979
Curley, Of Mice and Men, Metromedia Productions, 1981
Wesley, Hard Country, 1981
Vocals, Meat Loaf - The Very Best of Meat Loaf, Epic Records, 1981
Vocals, Meat Loaf -- Dead Ringer, Epic/Sony Records, 1981
Meat Loaf -- Midnight at the Lost and Found, co-wrote "If You Really Want To," Epic/Sony Records, 1983
Composer/singer of theme song, Highway to Heaven, 1984-1989
Keith Tracy, Tucker's Witch, "Rock Is A Hard Place" episode, April 14, 1983
Composer and vocals, Blame it on the Night, 1984
Larry Bloom, Riptide, "Wipe Out" episode, October 1, 1985
Cowboy Jack Street, Mark Taper Forum Lab, LA
Composer, Summer Camp Nightmare, 1987
Composer, Caught, 1987
Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar national tour, 1992-1997
"Gethsemane" singer, The X-Files, episode 24, season 4, May 18, 1997
Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar, 25th anniversary reissue, MCA Records, Inc., 1998
Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar concert, Rubicon Theatre Company, 1998
Rasputin, Rasputin showcase, Wilmington Opera House, December 18, 1999
Rasputin, Selections from 'Rasputin' - Special Limited Edition, promo CD, 1999
Rasputin, Rasputin - Miracles Lie in the Eye of the Beholder, showcase, Wilmington Grand Opera House, December 18, 1999
Rasputin, Ted Neeley and Michael Rapp Musical Sampler, MP3.Com D.A.M. CD ([1]), 2000
Willie Moore, Murder in the First, Rubicon Theatre Company, 2000
Lucky, Waiting for Godot, Rubicon Theatre Co. BeckettFest, 2004
Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar, YouTheatre - America! Benefit, August 13, 2006, Ricardo Montalban Theatre, Hollywood, CA
Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar, Farewell (national) Tour. September 2006 into 2008 (end date, open)