Ray Simpson (born The Bronx January 15, 1954) 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.[1]
Ray is a member of the Board of Directors of Sixuvus Ltd. (the Village People corporation).
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