Ray Simpson

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Ray Simpson

Background information
Born	(1954-01-15) 15 January 1954 Bronx, New York City, New York United States
Genres	Pop music
Occupations	Musician, Songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Associated acts	Village People

Ray Simpson (born The Bronx January 15, 1954) is the lead singer of the Village People. He has taken the role of the "Cop", replacing original lead singer, Victor Willis. Like his predecessor, Simpson is straight. He started doing some backup singing for Village People in its first years, which is why he was recruited (on very short notice) to join the group when Willis left.

Simpson was featured in the Village People film, Can't Stop the Music, released in 1980.^[1] Simpson did not record any of the Village People's biggest hits such as,"San Francisco/In Hollywood," "Macho Man," Hot Cop," "Go West," "In the Navy," or "Y.M.C.A.," which were all recorded by original lead singer Victor Willis. Years later, Simpson's voice was dubbed on several of these hits.

Born and raised in the Bronx, he is a graduate of City College of New York, majoring in English and minoring in music.

Simpson additionally had a 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 (1978 album).

Personal life

Simpson's hobbies include sports, backgammon, bicycling, writing music and driving fancy cars. He is married to Leslie, and, along with daughter Alayna,and son Dominic they reside in Teaneck, New Jersey.^[2]

Ray is a member of the Board of Directors of Sixuvus Ltd. (the Village People corporation).

References

↑ The New York Times
↑ Leichman, Abigail. "Ashford and Simpson sing of wedded bliss", The Record (Bergen County), September 7, 2007. Accessed August 9, 2007. "'People tried to talk us out of songwriting, but we just kept doing it, and eventually we made it through,' said Simpson, whose brother, Village People lead singer Raymond Simpson, is a longtime Teaneck resident."

External links

Ray Simpson at the Internet Movie Database

v t e Village People

Felipe Rose Alex Briley David "Scar" Hodo G. Jeff Olson Eric Anzalone Ray Simpson Miles Jaye Randy Jones Glenn Hughes Victor Willis

Studio albums	Village People Macho Man Cruisin' Go West Live and Sleazy Can't Stop the Music Renaissance Fox on the Box / In the Street Sex Over the Phone

Compilation and other albums	Live: Seoul Song Festival Greatest Hits Greatest Hits '89 Remixes The Best of Village People The Very Best Of 20th Century Masters, The Millennium Collection ... The Best of Village People

Singles	"San Francisco (You've Got Me)" "Village People" "I Am What I Am" "Macho Man" "Y.M.C.A." "In the Navy" "Go West" "Ready for the 80's" "Sleazy" "Can't Stop the Music" "Magic Night" "Do You Wanna Spend the Night" "5 O'Clock in the Morning" "Sex Over the Phone" "Livin' in the Wildlife" "Far Away in America"

Other songs	"Just a Gigolo" "I Ain't Got Nobody" "Hot Cop"

Concert tours	Living Proof: The Farewell Tour

Filmography	Can't Stop the Music

Authority control	VIAF: 73052857

Persondata
Name	Simpson, Ray
Alternative names
Short description	American singer
Date of birth	January 15, 1954
Place of birth	Bronx, New York City, New York, United States
Date of death
Place of death

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