For more details on this tour, you can also go HERE. and HERE
2. UPDATE 6/18/24 (From Ted Neeley.com and Ted's Facebook Page)
TED AND YVONNE'S NEW MEMORIAL VIDEO: "NOW AND THEN"!!!
(In loving memory of director Norman Jewison and John & George from our favorite band, The Beatles! …and to all our loved ones we’ve recently lost… Directed By: Frank Munoz Produced By: Brenda Shahpari Edited By: Dave Streicher The Band: Clinton Degan - Musical Director Ethan Leff - drums Francis Hickey - bass Sean Rohrer - guitar Tim Carrigg - keyboards Alida McKeon - vocals, percussion Fatima Elmi - vocals Filmed at the Greenwich Odeum, East Greenwich, RI, 3/30-31/2024)
Teddie Joe Neeley (not Theodore Joseph - as is so often printed) was born September 20, 1943 in Ranger, TX, USA, which will make him 72 years young this year (2015) (although, if you ask him, he's really "on his third year of being 33 years old!"), and a Virgo (for those who have astrological interests).Ted’s first record deal was in 1965, at the age of 22, with Capitol Records, with his group “The Teddy Neeley Five”, where he recorded an album entitled, appropriately enough, “Teddy Neeley”.Later recordings include:“Jesus Christ Superstar – The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” (MCA – 1973), “Ted Neeley – 1974 AD (RCA – 1974), “Ulysses The Greek Suite” (20th Century Fox Records – 1978) (NOTE: Ulysses and Quasimodo CD's are no longer available through Lazeria Music, Michael Rapp is the only source for these recordings. If you are interested in obtaining Ulysses or Quasimodo, please e-mail Kathy Herder at: HerdMusic@aol.com and she will pass along your request to Michael.), and the “Rasputin” soundtrack, currently in the works.A tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, organized in 1993, including the film’s original stars Ted and Carl Anderson (as Jesus and Judas), was planned to last only 3 months, but was so successful it continued for 4 years until February, 1997. In 2000, Ted created the role of Willie Moore in RTC's world premiere "Murder In The First". After "Murder" completed its' run, Ted worked as the Sound Consultant for Rubicon’s production:“Lies and Legends”. See this link for a show article entitled: "'Chapin' revue on tap' in the July 21, 2000 Ventura County Star: http://web.insidevc.com/archives/07212000/stage/320718.shtml.
Ted's appeared as Jesus in the YTA Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert One Night Only Benefit on 8/13/06. His current project, The JCS AD (nee 'Farewell") Tour (JCS Farewell Tour), took to the road on 9/8/06 for an indefinite period of time, depending upon reception (keep the bookings pouring in folks!). Future projects include further development for “Rasputin”, Ted’s original work “Pandemonium”, and, hopefully, future engagements for “Murder In The First”; as well as other projects in the works through Ted’s Production Company Blue Bonnet Surprise, and Gary Goddard Entertainment.Ted, his wife Leeyan, and their two children Tessa and Zakariah made their home in Texas.Ted has a fan club for all those who would like to keep up-to-date on his doings.To become a member, see my fan club info page. The Club is inactive at this time, but, hopefully, it will be active again when things settle down a bit with Ted's schedule.
Ted Neeley (Lucky in "Waiting for Godot") returns to Rubicon having previously originated the role of Willie in the world premiere stage adaptation of Murder in the First. Ted has been active in many facets of the arts – as an actor, singer, rock-and-roll drummer, composer and producer.He is best known for his starring role in Jesus Christ Superstar on stage on Broadway and on National Tour.He reprised that role for Rubicon (the production which launched the company) and in the Norman Jewison motion picture (for which he received Golden Globe® Award nominations for both Best Actor and Best Newcomer.Ted appeared in both the Broadway and Los Angeles companies of Superstar and Hair, as well as productions of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in New York and Tommy in Los Angeles.He composed music for and appeared in Robert Altman’s film “A Perfect Couple”, and the NBC movies “Of Mice and Men” and “McClaren’s Riders”.Ted performed the music for the Tri-Star feature film “Blame it on the Night”, NBC-TV’s “Highway to Heaven” and “The Big Blue Marble” for the Children’s Television Network.He also wrote music for and starred in Cowboy Jack Street at the Mark Taper Forum Lab in Los Angeles.Ted recently played the title role in a workshop production and concept album of a new rock musical entitled Rasputin, written by Michael Rapp, with James O’Neil as Czar Nicholas and Amanda McBroom as Alexandra.Ted currently lives in Houston with his wife Leeyan and two children Tessa and Zachariah.
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Here is Ted’s bio, as it appeared in the program for his appearance in the Jesus Christ Superstar One Night Only YouTHeatre-America! Benefit on 8/13/06:
TED NEELEY created the title role of Jesus of Nazareth in Norman Jewison's motion picture Jesus Christ Superstar (for which he received Golden Globe® nominations for both Best Actor and Best Newcomer. A singer, actor, rock-and-roll drummer, compose and record producer, Neeley appeared as Jesus in both the Broadway and Universal Amphitheatre productions of Jesus Christ Superstar. He performed in the Broadway and Los Angeles companies of Hair and created the titles roles in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in New York and Tommy in Los Angeles.
His extremely long association with Superstar includes guest starring with original Broadway and motion picture stars Carl Anderson and Yvonne Elliman in the 1976 Santa Barbara California Youth Theatre Production and in the 1977 Concord Pavilion California Youth Theatre Production again with his close friend, Carl. In 1992, Ted and Carl, along with Irene Cara (Fame) and Dennis DeYoung (STYX) embarked on a three month tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the motion picture. Within the first 8 weeks the A.D. tour would enjoy amazing success and continue to run for 4 years, becoming the longest running revival in North American theatre history. This incredible fortune allowed Ted the opportunity to reprise his role over 1700 times and created the phenomenon now known as TEDHEADS. In four weeks he will take to the road once again (possibly for the last time) in Troika Entertainment's Farewell Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Mr. Neeley composed music for and appeared in Robert Altman’s film “A Perfect Couple”, and the NBC movies “Of Mice and Men” and “McClaren’s Riders”.Mr. Neeley performed the music for the Tri-Star feature film “Blame it on the Night”, NBC-TV’s “Highway to Heaven” and “The Big Blue Marble” for the Children’s Television Network.He also wrote music for and starred in Cowboy Jack Street at the Mark Taper Forum Lab in Los Angeles.
Ted recently produced a workshop production and concept album of a new rock musical entitled Rasputin - Miracles Lie in the Eye of the Beholder, a story about the fall of the Romanov dynasty as seen through the eyes of Alexei, heir to the throne and friend to the "mad monk" ( a role created by Mr. Neeley). The musical reunited him with Michael Rapp (music and lyrics) with whom he had previously recorded the hit concept album Ulysses: The Greek Suite. Michael also wrote Ring of Paradise and The Enchanter exclusively for showcasing Ted's amazing vocal talents. His latest appearance was as Lucky in the Rubicon Theatre Company'sWaiting For Godot, which was the centerpiece of their BeckettFest.
Theodore Joseph Neeley (born 20 September1943, Texas, USA) is a drummer (rock), singer, actor, and composer (movie scores). Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor in Musical or Comedy (Golden Globe Awards, 1974).
Best known for his astounding vocal range in the role of Jesus Christ, in Norman Jewison's 1973 movie adaptation of Broadway stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar (in the Broadway stage version of which he was the Christ understudy and LA stage version of which he played the title role).
Theodore Joseph Neeley (born 20 September1943, Texas, USA) is a drummer (rock), singer, actor, and composer (movie scores). Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor in Musical or Comedy (Golden Globe Awards, 1974).
Best known for his astounding vocal range in the role of Jesus Christ, in Norman Jewison's 1973 movie adaptation of Broadway stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar (in the Broadway stage version of which he was the Christ understudy and LA stage version of which he played the title role).
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
Source: Original text from the article in Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia: Ted Neeley.
'''Theodore Joseph Neeley''' (born 20 September 1943, Texas, USA) is a drummer (rock), singer, actor, and composer (movie scores). Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor in Musical or Comedy (Golden Globe Awards, 1974). Best known for his astounding vocal range in the role of Jesus Christ, in Norman Jewison's 1973 movie adaptation of Broadway stage Musical Jesus Christ Superstar (in the Broadway stage version of which he was the Christ understudy and LA stage version of which he played the title role).
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 -- Ted Neeley/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/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, The Man from Atlantis, Giant episode, October 25, 1977 -- Host, Rolling Stone 10th Anniversary Special, 1977 -- Jack Muldoon, The 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 -- Backup vocals, Meat Loaf - Dead Ringer, Epic/Sony Records, 1981 Miscellaneous part, Dead Ringer, 1981 -- Backup vocals, 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, 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, Ted Neeley and Michael Rapp Musical Sampler, MP3.Com D.A.M. CD (http://www.mp3.com/neeleyrapp), 2000 -- Rasputin, Rasputin - Miracles Lie in the Eye of the Beholder, showcase, Wilmington Grand Opera House, December 18, 1999 -- Willie Moore, Murder in the First, Rubicon Theatre Company, 2000 -- Lucky, Waiting for Godot, Rubicon Theatre Co. BeckettFest, 2004 -- Don Quixote, Man of La Mancha, Rubicon Theatre Company, 2005 -- Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar, Vatican/tour, 2005 (proposed)
Courtesy of Shevonia "Von" Thompson (dabaone@yahoo.com), here is an interesting piece on Ted's life:
Hi, Everybody
I just wanted to share this to yall while on the net tonight I found a site called www.musicalnet.com. It had a forum on it so i took a peek at it and found some information on Ted. I hope that this is interesting and fun. Brother Marv is the one that is credited with the information I hope yall enjoy it.
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Ted came from Ranger, Texas to LA and became a rock 'n' roll drummer. Soon, he got his fifties-style group, the Teddy Neeley Five, signed with Columbia Records and they got their lucky break with their album featuring the star-penned liner notes and photos of a short-haired, cleanshaven Ted with Darren. That was in 1964. The band split up around this time and Ted hung around LA for a while, growing his hair andfalling in with the hippies of Haight-Ashbury who were indeed around LA at that time. When HAiR opened at the Aquarius Theater in 1968, Ted auditioned for the show when replacements were called for after half the cast joined the unsuccessful Acapulco production. Ted won the role of Claude and played that role right through to the end of the time allotted in his contract.
However, Ted still hung around the theater because he was allowed access backstage as a former cast member. He would often step into the role of Claude when Allan Nicholls or someone else would be sick or simply shirk their duty. Following this, Ted flew to NY and played Claude there for a while.
Around 1970, Ted, like many in the HAiR[/] cast, bought the [i]Jesus Christ Superstar album and really dug the music. He soon heard rumors buzzing about while in NY that a Broadway production was in the works. He decided he would do his best to find a part and audition. He practiced all the male songs and decided that the songs which best fit his range were all the ones sung by Jesus and Judas. Being the devilish kind, Ted decided to go with Judas.
When auditions rolled around, Ted came and sang for the part of Judas. The director, old pal Tom O'Horgan, suggested Ted come back and sing for Jesus. When Ted did so, Tom signed him up as a chorus member and assigned him the part of the Jesus understudy. Around the later part of the run in 1972, Ted took over the role of Jesus and Carl Anderson was playing Judas. At least once, on a lark, they'd switched parts for a performance. Then both moved to the LA production.
They never really got much of a chance to do the show, because they were hired for the film and immediately sent out to Israel.
