Singer, Songwriter, Musician. During his lengthy career, he impacted a wide variety of genres, including jazz, pop and R&B. Born Raymond Louis Kennedy, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was raised in New Jersey. His interest in music was immediate, as he took up the flute and clarinet, prior to turning the age of ten. His recurrence as a regular dancer on the popular music program "American Bandstand" led to an opportunity to become a backing saxophonist. During the show's run, he worked with such prominent acts as The Platters, The Drifters and Little Richard. Although still a teenager, he was able to secure spots on numerous jazz ensembles among them Gerry Mulligan, Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, as he enhanced his reputation as a fine jazz musician. At the suggestion of Otis Redding, Kennedy moved on to singing and partnered with Jon Misland. The pair recorded an album titled "Jon and Ray" (1963) which was produced by Phil Spector. In 1965, he recorded the single "Number 5 Gemini" which was co-written by legendary record producer Kenny Gamble and in 1968, he fronted his own band called Group Therapy and recoded an album which consisted of cover tunes. Over a two-year period during the early 1970s, he collaborated with Dave Mason and recorded as well as toured. He contributed to the music from the 1974 Brian De Palma film "Phantom of Paradise" and co-wrote the hit song "Isn't It Time" (1977) for the British group The Babys which featured John Waite. During the decade, he formed a super-group with Barry Goldberg and Mike Bloomfield called KGB and the trio recorded two albums. Kennedy later collaborated with Engelbert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton and Fleetwood Mac.
Singer, Songwriter, Musician. During his lengthy career, he impacted a wide variety of genres, including jazz, pop and R&B. Born Raymond Louis Kennedy, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was raised in New Jersey. His interest in music was immediate, as he took up the flute and clarinet, prior to turning the age of ten. His recurrence as a regular dancer on the popular music program "American Bandstand" led to an opportunity to become a backing saxophonist. During the show's run, he worked with such prominent acts as The Platters, The Drifters and Little Richard. Although still a teenager, he was able to secure spots on numerous jazz ensembles among them Gerry Mulligan, Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, as he enhanced his reputation as a fine jazz musician. At the suggestion of Otis Redding, Kennedy moved on to singing and partnered with Jon Misland. The pair recorded an album titled "Jon and Ray" (1963) which was produced by Phil Spector. In 1965, he recorded the single "Number 5 Gemini" which was co-written by legendary record producer Kenny Gamble and in 1968, he fronted his own band called Group Therapy and recoded an album which consisted of cover tunes. Over a two-year period during the early 1970s, he collaborated with Dave Mason and recorded as well as toured. He contributed to the music from the 1974 Brian De Palma film "Phantom of Paradise" and co-wrote the hit song "Isn't It Time" (1977) for the British group The Babys which featured John Waite. During the decade, he formed a super-group with Barry Goldberg and Mike Bloomfield called KGB and the trio recorded two albums. Kennedy later collaborated with Engelbert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton and Fleetwood Mac.
Bio by: C.S.
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