Raydio came out of the box red hot, and continued a chart run for several years with super melodic songs and great vocals to match. Formed by guitarist supreme Ray Parker Jr, the original band included Jerry Knight, Vincent Bonham and Arnell Carmichael.
Their debut song, the 1978 adult parody of the childhood rhyme “Jack & Jill” shot to the top ten of both the pop and soul charts, and began a string of hits that would continue for several years. The following year, the equally sing-songy release “You Can’t Change That” replicated that success and moved Raydio to the A-List of R&B acts.
By 1980, vocalist Knight had left the group (later becoming part of the “Breakin’” duo Ollie & Jerry) and the band’s name was changes to Ray Parker Jr and Raydio. Parker took a more front-and-center role vocally and continued to drive the songwriting and production. They scored additional big hits with “That Old Song” and “A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do),” before Parker split to establish what would become a solid solo career.
With four gold albums but without Parker at the helm, Raydio essentially became no more. Even the Raydio hits of the late 70s were ultimately subsumed in Ray Parker, Jr. compilations.
After decades away, original member Carmichael (guitar) revived the group with additional members Giovanni Rogers (lead vocals), Lavon McPherson (bass) and Chris Thomas (drums), and began participating in multi-act R&B and disco shows with groups like Heatwave and AWB, as well as headlining performances in small clubs around the US. They continue as an active touring group in 2022 and sound good.
