Ted Neeley: Jesus….And So Much More!

Born on Sept. 20, 1943 in Ranger Texas, Theodore Neeley started out as a drummer at 7 years old and grew to become a singer, actor, composer and arranger. He is best known for his role in Norman Jewison's 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar, which won a 1974 Golden Globe Award.

Ted claims he just always wanted to be a rock and role drummer and surrounded himself with as much contemporary music as possible.  "I was working with a great band all from the same high school. Gigs lead to road tours that lead to California and before I realized it I was cast in Hair."  Hair led to Superstar, then Tommy, then Sgt. Pepper. This road has given Ted an opportunity to work in several capacities in the industry from acting, singing, and composing to even film editing.

"We were not only the best band in a small town in Texas; we were the only band in the area and working constantly. The draft eventually broke up the band leaving Ted to go out on his own. It also gave him an advantage - that of a great drummer who could also hit all the high notes. That became a real asset to Ted.

Ted credits the director/co-creator from Hair, Tom O'Horgan, as one of the single best influences and his mentor regarding his career.  It was Tom who convinced Ted to go out for Superstar. He told him, "these folks don't know you but you should grab up the music and show them what you've got." I tried out for Judas, a role I really wanted.

After the audition, Tom put his arm around me, said, "that was wonderful now come back tomorrow and sing the other guy." So I did just that and I've been singing the 'other guy' ever since."

Ted also credits the brilliance of Norman Jewison (producer/writer/director of Jesus Christ Superstar) to his success. "He had such a wonderful concept of how to do this. These two gentlemen are the biggest influences in my life to this day."

About the show…

The production history of Jesus Christ Superstar, though criticized from some religious groups, was generally well received. During the filming of Fiddler on the Roof, Barry Dennen (who played Pilate on the concept album) suggested to Norman Jewison that he should direct Jesus Christ Superstar as a film. After hearing the album, Jewison agreed. The film was shot in Israel with Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, playing Judas, Yvonne Elliman, who played Mary Magdalene, and Bob Bingham as Caiaphas. Rounding out the principle cast was Josh Motel as King Herod, Kurt Yahgjian as Annas, Philip Toubus as Peter and Larry Marshall as Simon Zealotes.

Some of the lyrics were changed for the film, partly enriching its content ("Hosanna", "The Temple"), and partly making it more acceptable for a Christian audience.

Twenty years after first playing the role, Mr. Neeley gained renewed success - and a new generation of fans - in the lead role of Jesus in the 1990s touring company of Jesus Christ Superstar. This modernized version of the original production included a day-glow temple scene and a glass crucifixion cross lit from within. The tour criss-crossed the nation multiple times during its five year runs.

Ted happily sheds light on the production: "It's remarkable for me to see the transition of this piece from how it was "perceived" initially to how it is "received" by so many young people just chomping at the bit to get into this business." Ted goes on to share, "When the production opened in 1971 it was viewed as the ultimate blasphemy. We fought our way through picket lines to get into the building with several people convinced that we were going to destroy the religious fiber of the community. So as we worked our way through the crowds, I would ask a few folks, have you seen the show or heard the music? Of course most said 'no.' I would invite some people to see the show as my guest and maybe we could address some of their concerns. The people who did come in always walked away loving the piece. So it did grow into people supporting and loving the show. It's especially wonderful for young people who can now enjoy and learn about something they may have only read and relate to the humanity of the piece. It's grown into a comfort zone now. People come time after time and bring their family and friends and I get see old friends and meet new friends and it's a wonderful thing to happen to me at this stage of my life."

Ted makes the point of the influence Tim Rice has had on this and other productions. "For years, people would see, "Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, and while Andrew certainly writes amazing songs, it is Tim Rice's brilliant talent that puts the lyrics on paper and makes it so easy and accessible to anyone who listens to the music. What a beautiful marriage of lyric and musical content."

Pati Buehler: Having opened this discussion up to our readers at BroadwayWorld.com, most wanted your input about the show and its evolution through time. However, a few readers asked specific questions about other topics. Dianna comments: "I worked with Teddy in a show called Rasputin, an amazing project. Please ask him where that stands?

Ted Neeley: (laughing) That's just wonderful! Rasputin is "standing in the wings" as they say. We had literally booked the Rasputin tour, when this particular tour of Superstar came back and literally replaced the Rasputin dates. Here's why. I love Rasputin and would love to see it out there. However, when they called me in to do Superstar one more time, you know I can't say no to this, Pati. But now when Superstar finishes its run, the next project will be Rasputin. Dianna's got to be from the Delaware area because that's where we did Rasputin.  Please give her my regards and tell her we'll be coming back to her area".

PB: Another reader asks, "Will the benefit show you did with Ben Vereen release a DVD or CD?"

TN: Oh, we surely hope so. We planned for that and are working for the rights to make that happen. It was a wonderful piece we did in August last year in LA. Not only was Ben there, also Yvonne Elliman and Barry Dennen, a one nighter fundraiser for a California group called the Youth Theater. A group that Carl (Anderson) and I had the pleasure of developing back in Santa Barbara CA. This has been a great active organization since 1976. One of the graduates of this group was Jack Black. So I called Jack and asked him to play Herod to which he quickly replied, "I was born to play Herod." "So there was our cast. We had put an ad in the LA Times asking anyone who's ever done Superstar to come on out. We had enough people to cast 12 productions. (laughing) So yes, we are hoping to negotiate the rights and put this out for the public."

Ted Neeley has an extensive list of Theater/Film/Television/Record credits. Here is a partial list. Theater: Claude in Hair, 1969; Reporter/Leper/Jesus understudy, 1971, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar in numerous stage productions and concerts from 1972 to current date which include the Farewell (National) Tour into 2008 open end run. Ted also played Tommy in the musical Tommy, national concert/tour LA, 1973, Curly in Of Mice and Men, 1981 and Lucky in Waiting For Godot, 2004

Vocals include:  Guest with Ray Charles, 1976, Meat Loaf, 1981, 1983, as well as vocal arrangements with Tina Tuner-Acid Queen, 1975. Composer/vocals include: "Highway To Heaven", 1984-89, "Blame it on the Night", 1984. Television credits include: "Starsky & Hutch", 1979, Riptide in 1985 and many more.

Ted's upcoming projects include a release of a new album of his own material. While country music is in his Texan blood, Ted proudly admits he's a rocker. "Nothing makes me happier than sitting in front of a set of drums and screaming out a few songs like I used to do," he laughs. Eagles, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young are his forte. "So if folks want to call it country, then that's what it is. I will be thrilled if people buy it and enjoy it.  It will be out in the Fall."

Ted shares some thought about his friends.

Danny Zolli: "For me to say that Danny is brilliant is pretty much no big whoop because everybody who sees and hears him feels this way. He's magnificent! I had no idea there was so much talent bubbling under that little face (laughing). Not only was he one of the most amazing performers to play Annas, Judas and Jesus, but he has got a great edge on contemporary music, a stellar performer and wonderful human being."

Carl Anderson: "This is the first time I've ever done this without Carl being along with us. This is still a very emotional time for all of us. Carl was going to be here doing this with us, but once he took ill, well it's still very hard dealing with the fact that he is not with us, physically, but his spirit is with us here always. He is well loved by everyone. It is in his honor that we do this tour."

Corey Glover (Judas): "After Carl had gone, they looked for 18 months finding wonderful singers that just couldn't deliver the intensity for the role and some magnificent actors that just couldn't hit the notes. We were ready to toss in the towel then Corey appears. We all knew him from his band Living Colour and knew he had a great voice. We didn't know he was interested in making the transition to theater. He's fallen into place nicely, starting to feel comfortable, having to face that whole legacy of stepping into Carl's shoes. Corey is paying tribute to Carl in his own right without doing an impersonation. He's made the character his own and everywhere we go people love him."

PB: Ted, you obviously have many wonderful experiences. I interview a lot of people and I am so impressed by your positive attitude and kind words towards those you work with and those who support your work.

TN: (Laughing) Pati, we could sit here for five days talking and would only scratch the surface for as long as I've been doing this. But you know we are all regular human beings. We just happen to be out there in a world where publicity makes us seem different. I'm just out here paying the rent. To me the most important thing is meeting people, communicating. After a show, I will stay and talk with people until the theater is turning out the lights on me.

PB: That's a wonderful quality and I'm sure the folks you spend time with will not forget you anytime soon. I know I won't. Thank you so much for taking this time to share part of your world.

Review of " Jesus Christ Superstar" Farewell Tour with Ted Neeley: click here

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Visit Ted's website: www.neeleyontheroad.com

Photo #1 - Ted Neeley headshot; photo #2 - Ted Neeley as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar film; photo #3 - Ted Neeley with Carl Anderson in Jesus Christ Superstar film; photo #4 - Danny Zolli