Randy Jones
Jones in 2017
Jones in 2017
Background information
Born (1952-09-13) September 13, 1952
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
GenresDisco, pop, R&B
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1977–present
Websiterandyjonesworld.com

Randolph Edward Jones (born September 13, 1952) is an American disco and pop singer and best known as the cowboy from Village People from 1977 to 1980, and again from 1987 until 1990.

Early life

Jones attended William G. Enloe High School in Raleigh, North Carolina and graduated in 1970. While there, he was a founder of Enloe's Drama Club, which was then called Amicus Scaena, Latin for "friend of scene" or "friend of theatre". He then studied at North Carolina School of the Arts before moving to New York.

Personal life and career

Jones had a marriage ceremony with his boyfriend of 20 years, Will Grega, at a New York City club on May 7, 2004. Although the marriage was not legally binding at the time, as gay marriage was not yet recognized in New York State, Jones commented, "It's only a matter of time before the courts rule in favor of what's morally right and humanly decent."[1] The pair had published a book together in 1996, titled Out Sounds: The Gay and Lesbian Music Alternative.[2]

In 2007, he released a disco and pop solo album Ticket to the World. In 2009, he appeared on Flight of the Conchords in their music video for "Too Many Dicks".

Jones appears as himself in the 2011 video game Postal III.[3]

In 2014, Jones appears as Tiberius in the Off-Broadway musical, The Anthem. The production was directed and choreographed by Rachel Klein, with a book by Gary Morgenstein, lyrics by Erik Ransom, and music by Jonnie Rockwell. The production performed at the Lynn Redgrave Theatre in New York City.[4][5]

In 2017, he released "Hard Times", the first single from the album Still Makin' Noise. The single reached number 42 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and was the first chart placement from any member of the Village People as a solo artist.[6][7]

References

  1. ↑ Rashbaum, Alyssa (May 11, 2004). "Village People's Cowboy Ropes Himself A Husband". MTV. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  2. ↑ Grega, Will; Jones, Randy (1996). Out Sounds: The Gay and Lesbian Music Alternative. New York, NY: Pop Front Books. ISBN 0-9639871-7-8.
  3. ↑ "Randy Jones on Fox Business". Archived from the original on February 15, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  4. ↑ "BWW Reviews: Our State, My Anthem". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  5. ↑ Webster, Andy (May 30, 2014). "Songs, Jokes and Twirls? Just Don't Tell Ayn Rand". The New York Times. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Chart History: Randy Jones". Billboard. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Randy Jones riding high in the saddle again". Los Angeles Blade. September 6, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.

Other sources

  • Menconi, David (August 7, 2005). "The cowboy way". Raleigh News and Observer, p. G1.
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