Biography
Jay Graydon has secured Grammy recognition as a guitarist, songwriter, and producer while amassing wide-ranging credits throughout pop, rock, and R&B. His initial visibility arrived in the 1970s through session work that showcased his abilities as a soloist on dates with Boz Scaggs, Steely Dan, and further artists. An enduring alliance with David Foster produced the Earth, Wind & Fire single “After the Love Has Gone,” which earned the 1979 Grammy for Best R&B Song. Graydon also supplied the chart-topping George Benson track “Turn Your Love Around,” another Grammy recipient in the Best R&B Song category during 1981. In addition to projects issued under his own name, notably the 1980 album Airplay recorded with Foster and the 1993 release Airplay for the Planet, he has appeared on sessions for Chicago, Air Supply, Cher, Christopher Cross, Barry Manilow, Herbie Hancock, and Al Jarreau.
Born in Burbank, California, on October 8, 1949, to Grace and Joe Graydon, Jay Graydon performed publicly for the first time at age two, joining his father on a television program. Music ran through the family: brother Gary plays guitar on an amateur basis, and Joe Graydon worked as both singer and songwriter. Electronics and bowling later joined Graydon’s interests. During the early 1960s, Joe Graydon hosted a Saturday program on KDAY; Jay operated the boards, cued records, managed tape machines, and inserted commercials. Joe also cut sides for multiple labels, and Jay regularly accompanied him to studios, questioning the engineers. One Christmas brought a mono tape recorder, mixer, and pair of microphones that Graydon used to capture local groups.
Graydon took up guitar at fourteen. With Dennis Kelly and Joe Lopez he started the Veltones, whose original drummer Doug Wagner gave way to Bob Carrafield; the band performed pop, R&B, and surf material and cut several tracks, none of which saw commercial release. While attending high school he studied music theory and absorbed big-band arranging techniques from Robert Rose. College brought a call from Bob Hogins, the former bandmate then playing keyboards with Seven Souls; Graydon joined and absorbed lessons in groove and feel. Trombonist Glenn Farris next arranged an audition for Don Ellis’s orchestra, where work alongside elite musicians further sharpened Graydon’s technique. That same stretch placed him on recordings with a wide array of 1970s rock and R&B figures that included Boz Scaggs, Cher, and Paul Anka. In 1977 his guitar solo on Steely Dan’s “Peg” from the album Aja drew particular attention.
An early-1970s club engagement supporting vocalist Maxine Weldon introduced Graydon to keyboardist David Foster, who approached him backstage. Foster telephoned days later with an invitation to a session and instructions to bring along an ARP 2600 synthesizer, guitar, and amplifier. The pair would share countless dates thereafter. With Chicago’s Bill Champlin they composed “After the Love Has Gone,” which Earth, Wind & Fire recorded in 1979 and which received the Grammy for Best R&B Song. Graydon and Foster also assembled the group Airplay to present their songs, enlisting vocalist Tommy Funderburk, drummer Jeff Porcaro, bassist David Hungate, and additional players; the self-titled debut appeared on RCA in 1980 and revisited several earlier compositions, among them “After the Love Has Gone.”
Although Airplay proved short-lived, one later track, “Stressed Out (Close to the Edge),” surfaced on the 1985 St. Elmo’s Fire soundtrack, and both Graydon and Foster sustained active careers. Graydon contributed to projects by Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, Sheena Easton, DeBarge, Kenny Rogers, and others. The 1981 Hot 100 and R&B hit “Turn Your Love Around” brought him a second Grammy for Best R&B Song. He participated in the soundtracks for Ghostbusters and Miami Vice as well. Airplay for the Planet, issued in 1993, featured Chicago’s Bill Champlin and Toto’s Joseph Williams. Under the name Rake and the Surftones Graydon also released a surf album. He co-wrote “She’s in Love,” a selection on Brenda Russell’s 2000 album Paris Rain. The solo collection Bebop followed in 2001. With Randy Goodrum he formed the duo JaR, which delivered the album Scene 29 in 2008. A remastered edition of Airplay for the Planet appeared in 2017.
Born in Burbank, California, on October 8, 1949, to Grace and Joe Graydon, Jay Graydon performed publicly for the first time at age two, joining his father on a television program. Music ran through the family: brother Gary plays guitar on an amateur basis, and Joe Graydon worked as both singer and songwriter. Electronics and bowling later joined Graydon’s interests. During the early 1960s, Joe Graydon hosted a Saturday program on KDAY; Jay operated the boards, cued records, managed tape machines, and inserted commercials. Joe also cut sides for multiple labels, and Jay regularly accompanied him to studios, questioning the engineers. One Christmas brought a mono tape recorder, mixer, and pair of microphones that Graydon used to capture local groups.
Graydon took up guitar at fourteen. With Dennis Kelly and Joe Lopez he started the Veltones, whose original drummer Doug Wagner gave way to Bob Carrafield; the band performed pop, R&B, and surf material and cut several tracks, none of which saw commercial release. While attending high school he studied music theory and absorbed big-band arranging techniques from Robert Rose. College brought a call from Bob Hogins, the former bandmate then playing keyboards with Seven Souls; Graydon joined and absorbed lessons in groove and feel. Trombonist Glenn Farris next arranged an audition for Don Ellis’s orchestra, where work alongside elite musicians further sharpened Graydon’s technique. That same stretch placed him on recordings with a wide array of 1970s rock and R&B figures that included Boz Scaggs, Cher, and Paul Anka. In 1977 his guitar solo on Steely Dan’s “Peg” from the album Aja drew particular attention.
An early-1970s club engagement supporting vocalist Maxine Weldon introduced Graydon to keyboardist David Foster, who approached him backstage. Foster telephoned days later with an invitation to a session and instructions to bring along an ARP 2600 synthesizer, guitar, and amplifier. The pair would share countless dates thereafter. With Chicago’s Bill Champlin they composed “After the Love Has Gone,” which Earth, Wind & Fire recorded in 1979 and which received the Grammy for Best R&B Song. Graydon and Foster also assembled the group Airplay to present their songs, enlisting vocalist Tommy Funderburk, drummer Jeff Porcaro, bassist David Hungate, and additional players; the self-titled debut appeared on RCA in 1980 and revisited several earlier compositions, among them “After the Love Has Gone.”
Although Airplay proved short-lived, one later track, “Stressed Out (Close to the Edge),” surfaced on the 1985 St. Elmo’s Fire soundtrack, and both Graydon and Foster sustained active careers. Graydon contributed to projects by Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, Sheena Easton, DeBarge, Kenny Rogers, and others. The 1981 Hot 100 and R&B hit “Turn Your Love Around” brought him a second Grammy for Best R&B Song. He participated in the soundtracks for Ghostbusters and Miami Vice as well. Airplay for the Planet, issued in 1993, featured Chicago’s Bill Champlin and Toto’s Joseph Williams. Under the name Rake and the Surftones Graydon also released a surf album. He co-wrote “She’s in Love,” a selection on Brenda Russell’s 2000 album Paris Rain. The solo collection Bebop followed in 2001. With Randy Goodrum he formed the duo JaR, which delivered the album Scene 29 in 2008. A remastered edition of Airplay for the Planet appeared in 2017.
Albums
