Ted Neeley

Ted Neeley (Teddie Joe Neeley September 20, 1943 in Ranger, Texas) is a rock and roll drummer, singer, actor, composer, and record producer. He is probably best known for performing the title role in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1973.

Early career

Neeley signed his first record deal in 1965, at age 22, with Capitol Records. He and his group, The Teddy Neeley Five, recorded an album titled Teddy Neeley. They played the club circuit for years, and at one point their name (on a marquee) appeared in an episode of Dragnet. Then, in 1969, Neeley played the lead role of Claude in both the New York and Los Angeles productions of Hair. His work with that show’s director, Tom O’Horgan, led to him being called when O’Horgan was hired to stage Jesus Christ Superstar for Broadway. Ironically, Neeley originally auditioned for the role of Judas, seeing it as a great opportunity to create a character few understand. However, when Ben Vereen was chosen for the role, Neeley signed on as chorus and also became the Christ understudy. This particular opportunity led to him taking on the title role in the Los Angeles stage version (which played at the Universal Amphitheatre) after receiving a standing ovation during a performance earlier in the tour. Castmate and close friend Carl Anderson was touring also as a Judas understudy. He also created the title role in Tommy in Los Angeles, and that in turn led him to reprise the title role in the film version of Superstar, directed by Norman Jewison, alongside Anderson as Judas.