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Paul JabaraAmerican actor, singer and songwriter
Date of Birth: 31.01.1948
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Paul Jabara: A Disco Legend
- Disco Success
- Film and Television Career
- Awards and Recognition
- Personal Life and Legacy
Paul Jabara: A Disco Legend
Early Life and Broadway CareerPaul Frederick Jabara Jr. was born on January 31, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, he displayed a precocious talent for music. By his teens, he was appearing in television and print advertisements.
Jabara joined the original Broadway cast of "Hair" in 1968, where he played for four years. He also portrayed King Herod in the London production of "Jesus Christ Superstar." In the Los Angeles staging of "The Rocky Horror Show," Jabara took over the role of Frank-N-Furter from Tim Curry.
Disco Success
In 1973, Jabara wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the Broadway musical "Rachael Lily Rosenbloom and Don't You Ever Forget It." The show closed after a single performance, gaining no critical notice. However, Jabara's disco compositions would soon find greater success.
Jabara penned the Oscar-winning "Last Dance" for Donna Summer, featured in the 1978 film "Thank God It's Friday." He also wrote "The Main Event/Fight" for Barbra Streisand in the 1979 film "The Main Event." Together with Paul Shaffer, he composed "It's Raining Men" for The Weather Girls, which became a massive hit and was later covered by Geri Halliwell.
Film and Television Career
In the 1970s and 1980s, Jabara appeared in several films and television shows, including "Necropolis," "Thank God It's Friday," and "Honky Tonk Freeway." He also recorded three solo albums on Casablanca Records.
Awards and Recognition
Jabara received a Grammy Award in 1979 for Best R&B Song for "Last Dance" and the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the same tune. He won numerous other awards throughout his career.
Personal Life and Legacy
Jabara was diagnosed with AIDS and died from complications on September 29, 1992, in Los Angeles. He was 44 years old. Jabara's legacy as a disco icon continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.
