Though Ray Parker Jr. is best known for the hit title song to the movie comedy "Ghostbusters," he has had a long pop-soul career.

He was born May 1, 1954, in Detroit. Parker was musically inclined in grade school and began playing the guitar when he was 12. As a teen, Parker played on sessions for Motown Records.

In 1972, Parker was featured on Stevie Wonder's Talking Book, and he toured with the superstar. Parker wrote songs for acts such as Rufus and Herbie Hancock before forming Raydio in 1978.

Raydio had a pop and R&B hit that year with "Jack and Jill." The following year, they enjoyed a top-10 pop hit with "You Can't Change That." R&B hits for Raydio in the early '80s included "For Those Who Like to Groove" and "A Woman Needs Love."

Parker issued the gold-selling The Other Woman (1982) under just his name. Continuing in this solo vein, Parker topped the Billboard Hot 100 two years later, with "Ghostbusters" (RealAudio excerpt).

Huey Lewis and the News then sued Parker, claiming the tune was a rewrite of their hit "I Want a New Drug." The case was settled out of court.

During the remainder of the '80s, Parker enjoyed more hits, including "Girls Are More Fun," and he wrote hits for acts such as Diana Ross and New Edition ("Mr. Telephone Man").

Other birthdays Monday:

Carlos Ward (B.T. Express), 53; James Wise (Archie Bell and the Drells), 52.