Jay Ferguson (American musician) facts for kids

John Arden "Jay" Ferguson (born May 10, 1947) is an American rock and pop musician. He is famous for his work with the bands Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne. He also had a big solo hit in 1978 called "Thunder Island". Later in his career, Jay Ferguson became a composer for TV shows and movies. Many people know him for writing the theme song for the American TV show The Office.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Jay Ferguson was born on May 10, 1947, in Burbank, California. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley. When he was 12, his parents encouraged him to take classical piano lessons.

At 16, Jay became interested in the banjo. He formed a bluegrass group called The Oat Hill Stump Straddlers. His brother Tom, a great fiddle player, was also in the band. Jay also played in local garage bands like Western Union.

Joining the Band Spirit

In the mid-1960s, Jay Ferguson joined a band called Spirit. He teamed up with his longtime friends Randy California and Ed Cassidy. The band was first called Spirits Rebellious. They later shortened the name to Spirit.

Jay was the last member to join the group. He became the lead vocalist and percussionist. He also shared songwriting duties with Randy California. Spirit played in many clubs in Los Angeles. They even appeared in a French film called Model Shop. Spirit also created much of the film's instrumental soundtrack.

Forming Jo Jo Gunne

In 1971, Jay Ferguson and Mark Andes left Spirit. They decided to start their own band called Jo Jo Gunne. Jay was the main songwriter and lead singer for the band.

Jo Jo Gunne was one of the first bands to sign with the new Asylum Records label. Their first album in 1972 had a hit song called "Run, Run, Run." The band toured all over the US and Europe. They recorded three more albums over the next three years. Jo Jo Gunne later reformed in 2005 and released a new album called Big Chain.

Solo Music Career

After Jo Jo Gunne, Jay Ferguson took a break. Then, he started his solo career. He recorded three studio albums for Asylum Records. His second solo album, Thunder Island (1978), had a huge hit song. The song "Thunder Island" reached No. 9 on the US music charts.

Another one of his songs, "Shakedown Cruise", was also a minor hit. After Asylum Records, he recorded two more solo albums for Capitol Records.

Composing for Movies and TV

In 1982, Jay Ferguson decided to become a soundtrack composer. He started writing music for movies and television shows. He has written music for over 15 feature films and many TV series.

His most famous work is the theme song for The Office on NBC-TV. This theme song won him an award in 2007 for Best Score for a Comedy Television Program. He also played guitar in Kevin's band "Scrantonicity" on The Office.

Jay Ferguson also composed music for:

• "Pictures of You" from The Terminator soundtrack
• The entire score for A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child
• Bad Dreams
• An episode of Tales From The Crypt
• Tremors 2: Aftershocks
• Tremors 4: The Legend Begins

He is also the current composer for the TV show NCIS: Los Angeles.

Music Albums

• 1976: All Alone in the End Zone (Asylum Records)
• 1977: Jay Ferguson Live (Asylum)
• 1977: Thunder Island (Asylum)
• 1979: Real Life Ain't This Way (Asylum)
• 1980: Terms and Conditions (Capitol Records)
• 1982: White Noise (Capitol)
• 1989: A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (soundtrack) (Varèse Sarabande)

Hit Songs

• 1976: "Medicated Goo"
• 1977: "Thunder Island"
• 1978: "Losing Control"
• 1979: "Shakedown Cruise"
• 1979: "Paying Time"
• 1980: "Terms and Conditions"
• 1982: "Tonite (Fallin' for Ya)"