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Jason Paige (born January 6, 1969) is an American singer, writer, record producer and actor best known for singing the first theme song for the English version of the ''Pokémon'' television series.


Early life and education

He is an alumnus of
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, often referred to simply as LaGuardia or "LaG", is a public High school (North America), high school specializing in teaching visual arts and performing arts, near Lincoln ...
and the Experimental Theatre Wing at
New York University New York University (NYU) is a private university, private research university in New York City, New York, United States. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded in 1832 by Albert Gallatin as a Nondenominational ...
.


Career

Paige is best known for singing the first theme song for the English version of the ''Pokémon'' anime. He also sings "Viridian City" and sings as a background vocalist for the ''Pokémon 2.B.A. Master'' soundtrack. In an interview with the ''
New York Post The ''New York Post'' (''NY Post'') is an American Conservatism in the United States, conservative daily Tabloid (newspaper format), tabloid newspaper published in New York City. The ''Post'' also operates three online sites: NYPost. ...
'' in 2016, Paige said he did not expect the song to become popular. In fact, he said that he "didn't really know much about Pokémon when I did the demo, other than
hat A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...
a scene in the cartoon caused a giant bout of
epileptic seizures A seizure is a sudden, brief disruption of brain activity caused by abnormal, excessive, or synchronous neuronal firing. Depending on the regions of the brain involved, seizures can lead to changes in movement, sensation, behavior, awareness, o ...
in Japan", referring to the infamous episode "
Dennō Senshi Porygon () is the 38th episode of the ''Pokémon'' anime's first season. During its sole broadcast in Japan on December 16, 1997, a scene with flashing lights induced photosensitive epileptic seizures in children across the country. Over 600 children ...
." As a vocalist Paige toured for a year as the lead singer for the band Blood Sweat & Tears. He has sung and beat-boxed with Aerosmith on tour and on the Howard Stern re-mix of the hit single "Pink". Paige sang backgrounds for Michael Jackson and was the rap soloist for the song "
Black or White "Black or White" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson, released by Epic Records on November 11, 1991, as the first single from Jackson's eighth studio album, '' Dangerous'' (1991). Jackson wrote, composed, and produced the track with rec ...
" when it was performed at
Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...
's 30th Anniversary concert at
Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...
. His one-man show is filled with socio-political sexual musical parody, confessions and impersonations. Paige has also lent his voice to video game soundtracks, such as ''
Elite Beat Agents ''Elite Beat Agents'' is a rhythm video game developed by iNiS and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It was released in North America, Europe and South Korea. As the second of three rhythm games developed by iNiS specifically for the DS, ...
'' soundtrack, where he sings "
Canned Heat Canned Heat is an American blues rock band that was formed in Los Angeles in 1965. The group has been noted for its efforts to promote interest in blues music and its original artists. It was launched by two blues enthusiasts, Alan Wilson and ...
" and "
Walkie Talkie Man "Walkie Talkie Man" is a song by New Zealand band Steriogram, released in 2004 on the album ''Schmack!'' and as a single. The song is widely recognized as bringing Steriogram the majority of their popularity. Its simple, catchy riff and fast-talk ...
.", and '' The Pink Panther: Passport to Peril'', where he sings "Taj Mahal". He can also be heard on hundreds of various jingles, including Mountain Dew's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and Pepto-Bismol's "Nausea Heartburn Indigestion Diarrhea". He has written a number of songs for the TV series ''
Rob & Big ''Rob & Big'' is an American reality television series following the lives of professional skateboarder, actor, and producer Rob Dyrdek and his best friend and bodyguard Christopher "Big Black" Boykin. It premiered on November 2, 2006, and con ...
''. His voice can also be heard in the Disney TV movie, '' The Color of Friendship'', "The Jersey Boys", "Annie", and a couple characters in "
Sausage Party ''Sausage Party'' is a 2016 adult animated comedy film directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan (in his feature length directorial debut), written by Kyle Hunter, Ariel Shaffir, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and based on a story by Rogen, Go ...
". He can be heard singing backgrounds on '' The Art of McCartney'' tribute CD behind
Billy Joel William Martin Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Piano Man" after his Signature song, signature 1973 song Piano Man (song), of the same name, Joel has ha ...
,
Roger Daltrey Sir Roger Harry Daltrey (born 1 March 1944) is an English singer, musician and actor. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the Rock music, rock band the Who, known for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. His stage persona ear ...
,
Kiss A kiss is the touching or pressing of one's lips against another person, animal or object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely; depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sex ...
,
Smokey Robinson William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. He was the founder and frontman of the pioneering Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he ...
and others. He has also performed with famous artists such as Foreigner, The Scorpions,
Meat Loaf Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022), known professionally by his stage name Meat Loaf, was an American singer and actor. He was known for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. ...
,
Frankie Valli Francesco Stephen Castelluccio (born May 3, 1934), better known by his stage name Frankie Valli, is an American singer and occasional actor, best known as the frontman (lead singer) of The Four Seasons (band), the Four Seasons. He is known for ...
,
Liza Minnelli Liza May Minnelli ( ; born March 12, 1946) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerful alto singing voice, Minnelli has received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, ...
and
Enrique Iglesias Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler (; born 8 May 1975) is a Spanish singer and songwriter. He started his recording career in the mid-1990s on the Mexican label Fonovisa where he released three Spanish albums ''Enrique Iglesias (album), Enrique ...
, Oleta Adams, among many others. He has written and produced for
Shoshana Bean Shoshana E. Bean (born September 1, 1977) is an Americans, American actress, singer and songwriter. She has appeared in numerous Musical theatre, musicals, performing in major Off-Broadway and Broadway theatre, Broadway theatres, including in the ...
,
Becky Baeling Becky Baeling Lythgoe (born May 1, 1977) is an American singer-recording artist, actress, producer and television host. Early life and family Baeling was born in Rochester Hills, Michigan, as Rebecca Diane Bahling, the daughter of Wanda (née V ...
, Mike Weaver and
Suzie McNeil Susan Jane "Suzie" McNeil is a Canadian pop rock singer and songwriter. After garnering attention as a contestant on Rock Star: INXS in 2005, McNeil began pursuing a musical career and released her debut album, '' Broken & Beautiful'', on Apri ...
. As an actor, he can be seen as Peter in ''An Argentinian in New York'', as a choir singer in ''
A Walk to Remember ''A Walk to Remember'' is a 2002 American coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Adam Shankman and written by Karen Janszen, based on Nicholas Sparks' 1999 novel of the same name. It stars Shane West, Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote and Da ...
'', as the voice-over for Buttmeister in ''
Meet the Spartans ''Meet the Spartans'' is a 2008 American parody film written and directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. The film is mainly a parody of the 2006 film ''300'', although it also references many other films, TV shows, people and pop cultural ...
'', as a medic in ''Make Yourself at Home'', as a student in ''
Election An election is a formal group decision-making process whereby a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold Public administration, public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative d ...
'' and as a parent in ''The Hustler''. From 1995 to 2000, he produced and starred in his own musical comedy sketch show, ''The What's Up Show'', which showed on Manhattan cable TV. On the stage, he appeared in the 2010 production of
Rent Rent may refer to: Economics *Renting, an agreement where a payment is made for the temporary use of a good, service or property *Economic rent, any payment in excess of the cost of production *Rent-seeking, attempting to increase one's share of e ...
at the
Hollywood Bowl The Hollywood Bowl is an amphitheatre and Urban park, public park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, California. It was named one of the 10 best live music venues in the United States by ''Rolling Stone'' magazine in 2018 and was listed on ...
, as Joe in Frank Zappa's ''
Joe's Garage ''Joe's Garage'' is a three-part rock opera released by American musician Frank Zappa in September and November 1979. Originally released as two separate albums on Zappa Records, the project was later remastered and reissued as a triple album ...
'' at the Open Fist Theatre Company, and as Travis in Ty Taylor's ''The Existents'' at the Open Fist Theatre Company. He has also done productions of ''
The Who's Tommy ''The Who's Tommy'' is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Pete Townshend and a book by Townshend and Des McAnuff. It is based on the 1969 rock opera '' Tommy'' by The Who. Productions The musical opened at La Jolla Playhouse in San Di ...
'', ''
Godspell ''Godspell'' is a musical in two acts with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by John-Michael Tebelak. The show is structured as a series of parables, primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew, interspersed with music mostly set t ...
'', ''
Jesus Christ Superstar ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Loosely based on the Life of Jesus in the New Testament, Gospels' accounts of Passion of Jesus, the Passion, the work interprets ...
'', and ''
Hair Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals. The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and ...
''. He has performed at Scott Nevins and Ryan O'Connor's ''Musical Mondays'' in Los Angeles, as well as Rockwell's ''For The Record'' series in the
Coen Brothers Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, together known as the Coen brothers (), are an American filmmaking duo. Their films span many genres and styles, which they frequently subvert or parody. Among their most acclaimed works are '' Blood Simple'' (198 ...
,
Baz Luhrmann Mark Anthony "Baz" Luhrmann (born 17 September 1962) is an Australian film director, producer, writer, and actor whose various projects extend from film and television into opera, theatre, music, and the recording industries. He is regarded by ...
,
John Hughes John Hughes may refer to: Arts and Entertainment Literature *John Hughes (poet) (1677–1720), English poet *John Hughes (1790–1857), English author *John Ceiriog Hughes (1832–1887), Welsh poet *John Hughes (writer) (born 1961), Australian au ...
, The Marshalls,
Quentin Tarantino Quentin Jerome Tarantino (; born March 27, 1963) is an American filmmaker, actor, and author. Quentin Tarantino filmography, His films are characterized by graphic violence, extended dialogue often featuring much profanity, and references to ...
,
Robert Zemeckis Robert Lee Zemeckis (born May 14, 1952) is an American filmmaker known for directing and producing a range of successful and influential movies, often blending cutting-edge visual effects with storytelling. He has received several accolades incl ...
,
Paul Thomas Anderson Paul Thomas Anderson (born June 26, 1970), also known by his initials PTA, is an American filmmaker. Often described as one of the most preeminent writer-directors of his generation, List of awards and nominations received by Paul Thomas Anders ...
and Scorsese shows. He won a Broadwayworld.com award and an Ovation nomination for his portrayal of Frankie in Fortherecordlive's production of "Scoresese an American Crime Drama" produced at The Wallis Annenberg in October 2016. He has co-written two musicals, "BOX" and "Writing Pictures" produced at Hartford's Bushnell Theatre for
Black History Month Black History Month is an annually observed commemorative month originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the Af ...
, based on
Harriet Beecher Stowe Harriet Elisabeth Beecher Stowe (; June 14, 1811 – July 1, 1896) was an American author and Abolitionism in the United States, abolitionist. She came from the religious Beecher family and wrote the popular novel ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'' (185 ...
's ''
Uncle Tom's Cabin ''Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly'' is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in two Volume (bibliography), volumes in 1852, the novel had a profound effect on attitudes toward African Americans ...
'' and "A Tribute To Irwin Price" Performed at Open Fist Theater. During the 2012 primary election, Paige himself sang a parody of the Pokémon Theme in support of the Republican candidate
Ron Paul Ronald Ernest Paul (born August 20, 1935) is an American author, activist, and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 22nd congressional district from 1976 to 1977, and again from 1979 to 1985, as well as for Texas' ...
. In an interview with
Spin Magazine ''Spin'' (stylized in all caps as ''SPIN'') is an American music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr. Now owned by Next Management Partners, the magazine is an online publication since it stopped issuing a print edition in 2012. ...
in 2016, Paige said he was inspired by Paul's message of liberty. Later that year, Paige completed a year-long run as the lead singer for
Blood, Sweat & Tears Blood, Sweat & Tears (also known as "BS&T") is an American jazz rock music group founded in New York City in 1967, noted for a combination of brass with rock instrumentation. BS&T has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and ...
and recorded a rock interpretation of the carol ''
Silent Night "Silent Night" () is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO The United Nations Educati ...
'' for an episode of the
YouTube YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in ...
series ''Hellbenders.'' He is a long time member of Broadway Inspirational Voices and has appeared at Mandalay Bay's LIGHT in ''For The Record'' Baz named after the director
Baz Luhrmann Mark Anthony "Baz" Luhrmann (born 17 September 1962) is an Australian film director, producer, writer, and actor whose various projects extend from film and television into opera, theatre, music, and the recording industries. He is regarded by ...
. Paige is also opposed to infant
circumcision Circumcision is a procedure that removes the foreskin from the human penis. In the most common form of the operation, the foreskin is extended with forceps, then a circumcision device may be placed, after which the foreskin is excised. T ...
, having undergone a botched one during his own infancy for religious reasons that resulted in a skin bridge. His mother, Charlie Paige, stated that she regretted having him circumcised. Paige performed and released a song called "Circumcision", a parody of Stevie Wonder's song "
Superstition A superstition is any belief or practice considered by non-practitioners to be irrational or supernatural, attributed to fate or magic (supernatural), magic, perceived supernatural influence, or fear of that which is unknown. It is commonly app ...
". He has endorsed brit shalom, an alternative religious ceremony, and produced music for it. In response to the massive popularity of the ''
Pokémon Go ''Pokémon Go'' (stylized as ''Pokémon GO'') is a 2016 augmented reality (AR) mobile game originally developed and published by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company for iOS and Android devices. It uses mobile devic ...
'' mobile game, Paige re-recorded the theme during the height of the game's popularity in July 2016. Later that month, Paige sang another parody of the theme song featuring
Dwayne Johnson Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, 1972), also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American actor and professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on a part-time basis. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional w ...
as a Pokémon. He performed the song in Los Angeles as well. In October 2016 he released his anthem "a tribute to Pokémon Go" as a sister theme to the original. In February 2018 he recorded a metal cover of the original Pokémon theme with Jonathan Young. In December of the same year, he released a long-requested extended version of his interpretation of ''Silent Night'' for ''Hellbenders'', stylizing it as a
power ballad A sentimental ballad is an emotional style of music that often deals with romantic and intimate relationships, and to a lesser extent, loneliness, death, war, drug abuse, politics and religion, usually in a poignant but solemn manner. Balla ...
. Retrieved January 21, 2020.


References


External links


Official Website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Paige, Jason 1969 births American male film actors American male musical theatre actors American male singers American male stage actors American record producers Living people New York University alumni Pokémon people