Jesus at 70: Ted Neeley continues to sing his iconic role, hopes to perform for the pope

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm by Deacon Greg Kandra

Jesus at 70: Ted Neeley continues to sing his iconic role, hopes to perform for the pope 2016-09-30T15:56:43-04:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Details:

Ted Neeley, the original lead in “Jesus Christ Superstar”, is back four decades on as the son of God in the hit musical in Rome, and hopes Pope Francis will be in the audience.

The pontiff will be “just down the street and we’re hoping he’s going to come visit us and see the show. I think he’s a wonderful, wonderful man,” an enthusiastic 70-year-old Neely told AFP between rehearsals of the world-famous rock opera.

The Texan musician and actor has appeared in other works, including Quentin Tarantino’s 2013 film “Django Unchained”, but his heart still lies in the role of 33-year-old Christ, which “gets better and better each time”, he said.

The 1973 film was controversial with Catholic groups, but even before pope Paul VI watched and blessed it, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s and Tim Rice’s catchy melodies and lyrics had won a wide following — as had blue-eyed, fair-haired Neeley.

“So many people saw the film as children when it came out in the ’70s, and watch it every year at Easter time and Christmas time, that they tell me when they think of Jesus they see my face!” Neeley says with a grin.

“I’m not Jesus, I’m a rock-and-roll drummer who screams high notes for a living,” he adds, belting out a long high note to prove his point.

The director of the Italian production, Massimo Romeo Piparo, said Good Friday had been chosen for opening night because “it’s an ideal show for Easter because it brings together lay people and Catholics.”

Read on.

While I can’t tell if Neeley still has the musical chops to pull this off, he clearly had the right stuff in 2006, when he launched a “farewell tour.” The video below can still raise hairs on the back of my neck. He’s just that good.

http://youtu.be/cRhOf9evcps

Jesus

Music

Previous Post

April 22, 2014

What we have come to: model plans abortion so she can appear on reality show—UPDATED

Next Post

April 22, 2014 Where are parents sending their kids to school in New York City? You might be surprised

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "Mad Men" 9/11 advent All Things New Amazing video amazing videos amazon america Anglicans Anti-Catholicism art ascension thursday ash wednesday Atheists baltimore Bible Bishops Blogging bonnie engstrom Books bridgeport Brooklyn Chaplains children christian art christmas Church Churches CNEWA Converts criticism Deacons Death Penalty easter eastern christian Eastern Christians Ecumenism Education education Eucharist Europe euthanasia Evangelization Exorcism Family Feasts Gay rights Good Friday Great links Great Moments in Journalism Hanging with the saints heather renshaw Hispanic Catholics Hispanics History homelies Homilies Humor Hymn of the Week Immigration indianapolis Inspiration Interfaith news ireland Jesus Jews Journalism Judaism lent Liturgy logos Marriage Mary Media Medical news Mental health Middle East Monks Movies Music Muslims My world and welcome to it New Evangelization new york News Nuns Parenting Parish life peoria Persecution politics Politics Pope pope francis pope john paul Prayer Preaching Priests Pro-life Quote of the day radio rebecca frech ripp Ripped from the headlines rippred from the headlines Sacraments saints Scripture sex abuse Sex abuse crisis SEX ABUSE CRISIS TAGGED WITH: SEX ABUSE CRISIS The people in the pews the visitation project theatre This & that Thomas Merton Trappists TV Uncategorized uncategorized Vatican VATICAN vocation Vocations Voices & Views Women Worth a thousand words Writing Year of Faith year of mercy young people

Select a Month December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How did Jesus provide for the temple tax?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Found in a tree A coin in a fish's mouth He borrowed from Judas He multiplied bread

Books by This Author Books by Deacon Greg Kandra

See All Titles »