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Who You Gonna Call? (2022) movie poster

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Who You Gonna Call? (2022) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 87 min · English
Directed by
Fran Strine
Starring
Stevie Wonder, Ernie Hudson, Herbie Hancock, David Foster, Clive Davis, Bobby Brown

This electrifying documentary follows Grammy-winning songwriter and guitarist Ray Parker Jr. as he recounts his remarkable journey. From escaping the turmoil of the 1967 Detroit riots, he rose to become a rockstar of the '70s and '80s. The film offers unprecedented access to Parker’s life, detailing his streetwise beginnings and eventual rise to Hollywood stardom, all interwoven with the story of his iconic hit "Ghostbusters." Director Fran Strine brings this inspiring story to life.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Who You Gonna Call?
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Who You Gonna Call? (2022)

Where can you watch Who You Gonna Call?? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Who You Gonna Call? Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Who You Gonna Call? (2022) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Early Years in Detroit

    Ray Parker Jr. grew up in the segregated streets of Detroit during the 1960s, facing various adversities that came with that era. The violent riots of 1967 and ongoing racial injustices shaped his formative years and instilled a sense of resilience in him.

    When
    1960s
    Where
    Detroit
  2. Introduction to Music

    At the age of 15, Parker met legendary musician Marvin Gaye, an encounter that significantly influenced his aspirations in the music industry. This moment sparked a lifelong journey dedicated to music and songwriting.

  3. Intensive Music Practice

    Driven by a profound love for music, Parker dedicated himself to practice, working on his guitar skills for as many as 12 hours a day. This level of commitment laid the groundwork for his future successes as a musician and songwriter.

  4. Touring with Music Legends

    Parker's talent became apparent as he toured with renowned artists like Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones. These early experiences not only honed his craft but also expanded his network within the music industry.

  5. Songwriting Breakthrough

    At just 18, Parker contributed to Stevie Wonder's iconic album 'The Talking Book.' This early songwriting experience proved pivotal, as it caught the attention of several music industry icons and propelled his career forward.

  6. First #1 Hit

    His friendship with Chaka Khan led to the creation of his first #1 hit, 'You Got the Love.' This success marked Parker’s rise as a prominent songwriter in the music scene.

  7. Collaborations with Icons

    Throughout his career, Parker collaborated with icons such as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Tina Turner. These partnerships further established him as a leading figure in music, contributing to numerous celebrated projects.

  8. Signing with Arista Records

    Music mogul Clive Davis recognized Parker's immense talent and signed him to Arista Records. This pivotal move allowed Parker to break into the mainstream and achieve multi-platinum success during the 1970s and 80s.

  9. Conceptualizing 'Ghostbusters' Theme

    Film producer Ivan Reitman approached Parker to create the theme song for 'Ghostbusters.' Under pressure, he wrote the legendary track in just three days, which went on to become one of his most recognized works.

  10. Grammy Triumph

    Parker's work on 'Ghostbusters' not only earned him extensive fame but also led to a Grammy win. His contributions to the music industry were further solidified through this prestigious recognition.

  11. Oscar Nomination

    Besides his Grammy win, Parker received a nomination for the Best Song Oscar for 'Ghostbusters.' This accolade highlighted his status as a major contributor to pop culture through music.

  12. Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

    Ray Parker Jr.'s career achievements culminated in receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This honor acknowledged his influential role in the music industry and his enduring legacy.

    Where
    Hollywood
  13. Reflections on His Journey

    In the documentary, Parker shares candid memories of both triumphs and tragedies throughout his life and career. Collaborators such as Clive Davis and David Foster reflect on their experiences with him, showcasing his impact.

  14. Legacy of Resilience

    Despite his fame, Parker feels that his broader contributions to music history are often overlooked. The documentary serves to enlighten audiences about his legendary career and the resilience he exhibited in achieving success.

  15. Inspiring New Generations

    The narrative of Ray Parker Jr.'s life invites viewers to consider the power of resilience and talent. Through his story, new generations of musicians can find inspiration and encouragement in their own journeys.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 14:08

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Timeline questions answered

Who You Gonna Call? Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Who You Gonna Call? (2022): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

How did Ray Parker Jr. meet Marvin Gaye at age 15

Ray Parker Jr. met Marvin Gaye when he was just 15 years old in Detroit. This encounter happened through the music community in Detroit, which was a hub for Motown artists. Gaye's presence and mentorship at such a young age significantly influenced Parker's aspirations and set him on the path toward his own career in music and songwriting.

Foreshadowing: This early meeting with Marvin Gaye planted the seed for Parker's future achievements within the Motown ecosystem.

  • marvin gaye
  • detroit
  • mentor
  • first meeting
Q2

Why did Ray Parker Jr. write the Ghostbusters theme in only 3 days

Film producer Ivan Reitman approached Parker with an extremely tight deadline, giving him just three days to create the theme song for Ghostbusters. Despite the pressure, Parker delivered the iconic track, which went on to become one of his most recognized works and earned him a Grammy win and an Oscar nomination.

  • ghostbusters
  • ivan reitman
  • theme song
  • three days
  • deadline
Q3

What was Ray Parker Jr.'s first #1 hit before Ghostbusters

Ray Parker Jr.'s first #1 hit was "You Got the Love," which was recorded by Chaka Khan. This song marked Parker’s rise as a prominent songwriter in the music scene and established him as a go-to hitmaker in the 1970s and 1980s.

Foreshadowing: The success with Chaka Khan demonstrated Parker's ability to create chart-topping hits, setting the stage for his later work on Ghostbusters.

  • you got the love
  • chaka khan
  • number one hit
Q4

How did Ray Parker Jr. get signed to Arista Records

Music mogul Clive Davis recognized Parker’s immense talent and signed him to Arista Records. This pivotal move allowed Parker to break into the mainstream and achieve multi-platinum success during the 1970s and 1980s, transforming him from a sought-after session musician into a solo star.

  • clive davis
  • arista records
  • record deal
  • signed
Q5

How did the 1967 Detroit riots affect Ray Parker Jr.

Ray Parker Jr. grew up in the segregated streets of Detroit during the 1960s, where he faced dangerous circumstances including the violent 1967 riots and ongoing racial injustice. These challenging experiences shaped his formative years and instilled in him a sense of resilience that drove his determination to succeed in music.

  • detroit riots
  • 1967
  • racial injustice
  • upbringing
  • challenges
Q6

How did Ray Parker Jr. work with Stevie Wonder

At just 18 years old, Ray Parker Jr. gained invaluable songwriting experience by contributing to Stevie Wonder's iconic album "The Talking Book." Earlier in his career, he also toured with Wonder and The Rolling Stones, which helped hone his craft and expand his network within the music industry.

Foreshadowing: This early work with Stevie Wonder caught the attention of music industry icons and propelled Parker's career forward.

  • stevie wonder
  • talking book
  • touring
  • songwriting
Q7

How did Ray Parker Jr. become friends with Chaka Khan

Ray Parker Jr. developed a friendship with Chaka Khan, which led to the creation of his first #1 hit, "You Got the Love." Their collaboration produced one of the most popular songs of the era and established Parker as a successful songwriter beyond his work as a session musician.

  • chaka khan
  • friendship
  • collaboration
  • you got the love
Q8

Why does Ray Parker Jr. feel his contributions are overlooked

Despite his immense success with Ghostbusters and numerous hits for major artists, Ray Parker Jr. feels that his broader contributions to music history remain largely overlooked by fans around the world. The documentary aims to shine a light on his legendary but underappreciated career as a songwriter and session musician who worked with virtually every major artist in the 1970s and 1980s.

  • legacy
  • overlooked
  • contributions
  • songwriter
  • career
Q9

What honor did Ray Parker Jr. receive on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Ray Parker Jr.'s career achievements culminated in receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood. This honor acknowledged his influential role in the music industry and his enduring legacy, recognizing his contributions as both a successful solo artist and a prolific songwriter for some of the biggest names in music.

  • hollywood walk of fame
  • star
  • honor
  • achievement
Q10

Was Ray Parker Jr. nominated for an Oscar for Ghostbusters

Yes, besides winning a Grammy for the Ghostbusters theme song, Ray Parker Jr. received a nomination for the Best Song Oscar for his work on Ghostbusters. This accolade highlighted his status as a major contributor to pop culture through music and cemented his place in entertainment history.

  • oscar nomination
  • ghostbusters
  • best song
  • grammy

Movie threads

More Movies Like Who You Gonna Call?, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Who You Gonna Call? tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Inspiring true stories like Who You Gonna Call?

Inspiring true stories of individuals overcoming adversity to achieve extraordinary success. If you were moved by the triumphant journey in Who You Gonna Call?, explore more movies like it. This collection features inspiring biographies and documentaries about real people overcoming significant adversity to achieve remarkable success, all with a hopeful and uplifting tone.

  • inspiring
  • triumphant
  • uplifting
  • hopeful
  • personal
  • reflective
  • Tone: hopeful, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, linear
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically follow a linear, chronological path, beginning with the subject's early struggles—which may include poverty, injustice, or personal trauma—and building steadily towards their breakthrough and eventual acclaim. The conflict is often external, rooted in societal or historical barriers, which the protagonist overcomes through sheer perseverance and skill.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a core narrative of hope and triumph. They balance serious real-world challenges with an ultimately rewarding and energizing emotional payoff, creating a consistently inspiring and nostalgic viewing experience centered on human potential.

Documentaries about artists and creative journeys like Who You Gonna Call?

Intimate portraits exploring the lives and creative processes of iconic artists. For viewers who enjoyed the deep dive into Ray Parker Jr.'s life and music in Who You Gonna Call?, this section features similar movies like it. These documentaries explore the creative process, personal history, and cultural impact of various artists, offering an intimate and reflective look at their work.

  • reflective
  • nostalgic
  • personal
  • inspiring
  • creative
  • historical
  • Tone: reflective, nostalgic
  • Pacing: steady, detailed
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These documentaries often structure their narrative around the artist's body of work, using specific songs, artworks, or career milestones as anchors to explore different periods of their life. The story intertwines personal anecdotes with the cultural context of the time, providing insight into how life experiences shape their iconic creations.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are united by their focus on the intersection of personal life and artistic output. They share a reflective, often nostalgic mood, a medium emotional weight when discussing struggles, and a steady pace that allows for a thorough appreciation of both the artist and their art.

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Every angle

Who You Gonna Call? (2022) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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