This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The Original Pokemon Theme Singer Will Perform In Los Feliz Tonight
The man who sang the infectious Pokemon theme song will be performing tonight at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz.
If you ever watched the Pokemon cartoon, then you probably remember the power ballad that opened the U.S. version of the series. The voice behind the jam is Jason Paige, 47. Paige is, according to his Wikipedia page, best known for singing this very song, even though he toured with Blood Sweat & Tears as lead vocalist and performed with Michael Jackson. He also recently lent his voice to Sausage Party, an upcoming movie about, yes, a talking sausage, according to his bio.
In 2012, Paige explained to Nintendo World Report that he got the job through a music house he had sung various jingles for, during a time when he was singing up to 100 of them a year. Like, say, this Mountain Dew parody of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."
The producers of the Pokemon song wanted the song to sound as though it was being sung by a teenage boy, presumably the show's main character, Ash, Paige told SPIN. The result is an epic, bombastic ballad about being the best and friendship, and also catching tiny creatures to battle them against one another.
With the recent surge in Pokemon interest inspired by the release of Pokemon Go, there has been a 400 percent increase in people playing the Pokemon theme on Spotify. However, Paige is not seeing any of those royalties. He was issued a one-time fee after recording the song nearly two decades ago. He isn't particularly upset about it these days, explaining he now enjoys the fact that the song still brings people joy. He's also used the ballad in various ways for other projects over the years.
In 2012, Paige recorded a parody version of the song in support of candidate Ron Paul for the Presidency.
Sponsored message
He told SPIN he was "inspired by Ron Paul's message of liberty."
It was nice to see that there’s a lot of Ron Paul liberty-minded people who are also Pokémon fans, which didn’t surprise me because Pokémon’s a very imaginative game. The liberty movement is about people taking control of their lives and using their own resources to expand themselves. You’re your own master, as opposed to a follower. And I think Pokémon teaches that: You are the center of the universe, you are the master, and you can be the very best at being your own self-reliant, independent self through the gathering of these Pokémon that help you find your way in the world. I may be going out on a limb a little bit.
On July 23, Paige released a video of himself singing the song on his YouTube page. He also recently performed a parody version of the song for a comedic video in which The Rock appears as a rare Pokemon.
Should you want to hear him live, you can swing by Rockwell’s tonight at 8 p.m. for his show, #gottacatchemall, where he will perform original music, jingles and other tunes. There is also a promised "pokesurprise." According to his bio, his solo show is also filled with "socio-political sexual-logical musical parody, con-fessions, and impersonations."
Rockwell Table & Stage is located at 1714 N Vermont Ave in Los Feliz, (323) 669-1550. Tickets are $15 to $20.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
