Sam Smith – I’m Not The Only One

Sam Smith – I’m Not The Only One

Sam Smith - I'm Not The Only One

Sam Smith, a 21-year-old singer from London with milk-white skin and a tightly swirled pompadour, has made a name for himself as the soulful guest vocalist for dance music’s new wave, including breakout electronic group Disclosure, producer Naughty Boy and disco veteran Nile Rodgers. Now, with a debut solo album and tour on the way, he’s attempting to go it alone.

The transition from guest star to solo act can be difficult, but plenty of people are betting on his success. In December, he won the 2014 Brits Critic’s Choice Award and earlier this month, he won the BBC’s “Sound of 2014” music critics poll, which often predicts commercial success. (Past winners include Adele, 50 Cent and Ellie Goulding.)

He’s also demonstrated strong ticket sales. Most of his European tour dates have sold out well in advance. All of his U.S. performances sold out last year—including two nights at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, the first of which sold out in less than 24 hours. He recently announced a 10-city North American tour to promote his forthcoming album, “In the Lonely Hour,” due out in the U.S. on June 3. The San Francisco date sold out in a day.

Critics praise the fluid quality of Mr. Smith’s voice as well as his emotional lyrics and almost bashful stage presence.
Over the next six months, Capitol Records will shift from coordinating buzzy collaborations to launching Mr. Smith’s solo career, culminating in the release of his album. “We’ve had the big collaborative feature songs, but now we’re moving into Sam’s own music,” said Greg Thompson, executive vice president of Capitol Music Group.

Before the album makes its debut, the label plans to release an EP in February in the U.S., and then have Mr. Smith begin touring while his songs are promoted on college radio. “You need that time to drum up people’s appetite,” Mr. Thompson said.

Growing up in a small town 25 miles north of London, Mr. Smith began training as a jazz singer when he was 8 and had his first manager by age 12. He listened exclusively to female “power singers” until about a year ago, he said, such as Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan and Amy Winehouse, thus the soul and gospel undertones in his music. At 18, he moved to London to tend bar while playing gigs around the city. He met Disclosure in the fall of 2012 through common managers who suggested he sing over the duo’s new track “Latch.” The song became the first single from Disclosure’s debut album “Settle,” which received a 2013 Grammy nomination for Best Dance Album.
Read more…..online.wsj.com

Photo source…..buzzworthy.mtv.com

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U2 – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

U2 – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

One of only a few bands to achieve consistent commercial and critical success across three decades, U2 has charted success on its own terms on both the artistic and business sides of the music industry. From the band’s earliest days in Dublin, Ireland, to the present, U2 has broken free from the traditional limitations of what a rock band — and rock music — could and couldn’t do. By combining an original sound with honest lyrics and a challenging social message, U2 has earned the respect of their peers and critics, and an almost fanatical following of fans around the world. This is their story.

U2 formed in Dublin in the fall of 1976 after 14-year-old Larry Mullen, Jr. posted a note on the bulletin board at his high school seeking musicians for a new band. From the group of hopefuls that showed up at Mullen’s home that first day, a five-piece known originally as “Feedback” formed with Mullen (born October 31, 1961) on drums, Adam Clayton (born March 13, 1960) on bass, Paul Hewson (later nicknamed “Bono Vox” and eventually just “Bono”, born May 10, 1960) on vocals, and Dave Evans (later nicknamed “The Edge”, born August 8, 1961) on guitar. Dave’s brother, Dick, also played guitar for a while, but left Feedback very early on to join another Dublin band, the Virgin Prunes.

Feedback quickly changed their name to “The Hype,” and began rehearsing on weekends and after school as often as possible, forming genuine friendships and developing an undeniable chemistry in the process. After nearly 18 months of rehearsing, the band’s big break came at a talent show in Limerick, Ireland, in March, 1978. With CBS Records’ Jackie Hayden judging, U2 (they had just changed their name again) won the contest, earning a £500 prize and studio time to record their first demo.

Bio source…..www.atu2.com

Picture source…..gracenotesbysarah

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The Monkees – I’m A Believer

The Monkees – I’m A Believer

The Monkees - I'm A Believer

Unlike most bands of the time, the Monkees were not formed by its members, but rather by TV producers: they were a fictional band in the TV show of the same name.

TV producers, Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson, formulated an idea for a show about a Beatles-like band, then put ads in newspapers, seeking musicians to star in the series.

The band was composed of Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork. All of the members had some musical experience.

The show debuted on NBC in 1966 and became a huge hit. When the series got the greenlight to go ahead, development of the musical side of the project accelerated with Columbia Screen Gems and RCA Records forming a partnership called Colgems Records to distribute Monkees records.

Each week the group would sing a song or two written by top industry names like Carole King, Neil Diamond and Gerry Goffin, while instrumentation was provided by talented musicians, including Stephen Stills and Harry Nilsson.

‘Last Train to Clarksville’ was the band’s first single was released in August 1966 before the debut of the show and it became a huge hit. Their first album ‘The Monkees’ was released a month later and shot to the top of the chart.

The Monkees’ principle audience consisted of young teenagers and children. Nonetheless, singles like ‘I’m a Believer’ became Top 10 hits, and the ‘Prefab Four’ became media icons. By 1967 the Monkees were the most popular band in the US, their records outselling the Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Other top hits included ‘I’m a Believer’ (1966), ‘A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You’ (1967), ‘Mary Mary’ (1968) and ‘I’m Not Your Stepping Stone’, with the group selling over 65 million records worldwide.

But the Monkees themselves grew frustrated at not being able to play their own instruments or write their own songs, and began to rebel against their producers and record company.

The Monkees began playing some of their instruments and writing some songs on 1967’s ‘Headquarters’. That year they embarked on a major tour, proving they could perform live.

By 1968 the Monkees were already deviating from their manufactured image and straining for credibility, starring in the bizarre psychedelic movie ‘Head’. It was not a commercial success but has since gained a cult status.                                                                    Read More…www.thebiographychannel.co.uk

Picture Source…..www.showbiz411.com

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