Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

November 23, 1966 in Salford, Manchester, England

Genre

:

Crossover

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Russell Watson is a British classical crossover tenor who has become one of the most successful artists in his genre. He was born on November 24, 1966, in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. Watson grew up in a working-class family and was the youngest of four children. His father was a factory worker, and his mother was a cleaner. Despite his humble beginnings, Watson showed an early interest in music and began singing in his local church choir at the age of seven. Watson's love for music continued to grow, and he began performing in local pubs and clubs in his late teens. He worked as a bolt-cutter in a factory during the day and sang at night. In 1990, he formed a band called The Heights, which played covers of popular songs. The band gained a following in the Manchester area and even released a single, but they eventually disbanded. In 1994, Watson was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor, which caused him to lose his sense of smell and taste. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor, but it left him with a weakened immune system and a need for regular medication. Despite this setback, Watson continued to pursue his music career. In 1999, Watson's big break came when he was invited to sing at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United Football Club. His performance caught the attention of music producer Mike Hedges, who signed him to a record deal. Watson's debut album, "The Voice," was released in 2000 and became a huge success, selling over two million copies worldwide. The album featured a mix of classical and pop songs, including "Nessun Dorma" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Watson's success continued with his second album, "Encore," which was released in 2001. The album featured collaborations with artists such as Lionel Richie and Cleo Laine and included the hit single "Someone Like You." Watson's third album, "Reprise," was released in 2002 and featured a mix of classical and contemporary songs. In 2002, Watson was invited to perform at the Queen's Golden Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace. He sang "Nessun Dorma" to a crowd of over 12,000 people and millions of viewers around the world. The performance was a highlight of Watson's career and helped to cement his status as one of the leading classical crossover artists of his generation. Watson's success continued with his fourth album, "Amore Musica," which was released in 2004. The album featured collaborations with artists such as Lionel Richie and Hayley Westenra and included the hit single "You Raise Me Up." Watson's fifth album, "That's Life," was released in 2007 and featured a mix of classic pop songs and original compositions. In 2007, Watson was diagnosed with a second brain tumor and underwent emergency surgery. He was forced to cancel his tour and take a break from music to recover. However, he returned to the stage in 2008 and released his sixth album, "Outside In," in 2010. The album featured a mix of classical and contemporary songs and included collaborations with artists such as Shaun Ryder and Rhydian Roberts. Watson's success has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. He has won four Classical BRIT Awards, including Album of the Year for "The Voice" and Best Album of the Decade for "Encore." He has also been awarded an OBE for his services to music. In addition to his music career, Watson has also appeared on television and in films.

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