Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

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October 10, 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland

 

Midge Ure is a Scottish musician, singer-songwriter, and producer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on October 10, 1953, in Cambuslang, Scotland, Ure grew up in a musical family and started playing the guitar at the age of 15. He was influenced by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and other rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Ure's first major breakthrough came in 1976 when he joined the band Slik as a guitarist and vocalist. The band's debut single, "Forever and Ever," became a hit in the UK, reaching the top five on the charts. However, Ure's true success came when he joined the band Ultravox in 1979. Ultravox was a new wave band that had been around since the mid-1970s, but it was Ure's arrival that propelled the band to international fame. Ure became the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band and helped to shape their sound, which was a blend of electronic and rock music. The band's 1980 album, "Vienna," was a critical and commercial success, reaching the top of the UK charts and spawning the hit singles "Vienna" and "All Stood Still." Ure's work with Ultravox earned him a reputation as a talented songwriter and producer. He went on to produce albums for other artists, including Thin Lizzy, Visage, and the Scottish band Big Country. In 1984, Ure released his first solo album, "The Gift," which included the hit single "If I Was." The song reached the top five in the UK and became a hit in other countries as well. Ure continued to release solo albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "Answers to Nothing" (1988), "Pure" (1991), and "Breathe" (1996). He also collaborated with other artists, including Kate Bush, Mick Karn, and Paul Young. In 1985, Ure was one of the performers at the Live Aid concert, which was organized to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. Ure performed with Ultravox and also sang a duet with Paul Young on the song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" In addition to his work as a musician, Ure has also been involved in various charitable causes. He has worked with the Prince's Trust, which helps young people in the UK, and he has also been involved with the Band Aid Trust, which was set up to help alleviate poverty in Africa. In 2005, Ure was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to music and charity. Ure's contributions to classical music have been significant. In 1992, he composed the score for the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "Macbeth." He also composed the score for the film "Cold Dog Soup" (1990) and the TV series "Gormenghast" (2000). In 2009, Ure released an album called "10," which featured re-recordings of some of his classic songs, as well as new material. The album was recorded with the Orchestra of the Swan, a chamber orchestra based in the UK. Ure has also performed with orchestras around the world. In 2017, he performed with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic, and in 2018, he performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. In 2019, Ure embarked on a tour of the UK and Ireland, performing with a full band and a string section. In conclusion, Midge Ure is a talented musician, songwriter, and producer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music.

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