Chris Norman

Chris Norman
Norman in 2008
Norman in 2008
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Ward Norman
Born (1950-10-25) 25 October 1950 (age 73)
Redcar, North Yorkshire, England
GenresSoft rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Years active1964–present
Labels
Formerly of
Websitewww.chris-norman.co.uk

Christopher Ward Norman (born 25 October 1950) is an English soft rock singer. Norman was the original lead singer of the English rock band Smokie, (1964–1986), who found success in Europe in the 1970s. "Stumblin' In", a 1978 duet with Suzi Quatro, was a big US hit.

Life and career

Chris Norman in Tallinn, Estonia in 1995
Chris Norman in 2020
Chris Norman in 2020

With the advent of rock and roll, Norman acquired his first guitar at the age of seven. His early musical influences were Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Otis Redding, and Lonnie Donegan.

In these early years, Norman's parents moved around the country a lot, which resulted in him going to nine different schools, and living in various locations around England, such as Redcar, Luton, Kimpton, and Nottingham. By 1962, however, the family had moved back to Norman's mother's home city of Bradford. Approaching his twelfth birthday, Norman started at St. Bede's Grammar School, where he was to meet Alan Silson and Terry Uttley, future members of Smokie.

As teenagers, influenced by the new era of groups such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and then folk singer, Bob Dylan, Norman and Silson began meeting up and spent nearly all their spare time learning new songs on their guitars. They managed to persuade Uttley to join them and, along with a drummer friend called Ron Kelly, they formed their first band. The Yen, Essence, and Long Side Down were just some of a variety of names they called themselves before settling on "The Elizabethans". When Ron Kelly left the group in 1973, an old friend called Pete Spencer was asked to take over on the drums, and the group, which was to become Smokie, was complete.

In 1970, Norman married his wife Linda, and they have five children together. Since 1986, they have resided on the Isle of Man.

Between 1974 and the early 1980s, Smokie enjoyed success touring all over the world, but the strain and pressure of constantly being away from home and family was beginning to tell on Norman. By the early 1980s he decided to spend more time writing and working in the studio. Norman and Spencer now worked together on songs for other artists including hits for Kevin Keegan ("Head Over Heels in Love", a No. 31 UK hit), and the England football team song "This Time (We'll Get It Right)". He also worked with Agnetha Fältskog (on her solo album), Racey (co-writer of "Baby It's You"), Donovan (backing vocals on Donovan), and Heavy Metal Kids.

In 1978, Norman recorded a duet with Suzi Quatro, "Stumblin' In", which made No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and sold over one million copies.

Norman's solo career took off in 1986 with the song, "Midnight Lady", which was a hit throughout Europe holding the number one spot in Germany for six weeks (where it sold 900,000 copies). Further success followed by the songs "Some Hearts Are Diamonds", "No Arms Can Ever Hold You", "Broken Heroes", "Fearless Hearts", "Sarah" and "Baby I Miss You". In 1994, Norman was honoured by CMT Europe as their 'International Video Star of the Year'.

In 2004, he took part in the Comeback Show on the German TV station ProSieben and he performed "Stumblin' In" as a duet with C. C. Catch. In the final episode of the show, he was joined by Smokie for the final song.

On 2 June 2007, Norman performed at the Peel Bay Festival, Isle of Man.

Discography

  • Rock Away Your Teardrops (1982)
  • Some Hearts Are Diamonds (1986)
  • Different Shades (1987)
  • Break the Ice (1989)
  • Interchange (1991)
  • The Growing Years (1992)
  • The Album (1994)
  • Reflections (1995)
  • Into the Night (1997)
  • Christmas Together (1997)
  • Full Circle (2000)
  • Breathe Me In (2001)
  • Handmade (2003)
  • Break Away (2004)
  • Million Miles (2006)
  • Close Up (2007)
  • Time Traveller (2011)
  • There and Back (2013)
  • Crossover (2015)
  • Don't Knock the Rock (2017)
  • Just a Man (2021)

Industry awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1986 "Midnight Lady" Goldene Europa Comeback des Jahres Won
1986 Best Male Singer Bravo Otto - Best Male Singer (Bronze) Won
1986 Himself Löwe von Radio Luxembourg Silver Award Won
1986 Male Singer Gold Hammerschlumpf - Pop/Rocky Won
1994 "Jealous Heart" CMT Europe International Video Star of the Year Won
2001 Himself Gala zur Verleihung des Internationalen Schlagerpreises Won
2004 Himself Radio Regenbogen Award Won

Billboard Year End Charts 1979.

Nominee/work Year End Charts Result
"Stumblin' In" Top Singles 23th place
Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman Top singles Artists 50th place
Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman Top New Duo 4th place
"Stumblin' In" Top Single Duos 3th place
Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman Top Adult Contemporary Singles 28th place
Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman Top Overall Pop Duos 11th place

Cashbox Year End Awards 1979.

Nominee/work Year End Awards Result
"Stumblin' In" Top 100 Singles 62th place
Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman Top Duo 4th place

Record World Year End Awards 1979

Nominee/work Year End Awards Result
"Stumblin' In" Top Single Duo 4th place
Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman Top Duo 3th place
Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman Top New Duo 2th place
Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman Top Mixed Duo (Male/Female) 2th place

This page was last updated at 2024-02-09 22:12 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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