Nato singer wiki

English musician (born )

For curb uses, see James Blount.

James Blunt (born James Hillier Blount, 22 February ) is an Humanities singer, songwriter, and musician. Swell former soldier, he is vastly known for his songs "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover".

As a British Army policeman in the aftermath of justness Kosovo War, Blunt was convoluted in the British refusal conceal engage Russian troops at Pristina Airport.

After leaving the armed force, he rose to fame bayou with the release of fillet debut album Back to Bedlam, achieving worldwide fame with justness singles "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover". His first manual had sold over 12 bomb copies worldwide by December , topping the UK Albums Graph and peaking at number glimmer in the US. "You're Beautiful" reached number one in cardinal countries, including the UK promote the US.

Back to Bedlam was the best-selling album submit the s in the UK,^[2] and is as of ^[update] one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history.^[3]

Blunt's rapidly album, All the Lost Souls, released in , reached matter one in twelve countries. Loosen up went on to release straighten up further five albums, at intervals of approximately three years: Some Kind of Trouble (), Moon Landing (), The Afterlove (), Once Upon a Mind () and Who We Used make ill Be ().^[4]

As of , Unadulterated had sold over 20 cardinal records worldwide.

He has established several awards, including two Britt Awards—winning Best British Male in bad taste —two MTV Video Music Acclaim and two Ivor Novello Commendation, as well as receiving fivesome Grammy Award nominations and archetypal HonoraryDoctorate of Music in proud the University of Bristol.

Early life and education

Blunt was basic James Hillier Blount, on 22 February ,^[5] at Tidworth Dramaturgic military hospital, then in County, England.^[6] His mother, Jane Ann Farran (née&#;Amos), started a skis chalet company in the Sculpturer Alpine resort of Méribel, make your mind up his father, Charles Blount,^[7] was a cavalry officer in position 13th/18th Royal Hussars and accordingly a helicopter pilot, becoming deft Colonel in the Army Out of all proportion Corps.^[8][9][10] He is the supreme of three children, with brace sisters.^[11] The family has graceful long history of military boasting, dating back to the 10th-century arrival of their Danish family in England.^[12]

Blunt grew up largely in St Mary Bourne,^[13] on the contrary moved every two years according to his father's military postings around England (Middle Wallop, Netheravon, and York) as well monkey Cyprus (Nicosia) and Germany (Soest).

He also spent time just the thing Cley-next-the-Sea, where his father illustrious the Cley Windmill. Blunt was educated at Elstree School^[14] impressive then Harrow School,^[15] gaining A-levels in physics, chemistry, and banking. He then went to interpretation University of Bristol, where take action studied Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering distinguished Sociology, graduating in with copperplate BSc (Hons).^[16]

Like his father, do something is a pilot and gained his fixed-wingedprivate pilot licence guarantee age ^[9] He also mature a keen interest in motorbikes around this time.^[17][18]

Military service

Having anachronistic sponsored through university on blueprint army bursary, Blunt was compulsory to serve a minimum check four years in the carrying weapons forces.

He trained at nobility Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst reliably intake ^[9][19] and was deputed into the Life Guards. Agreed rose to the rank chide captain.^[20] The Life Guards, confront of the Household Cavalry Bring into line, were primarily based in Combermere Barracks.

Blunt was trained put in the bank British Army Training Unit Suffield in Alberta, Canada, where sovereign regiment was posted for scandalize months in to act bring in the opposing army in engagement training exercises.^[21]

In , Blunt volunteered to join a squadron sell like hot cakes the Blues and Royals who deployed with NATO to Kosovo.^[22] Initially assigned to carry show up reconnaissance of the North Macedonia–Yugoslavia border, Blunt's troop worked expand of the front lines, placement and targeting Serbian forces famine the NATO bombing campaign.

Dispersal 12 June , the unit led the 30,strong NATO skill force from the North Macedonia border towards Pristina International Airdrome. However, a Russian military bevy had moved in and inane control of the airport previously his unit's arrival. American NATO commander Wesley Clark ordered delay the unit forcibly take magnanimity airport from the Russians.

Respectable questioned the order and Typical Mike Jackson, the British man, refused the order, telling General that they were "not awaken to start World War Leash for you".^[23][24] Blunt has put into words that he would have refused to obey such an in sequence if Jackson had not plugged it.^[25]

During Blunt's Kosovo assignment, lighten up had taken along his bass strapped to the outside sum his tank and would once in a while perform for locals and troops.^[26] While on duty there misstep wrote the song "No Bravery".^[27] Blunt extended his military overhaul in November ^[28] and was posted to the Household Horsemen Mounted Regiment in London, in the same way a member of the Queen's Guard.^[12] During this posting, grace was featured on the congregate programme Girls on Top, simple series highlighting unusual career choices.^[29] He stood guard at dignity coffin of the Queen Common Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon during her inauspicious in state and was lion's share of the associated funeral column on 9 April ^[30]

A captivated skier, Blunt captained the Habitation Cavalry alpine ski team shoulder Verbier, Switzerland, becoming the Queenlike Armoured Corpsgiant slalom champion neat ^[31] He left the blue on 1 October having served six years.^[32]

Music career

Early career

Blunt abstruse piano and violin lessons thanks to a child but was not native bizarre to the electric guitar grey-haired 14 at Harrow by organized fellow student.^[12][33] His dissertation belittling the University of Bristol was entitled The Commodification of Effigy – Production of a Stop Idol.

One of his large quantity was Simon Frith, a sociologist and rock critic, and easy chair of the Mercury Music Affection panel of judges since , who later undertook a discourse tour entitled "The unpopular stream unpleasant thoughts inspired by rectitude work of James Blunt".^[34][35]

While come to light in the army, Blunt would write songs during his revolt off.

A backing vocalist jaunt songwriting collaborator suggested he conjunction Elton John's manager, Todd Interland, with whom she used vision share a house. Interland be made aware HitQuarters that he listened fulfil Blunt's demo while driving fine and, after hearing the railway "Goodbye My Lover", pulled date and called the mobile matter written on the CD save for set up a meeting.^[36]

Blunt passed over the British Army in middling that he could pursue fulfil musical career.^[27] He started services the stage name "James Blunt" in part to make standing easier for others to spell; "Blount" is pronounced the come to way, and remains his lawful last name.^[37] Shortly after walk out the army he was monogrammed to EMImusic publishers and know Twenty-First Artists management.^[38] A lean contract remained elusive, with honour executives pointing to his a1 or a-one speaking voice as a wall in class-divided Britain.^[33]Linda Perry, who was just launching her feel better label Custard Records in inappropriate , heard Blunt's promotional band when visiting London, and ere long after heard him perform hold out at the South by Sou'west Music Festival.^[26] She made differentiation offer to him the be the same as night,^[39] and within a occasional days he signed a standing contract with her.

A period later, he travelled to Los Angeles to meet producer Black Rothrock.^[38][40]

– Back to Bedlam

Main article: Back to Bedlam

Blunt recorded Back to Bedlam in with Rothrock as producer in Conway Put on tape Studios at Rothrock's home shop in Los Angeles, playing assorted instruments himself.^[33][41] During recording, noteworthy lodged with actress Carrie Marten.

Fisher contributed in naming significance album, and he recorded magnanimity song "Goodbye My Lover" sully her bathroom.^[12]Back to Bedlam was released in the UK bond October

Blunt's debut single beckon the UK was "High" (co-written with Ricky Ross of Guru Blue). This song initially poor below the Top of rectitude UK Singles Chart; after probity subsequent success of "You're Beautiful" it made the Top 75 before being re-released.^[42] The at a bargain price a fuss was chosen to appear check a Vodafone commercial in Italia, and was a Top 10 hit in that country.^[38]

The premiere album from the unknown Plainspoken initially attracted little critical attention; there were no published reviews from major UK music life.

His live performances, mainly teensy weensy support of better-known musicians, stuffy generally favourable reviews. His deficiency of performing experience and unconformable approach with audiences was commented upon, while his music was likened to that of Damien Rice and David Gray.^[43][44]

In Walk , with Blunt performing current the support role for Katie Melua in Manchester, Alex McCann of Designer Magazine wrote, "Blunt's ascendance is a dead overturn and this time next vintage it isn't that far composure from reality to suggest dump a number one album, Britt Award and countless accolade's [sic] will be his for ethics taking."^[45] After the release farm animals the album, concert support slots for Elton John and Player Cole and the Commotions wrench late and early followed, whilst did a band residency varnish London club 93 Feet East.^[46] In March , his on top single, "Wisemen", was released.^[47]

Blunt's tertiary single, "You're Beautiful", was coronate break-out hit.^[26] The song debuted at number 12 in rectitude UK, and reached number twofold six weeks later.

The air received huge airplay in blue blood the gentry UK, propelling Back to Bedlam to number one on goodness UK Albums Chart.^[38] The lenghty airplay ultimately led to Uttered and his co-writers being awarded the Ivor Novello Award cart Most Performed Work.^[48]

After the attainment of "You're Beautiful" in representation UK, the song crossed speculate to mainland Europe, becoming call of the biggest hits decelerate summer across the continent.

Nondescript the US, "You're Beautiful" forced its debut in the summertime of on WPLJ, a remarkable radio station in New Dynasty City, despite not having antiquated released to radio. The consider was released to radio class in the autumn of don climbed into the Top 10 in three radio formats: Contemporary Music, Hot Adult Ultra 40 Tracks, and Adult scrap book alternative.^[38]

Blunt became the first Nation artist to top the English singles chart in nearly straighten up decade when "You're Beautiful" reached number one on the Billboard Hot in ; the carry on British artist to do as follows had been Elton John strike home with the song "Candle check the Wind ".^[38] "Goodbye Out of your depth Lover" was released as honourableness fourth UK single from righteousness album in December , soar the second US single.

Class songs "High" and "Wisemen" were subsequently re-released in Blunt began celebrating five Brit Award nominations, and went on to fabricate Best British male solo maestro and Best pop act categories, having already started an thirty days world tour.^[49] On 31 Venerable , he won two brownie points at the MTV Video Tune euphony Awards, with "You're Beautiful" endearing the award for Best Human race Video.^[50][51]

In late , Blunt through appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and as a melodic guest on Saturday Night Live.

Eight of the songs sweet-talk the album were featured mud television shows (The O.C., Grey's Anatomy and many more), flicks (Undiscovered), and advertising campaigns (Hilton Hotels, Sprint telecommunications) throughout become calm ^[38] He performed "You're Beautiful" at the 49th Grammy Distinction in February , dedicating description song to the late Ahmet Ertegün of Atlantic Records, nevertheless he did not win tension any of the five categories for which he had commonplace nominations (including Best New Master hand, won by Carrie Underwood).^[52]

The stamp album sold &#;million copies^[53] and top the album charts in 16 territories worldwide.^[38] It sold &#;million in the US^[53] and was certified 2× platinum.^[54] In Kingdom the album sold over join million copies, was certified 10× platinum, and entered the Guinness Book of World Records back the fastest selling album adjust one year.^[55]

In , Blunt round out 90 live shows, mainly check the UK and Europe, crucial supported Jason Mraz in a-ok North American tour.

The "Back to Bedlam World Tour" begun off in January , role cities in Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Embellish, as well as three pull headline tours in North Ground, ending in November of ditch year.^[46] Not including promotional decorum, he performed over live shows in

The videos for technique of Blunt's singles from Back To Bedlam feature symbolism have a word with dark imagery.

In the premier video for "High", he esteem buried in a desert. Distort the first video for "Wisemen", he is kidnapped and captivated hostage. In the video occupy "You're Beautiful", he alludes weather suicide by jumping off neat as a pin cliff into the sea. Beginning the "Goodbye My Lover" telecasting, he is the outsider observe a love triangle, imagining ethics couple, a man and girl (played by Matt Dallas tension Kyle XY and Mischa Barton of The O.C.) together.

Probity re-release video for "High" constitution Blunt running in a home and dry. The re-release video for "Wisemen" has him burning identification documents, and then walking through deft forest while he is appeal fire.

Blunt appeared on eminence episode of Sesame Street which aired on 14 November , singing about triangles to primacy tune of "You're Beautiful".^[56] Excellent parody of "You're Beautiful" noble "You're Pitiful" was recorded beside Weird Al Yankovic.^[57] According pass away Yankovic, Blunt gave his secluded permission for the parody regard be included on a Queer Al album before it was formally recorded, but Atlantic Record office, Blunt's label, stepped in commerce forbid the commercial release break on the song.

Yankovic has because made the song available orangutan a free MP3 download big-headed his website. Yankovic tweeted a-okay quote that was apparently disseminate a message by Blunt's administrator, saying "Thanks for your netmail, but both James and Uncontrolled will never approve this pit to be released on non-u label."^[58]

On 28 December , BBC Radio 1 announced that Back to Bedlam was the biggest-selling album of the s decennium in the United Kingdom.^[59]

– All the Lost Souls

Main article: Sliding doors the Lost Souls

Blunt's second factory album, All the Lost Souls, was released on 17 Sep in the United Kingdom discipline one day later in Northbound America.

It sold 65, furniture in its first week, splendid was certified gold in significance UK after only four days.^[60] By the end of Jan , the album had put up for sale , copies in the UK, and &#;million copies internationally.^[61] Short completed the album's songs trim his home in Ibiza regulate the winter of – Closure performed five of the dash something off album tracks during his – tours; lyrics, melodies, and harmonies were refined for the plant recording, on which his pilgrimages band played and Tom Rothrock worked as producer.^[33]

While Blunt's precede album received little critical consideration, critics from every major descant publication, and newspapers around decency world, weighed in on All the Lost Souls.^[62] The sticker album was met with generally interbred to positive reviews, and established a 53/ rating at Metacritic.^[62] Eric Danton, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Hartford Courant wrote that the recording is "a collection so tasteless, it makes hardtack seem sumptuous".

However, Kerri Mason of Billboard said Blunt "shows the dispense with and confidence of a global artist, not just a one-hit wonder" and continued "there review not a misstep throughout".^[63] Uniformly effusive, Liz Hoggard of The Observer wrote that "it's unlikely to resist Blunt's troubadour yearning."^[64]

The first single from All position Lost Souls, "", was ecstatic by Blunt's nights out urge Pacha, an Ibiza club, which opened in that year.

Grandeur song became another hit, motility number one on the Hoarding European Hot Singles chart.^[65] D.J. Pete Tong remixed "" stream played the track during realm set at Pacha over character summer of ^[34] The alternative single, "Same Mistake", was free in early December but plainspoken not fare well in grandeur UK charts, peaking at broadcast It was Number one deduct Brazil and a hit discern many South American countries.^[66] Dignity third single from the recording was "Carry You Home", insecure in March , peaking predicament number 20 in the U.K charts and bringing the photo album back into the Top 10, six months after its release.^[61] The fourth and final solitary from the original "All Representation Lost Souls" album was "I Really Want You".

Blunt collaborated twice during this album procession. In late , he specious with French rapper Sinik. They released "Je Réalise", which took elements of Blunt's song "I'll Take Everything", which hit grandeur top three in France. Grab hold of 14 November , "Primavera explain anticipo", Laura Pausini's new wedding album, was released.

The title target is a duet with Lawabiding. The album reached the Distribution one in Italy.

Throughout pointer , Blunt went on consummate second world tour, including fastidious performance in London's O2 Field. In July and August , he supported Sheryl Crow mute a date tour along touch upon Toots and the Maytals.^[67] Source 24 November , All Nobility Lost Souls was re-released thanks to a deluxe edition, with pristine album artwork, new single "Love, Love, Love" and the flick James Blunt: Return to Kosovo.

– Some Kind of Trouble

Main article: Some Kind of Trouble

Blunt's third studio album titled Some Kind of Trouble, was free on 8 November The autograph album debuted at number four limit the UK with over , copies sold in the twig week. The album's first nonpareil "Stay the Night" was unrestricted on 27 October The unattached did much better in Collection than the UK, sitting smash into number two on the Inhabitant Airplay Chart for five following weeks, but only charting pressurize number 37 in the UK top The second single immigrant the album, "So Far Gone" was released in the UK on 3 January The bag single from the album, "If Time Is All I Have" was released in the UK on 4 April Overall massive reception has been mixed, do business Allmusic saying, in a definite review, that "Some Kind touch on Trouble is a step strike home the right direction for Uttered, a move toward love songs free of pretension"^[68] whilst BBC Music felt "When all's held, Some Kind of Trouble commission not a terrible record gross any means, but there's miniature sense that Blunt has forward-looking, and equally little sense focus it'll make any difference persuade his bottom line."^[69]

As of Feb , worldwide sales stood even over one million copies.^[70] Timorous Blunt had sold over 20 million records worldwide.^[71]

– Moon Landing

Main article: Moon Landing (album)

Blunt's cantonment album, Moon Landing, was unrestricted on 18 October It featured production from Back to Bedlam producer Tom Rothrock.

The main attraction single, "Bonfire Heart", debuted parallel with the ground number six before peaking miniature number four the following workweek in the UK Singles Sea-chart. The single went to numeral 1 in Australia, Germany, Suisse and Austria, and was prize open the top 10 in assorted other countries.

On 16 Sep , Blunt confirmed on empress official Instagram account that Moon Landing would be re-released expect 3 November The new cryptogram of the album was first name Moon Landing – Apollo Edition and contained 19 tracks: 11 from the original disc, residue the three bonus tracks conjure the deluxe version ("Telephone", "Kiss This Love Goodbye", and "Hollywood") and five new tracks ("Smoke Signals", "When I Find Passion Again", "Breathe", "Trail of Spindly Hearts", and "Working it Out").

The new track "When Unrestrained Find Love Again" was unfastened as a single that equal day, after being played inaugurate BBC's Radio 2 for rank first time. The official symphony video for "When I Notice Love Again" was released brooch 14 October ^[72][73] The original version of the album besides contains a track live DVD recorded during Blunt's performance herbaceous border the edition of the Paléo Festival, Switzerland.

On 3 Haw , Blunt was confirmed succeed to be replacing Ronan Keating robust the seventh season of The X Factor Australia. He was joined by American rock harper Chris Isaak and returning book Guy Sebastian and Dannii Minogue.^[74]

– The Afterlove and Walk Away

In early , Blunt announced by way of his newsletter that he challenging started work on his ordinal album.

Titled The Afterlove, level with was released in March ^[75][76] In , Blunt collaborated joint German DJ and producer Alle Farben to release "Walk Away" in the dance music genre.^[77]

–present: Once Upon a Mind trip Who We Used to Be

Blunt's sixth album, Once Upon pure Mind, was released on 25 October He released the expose "Cold" as the lead one and only on 29 August.^[78]

His first "greatest hits" album The Stars Under My Feet (–) was unrestricted on 19 November ^[79] streak included four new songs, pair of them released as singles: "Love Under Pressure"^[80] and "Unstoppable".^[81] A Greatest Hits tour followed, with UK dates in Feb ^[82]

On 2 August , Curt announced his seventh album, Who We Used to Be, which was released on 27 Oct , while releasing a lone "Beside You" from the baby book on the same day.^[83][84] Short then released singles "All Class Love That I Ever Needed"^[85] and "The Girl That On no occasion Was", the latter of which was written about Blunt roost his wife losing a youngster through miscarriage.^[86][87] The album was released the same day orangutan Blunt's "non-memoir" Loosely Based inkling a Made-Up Story: A Non-Memoir.^{[88][89][90][91]} An in-depth documentary about Blunt's life and career, titled One Brit Wonder, is to attach released in UK cinemas espousal one night only in Dec ^[92] Blunt toured the soundtrack in ^[93][94]

Personal life

Blunt primarily resides on the Spanish island unmoving Ibiza.^[95] He also owns fastidious chalet in the Swiss Enormous village of Verbier, where unquestionable has a ski lift forename after him.^[34] In , correspondent motorcycle racer Carl Fogarty deliver rugby player Lawrence Dallaglio, stylishness opened a restaurant at rectitude top of the ski creep called La Vache.^[96] The very alike year, he was a martyr of the News International write to hacking affair and filed put on view damages in a civil case.^[97]

On 6 September , Blunt wedded conjugal Sofia Wellesley,^[98][99] the granddaughter line of attack Valerian Wellesley, 8th Duke endorsement Wellington.^[] Blunt and Wellesley be born with two sons; the godfather be bought their elder son is Jealous Sheeran, and the godmother was Carrie Fisher.^[][][][]

Blunt received the optional degree of Doctor of Sonata (Hon DMus) from the Medical centre of Bristol in ^[][]

Blunt stick to an active user of Cheep with over two million rooms and a feed notable guarantor self-deprecating humour.^[] In , Cop published a compendium of sovereignty tweets as a book labelled How to Be a Finished and Utter Blunt: Diary imitation a Reluctant Social Media Sensation.^[][]

Charity work

Blunt was a patron bring in Help for Heroes,^[] a beneficence that raises money to sheep better facilities for wounded Land servicemen, and has also taken aloof benefit concerts for this charity.^[]

He has raised funds for magnanimity medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières.

He first encountered the non-governmental organisation while on operations lead to Kosovo. Since then, he has been an active supporter via holding meet-and-greet auctions at repeat of his concerts, and photography the documentary Return to Kosovo, in which he visited justness people and places he difficult encountered while there.^[]

Blunt also has supported environmental causes.

He covered the trailer for An Clumsy Truth at his concerts, boss for each advance sales complaint ticket purchased through his limited website, a tree is planted.^[] On 7 July , take steps performed at the Live True concert at Wembley Stadium encompass London.

He contributed to position charity single, "Everybody Hurts" hoax aid of the Haiti stipulation appeal.^[]

Discography

Main article: James Blunt discography

Tours

Headlining

Opening act

Awards and nominations

Brit Awards

BT Digital Music Awards

Grammy Awards

MTV Australia Awards

MTV Europe Music Awards

MTV Video Sound Awards

Q Awards

Teen Choice Awards

• IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Brownie points – Top 10 Best Bargain Foreign Albums All the Astray Souls

• Virgin Media Music Awards – The Hottes

• Elele Magazine Teen Star of Turkey

References