Bryan Ferry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bryan Ferry CBE
Ferry performing in 2022
Background information
Born	(1945-09-26) 26 September 1945 (age 79) Washington, County Durham, England
Genres	Pop rock glam rock art rock sophisti-pop
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals keyboards harmonica
Years active	1967–present
Labels	Island E.G. Polydor Virgin EMI Reprise Warner Bros. Atco Atlantic Astralwerks

Bryan Ferry (born September 26, 1945) is a famous English singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer of the rock band Roxy Music. He also has a successful career as a solo artist. Ferry is known for his smooth singing style and his fashionable image.

Ferry grew up in a working-class family. He studied art and worked as a teacher before starting his music career. In 1970, he formed Roxy Music with friends in London. He was the band's lead singer and wrote most of their songs. Their first album, Roxy Music (1972), was an instant hit. It mixed many different styles of music.

In 1973, Ferry started his solo career while still in Roxy Music. His first solo album, These Foolish Things, was full of cover songs. This was unusual for a rock star at the time. Over the next few years, Roxy Music released hit albums like Stranded (1973) and Siren (1975). Ferry became known for his cool stage outfits, from cowboy clothes to military uniforms.

After Roxy Music's most popular album, Avalon (1982), Ferry decided to focus on his solo work. His 1985 album, Boys and Girls, went to No. 1 in the UK. It included the hit songs "Slave to Love" and "Don't Stop the Dance".

Throughout his career, Ferry has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, with both Roxy Music and as a solo artist. In 2019, he was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Roxy Music.

Early Life and First Bands

Bryan Ferry was born in Washington, County Durham, England. His father was a farm worker who took care of ponies used in coal mines. As a boy, Ferry delivered newspapers and used his earnings to buy jazz magazines. He loved music from a young age.

From 1964 to 1968, he studied fine art at Newcastle University. One of his teachers was the famous artist Richard Hamilton. Some of Ferry's paintings were even shown at the Tate Gallery in London. While at university, he joined a few bands, including one called the Gas Board.

After finishing his studies, Ferry moved to London. He taught art and pottery at a school while trying to start a career in music.

Music Career

Roxy Music (1970–1983)

Ferry performing with Roxy Music on Dutch television in 1973.

In 1970, Ferry formed Roxy Music with his friend Graham Simpson. Soon, they were joined by saxophonist Andy Mackay and musician Brian Eno. The band's lineup was completed with drummer Paul Thompson and guitarist Phil Manzanera.

Roxy Music's first album came out in 1972 and was a big success in the UK. Their first hit single, "Virginia Plain", was performed on the popular TV show Top of the Pops. Ferry wrote all the songs on the first two albums. The second album, For Your Pleasure (1973), had a darker and more serious sound.

Ferry also directed the art for Roxy Music's album covers. The covers were famous for being stylish and artistic, often featuring models in high-fashion clothes. This helped make the band stand out.

While Roxy Music was popular, Ferry started releasing solo albums. His first two, These Foolish Things (1973) and Another Time, Another Place (1974), were full of cover songs of old classics. This was very different from Roxy Music's sound.

Roxy Music released more hit albums, including Stranded (1973), which was their first No. 1 album in the UK. After a tour for their album Siren (1975), the band took a break. During this time, Ferry released three more solo albums.

The band got back together in 1978. They released Manifesto (1979) and Flesh + Blood (1980), which went to No. 1. In 1981, they had their only No. 1 single in the UK with a cover of John Lennon's song "Jealous Guy". Their final studio album, Avalon (1982), was also a No. 1 hit. After a long tour, Ferry ended the band in 1983 to focus on his solo career.

Solo Years (1984–2001)

Ferry's solo career took off with the album Boys and Girls in 1985. It became his only solo album to reach No. 1 in the UK. The song "Slave to Love" was a major international hit. In July 1985, Ferry performed at the famous Live Aid concert in London.

He released more successful albums, including Bête Noire (1987) and Taxi (1993). In 1999, he released As Time Goes By, an album of songs from the 1930s. It was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Roxy Music Reunion and More Solo Work

Ferry signing copies of his album Olympia in 2011.

In 2001, Ferry reunited with his Roxy Music bandmates for a tour. He also released a new solo album, Frantic (2002), which featured both new songs and covers.

In 2007, Ferry released Dylanesque, an album of Bob Dylan covers. His next album, Olympia (2010), featured collaborations with many famous musicians, including members of Roxy Music. The model Kate Moss appeared on the album cover.

In 2011, Roxy Music toured one last time to celebrate their 40th anniversary. The following year, Ferry was given a CBE, a special honor from the Queen, for his contributions to music.

Recent Years

Ferry performing with Roxy Music during their 2022 tour in San Francisco.

Ferry has continued to explore different music styles. In 2012, he released The Jazz Age, where he re-recorded his old songs in a 1920s jazz style. Some of this music was used in the 2013 movie The Great Gatsby.

He released another solo album, Avonmore, in 2014 and toured around the world. In 2018, he released Bitter-Sweet, which also had a 1920s feel.

In 2022, Roxy Music reunited again for a 50th-anniversary tour in North America and the UK. In 2024, Ferry announced a large collection of his work called Retrospective: Selected Recordings, celebrating 50 years of his music. His album Loose Talk was released in May 2025.

Style and Influence

Rolling Stone magazine ranked Ferry as one of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. His singing is often described as smooth, elegant, and romantic. Many artists, including Kate Bush and Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon, have said Ferry was a major influence on them.

Ferry is also famous for his sense of style. He is known for wearing sharp suits and creating a cool, sophisticated image. GQ magazine gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award, calling him "pop's original art-school bobby-dazzler." His look was inspired by classic Hollywood actors like Humphrey Bogart and artists like Marcel Duchamp.

Personal Life

In the 1970s, Ferry was in a relationship with model Jerry Hall, who appeared on the cover of the Roxy Music album Siren.

In 1982, Ferry married Lucy Helmore. She was the model on the cover of the Avalon album. They had four sons: Otis, Isaac, Tara, and Merlin. The couple divorced in 2003. His sons have sometimes worked with him on his albums.

Ferry has generally supported the Conservative Party in the UK. He has said he prefers to keep his art and politics separate.

Discography

Studio albums

See also

In Spanish: Bryan Ferry para niños