Bryan Ferry

Bryan Ferry (born September 26, 1945) is a British musician and songwriter who came to public prominence as lead vocalist with Roxy Music. He has since pursued a highly successful solo career.

Born in Washington[?], County Durham, into a working-class family, he studied fine art at the University of Newcastle before becoming a teacher in London, all the while aiming for a career in music. He formed the band, Roxy Music, with a group of friends and acquaintances, including Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera[?] and Andy Mackay[?]. Their first hit, Virginia Plain, just missed topping the charts, and they followed up with several hit singles and albums, with Ferry as vocalist and occasional instrumentalist (he had taught himself piano in his mid-twenties) and Eno contributing synthesiser backing. Their sartorial style heralded the beginning of the glam rock phenomenon.

By 1973, Ferry had launched a parallel solo career, specialising in cover versions of old standards on albums such as These Foolish Things. Eno soon left the group, leaving Ferry its undisputed leader. Ferry then began a liaison with model Jerry Hall[?], and Roxy's success waned as his solo career took off. After a couple of years apart, he re-formed the band and took them to new heights, the pinnacle of their success being their only number one hit, Jealous Guy[?], released in tribute to John Lennon - ironically, the only one of their singles not written by Ferry.

Ferry eventually settled down to married life with Lucy Helmore, and they had four sons. He continued to make occasional comeback albums, such as Taxi and As Time Goes By, even teaming up again with Brian Eno for Mamouna. In 2001, Roxy Music got together briefly for a national tour; Eno was again conspicuous by his absence.