Richard Ashcroft

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Richard Ashcroft

Richard Ashcroft in 2005

Background information

Birth name

Richard Paul Ashcroft

Born

11 September 1971 (age 41) Billinge Higher End, England

Genres

Alternative rock, shoegazing,dream pop, Britpop, space rock,neo-psychedelia

Occupations Musician, singer-songwriter,composer, multi-instrumentalist

Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass guitar,drums, piano, keyboards,wurlitzer, organ, melodica,mellotron, synthesiser

Years active 1990present

Labels

Hut, Virgin, Parlophone

Associated acts

The Verve, RPA & The United Nations of Sound, U.N.K.L.E. DJ Shadow, Oasis, The Chemical Brothers, Pino Palladino,Coldplay[1]

Website

richardashcroft.com

Richard Paul Ashcroft (born 11 September 1971 in Billinge Higher End, England)[2][3] is an English musician, singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer and occasional guitarist of alternative rock band The Verve from their formation in 1990 until their split in 1999, and continues as a lead vocalist working with guitars and keyboards. He became a successful solo artist in his own right, releasing three

UK top three solo albums. The Verve reformed in 2007 but again broke up by summer 2009. Ashcroft then founded a new band, RPA & The United Nations of Sound, and released a new album on 19 July 2010.
Contents
[hide]

1 Early life 2 The Verve 3 Solo career

o o o

3.1 Alone with Everybody and Human Conditions: 20002004 3.2 Live 8 and Keys to the World: 20052007 3.3 RPA & The United Nations of Sound: 20092011

4 Personal life 5 Controversies 6 Discography

o o o o o o

6.1 Albums 6.2 Singles 6.3 Promotional singles 6.4 Charity singles 6.5 EPs 6.6 Cameos

7 References 8 External links

Early life[edit source | editbeta]

Ashcroft was the only son of office worker Frank and hairdresser Louise (maiden name Baxter); he also has two younger sisters.[4] His middle name, 'Paul', is also the name of an uncle through his father. When Ashcroft was 11, his father died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage.[4] Ashcroft soon "fell under the influence of his stepfather", who belonged to the Rosicrucians.[5] Ashcroft attended Up Holland High School, along with future bandmates Simon Jones, Peter Salisbury and Simon Tong,[5] and then attended Winstanley College, where he met Nick McCabe.[4] His teachers referred to him as "the cancer of the class",[6] though one member of staff recalled him being "incredibly intelligent".[7] Ashcroft was an avid football player, playing junior football for Wigan

Athletic.[8]For some time Ashcroft wanted to be a professional football player, idolising George Best, but as he grew older he lost interest in this, turning to music instead.[9] Richard channels his love of football with the occasional run out for The Legends and played in the Celtic FC vs Man U The Legends game at Celtic Park on 9 August 2011."Richard Ashcroft has bittersweet sympathy for Neil Lennon", The Scottish Sun, 27 July 2011

The Verve[edit source | editbeta]

Main article: The Verve Ashcroft formed The Verve (originally just Verve) in 1990 with McCabe, Jones and Salisbury. The band signed to Hut Records and became well known for their appetite for both psychedelic music and drugs. They also became a part of the Britpop movement. The band split in 1995, and around this time Ashcroft wrote a collection of songs he intended to release as his first solo album.[10] However, by 1997 he had changed his mind and asked McCabe to return (alongside new member Tong), reforming The Verve and releasing the very successful album Urban Hymns. Ashcroft was at the forefront of the band's popularity, receiving an Ivor Novello Award for his songwriting[11] and being referred to by the press as "the unmistakable face of the Number One rock band in England".[12] However, the pressures of touring and the tensions within the band led to McCabe's departure in mid-1998 and the announcement of the band's break-up in April 1999. In early 2007, Ashcroft made peace with McCabe and Jones and The Verve's reunion was anno