Post by FanOfDorks on Nov 3, 2014 13:38:46 GMT -8
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Darren Stanley Hayes was born on 8th May 1972 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
As the lead singer and co-songwriter of duo Savage Garden, and as a solo recording artist in his own right Darren Hayes has held a career spanning two decades. He has sold over 27 million albums globally having achieved two U.S Billboard number one singles 'Truly Madly Deeply' and 'I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You' - the former which holds the distinction of being the longest running A.C hit in the chart's history.
Since 1996 Hayes has released 6 albums: two Savage Garden and four solo offerings and has toured the world many times including sold out shows at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall London, The Sydney Opera House and Radio City Music Hall New York. Some career highlights include performing at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games closing ceremonies and performing a duet with the late Luciano Pavarotti.
In 2011 Hayes released his 4th solo album 'Secret Codes and Battleships' marking almost 20 years in the music business. As with every show in his career he toured this record with a show designed by globally acclaimed director Willie Williams (U2, We Will Rock You).
A keen supporter of equal rights, his essay 'Perfect just the way you are' was recently published in the book 'It Gets Better' alongside noteworthy contributions by U.S President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Today he resides in Los Angeles where he has studied improv comedy at The Groundlings School and is constantly working on his own material and songs and music for other artists.
Trivia
His father, Robert, is a retired merchant seaman and his mother, Judy, is a retired nurses assistant.
Has two siblings: an older sister, Tracey, and an older brother, Peter.
Attended the University of Queensland.
Enjoys reading, especially Ann Rice's vampire novels (which is where the name "Savage Garden" came from).
Darren Hayes is an avid Star Wars fan and owns a vintage collection of the 1977 Kenner toy figurines.
Was a vegetarian for 7 years, but currently eats meat.
Registered his civil partnership with Richard Cullen on 19 June 2006, in the UK. In July 2013 he and Richard Cullen were married in the state of California in the USA.
Darren has written songs for other artists including Olivia Newton John, Clay Aiken and the Backstreet Boys.
He has worked with Grammy Award winning producers Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston), Rick Nowels (Madonna, Celine Dion), Mark 'Spike' Stent (Oasis, No Doubt, U2) and Marius DeVries (Bjork) amongst others.
He lived in San Francisco from 1998 to 2004.
In 1997 Savage Garden received a record breaking 10 ARIA Awards (The Australian 'Grammys' or 'Brit Awards') for their debut album. This is the record for the highest number of awards ever received by an artist in one evening since the awards began 25 years ago.
In 2004 he moved to the United Kingdom and met animator and director Richard Cullen whom he married in a Civil Partnership in 2006. In 2013 he and Richard were legally married in the State of California, USA. They reside in Los Angeles with their English Cocker Spaniel 'Wally'.
Before becoming a musician, Darren attended University to study Journalism before switching to a teaching degree in Early Childhood Education. He worked as a supply teacher in pre-school for 12 months and resigned the day the music video for 'I Want You' - the first Savage Garden single - appeared on music television.
working on releasing his new solo album "The Tension and the Spark" [April 2004]
San Francisco, USA [March 2003]
Filmed the music video for his single "POPular" in London, England guerrilla style in locations such as the London Undergound, Madam Tussauds and Oxford Street. His second solo album, The Tension and the Spark, was released in September 2004. [June 2004]
Filmed the new video for single "So Beautiful" in California. "So Beautiful" was released in October 2005 and features on the new Savage Garden greatest hits collection "Truly Madly Completely" [September 2005]
Now resides in San Francisco where he just released his first solo album, "Spin", March 19, 2002. [March 2002]
Went to Los Angeles to film the music video for his first single "On the Verge of Something Wonderful" off the upcoming album "This Delicate Thing We've Made." The double album will be released worldwide on August 20, 2007 on his own independent record label, Powdered Sugar. [May 2007]
Personal quotes
Today I consider this record to be possibly my favorite record of all time. It's a double album and contains all of the experimentation and lack of focus that a good double record should. (On "Tusk" by Fleetwood Mac)
The perfect balance of earnest sincerity and sarcastic megalomania. (On the album "Achtung Baby" by U2)
This man has been such an inspiration to me in my career. His voice and his ability to cut me down with his lyrics is just astounding. (On Peter Gabriel)
