Tenor, born in Salford, Greater Manchester, NW England, UK. He left school at 16, began work in an engineering factory, and in his spare time sang in local working men's clubs. His performance one night of Puccini's aria Nessun dorma received a standing ovation, and he decided to become a professional singer (1996). His debut album, The Voice (2000), topped the UK classical chart for many months. Later albums include Encore (2001), Reprise (2002), and Amore Musica (2004).
| Russell Watson | ||
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Russell Watson - Promo shot. |
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Russell Watson | |
| Born | November 24, 1966 | |
| Origin | Salford Lancashire England United Kingdom | |
| Genre(s) | Classical music, Pop/Rock | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer | |
| Years active | 1998–present | |
| Label(s) | Decca Records | |
| Website | ||
Russell Watson, born in Salford, Lancashire, England, November 24, 1966 is an English tenor who has released popular albums of operatic-style songs.
History
Although he has been singing since he was a child, Russell Watson never sought a career as a professional singer, and began work as a bolt-cutter in Manchester.
In 1999 he sang the UK's national anthem at the rugby Cup final at Wembley Stadium, then finally got to sing at Old Trafford before the last match of the Premiership season between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The People’s Tenor
His debut album entitled The Voice followed in May 2001, a mixture of operatic arias and covers of pop songs, topping the UK classical music charts and eventually reaching number five in the UK album charts.
Prior to the formation of Velvet Revolver, Russell Watson was asked by Slash (former guitarist of Guns n' Roses and currently in Velvet Revolver) whether he would be their singer, however he rejected;
Also in 2001, Watson sang the opening theme of Star Trek: Enterprise, "Where My Heart Will Take Me" (written by Diane Warren), originally sung by Rod Stewart for Patch Adams.
In late 2002, he released the single "Nothing Sacred - A Song For Kirsty" to raise money for the Francis House children's hospice in Didsbury, Manchester.
Watson won the Album of the Year at the Classical Brit Awards in both 2001 and 2002, also collecting Best-Selling Debut Album (2001) and Best-Selling Album (2002).
Perhaps Watson’s most unusual collaboration to date is with former Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder on Watson’s first album The Voice.
Just the two of us
In 2006 Russell took part in BBC reality TV show, ‘Just the Two of Us' where eight couples, including Shaun Reeve’s and Russell Watson competed in a duet-singing showdown complete with live band, a panel of judges and viewer voting to see who will be crowned champions.
Russell, who was a late arrival, replacing Sian's original partner Rick Astley, who pulled out at the last minute, took the crown despite the judge’s low scores of their performances.
Following the competitions ending Sian and Russell released a victory single.
Brain tumour
In September 2006, Watson was recording his next album in Los Angeles.
He returned to the UK, and had an emergency operation to remove the benign 8 centimetre lump at the St George's Hospital, London on Monday 24 September 2006.
Watson we readmitted to hospital on October 6th 2006 complaining of dizziness, headaches and blurred vision.
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