Del.icio.usPaul Young
Fact Sheet
| Musical genre: | Pop |
| Birthday | 17 January 1956 (54) |
| Sign | Capricorn |
| Birthplace | United Kingdom |
Paul was born January 17, 1956 as the younger brother of Mark, and the elder brother of his sister Joanne. After school he went to work at the Vauxhall Motors factory, but in his spare time he would play in varying bands. In the 1970s he joined the Streetband. This group even had one top 40 hit in the UK with the track "Toast", reaching no. 18 in 1978.
In December of 1979 the Streetband broke up and Paul formed the Q-Tips. This band established its name by playing live, but never had any hits in the UK. In Europe, however, their "Letter song" enjoyed some minor success.
The Q-Tips went their separate ways in 1982 and Paul was signed by CBS Records as a solo performer. His first two singles, "Iron out the rough spots" and "Love of the common people" had no success, but the third one, a cover of the Marvin Gaye classic "Wherever I lay my hat" maintained the top spot in the UK singles chart throughout the summer of 1983. Similar success followed all over Europe. Follow up singles "Come back and stay" and the re-release of "Love of the common people" made it to no. 4 and no. 2 respectively, while the album "No parlez" was awarded platinum in various countries.
Paul's biggest worldwide hit followed in 1985 with "Everytime you go away". Paul continued to tour extensively, while also taking time out to marry former model Stacey. Together they started a family.
Paul continued to have a successful career, with some highlights such as singing the Crowded House track "Don't dream it's over" at the Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert in 1989, singing with Queen in 1992 after the death of Freddie Mercury at his tribute concert and a remarkable duet with Italian singer Zucchero.
Paul has released fewer solo albums since he was freed from his contract with CBS/Sony records in 1993, but divides his time between family, the informal Tex-Mex group Los Pacominos and performing live during Eighties revival tours in the UK (in 2001 and 2003).
He also contributed to a Vangelis album (Voices, 1995).