He was the vocalist of the legendary art rock band Roxy Music: Who is Bryan Ferry?

Singing his songs, which were not easy to understand, with his lazy falsetto voice, was effective enough to conquer everyone who listened to him at the first note; He was able to sing all kinds of songs, from tango to fandango, with the same romanticism.

By William James Published on 13 Mart 2024 : 13:34.
He was the vocalist of the legendary art rock band Roxy Music: Who is Bryan Ferry?

Born on September 26, 1945, in Washington, England, as the son of a coal miner, Ferry began his musical career as the singer of the rock band Banshees while he was studying at Newcastle University.

The music world has seen such strange characters as Johnny Rotten and Nick Cave, who were first punks and then gentlemen, but there were few born gentlemen like Ferry. Although much has been said about the origins of Ferry's image in Roxy Music's first album in 1972, treat it as if it had no precedent. In this situation, the man suddenly became exhausted; With his different wardrobe, he looked like a cross between a sad poet and a cocky supermodel. Although at first he seemed like a hopeless case who had no chance among the cool long-haired combative rockers of the period, he would set an example for many musicians in the future thanks to his stubbornness and artistic foresight. But still, as a romantic and middle-class gentleman, with his calm, cool-headed speech, modest stance, and smooth creations, he stood out from those who tried to emulate him.

Bryan Ferry (born 26 September 1945) is an English singer and songwriter who achieved fame as the frontman of the band Roxy Music and as a solo artist. His distinctive voice has been described as an "elegant, seductive croon". He also established a distinctive image and sartorial style: according to The Independent, Ferry and his contemporary David Bowie influenced a generation with both their music and their appearances. Peter York described Ferry as "an art object" who "should hang in the Tate".

Singing his songs, which were not easy to understand, with his lazy falsetto voice, was effective enough to conquer everyone who listened to him at the first note; He was able to sing all kinds of songs, from tango to fandango, with the same romanticism. It was his passion (along with Phil Manzanera's guitar and Eno's synthesizer) that marked the early era of Roxy Music. This combination shaped the British art-rock scene of the seventies.

The band was founded by Ferry, who left New Castle R&B band Gas Board, and bassist Graham Simpson when they moved to London; taking guitarist Phil Manzanera, saxophonist Andy Mackay, drummer Paul Thompson and electronic music genius Brian Eno with them.

The idea of juxtaposing fifties rock and roll with innovative electronic sounds stemmed from Ferry's fondness for pop art. The contrast of old and new turned into richness. On the cover, model Kari-Ann Muller posed like an old Hollywood star. The album, recorded in 19 days, is still considered one of the most progressive works in music history.

They worked and gave so many concerts in the year following the album's release that Ferry lost his voice and was hospitalized. NME spotted him in the hospital wearing silk pajamas with Roxy Music written on them.

Ferry's solo albums and Roxy Music's activities have historically run parallel to each other; During his career years, making a rock album under his own name was both a nostalgic and innovative move. Nearly half of his recordings consisted of faithful interpretations of names such as Presley, Dylan, Bowie, and Lennon, and the rest consisted of adventurous arrangements.

Ferry had sympathy for American culture and New York. He loved this city, where he found creative inspiration. After a long period of insistence, he managed to get his manager to open an office in New York. Like every romantic, he was passionately attached to a period and geography in which he did not live.

Good albums have arrived, but they were not as commercially successful as Roxy. Until I made “As Time Goes By”. Ferry reached the peak of his development in this album; He won a Grammy for his sensitive interpretations of classic Broadway songs from the thirties. The songs that adorned the youthful dreams of our grandfathers had gained a modern identity.

A stylish dandy with real style, Ferry. A pop gentleman who delicately uses all areas of life and art on the red-carpeted road from the son of a worker with calloused hands to the style icon who cares about the right tie and pocket square as much as choosing the right musician. The Humphrey Bogart of pop, who turns snobbery into a matter of care, despite its repulsive meanings.

News from July 2009

The music world talks about this love

In 2009, British musician Bryan Ferry, who was 63 years old, spent his weekend alone with his new girlfriend, Amanda Sheppard, who is 27 years younger than him. The only thing that makes Ferry's new love interesting is not the age difference between them. Sheppard was with Bryan Ferry's son Isaac when the couple met five years ago.