What has made Richard Marx famous? Richard Marx is a well-known American singer-songwriter who has made a significant impact in the world of pop rock and adult contemporary music. Born on September 16, 1963, he has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.
Marx began his musical career at the age of five, singing commercial jingles written by his father’s company. He became famous for his jingles for brands such as Arm & Hammer, Ken-L Ration, and Nestlé Crunch.
Marx’s musical journey began when he was 17 years old and a resident of Highland Park, Illinois. He was given the opportunity to meet Lionel Richie after a tape of his songs was played to the singer. Lionel was impressed with Marx’s talent and encouraged him to move to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. In Los Angeles, Marx met Fee Waybill of The Tubes, who became his lifelong best friend and godfather to his children. Marx and Waybill collaborated on more than 30 songs.
Marx’s self-titled debut album was released in June 1987 and went triple platinum. The album’s first single, “Don’t Mean Nothing”, was a huge hit, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Marx became the first new artist to be played on 117 radio stations nationwide in his first week on the charts. The next three singles from the album, “Should’ve Known Better”, “Endless Summer Nights” and “Hold On to the Nights”, were also huge hits, reaching the top.
Marx embarked on his first world tour, opening for REO Speedwagon, following the success of his debut album. He quickly became one of the headline acts and was performing in sold-out shows. In 1988, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance – Solo for his hit single “Don’t Mean Nothing”. That same year, his song “Surrender to Me” was featured in the film Tequila Sunrise.
Repeat Offender, Marx’s second album, was released in May 1989 and quickly rose to great financial success. Within a few months, the album achieved triple platinum status and went on to sell over five million copies in the US alone. Marx’s first number-one success on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart and first significant hit outside of North America, “Right Here Waiting,” were the album’s first two singles, “Satisfied” and “Right Here Waiting,” respectively. The song peaked at number one in the UK and was a top ten hit in several other European nations.
Marx published his autobiography Stories to Tell in 2021 and made an appearance as himself in “The Wedding,” the 200th episode of The Goldbergs. The first single from Marx’s upcoming album Songwriter, “Same Heartbreak, Different Day,” was made available on July 15 of the same year. Marx also announced the debut of his new album, which will be available on September 30, 2022.
Marx has received numerous Grammy nominations and has made a substantial contribution to the music industry. One of the most popular musicians in the world, he continues to enthrall listeners with his distinctive brand of music. Marx is poised to build on his reputation and have a long-lasting influence on the music industry with the release of his new album Songwriter.
What has made Richard Marx famous?
American singer-songwriter Richard Marx is well-known for his pop and adult contemporary music. He is best recognized for his top hits including “Hold on to the Nights,” “Endless Summer Nights,” and “Right Here Waiting.”