Richard Ashcroft

Richard Ashcroft
Ashcroft performing in 2006
Ashcroft performing in 2006
Background information
Birth nameRichard Paul Ashcroft
Born (1971-09-11) 11 September 1971 (age 53)
Wigan, Lancashire, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • composer
  • multi-instrumentalist
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • melodica
Years active1990–present
Labels
Formerly ofThe Verve
Websitewww.richardashcroft.com

Richard Paul Ashcroft (born 11 September 1971) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He formed the alternative rock band the Verve in 1989 and served as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist throughout the band's lifetime.[1] Ashcroft was the sole songwriter of the group.[2][3][note 1] In 1997, The Verve released the UK number one album Urban Hymns, that in present day is the 18th most sold album in the UK.[4] In 1998, Ashcroft was awarded the Ivor Novello award for Songwriter of the Year.[5] Following The Verve's disbandment in 1999, Ashcroft embarked on a successful solo career, releasing six UK top-three solo albums, including Alone With Everybody, Keys to the World and These People.[6][7][8]

The Verve reformed in 2007 and released another UK number one album Forth and disbanded once again in summer 2009.[9][10] Ashcroft then released a new album in 2010 under the pseudonym band RPA & The United Nations of Sound.[11] His fourth solo album, These People, was released in 2016.[12] Followed by the album Natural Rebel in 2018.

In May 2019, Ashcroft received a second Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors.[13] He released the compilation of acoustic versions of his best hits, Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1, in 2021.

Venerated by his peers, Noel Gallagher of Oasis has described Ashcroft as a "genius",[14] and Chris Martin of Coldplay has described Ashcroft as "the best singer in the world".[15]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Urban Hymns sleevenotes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Leonardpublished, Michael (11 November 2016). "Nick McCabe on The Verve's studio battles, egos and tonal exploration". MusicRadar. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  4. ^ "The best-selling albums of all time on the Official UK Chart". Official Charts. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  5. ^ "BBC News | Entertainment | Radiohead make double swoop". News.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  6. ^ Maine, Samantha (20 December 2018). "Richard Ashcroft on why he's 'left things unsaid' about The Verve's split". NME. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  7. ^ "RICHARD ASHCROFT". Official Charts. 15 April 2000. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  8. ^ "RICHARD ASHCROFT". Official Charts. 15 April 2000. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  9. ^ "UMPG signs Richard Ashcroft to global admin deal". Universal Music Publishing. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  10. ^ Michaels, Sean (12 August 2009). "The Verve split up – for the third time". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Richard Ashcroft | The Official Website". richardashcroft.com. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Richard Ashcroft". Richard Ashcroft. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  13. ^ Savage, Mark (23 May 2019). "The Bittersweet Symphony dispute is over". BBC.
  14. ^ "BBC News | UK | Profile: The Verve claim their place in pop history". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Richard Ashcroft 'Married' To Chris Martin". Gigwise. 19 March 2006. Retrieved 3 October 2013.


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