The new album of global music legend Chris Norman will be presented in Lithuania
On March 7, a concert by Chris Norman, the original voice of Smokie, and his band will take place at the Avia Solutions Group Arena in Vilnius. The legendary musician will perform not only his "golden" hits, but also songs from his latest album "Junction 55". The festive charge will be lit by the "star" of discos of the 80s - the group "Ottawan".
A smoky voiceChris Norman probably needs no extensive introduction to music fans around the world. It was because of his hoarse voice that, on the advice of their managers, the group "Kidness" was renamed to the later legendary "Smokey".As the band members have repeatedly explained, his smoky, "smoky" voice was associated with smoke ("smoke" in English), and only later "Smokey" was renamed "Smokie".Chris Norman (real name Christopher Ward Norman) was born into a family of artists in Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The boy's father, whose musical tastes were influenced by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Little Richards and The Rolling Stones, gave him a guitar when he turned seven
.In 1962, Chris Norman entered Bradford Boys' School, where he met Smokie band members Alan Silson and Terry Uttley.
In the beginning, the band had many different names - "The Yen", "Essence", "Long Side Down", "The Elizabethans". However, creative success was brought by a fateful name - in 1975, the long-awaited debut album "Pass It Around" was released, created together with the famous songwriters and managers of that time, Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn.i
in 1978 - Smokie's Golden Age: The Montreaux Album is released, the critically acclaimed single "Mexican Girl" becomes a mega-hit, and Chris Norman and Suzi Quatro's "Stumblin'in" enters the US Billboard Top 10. This is followed by a time of dazzling glory, concert tours on all continents of the planet and stadiums full of fans.A stunning solo careerAnd although Chris left Smokie for good in 1986 and started a solo career, his musical catalog is amazing: more than 50 singles and more than 30 released albums (9 in Smokie and even 25 solo).More than 30 million records have been sold worldwide, and the artist is still making music and continuing his concert activities.
After successful concerts with Suzi Quatro, Chris collaborated with Dieter Bohlen, founder, composer and singer of Modern Talking, Blue System and CC Catch.With the song "Midnight Lady", Chris Norman reaches the top of the musical Olympus in many countries of the world. In 2014, together with CC Catch, he creates a duet called Another Night in Nashville.
For the past 23 years, the musician has lived on the Isle of Maine, in the Irish Sea, and has been happily married to his wife Linda for over 50 years. They have five children (Brian, Paul, Michael, Steven and Susan Jane) and four grandchildren."The happiest day of my life is getting married," Chris says sincerely in his interview, emphasizing the important role of his wife Linda. Unfortunately, in 2001, they were bereaved: their son Brian died in a car accident. After recovering from the pain of his loss, Chris resumed his successful career and is still a welcome guest in various corners of the world.
All hits and new songs will be playedThe musician actively performs around the world and surprises thousands of fans with his never-ending energy."Humor and sports help to preserve energy. I really want to get fit, but I force myself to go to the gym," smiles Chris, whose concert schedule is planned several years ahead.
Chris Norman's concert at Avia Solutions Group Arena in Vilnius on March 7 will feature "Living Next Door to Alice", "Midnight Lady", "Needles and Pins", "Mexican Girl", "Oh Carol", "I'll Meet You" at Midnight", "Don't Play Your Rock'N Roll to Me" and other world famous songs.
Chris Norman's name is associated not only with an "energetic hand", but also with lyrical songs, so both rock'n'roll and lyrics will be heard in Vilnius at the same time. This is important because the concert will take place on the eve of the spring festival, when not only nature but also feelings awaken.It is also an important fact that the first presentation of Chris Norman's latest album "Junction 55" in Lithuania will take place at the "Avia Solutions Group" arena!
He recorded 12 new songs in collaboration with other musicians. Chris recorded three songs with his old friend and Smokie member Pete Spencer, two with his current bandmate Geoff Carline, one with Michael Chapman and the rest on his own.The disc, which reflects the outstanding qualities of the musician and the harmony of the melodies, was recorded and created in Chris's own studio."The title of the disc marks the fact that I am starting a new stage in my career - I have been performing on the professional stage for 55 years," notes Chris Norman.
Ottawan Energy ChargeBefore the performance of the music legend, the world-famous band "Ottawan" will give a positive charge to the concert goers.French disco singer Patrick Jean-Batiste, who worked for the famous company "Air France", founded the group "Black Underground" and played music in the bars of Paris. Daniel Vangarde, the manager who noticed him here and worked with Dalila, Sheila B. & Devotion and others, offered him to participate in a disc project with dancer and vocalist Annette Eltice.
Already the first single "D.I.S.C.O.", recorded in the Canadian capital, Ottawa (from where the name of the group "Ottawan" came from), shook the whole of Europe. As soon as you hear the words of their hit "Hands up, baby, hands up...", you want to dive into the party atmosphere of the eighties.The concert of music legends and 1980s disco stars on March 7 at the Avia Solutions Group Arena will be a gift for springtime Vilnius for millions of music fans and a time-tested celebration of creativity.
