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Billy Ocean

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For this artist's self-titled album, see Billy Ocean (album).

Billy Ocean
MBE
Ocean performing at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia, 2012
Ocean performing at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia, 2012
Background information
Birth nameLeslie Sebastian Charles
Born (1950-01-21) 21 January 1950 (age 74)
Fyzabad, Trinidad and Tobago, British West Indies
OriginRomford, East London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1969–present
Labels
SpouseJudy Charles
Websitebillyocean.com

Leslie Sebastian Charles MBE (born 21 January 1950), known professionally as Billy Ocean, is a Trinidadian-born British singer and songwriter. Between 1976 and 1988, he had a series of hit songs in the UK and internationally.

After releasing several recordings under other stage names, he achieved breakthrough success with the 1976 single "Love Really Hurts Without You". It was the second single released under the stage name Billy Ocean and peaked at no. 2 in the UK and no. 3 in Australia. Later that year, he achieved two additional top 20 singles in the UK. In 1977, his single "Red Light Spells Danger" also peaked at no. 2. After a period of limited chart success, he released the single "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" in 1984. In the UK, the song peaked at no. 6. In the U.S., it entered the Billboard Hot 100 at no. 85 but peaked at no. 1 ten weeks later. Ocean won the 1985 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the song. It also charted in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and across Europe under three different titles. Across the next three years, Ocean accumulated a series of international hit singles. Released in 1985, "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" peaked at no. 1 in the UK and no. 2 in the U.S. the following year. In the same year, he achieved an American no. 1 with the single "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)". In 1988, his single "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" reached no. 1 in the U.S. and no. 3 in the UK.

In recognition of his success and influence, Ocean has received a number of awards. In 2002, he was presented with an honorary doctorate of music by the University of Westminster. In 2010, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the MOBO Awards. The following year, he became a Companion of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.[1]

Early life and stardom

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Ocean was born on 21 January 1950 in Fyzabad, Trinidad and Tobago, to Hainsley Charles, a Grenadian musician,[2][3] and his wife Violet.[4] He moved to Romford, Essex, England, when he was 10 years old, shortly before Trinidad and Tobago became independent in 1962. He was exposed to music at an early age. During his teenage years, he sang regularly in a London nightclub[3] while also working as a tailor in London's Savile Row.

He was discovered by his first manager, John Morphew, who recorded a double A-side single at Pye Studios in London with a full orchestra. However, the ballad-singing style of Ocean was going out of fashion, and Morphew was unable to get any major label to release it. It remains unreleased. Ocean's father — who had countersigned the management contract as Ocean was underage — asked Morphew to release him from the recording contract, which he did without penalty. In 1969, he joined a local band, the Shades of Midnight, playing in the Shoreditch area of London.[citation needed] He recorded a David Myers and John Worsley composition, "Nashville Rain",[5][6] his first single, backed with "Sun in the Morning", in 1971 for Spark Records under the name Les Charles, and for two years fronted a studio band called Scorched Earth, with whom he released "On the Run" backed with "Let's Put Our Emotions in Motion" in 1974.[citation needed]

In an interview with Myf Warhurst on ABC Radio Melbourne, Ocean stated that the story of his stage name being taken from the local Ocean Estate, Stepney in London's East End,[7] where he was living at the time, was incorrect. According to the interview, the name was derived from a local football team that was in his home town in Trinidad and Tobago, who called themselves "Oceans 11".[8]

International success

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Ocean performing in New York City, 1988

Between 1976 and 1982, Ocean released four studio albums: Billy Ocean (1976), City Limit (1980), Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) (1981) and Inner Feelings (1982)[9] through his record label GTO, none of which scored success on any musical charts, aside from his biggest single up to that point, 1976's "Love Really Hurts Without You", which was a top 40 and a top 10 hit in both the UK (no. 2) and the U.S. (no. 22).[9]

As Sony Music acquired GTO Records in 1978, Ocean was shifted to Jive from Epic, in which he received a second breakthrough in his career in the early 1980s. Late 1984 saw the release of his fifth studio album Suddenly and its main single, "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" becoming successes on the charts.[9] "Caribbean Queen" became Ocean's first no. 1 single on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Black Singles charts in late 1984, and the album debuted in the top ten, peaking at no. 9 on both the US Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart simultaneously in the U.S. and UK.[9] Suddenly reached gold in the UK, and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He also recorded with Scott Walker in 1984, singing harmony vocals on "Track Three" from Walker's eleventh studio album Climate of Hunter.

“Caribbean Queen” scored Ocean two Grammy Award nominations, and he won the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 1985 Grammy Awards. Ocean was later presented his award by Jeffrey Daniel of vocal group Shalamar on 620 Soul Train, a UK incarnation of the American musical variety television show Soul Train. The album's title track also became a success, peaking at no. 4 in both the U.S. and the UK. The song "Loverboy" was a no. 2 U.S. success in 1985. Ocean appeared at Live Aid from JFK Stadium in Philadelphia in 1985, singing "Caribbean Queen" and "Loverboy".[citation needed]

His sixth studio album Love Zone (1986) also sold well. It included the successful singles "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going", the theme from the film The Jewel of the Nile (1985); this was a no. 1 success in the UK and a no. 2 in the United States; and "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" (a U.S. no. 1 and a major UK success). Also included were the title track and "Love Is Forever", which were no. 10 and no. 16 U.S. successes for Ocean, respectively. It also earned Ocean a second nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 1987 Grammy Awards.

In February 1986, Ocean's music video for "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" was banned by the BBC, owing to such non-union members as the American actors Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito, all three of whom were cast members of Romancing the Stone (1984) and The Jewel of the Nile (1985), miming to the backing vocals.[10][11][12] In 1987, he was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male Artist.[13] He was the most popular British R&B singer-songwriter of the early to mid- 1980s.[14]

Tear Down These Walls (1988), Ocean's next studio album, featured the no. 1 single "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car", and the album was certified platinum.[3]

Later career

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Ocean's eighth studio album Time to Move On (1993) failed to produce any major successes, but his 1989 Greatest Hits collection has been a steady seller over the years, and his 1997 compilation album L.I.F.E. – Love Is for Ever made no. 7 on the UK Albums Chart. Ocean's last studio album for Jive Records was Time to Move On, which he recorded in Chicago with R&B star R. Kelly.

In 2002, the University of Westminster in London awarded Ocean an honorary doctorate of music.[15] The awards ceremony took place in the Barbican Centre in London.[16] He continues to tour and record in Europe. Ocean is now a patron for Tech Music Schools in London,[17] made up of Drumtech, Vocaltech, Guitar-X and Keyboardtech. He regularly visits to hold clinics and seminars for the students.

In 2004, "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" was re-released as a digital single for its 20th anniversary, shooting up to no. 25 on the Billboard digital singles chart and garnering radio play across the United States and UK. A remix of the single by will.i.am was released in 2005.

In February and March 2008 he toured Australia and the Far East. His ninth studio album Because I Love You was released on 2 February 2009.[18]

In April 2010, an 18-track compilation album was released in the UK by Sony Music titled The Very Best of Billy Ocean to tie in with a 30-date tour of the UK and Ireland. Featuring Ocean's biggest hits, the album debuted in the UK Albums Chart at no. 17.[19]

Ocean performing in Cambridge, England, 2014

In October 2007, Ocean commenced his first UK tour in more than 15 years.[20]

On 20 October 2010, Ocean was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the MOBO Awards in London.[21] On 29 July 2011, Ocean became a Companion of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.[1] His title was presented by Paul McCartney.[1]

In 2012, Ocean made a cameo in the British comedy film Keith Lemon: The Film as Lemon's father. In January 2016, Ocean appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to perform some of his hits as part of a promo tour for his new album. Ocean toured the UK during March and April 2017.

Ocean recorded a new studio album in mid-2019 at Eve Studios in Stockport, working again with producer Barry Eastmond as co-writer. The album One World was to be released on 17 April 2020.[22] After a delay, it was later released on 4 September 2020.[23]

Personal life

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Ocean has lived in Sunningdale, Berkshire, England, with his wife, Judy, since 1978.[24] They have three children. His son played rugby sevens at the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Barbados.[25]

Ocean decided to become vegetarian after the loss of his mother, who died from ovarian cancer in 1989.[26] He is a member of the Rastafari movement.[27]

Honours

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Ocean was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to music.[28][29]

Awards and nominations

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ASCAP Pop Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1986 "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" Most Performed Songs Won [30]
"Loverboy" Won
"Suddenly" Won
1987 "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" Won [31]
"When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" Won
1988 "Love Is Forever" Won [32]
1989 "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" Won [33]

Billboard Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1985 Himself Top R&B Singles Artist Nominated [34]
Top R&B Album Artist Nominated
Top Adult Contemporary Artist Nominated
Suddenly Top R&B Album Nominated
"Suddenly" Top R&B Song Nominated
Top Adult Contemporary Single Nominated
1986 Himself Top Artist Nominated [35]
Top R&B Artist Nominated
Top R&B Singles Artist Nominated
Top R&B Album Artist Nominated
Top Billboard 200 Artist Nominated
Top Billboard 200 Artist – Male Nominated
Top Hot 100 Artist Nominated
Top Hot 100 Artist – Male Won
Top Adult Contemporary Artist Won
Love Zone Top R&B Album Nominated
"There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" Top Hot 100 Song Nominated
Top R&B Song Nominated
Top Adult Contemporary Single Nominated
"When the Going Gets Tough" Top Hot 100 Song Nominated
Top R&B Song Nominated
Top Adult Contemporary Single Nominated
"Love Zone" Top R&B Song Nominated
Top Adult Contemporary Single Nominated

Grammy Awards

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Billy Ocean has been nominated three times for a Grammy Award, with one win.[36]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1985 "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" Best Male R&B Vocal Performance Won[36]
Best R&B Song (shared with Keith Diamond) Nominated[36]
1987 Love Zone Best Male R&B Vocal Performance Nominated[36]

Ivor Novello Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1985 "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" International Hit of the Year Nominated
1989 "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" Nominated
Most Performed Work Nominated
2018 Himself International Achievement Won

Pollstar Concert Industry Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1985 Himself Comeback of the Year Nominated [37]

Soul Train Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1987 Love Zone Album of the Year – Male Nominated

Discography

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Main article: Billy Ocean discography

Studio albums

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Billy Ocean will be named a LIPA companion by Paul McCartney this afternoon". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  2. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (first ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1849. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  3. ^ a b c "Billy Ocean – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  4. ^ "Billy Ocean". Northwales.co.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  5. ^ Carolina Beach Music Encyclopedia, By Rick Simmons - Page 204 Billy Ocean
  6. ^ Billy Ocean website - BIOGRAPHY
  7. ^ Pete Lewis. "Billy Ocean: Caribbean King". Blues & Soul. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Billy Ocean, History of Australian toys, breaking up, a 9/11 comedy". ABC Radio. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 187. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  10. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 415. CN 5585.
  11. ^ "BBC Four - Britain's Most Dangerous Songs: Listen to the Banned". Bbc.co.uk.
  12. ^ "Billy Ocean: Love Zone, Expanded Edition". Cherryred.co.uk.
  13. ^ "Billy Ocean BRITS Profile". Brits.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  14. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 402–403. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  15. ^ "Whatever Happened to (weht.net) – accessed January 2008". Weht.net. 5 August 2004. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  16. ^ "Billy Ocean given honorary degree". 11 November 2002. Archived from the original on 30 December 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  17. ^ [1] [dead link]
  18. ^ "Because I Love You (CD)". Tower Records. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  19. ^ Pete Lewis (May 2010). "Billy Ocean: I've Got Somethin' To Tell Ya". Blues & Soul. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  20. ^ Chris Osuh (25 October 2007). "Billy Ocean @ Opera House". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  21. ^ "Tinie Tempah, JLS Big Winners at MOBO Awards". Billboard.com. Reuters. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  22. ^ "Billy Ocean Set to Release 'One World,' First Album in a Decade « American Songwriter". Americansongwriter.com. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  23. ^ "Billy Ocean | The Official Website | Latest news". Billy Ocean | The Official Website. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  24. ^ "Adam Ant and Billy Ocean to play Let's Rock the Moor". 10 February 2018.
  25. ^ "Billy Ocean's son thrilled with All Blacks encounter". ESPN Scrum. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  26. ^ Woodcock, Zara (13 June 2020). "James Martin's Saturday Morning fans can't get over how well Billy Ocean looks". Metro. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  27. ^ Hamilton, Davina. "Billy Ocean: 'Rastafari is my anchor'". Voice-online.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  28. ^ "No. 62866". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 2019. p. N17.
  29. ^ "Order of the British Empire, Leslie Sebastian Charles". The London Gazette. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  30. ^ "Billboard". 14 June 1986.
  31. ^ "ASCAP POP AWARD WINNING WRITERS AND PUBLISHERS" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  32. ^ "Billboard" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. 4 June 1988. p. 5. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  33. ^ "Billboard" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. 27 May 1989. p. 86. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  34. ^ Billboard. 28 December 1985. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  35. ^ Billboard. 27 December 1986. p. 51. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  36. ^ a b c d "Billy Ocean". Grammy.com. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  37. ^ [2] [dead link]
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