For over 20 years, Richard Marx has consistently and powerfully made his mark on the music industry. His debut single “Don’t Mean Nothing” and self-titled debut album kicked off his career as a solo artist in 1987 and went on to sell 3 million copies. His 1989 follow-up CD, “Repeat Offender,” became even more successful, selling over 7 million copies worldwide. From 1987 to 1990, he became the first male solo artist in history to have his first 7 singles reach the top 5 on Billboard’s singles chart, including the 1 hits “Hold On to the Nights,” “Satisfied” and the worldwide classic, “Right Here Waiting.” This feat remains unchallenged.
He was nominated for Grammy awards 3 times and received an American Music Award nomination for favorite male singer. In 1992, he was awarded Best Selling Adult Contemporary Artist at the Billboard Music awards, and received the International Song of the Year Award at the Australian Music awards for his song, “Hazard,” from his double platinum CD, “Rush Street.” 1994’s “Paid Vacation” CD also went platinum and featured the single, “Now and Forever” which not only went top 10 on the Billboard Pop Chart, but spent a nearly record breaking 13 weeks at #1 on the Billboard AC Chart. In addition to selling over 30 million records, and writing, as of 2009, thirteen #1 songs, he remained a fixture on pop and adult contemporary radio for years, even as he emerged as a top producer working with some of the biggest names in the music business. Among those artists, *NSYNC, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Vince Gill, 98°, Luther Vandross, Kenny Rogers, Sarah Brightman, Lara Fabian, Sister Hazel, The Tubes and SHeDAISY. More recently, he has written and produced records for Daughtry, Leann Rimes, Katherine Jenkins, Travis Tritt, Emerson Drive, Natalie Cole, Keith Urban, Paulina Rubio, Kenny Loggins, Chris Botti, Michael Bolton, and actor Hugh Jackman.
When his his career began in 1987, Richard immediately got involved with many charitable organizations. By donating the royalties from his 1987 hit single, “Should’ve Known Better,” he helped build a room at the NYU Medical Center where pediatric cancer patients can play while at the hospital. In 1989, he wrote and recorded the song “Children of the Night” about the plight of homeless children on the streets and donated all the song’s royalties to the Children of the Night Foundation, which houses and reforms street kids. To date, the song has raised over $500,000. Additionally, he has performed benefit concerts for many organizations, including the TJ Martell Foundation, Toys For Tots, Make A Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, Best Buddies, and the Special Olympics. In 2005, Richard and his band flew to Kitzingen, Germany to perform for US troops stationed there, and as of 2008, he hosts an annual event in Chicago for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The first event featured a concert by Richard and the legendary Kenny Rogers.
Perhaps closest to Richard’s heart is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, whom he aligned with in 2000. He organized what has become an annual benefit concert to raise funds for research to cure the disease. The multi act, all-star concerts have, thus far, raised over $3 million.
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