Francis Healy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Fran Healy | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Francis Healy | |
| Born | July 23, 1973 Stafford, Staffordshire, England |
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| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar | |
| Associated acts |
Travis | |
Francis (Fran) Healy (born July 23, 1973 in Stafford, England) is a British rock musician. He is currently the lead singer and main songwriter of the Scottish band Travis, having written nearly all of the songs on their four studio albums.
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[edit] Music
Regarded as one of Britain's best present day songwriters and melodists, Healy’s songwriting has been publicly praised by numerous artists, including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Noel Gallagher from British band Oasis. In 2005, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin called himself “a poor man’s Fran Healy.” In interviews, Healy has talked of being influenced by songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney and Graham Nash (of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young fame). Healy has since played with both McCartney and Nash. Although Healy predominantly plays guitar, he has also recently begun to write and perform with piano. For a full discography of Travis songs written by Healy, see Healy Songs.
[edit] Travis
Healy's band, Travis, are a British alternative rock band from Glasgow, Scotland, also comprising of Dougie Payne, Andy Dunlop and Neil Primrose. One of Britain's most popular and respected modern rock bands, Travis have twice been awarded British album of the year at the annual Brit awards, and are often credited as having paved the way for British bands such as Coldplay and Keane. With the release of four studio albums, beginning with Good Feeling in 1997, they continue to enjoy critical and commercial success, while also being especially noted for their live performances. In addition to their music, much has been made of the likable, down to earth, and close nature of the band. A highly anticipated fifth studio album -- their first since 2003's 12 Memories and produced by long-time Travis, Radiohead, and more recently, Paul McCartney producer, Nigel Godrich -- is due for release in May 2007.
[edit] Biography
Although born in England, Healy grew up in Glasgow, Scotland – his parents' hometown. His mother had moved back to Scotland after divorcing her husband, who was violent towards her; as a result of this, Healy continues to refuse any contact with his father. Healy has said that both his mother and his grandmother were major influences on him as a child. Healy attended Holyrood Secondary in the Govanhill area of Glasgow.
Healy got his first guitar at age 13, after watching Roy Orbison performing "Pretty Woman" on television. Although as a young child at primary school, he had been awarded a book of Rabbie Burns poems and a certificate "For Outstanding Singing Abilities" after singing the old Scottish song "Westering Home" while dressed in a kilt, he showed no further interest in singing as he grew up.
His interest in song writing first became serious when he was attending Glasgow School of Art, where future bandmates Andy Dunlop and Dougie Payne were fellow students. (Healy was studying towards becoming a painter.) The band that would become Travis (initially called "Glass Onion") was formed at this time, with Healy leaving art school to join the band, and then quickly establishing himself as the band's lead singer and songwriter. Before this, Healy's song writing output had amounted to a single song – an attack on his headmaster entitled "Mr. Mullin Blues" Sample lyric: "One day we had baked beans for tea/The whole smell filled the room/Then some bugger lit a match and the whole place went ka-boom!"
Travis’ first single, "All I Want to Do Is Rock", was written by Healy while on a visit to Millport on Greater Cumbrae, a small island in the Firth of Clyde. Going there with the sole intention of composing the best song he had ever written, Healy surprised even himself when the track was born. In spite of Healy’s success as a songwriter since, he is without formal musical training. As the band have risen to prominence, Healy has continued to be Travis’ main songwriter, as well as the band's main spokesman and most recognisable member.
Since 2000, Healy has been in a long term relationship with German make-up artist Nora Kryst. Their first child, a son named Clay, was born in March 2006. Rather than Healy, the boy took his mother's surname, Kryst. During live performances Fran has joked about the birth saying that he long believed he was sterile. They live in London.
[edit] Make Poverty History
Healy is a part of the movement Make Poverty History. He has so far made two trips to Sudan with the Save the Children Organization, and, alongside his band, played at the Live 8 concerts in both London and Edinburgh. Healy also participated in Band Aid 20's re-recording of Do They Know It's Christmas? – Healy and friend Nigel Godrich also playing roles in its organization.
[edit] Misc
- As well as Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney and Graham Nash, Healy is a fan of The Band and Arcade Fire. He is also a fan of standup comedy.
- Healy has a black belt in Karate (gained as a child).
- During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Healy made the haircut the "hoxton fin" famous.
- Fran is an avid supporter of Celtic FC.
