Michael Bublé

Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé.jpg
Background information
Birth name Michael Steven Bublé
Born September 9, 1975 (1975-09-09) (age 34)
Origin Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Genre(s) Big band, traditional pop
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, actor
Instrument(s) vocals, piano
Years active 1996 — present
Label(s) 143/Reprise
Website Official website

Michael Steven Bublé (IPA: /ˈbuːbleɪ/ or boo-BLAY[1]) (born 9 September, 1975) is a Canadian big band singer and actor. He has won several awards, including a Grammy[2] and multiple Juno Awards.[3] While his first album achieved modest chart success in the United States, it reached the top ten in Lebanon, the UK and his home country of Canada. However, he did find commercial success in the U.S. with his 2005 album It's Time. His 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible reached number one on the Billboard 200. Bublé has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide including 8 million in the USA alone.[4]

Contents

Early years

Bublé was born in the city of Burnaby, British Columbia to a family of fishermen.[5] He attended Seaforth Elementary and Cariboo Hill Secondary for his education.[6] He has a sister named Crystal who is an actress. Bublé grew up listening to his grandfather's collection of jazz records, and on his website he highlights the importance of his grandfather in encouraging his musical tastes.[7] He recorded three independent albums, one as a present to his grandfather. Bublé received two Genie Award-nominations in 2000 for both songs he wrote for the film Here's to Life. Michael's first national TV performance was on a 1997 award-winning Bravo! documentary titled "Big Band Boom!" which was directed by Mark Glover Masterson. According to an interview with Australian talk show host Rove, Michael Buble stated that he was "full Italian."[1]

Career breakthrough

Bublé frequently walks through the crowd at his concerts, as shown here in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 8, 2007.

Bublé's career breakthrough came when Michael McSweeney, associate to former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, saw his performance at a business party.[5] McSweeney enjoyed Bublé's performance, and Bublé gave him an album, which McSweeney, in turn, gave to Mulroney and his wife.[5] Bublé was then invited to sing at the wedding of Mulroney's daughter Caroline in 2000, where he sang Kurt Weill's "Mack the Knife".[5] At the wedding, Brian Mulroney introduced Bublé to David Foster, a multi-Grammy award winning producer and a Warner Brothers record executive who had worked with Josh Groban previously.[5] Foster signed Bublé to his '143' record label,[5] producing the Michael Bublé in 2000. The album features a range of standards from various eras including "Fever", "The Way You Look Tonight", "For Once in My Life", Van Morrison's "Moondance" and Lou Rawls's "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine". Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees sang back up vocals on Bublé's version of the group's "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart. This song is credited as the main reason Buble' broke through, as it was a # 1 hit in many countries, and sold very well in the US as well, after the CD was stickered with "Includes 'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart' featuring Barry Gibb".

The album Michael Bublé was released by Warner Bros. Records just before Valentine's Day in 2003. The album was actually first released by the Warner company in South Africa, where the album went into the Top 5 and was certified Gold. Soon after that, it entered the Canadian album charts. As success in the USA was marginal at best, Bublé started visiting countries all over the world, with the album being successful in places like the Philippines and Singapore. He then moved on to placed like Italy and eventually had chart success in the UK, U.S., Australia and elsewhere soon followed with the album going Platinum and reaching the top ten of the album charts in the UK and Canada and going all the way to #1 in Australia. The album has reached the top 50 of the Billboard 200 album charts in the U.S. His version of George Michael's "Kissing a Fool" was released as a single from the album and reached the top 30 of the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" reached the top 30 of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart as well. His third single "Sway" also reached the top 30 of the Adult Contemporary chart, while a Junkie XL remix of the song reached the top 20 in Australia in May 2004.

Bublé won the "New Artist of the Year" award at the Juno Awards of 2004 and his self-titled album was nominated for "Album of the Year", but lost out to Sam Roberts.

Bublé released a Christmas EP Let it Snow in late 2003. The title track reached the top 40 of the Australia singles chart. He released a live album and video in April 2004 with the video reaching the top 10 of the Billboard video charts. The album also reached the top 50 of the Australian album charts as at the end of April and the Billboard 200 album charts. Let it Snow was re-released in the United States on October 9, 2007.

Bublé has also appeared in a variety of films in the past few years including his appearance as a karaoke singer in Duets opposite Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis. He also has appeared in, and sang several soundtrack songs for, Totally Blonde in 2001 and in The Snow Walker in 2003.

Songs from Bublé's debut album ("For Once in My Life", "Kissing a Fool") were released on the soundtrack for the movie Down with Love, but the soundtrack also included a previously unreleased duet with Holly Palmer on the movie's title theme. The Junkie XL remix of the theme for the 60s TV cartoon version of Spider-Man from Bublé's Babalu album was played during the closing credits of Spider-Man 2, and this version was also released as a single.

It's Time

Bublé's second studio album, It's Time, debuted as a hugely successful performance. The album reached number 7 on the Billboard 200 album chart and number 2 on the ARIA Album Charts in Australia. It's Time also debuted at number 4 on the UK Album Charts. The album features covers of Beatles and Ray Charles songs, and the hit single "Home".

Personal life

Michael Bublé was engaged to long-time girlfriend Debbie Timuss, a stage actress, dancer, and singer. Both were in the musicals Red Rock Diner in 1996[8] and Dean Regan's Forever Swing in 1998.[9][10] Timuss was listed as one of the dedicatees in Bublé's self-titled album Michael Bublé and It's Time, and as background vocalist on It's Time. While away in Italy, Bublé co-wrote the hit single "Home" for Timuss.[11][12] Timuss was also featured in the music video for "Home" [13]. Their engagement ended in November 2005. Their breakup inspired Bublé to co-write the hit original song "Lost".[14] During an appearance at Australian television's Logie Awards in 2005, he met British actress Emily Blunt backstage. He thought she was a BBC television producer.[15] She also provided background vocals on the cover of "Me and Mrs. Jones" on the album Call Me Irresponsible.[1] The hit original song "Everything" was penned by Bublé for Blunt.[16] As confirmed by Bublé's publicist on July 11, 2008, he and longtime girlfriend Emily Blunt have parted ways. [17]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album Chart Positions
US UK CAN AUS ITA GER AUT SWI NE SWE EU World
2003 Michael Bublé 47 6 1 2 49 53 32 28 39
2005 It's Time 7 4 1 2 1 2 3 7 2 4 1 4
2007 Call Me Irresponsible 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 5 1 1
Year Album Certifications
US CAN AUS EUR EUR WORLDWIDE
2003 Michael Bublé 2× Platinum 4× Platinum[18] 7× Platinum[19] Platinum[20] 10,2 millions
2005 It's Time 3× Platinum 6× Platinum[21] 5× Platinum[22] 2× Platinum[23] 14,3 millions
2007 Call Me Irresponsible Platinum 4× Platinum[24] 5× Platinum[22] 2× Platinum[23] 10,6 millions

Live albums

Both albums contain Live CD and DVD.

Year Album Chart Positions Certifications
U.S. UK AUS ITA GER AUT SWI NE US CAN AUS
2004 Come Fly with Me 55 52 18 40 Platinum[A] Gold[25]
3× Platinum[A][18]		 Gold[19]
2005 Caught in the Act 82 25 15 10 31 30 51 26 Platinum 8× Platinum[A][18] Gold[26]
  • A ^ Video longform only.

Other albums

Year Album
1995 First Dance[27]
2001 Babalu
2002 Dream
2003 Totally Bublé

Extended Plays

Year Album
2003 Let It Snow!
2004 More
2006 With Love
2008 A Taste of Bublé

Singles

Year Title U.S. U.S. AC U.S. Pop U.S. Digital UK CAN AUS ITA GER AUT SWI NL SWE POL EUR Album
2003 "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" 22 Michael Bublé
"Kissing a Fool" 29
2004 "Spider-Man Theme"
(Junkie XL Remix)[A]		 6 21 2 12 Spider-Man 2
"Sway" 24 15 46 Michael Bublé
2005 "Feeling Good"[B] 162 70 36 66 61 14 It's Time
"Home"[C] 72 1 55 36 31 1 35 55 36 33 56 55 95
2006 "Save the Last Dance for Me"[D] 99 5
2007 "Everything" 46 1 47 26 38 10 19 2 39 34 28 5 43 29 Call Me Irresponsible
"Me and Mrs. Jones" 68
"Lost"[E] 97 2 19 25 15 44 51 66 30 51
2008 "Comin' Home Baby" (duet with Boyz II Men)[E][F]

Other charted songs

Year Title US AC UK AUS GER AUT SWI POL EUR Album
2003 "The Christmas Song" 6 Let It Snow!
2005 "Let It Snow!"[B] 157 22 35 25 28 24 100
2007 "Moondance" 178 Michael Bublé
Notes
  • A^ "Spider-Man Theme" (Junkie XL Remix) charted in Australia after "Sway".
  • B^ These songs charted on download sales in UK in December 2007.
  • C^ The double A-side single "Home" with "Song for You" first reached #63 in 2005. The single re-entered again in 2007 and had a new peak of #45. "Home" also peaked at #29 on the Canadian Country Singles chart.
  • D^ "Save the Last Dance for Me" peaked at #22 on USHot Dance Club Play chart.
  • E^ Current Single(s).
  • F^ "Comin' Home Baby" is going to be released as a single only in Netherlands.

Guest songs

Year Song Album
2003 "Kissing a Fool"
"For Once in My Life"
"Down with Love" (with Holly Palmer)		 Down with Love Soundtrack
2004 "I Won't Dance" Taking a Chance on Love
2004 "Elf's Lament" Barenaked for the Holidays
2005 "Let There Be Love" To Love Again
2006 "Just in Time"
"Steppin' Out With My Baby"		 Duets: An American Classic
2007 "(You Are My) Destiny" Classic Songs, My Way
2007 "L-O-V-E" Why Did I Get Married Soundtrack
2008 "Damn" (with Styles of Beyond) Reseda Beach
2008 "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (with Anne Murray) Anne Murray's Christmas Album

Filmography

Awards and achievements

Year Award Category Result
2004 Juno[3] Best New Artist Won
2004 Juno[3] Album of the Year - Michael Bublé Nom.
2006 Juno[3] Pop Album of the Year - It's Time Won
2006 Juno[3] Single of the Year - Home Won
2006 Juno[3] Album of the Year - It's Time Won
2006 Juno[3] Artist of the Year Won
2006 Juno[3] Juno Fan Choice Award Nom.
2006 ECHO[28] Jazz Production of the Year - It's Time Won
2006 Grammy Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - It's Time Nom.
2006 MuchMusic Video Awards MuchMoreMusic Award - Home Won
2007 Grammy Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - Caught in the Act Nom.
2007 People's Choice Awards Favorite Remake - "Save the Last Dance for Me" Nom.
2007 Juno[3] Juno Fan Choice Award Nom.
2008 Grammy[2] Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - Call me Irresponsible Won
2008 Grammy[29] Best Male Pop Vocal Performance - Everything Nom.
2008 Juno[3] Artist of the Year Nom.
2008 Juno[3] Album of the Year - Call Me Irresponsible Nom.
2008 Juno[3] Pop Album of the Year - Call Me Irresponsible Nom.
2008 Juno[3] Single of the Year - Everything Nom.
2008 Juno[3] Juno Fan Choice Award Won

Touring band members

Bublé's band.

Former touring band members

Bublé with former guitarist, Randy Napoleon

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bream, Jon (2007-08-19). "Michael Buble, A crooner who curses and charms", The Seattle Times. Retrieved on 2008-06-26. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Winehouse, West big winners at Grammys as Feist shut out", CBC News (2008-02-11). Retrieved on 2008-06-20. 
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 "Juno Awards Artist Summary" (php). Juno Archives. Juno: Canada's Official Music Awards - official site. Retrieved on 2008-06-20. (search results for Michael Bublé: Juno Awards Artist Summary)
  4. ↑ Christine Sams (2008-06-01). "Another lap for the Buble rap". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 2008-06-20.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Posner, Michael (2007-09-22). "Michael Bublé wants to take over the world", The Globe and Mail. Retrieved on 2008-06-24. 
  6. ↑ TheFlorentine.net, "Singer Bublé Tours Italy as New Citizen"
  7. ↑ UT Erwin Center website (from an Applause magazine article), "Michael Bublé is Irresistible!"
  8. ↑ Hayes, David (April 2005). "The Making of Pop Sensation Michael Bublé", Saturday Night Magazine. 
  9. ↑ "In the mood for jazz joy", North Shore News (1998-11-16). 
  10. ↑ Armstrong, Denis (2001-02-01). "Swinging to great heights", Ottawa Sun. 
  11. ↑ Adams, Cameron (2005-04-28). "Cameron Adams discovers singer Michael Bublé really enjoys bad reviews", Q&A, Herald Sun HiT, p.3. 
  12. ↑ MacQueen, Ken (2005-02-04). "Break Out the Bublé", Macleans. 
  13. ↑ "The Voice of Jazz", FACES Spotlight (2007-06-01). 
  14. ↑ Perusse, Bernard (2007-04-30). "Michael Buble does it his way", Edmonton Journal. 
  15. ↑ PR-inside.com News
  16. ↑ Adams, Cameron (2007-05-03). "Buble rapt", Herald Sun. 
  17. ↑ Kristen Mascia (2008-07-11). "Emily Blunt and Michael Bublé Split". People Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-07-11.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "CRIA website: Gold and Platinum homepage". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2006 Albums". ARIA Charts. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
  20. ↑ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards - 2004". IFPI. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
  21. ↑ "CRIA website: Gold and Platinum homepage". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2007 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}."".
  24. ↑ You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}."".
  25. ↑ "CRIA website: Gold and Platinum homepage". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
  26. ↑ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2005 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
  27. ↑ "First Dance". Last.fm. Retrieved on 2008-07-01. "Released: 30 Nov 1995"
  28. ↑ "Jazz-Produktion des Jahres national/international" (in German). ECHO 2006: 12.03.2006, Estrel Convention Center Berlin. ECHO 2006 Deutscher Musikpreis - die offizielle Homepage (2006-03-12). Retrieved on 2008-06-26.
  29. ↑ "50th Annual Grammy Awards Winners List". Entertainment Tonight (2008-02-10). Retrieved on 2008-06-20.

External links