| Darius Campbell | |
|---|---|
Darius Campbell |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Darius Campbell-Danesh |
| Also known as | Darius Danesh, Darius |
| Born | 19 August 1980 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genres | Acoustic, swing, opera |
| Occupations | Actor, singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | 19 (2002-present) Mercury Records (2002-present) |
| Website | www.dariusmusic.com |
Darius Campbell[1] (born Darius Campbell-Danesh, 19 August 1980), also known as Darius Danesh or simply Darius, is a British Iranian platinum-selling singer-songwriter, a West End stage actor, operatic baritone, Sunday Times best-selling author, and an Ambassador for The Prince's Trust.
He established himself as a popular West End leading man-first by becoming the youngest actor to play the role of Billy Flynn in the West End musical Chicago, appearing in two successful runs; then starring in the Olivier Award winning Guys and Dolls as the lead Sky Masterson; and then originating the role of Rhett Butler in Sir Trevor Nunn’s theatrical adaptation of Gone with the Wind.
In 2010 he trained with tenor Rolando Villazon, winning the hit ITV1 competition Popstar to Operastar, and dueting with Rolando on "The Impossible Dream". Earlier in the year, he changed his last name from Danesh, to Campbell, his mother's maiden name. He appeared in his debut Opera Carmen with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, in the biggest Operatic production ever in the UK, at The O2 arena. At 29, he became the youngest performer to take on the lead role of the Torreador "Escamillio", Carmen's bullfighting lover, which in the world of Opera is usually given to baritones in their early forties.
He starred in The History of the Big Bands tour during 2010, a show which takes the audience on a musical journey through the times of the Big Band and Swing Era.
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Campbell was born in Glasgow, to an Iranian father Dr. Booth Danesh and a Scottish mother Dr. Avril Campbell.[1] His family live in Bearsden[2] and he has two younger brothers, Cyrus and Aria. Educated at Bearsden Primary School[3] and the Glasgow Academy,[4] he went on to study English Literature and Philosophy at Edinburgh University.
His professional career began acting as a ten-year-old Trojan boy in a non-singing role of the Scottish Opera's avant garde 1990s production of The Trojans. As a teenager he then performed at Covent Garden Royal Opera House with the Scottish Opera in a critically acclaimed production of Carmen.[5][6]
He first gained fame in 2001 while studying English Literature at Edinburgh University, after appearing on the British talent competition Popstars- a year later millions voted him to the finals of the hit TV talent show Pop Idol. He turned down Simon Cowell's million-pound record deal and went on to sign with grammy-winning U2 producer Steve Lillywhite. His first, self-penned single "Colourblind" entered the UK singles chart at number 1, his debut album went platinum in 2004 and he has subsequently had five UK Top Ten singles and a second gold album. He supported Shakira on her world tour, headlined in India with Alanis Morissette. His book "Sink or Swim", about the perils of the music business, was a no. 6 Sunday Times best-seller.
While studying English Literature and Philosophy at Edinburgh University, he auditioned for the talent competition Popstars, reaching the final stages. He gained the support of the British public and millions voted for him on Pop Idol in 2001, finishing in third place. After the series final, he turned down Simon Cowell's offer to sing cover songs,[7] and instead sent a self-composed track to producer Steve Lillywhite who signed him to a five-album deal. Darius Danesh's Dive In Tour took place in April and May 2003. Originally fifteen dates in May, the tour was expanded to include twenty three dates due to public demand.[8]
In 2002 Colourblind became Darius' first number one single and his self-penned album Dive In went platinum.[7] He wrote all 12 songs on the album and produced one of the tracks called Better Than That whilst collaborating with a number of other producers such as The Misfits and The Matrix on the other tracks. Steve Lillywhite was executive producer on the album. Campbell, then performing as Darius Danesh, went on to support Shakira in Paris on her World Tour[7] and completed his own sell-out UK Dive In Tour. It was a huge success and went platinum in the UK, charting at number 6 in the UK albums chart during the competitive pre-Christmas sales. He wrote all 12 songs on the album, collaborating with a number of other producers such as The Misfits and The Matrix. Steve Lillywhite was executive producer and Darius himself produced the track Better Than That. The first single Colourblind, was released on July 29, 2002 and went straight to number 1 in the UK for two weeks and was certified Silver. The second single Rushes, also did well, going to number 5 in the UK charts, and the third single Incredible (What I Meant to Say) went to number 9. The fourth and last single Girl in the Moon didn't do as well but still got to number 21. The album actually has 69 tracks, but after the first 12 they are all 5 seconds of silence until the last one, which is a songwriting demo of Gotta Know Tonight, effectively making it a hidden track. This songwriting demo has lyrics and music written by Danesh, showing the song as it was first written before other producers added their production ideas to the song. The album was certified platinum in the UK for selling over 300,000 copies.
He contributed to the War Child charity album[9] with Coldplay and Oasis and headlined in India with Alanis Morissette[10] after his album went platinum there. The first single Colourblind, was released on July 29, 2002 and went straight to number 1 in the UK for two weeks and was certified Silver. The second single Rushes, also did well, going to number 5 in the UK charts, and the third single Incredible (What I Meant to Say) went to number 9. The fourth and last single Girl in the Moon didn't do as well but still got to number 21. The album actually has 69 tracks, but after the first 12 they are all 5 seconds of silence until the last one, which is a songwriting demo of Gotta Know Tonight, effectively making it a hidden track. This songwriting demo has lyrics and music written by Danesh, showing the song as it was first written before other producers added their production ideas to the song. The album was certified platinum in the UK for selling over 300,000 copies. The first single released from the album was Kinda Love on October 18, 2004. It peaked at number 8 on the UK singles chart. The second and final single from the album was the title track, Live Twice, released on January 10, 2005. It reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, making it his fifth single to reach the UK top 10.
The last song on the album, Secret Song, is a hidden track as it is included at the end of the song Devil in You after a 3 minute silence between the songs. Secret Song was written and produced by Darius.
He also wrote a no. 6 Sunday Times Best Seller book, "Sink or Swim". After receiving news that his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he wrote and dedicated his second studio album Live Twice to Dr Booth Danesh.[7] In 2005, the album's title-track "Live Twice" became his fifth Top Ten single.[11]
Campbell had two West End runs in Chicago[11] during 2005-2006, and at 25, officially became the youngest actor to fill the role of Billy Flynn since the show first opened on Broadway in 1975.
In 2007, after seeing Ewan McGregor in the role, he landed the lead in Michael Grandage's Olivier Award winning production of Guys and Dolls, starring as Sky Masterson.[12] Later that year he reprised his role of Billy Flynn for the 10th Anniversary charity performance of Chicago in London, to benefit the charities Breast Cancer Haven and Breast Health Institute.[13]
In 2008 he returned to London's West End to originate the role of Rhett Butler in Sir Trevor Nunn's musical adaptation of Gone With The Wind.[14] It officially opened at the New London Theatre on 22 April 2008, the production closing on 14 June 2008, after 79 performances (including previews).
In 2010 he starred in The History of the Big Bands tour[15] – a show which takes the audience on a musical journey through the times of the Big Band and Swing Era. Featuring the songs of Frank Sinatra and the music of the key musicians of the big band era, including music from Harry James, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich. In January and February 2010 Campbell competed in and won the UK's ITV1 talent show Popstar to Operastar, in which eight pop stars were trained to perform world-famous opera arias. He was mentored by world-leading tenor Rolando Villazon, with whom he went on to duet with on the song "The Impossible Dream", to popular acclaim. In May 2010 he appeared as toreador Escamillo in Bizet's opera Carmen at The O2 arena in London.[16]
He rounded off 2010 with a starring role in pantomime, playing the Prince Lorenzo in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the King's Theatre, Glasgow.
In 2010, following his Popstar To Operastar, Campbell confirmed he had began recording his third album. Regarding the album, Campbell said, "I am going to be making a record and releasing my third album. I'm looking forward to hitting the road again and it's great to be back in the UK." He added, "I've spent a lot of time [in] the States and it's great to be back over here. "I'm having the time of my life at the moment with this show, singing again, making news friends and working with classically trained experts". "I'm enjoying this show so much, it will definitely influence the third album."
In September 2011, it was confirmed that Campbell had lost all the songs he had recorded for his third album, however, all the songs were recovered. Darius said: "One of my bags was badly handled and the hard drive was damaged.
"I was gutted. It was the only copy I had left and I thought that was it.The technical experts at Apple said nothing could be done and in London no one could help. I saw this place [in Glasgow] called Databusters and walked in. "I couldn't believe it when he emailed me my demos in few days."[17]
In 2003 Campbell appeared as himself in episode of the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, performing 'Girl in the Moon' at a graduation ball. In 2009 he guest-starred on the BBC show Hotel Babylon, starring as Gennaro Fazio, an Italian magazine editor.[18]
In January and February 2010 Campbell competed in and won the UK's ITV1 talent show Popstar to Operastar, in which eight pop stars were trained to perform world-famous opera arias. He was mentored by world-leading tenor Rolando Villazon, with whom he went on to duet with on the song "The Impossible Dream", to popular acclaim.
Campbell is an Ambassador for The Prince's Trust, helping to give opportunities and support to underprivileged youth. He has designed a guitar for Guitar Aid.[19] He works with and supports the Lymphoma Association and Cancer Research UK amongst other cancer charities.
In January 2010 it was announced that he would be using the name "Darius Campbell"[1] out of respect for his Scottish roots, because "Darius", as he was previously known as a recording artist, was too short and his birth name "Darius Campbell-Danesh" was too long.
Campbell is married to Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge. Newspaper reports said they had broken off their engagement in early 2010,[20] but they resumed their relationship later that year and Campbell and Henstridge married in a secret ceremony in February 2011 that was arranged in 7 days.[21][22]
| Preceded by None |
Winner of Popstar to Operastar 2010 |
Succeeded by Joe McElderry |
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