Chris Norman

Chris Norman was born on October 25, 1949, in Redcar, North Yorkshire, into a show business family. Forming a band at St. Bede's Grammar School in Bradford with friends Alan Silson and Terry Uttley, the group evolved into 'Smokie' in 1974 after signing with legendary songwriting and production duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Norman's gravelly yet intensely melodic vocal delivery became the group's unmistakable sonic trademark.

Between 1975 and 1980, Smokie scored an uninterrupted string of Top 10 hits across the UK, Europe, Australia, and South Africa, including 'If You Think You Know How to Love Me', 'Don't Play Your Rock 'n' Roll to Me', 'I'll Meet You at Midnight', and the multi-million-selling global anthem 'Living Next Door to Alice' (1976). In 1978, Norman teamed up with American rock icon Suzi Quatro for the romantic duet 'Stumblin' In', which became a massive Top 5 Billboard Hot 100 smash in the United States.

Launching a successful solo career in the mid-1980s, Norman achieved another European chart triumph in 1986 with 'Midnight Lady', written by Dieter Bohlen of Modern Talking, which spent six weeks at No. 1 in Germany and topped charts across Scandinavia. Norman continues to tour and release new music worldwide, commanding a passionate global fan base.