Biography
Who is Albert Hammond?
Early life and background
Albert Hammond was born in London on May 18, 1944. His family had been moved from Gibraltar during the Second World War. After the war ended, the family returned to Gibraltar where he spent his childhood.
In 1960, he joined a musical group called the Diamond Boys. This Gibraltarian band helped introduce pop and rock music to Spain. They played at the first modern nightclubs in Madrid alongside musicians like Miguel Ríos.
Musical career and songwriting
He moved to the United States in 1970 at age 26 to continue his music career. While he found success in America, his greatest commercial achievements occurred in mainland Europe. His solo hit It Never Rains in Southern California reached number 5 on the US Billboard charts in 1972.
As a songwriter, he has worked with many famous artists. He wrote songs for Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Diana Ross. He also composed tracks for bands such as Chicago, Heart, and Westlife. Some of his well-known compositions include The Air That I Breathe for the Hollies and When I Need You, which became a number 1 hit for Leo Sayer.
Awards and recognition
The songwriter has received several prestigious honors throughout his career. He was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2000. In 2008, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
His work has earned him various accolades. He won an Emmy Award for the song One Moment in Time, which he wrote for the 1988 Summer Olympics. In 2015, he received the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection. He also earned the Ministry of Culture Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
Family and personal life
In 1979, he married Claudia Fernández, a former model from Argentina. The couple has one son named Albert Hammond, Jr. His son is a member of the rock group The Strokes.
Albert Hammond has maintained a long professional career spanning several decades. He has worked as a composer, author, musician, and record producer. His musical style often falls within the pop rock and soft rock genres.
Birthday and age
Albert Hammond was born on May 18, 1944, which makes Albert 82 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Albert shares the date with 71 other famous people.
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