Biography
Who is Billy Ocean?
Early life and real name
Billy Ocean was born Leslie Sebastian Charles on January 21, 1950, in Fyzabad, Trinidad and Tobago. His father was a Grenadian musician named Hainsley Charles, and his mother was named Violet. When he was ten years old, he moved to Romford, Essex, England, shortly before Trinidad and Tobago gained independence in 1962.
While working as a tailor in London's Savile Row, he sang regularly in a local nightclub. He spent his early musical years singing with several local groups, including the Shades of Midnight and Dry Ice, before launching his solo recording career under record labels such as GTO and Jive.
Career highlights and hit songs
Billy Ocean achieved his first breakthrough success with the single Love Really Hurts Without You in 1976. He reached big global popularity in late 1984 with the release of his fifth studio album, Suddenly, and its lead single Caribbean Queen, which topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
The song earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 1985 Grammy Awards. He followed this success with other major hits, including Loverboy in 1985, When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going in 1985, There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) in 1986, and Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car in 1988.
Awards and later work
Throughout his career, Billy Ocean received numerous honors for his contributions to music. In 2002, the University of Westminster in London awarded him an honorary doctorate of music. He later received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the MOBO Awards in October 2010.
In the 2020 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to music. He has continued to record new studio albums, such as One World in 2020, and tours regularly across Europe and other international locations.
Personal life and family
Billy Ocean has lived in Sunningdale, Berkshire, England, with his wife Judy since 1978. The couple shares three children together, and one of his sons played rugby sevens at the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Barbados.
Following the death of his mother from ovarian cancer in 1989, he made the personal decision to become a vegetarian. He is also a dedicated member of the Rastafari movement.
Birthday and age
Billy Ocean was born on January 21, 1950, which makes Billy 76 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Billy shares the date with 45 other famous people.
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