Biography
Who is David Foster?
Early life and background
David Foster Walter Foster was born on November 1, 1949, in Victoria, Canada. His parents were Maurice Foster, an office worker, and Eleanor Foster, a homemaker. He grew up with six siblings. His family recognized his musical ability early, discovering he had perfect pitch around age three.
During his childhood, he studied both jazz and classical music. At age thirteen, hearing The Beatles on the radio inspired him to pursue a music career. He enrolled in the University of Washington music program in 1963. He also attended Mount Douglas Secondary School between 1964 and 1966. While in school, he played with a local band called The Teen Beats and formed a lasting bond with bandmate Chris Earthy.
Starting a professional career
In 1966, David joined a stage band named The Strangers, which eventually relocated to London. The band performed alongside musicians Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry. Diddley served as a mentor to the young musician, specifically teaching him about groove. During this time, he faced financial hardship.
By 1969, he was auditioning for a band at an Edmonton nightclub owned by jazz musician Tommy Banks. Banks provided him with mentorship in jazz, record production, and the music industry. Around this period, he also performed with Ronnie Hawkins. In 1971, while playing in Hawkins' band, he met B.J. Cook and the two formed the group Skylark. In 1972, the group moved to Los Angeles at the suggestion of Barry De Vorzon, who supported the band after hearing their demo of the song Wildflower.
Production work and collaborations
David established himself as a prominent producer throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He contributed to the 1979 Earth, Wind & Fire album I Am, co-writing the hit After the Love Has Gone. This track earned him a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. He also produced Boz Scaggs' album Middle Man in 1980, contributing to tracks like Look What You've Done to Me.
In 1982, he produced the original cast album for the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. This project earned him a Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album. He also became a key figure for the band Chicago, producing their albums Chicago 16, Chicago 17, and Chicago 18. During this time, he co-wrote hits such as Hard to Say I'm Sorry, Hard Habit to Break, and You're the Inspiration. For his production work on Chicago 17, he received the Grammy Award for Producer of the Year.
Executive roles and later musical projects
Beyond his work as a producer and songwriter, David held high-level executive positions within the music industry. He served as the senior vice president of Warner Music Group starting in 1997. Later, he chaired Verve Records from 2012 until 2016.
In the 2020s, he turned his attention to theater, composing Boop! The Musical. The show premiered in Chicago in 2023 and debuted on Broadway in 2025. This work earned him a nomination for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music. Throughout his decades of work, he has received various honors, including the Officer of the Order of Canada and multiple Grammy Awards for his instrumental arrangements and musical theater contributions.
Birthday and age
David Foster was born on November 1, 1949, which makes David 77 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. David shares the date with 38 other famous people.
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