Darius Danesh
Encyclopedia
Darius Campbell 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
.
, to an Iran
ian father Dr. Booth Danesh, who is colour blind
and a Scottish
mother Dr. Avril Campbell. His family live in Bearsden
and he has two younger brothers, Cyrus and Aria. Educated at Bearsden Primary School and the Glasgow Academy, 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
.
- 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, 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.
went platinum. 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 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.
album with Coldplay
and Oasis
and headlined in India with Alanis Morissette
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. In 2005, the album's title-track "Live Twice
" became his fifth Top Ten single.
runs in Chicago
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. 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.
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
. It officially opened at the New London Theatre on 22 April 2008, the production closing on 14 June 2008, after 79 performances (including previews).
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.
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 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."
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.
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.
, helping to give opportunities and support to underprivileged youth. He has designed a guitar for Guitar Aid. He works with and supports the Lymphoma
Association and Cancer Research UK amongst other cancer charities.
. Newspaper reports said they had broken off their engagement in early 2010, 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.
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
stage actor, operatic baritone, Sunday Times best-selling author, and an Ambassador for The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust is a charity in the United Kingdom founded in 1976 by Charles, Prince of Wales to help young people. They run a range of training programmes, provide mentoring support and offer financial grants to build the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people...
.
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
Chicago (musical)
Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago. The music is by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal"...
, appearing in two successful runs; then starring in the Olivier Award
Laurence Olivier Awards
The Laurence Olivier Award is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre. Named after the renowned British actor Laurence Olivier, they are given for West End shows and other productions staged in London...
winning Guys and Dolls as the lead Sky Masterson; and then originating the role of Rhett Butler
Rhett Butler
Rhett Butler is a fictional character and one of the main protagonists of Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.-Role:In the beginning of the novel, we first meet Rhett at the Twelve Oaks Plantation barbecue, the home of John Wilkes and his son Ashley and daughters Honey and India Wilkes...
in Sir Trevor Nunn’s theatrical adaptation of Gone with the Wind
Gone With The Wind (musical)
Gone with the Wind is a musical based on the Margaret Mitchell's novel of the same name and its 1939 film adaptation, with music and lyrics by Margaret Martin, and a book by Martin, adapted by Sir Trevor Nunn....
.
In 2010 he trained with tenor Rolando Villazon, winning the hit ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
competition Popstar to Operastar
Popstar to Operastar
Popstar to Operastar is a British television programme singing competition based around the training of pop stars of current to be able to sing opera. The show began airing on ITV on 15 January 2010 at 9pm. The show is repeated on TV3 Ireland on Saturday evening. The programme is produced by...
, 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
The O2 (London)
The O2, visually typeset in branding as The O2, is a large entertainment district on the Greenwich peninsula in South East London, England, including an indoor arena, a music club, a Cineworld cinema, an exhibition space, piazzas, bars and restaurants...
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
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
and Swing Era
Swing (genre)
Swing music, also known as swing jazz or simply swing, is a form of jazz music that developed in the early 1930s and became a distinctive style by 1935 in the United States...
.
Early life
Campbell was born in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, to an Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian father Dr. Booth Danesh, who is colour blind
Color blindness
Color blindness or color vision deficiency is the inability or decreased ability to see color, or perceive color differences, under lighting conditions when color vision is not normally impaired...
and a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
mother Dr. Avril Campbell. His family live in Bearsden
Bearsden
Bearsden ) is a town in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It lies on the northwestern fringe of Greater Glasgow, approximately from the City Centre, and is effectively a suburb, with housing development coinciding with the introduction of a railway line in 1863, and from where the town gets its name...
and he has two younger brothers, Cyrus and Aria. Educated at Bearsden Primary School and the Glasgow Academy, he went on to study English Literature and Philosophy at Edinburgh University
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
.
His professional career began acting as a ten-year-old Trojan boy in a non-singing role of the Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera is the national opera company of Scotland, and one of the five national performing arts companies funded by the Scottish Government...
's avant garde 1990s production of The Trojans. As a teenager he then performed at Covent Garden Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
with the Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera is the national opera company of Scotland, and one of the five national performing arts companies funded by the Scottish Government...
in a critically acclaimed production of Carmen
Carmen
Carmen is a French opéra comique by Georges Bizet. The libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée, first published in 1845, itself possibly influenced by the narrative poem The Gypsies by Alexander Pushkin...
.
2001-02: Pop Idol and Popstars
He first gained fame in 2001 while studying English Literature at Edinburgh University, after appearing on the British talent competition PopstarsPopstars (UK series 1)
Popstars was a UK talent show series that was broadcast on ITV in early 2001. It was the first UK series of the international Popstars franchise, and was billed as a documentary on the formation of a modern pop group. The series began with audition rounds of aspiring singers performing songs...
- a year later millions voted him to the finals of the hit TV talent show Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
. He turned down Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
's million-pound record deal and went on to sign with grammy-winning U2 producer Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite is an English Grammy Award winning record producer. Since he began his career in 1977, Lillywhite has been credited for working on over 500 records and has collaborated with a variety of musicians including XTC, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Dave Matthews Band, U2, Peter Gabriel,...
. His first, self-penned single "Colourblind" entered the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
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
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...
on her world tour, headlined in India with Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
. 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
Popstars (UK series 1)
Popstars was a UK talent show series that was broadcast on ITV in early 2001. It was the first UK series of the international Popstars franchise, and was billed as a documentary on the formation of a modern pop group. The series began with audition rounds of aspiring singers performing songs...
, reaching the final stages. He gained the support of the British public and millions voted for him on Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
in 2001, finishing in third place. After the series final, he turned down Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
's offer to sing cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
songs, and instead sent a self-composed track to producer Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite is an English Grammy Award winning record producer. Since he began his career in 1977, Lillywhite has been credited for working on over 500 records and has collaborated with a variety of musicians including XTC, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Dave Matthews Band, U2, Peter Gabriel,...
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.
2002-04: Dive In and Dive In Tour
In 2002 Colourblind became Darius' first number one single and his self-penned album Dive InDive In
Dive In is Darius Danesh's debut album, released toward the end of 2002. 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...
went platinum. 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
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...
in Paris on her World Tour and completed his own sell-out UK Dive In Tour
Dive In Tour
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.-Set list:* Sliding Doors* Better Than That* Mockingbird* Bootylicious / Faith...
. It was a huge success and went platinum in the UK, charting at number 6 in the UK albums chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for 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
Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite is an English Grammy Award winning record producer. Since he began his career in 1977, Lillywhite has been credited for working on over 500 records and has collaborated with a variety of musicians including XTC, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Dave Matthews Band, U2, Peter Gabriel,...
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
Rushes (song)
"Rushes" is a 2002 single by Darius Danesh, one of the finalists on Pop Idol in 2002. It was his second single release and was taken from his debut album Dive In. It was released on November 25, 2002...
, also did well, going to number 5 in the UK charts, and the third single Incredible (What I Meant to Say)
Incredible (What I Meant to Say)
"Incredible " is Darius Danesh's third single from his debut album Dive In.-Release:"Incredible" was released March 3, 2003 and peaked at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart, making it his third consecutive top 10 hit.-Track listing:...
went to number 9. The fourth and last single Girl in the Moon
Girl in the Moon
"Girl in the Moon" is the fourth and final single from Darius Danesh's debut album, Dive In.-Release:"Girl in the Moon" was released on June 9, 2003, and reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart.-Song history:...
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.
2004-05: Sink or Swim book and Live Twice
He contributed to the War Child charityWar Child (charity)
War Child is a non-governmental organisation founded in the UK 1993, which focuses on providing assistance to children in areas of conflict and post-conflict. They use their film and entertainment background to raise money for aid agencies operating in former Yugoslavia...
album with Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
and Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
and headlined in India with Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
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
Rushes (song)
"Rushes" is a 2002 single by Darius Danesh, one of the finalists on Pop Idol in 2002. It was his second single release and was taken from his debut album Dive In. It was released on November 25, 2002...
, also did well, going to number 5 in the UK charts, and the third single Incredible (What I Meant to Say)
Incredible (What I Meant to Say)
"Incredible " is Darius Danesh's third single from his debut album Dive In.-Release:"Incredible" was released March 3, 2003 and peaked at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart, making it his third consecutive top 10 hit.-Track listing:...
went to number 9. The fourth and last single Girl in the Moon
Girl in the Moon
"Girl in the Moon" is the fourth and final single from Darius Danesh's debut album, Dive In.-Release:"Girl in the Moon" was released on June 9, 2003, and reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart.-Song history:...
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
Kinda Love
"Kinda Love" is the first single from Darius Danesh's second album, Live Twice.-Release:"Kinda Love" was released on October 18, 2004, and peaked at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.-Song history:...
on October 18, 2004. It peaked at number 8 on the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The second and final single from the album was the title track, Live Twice
Live Twice (song)
"Live Twice" is the title track and the second single from Darius Danesh's second album, Live Twice.-Release:"Live Twice" was released as a single on January 10, 2005, and peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, making it his fifth single to reach the UK top 10.-Track listing:* UK CD1# "Live...
, 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
The Sunday Times (UK)
The Sunday Times is a Sunday broadsheet newspaper, distributed in the United Kingdom. The Sunday Times is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of News International, which is in turn owned by News Corporation. Times Newspapers also owns The Times, but the two papers were founded...
Best Seller book, "Sink or Swim". After receiving news that his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, he wrote and dedicated his second studio album Live Twice
Live Twice (album)
Live Twice is Darius Danesh's second album, released on October 25, 2004. It did not do as well as his previous album, Dive In, charting at number 36 in the UK albums chart. He wrote 12 songs on the album, the only song he does not have a writing credit for is Save Me...
to Dr Booth Danesh. In 2005, the album's title-track "Live Twice
Live Twice (song)
"Live Twice" is the title track and the second single from Darius Danesh's second album, Live Twice.-Release:"Live Twice" was released as a single on January 10, 2005, and peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, making it his fifth single to reach the UK top 10.-Track listing:* UK CD1# "Live...
" became his fifth Top Ten single.
2005-08: Chicago and Guys and Dolls
Campbell had two West EndWest End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
runs in Chicago
Chicago (musical)
Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago. The music is by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal"...
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
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in 1975.
In 2007, after seeing Ewan McGregor in the role, he landed the lead in Michael Grandage
Michael Grandage
Michael Grandage CBE is a British theatre director and producer, and current Artistic Director at the Donmar Warehouse, London. Grandage won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for Red.-Early years:...
's Olivier Award winning production of Guys and Dolls, starring as Sky Masterson. 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
Breast Cancer Haven
Breast Cancer Haven is a charity in the United Kingdom which rebranded in September 2010 and is now called The Haven.The Haven runs centres in London, Hereford and Leeds, offering free support, information and complementary therapies to anyone affected emotionally or physically by breast cancer and...
and Breast Health Institute.
In 2008 he returned to London's West End to originate the role of Rhett Butler
Rhett Butler
Rhett Butler is a fictional character and one of the main protagonists of Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.-Role:In the beginning of the novel, we first meet Rhett at the Twelve Oaks Plantation barbecue, the home of John Wilkes and his son Ashley and daughters Honey and India Wilkes...
in Sir Trevor Nunn
Trevor Nunn
Sir Trevor Robert Nunn, CBE is an English theatre, film and television director. Nunn has been the Artistic Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He has directed musicals and dramas for the stage, as well as opera...
's musical adaptation of Gone With The Wind
Gone With The Wind (musical)
Gone with the Wind is a musical based on the Margaret Mitchell's novel of the same name and its 1939 film adaptation, with music and lyrics by Margaret Martin, and a book by Martin, adapted by Sir Trevor Nunn....
. It officially opened at the New London Theatre on 22 April 2008, the production closing on 14 June 2008, after 79 performances (including previews).
2010-2011: Popstar to Operastar
In 2010 he starred in The History of the Big Bands tour – a show which takes the audience on a musical journey through the times of the Big BandBig band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
and Swing Era
Swing (genre)
Swing music, also known as swing jazz or simply swing, is a form of jazz music that developed in the early 1930s and became a distinctive style by 1935 in the United States...
. Featuring the songs of Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
and the music of the key musicians of the big band era, including music from Harry James
Harry James
Henry Haag “Harry” James was a trumpeter who led a jazz swing band during the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 1940s. He was especially known among musicians for his astonishing technical proficiency as well as his superior tone.-Biography:He was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader of a...
, Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
, Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
, Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
, Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
, Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
and Buddy Rich
Buddy Rich
Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
.
In January and February 2010 Campbell competed in and won the UK's ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
talent show Popstar to Operastar
Popstar to Operastar
Popstar to Operastar is a British television programme singing competition based around the training of pop stars of current to be able to sing opera. The show began airing on ITV on 15 January 2010 at 9pm. The show is repeated on TV3 Ireland on Saturday evening. The programme is produced by...
, in which eight pop stars were trained to perform world-famous opera arias. He was mentored by world-leading tenor Rolando Villazon
Rolando Villazón
Emilio Rolando Villazón Mauleón is a Mexican tenor. He settled in France and in 2007 became a French citizen.-Early life and education:...
, 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
Carmen
Carmen is a French opéra comique by Georges Bizet. The libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée, first published in 1845, itself possibly influenced by the narrative poem The Gypsies by Alexander Pushkin...
at The O2 arena
The O2 arena (London)
The O2 Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the centre of The O2, a large entertainment complex on the Greenwich peninsula in London, England.With a capacity of up to 20,000 depending on the event, it is second largest...
in London.
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.
2011-present: Third studio album
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."
Television
In 2003 Campbell appeared as himself in episode of the Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
soap Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
, performing 'Girl in the Moon' at a graduation ball. In 2009 he guest-starred on the BBC show Hotel Babylon
Hotel Babylon
Hotel Babylon was a BBC television drama series based on the book of the same name by Imogen Edwards-Jones, that aired from 19 January 2006 to 14 August 2009, produced by independent production company Carnival Films for BBC One...
, starring as Gennaro Fazio, an Italian magazine editor.
In January and February 2010 Campbell competed in and won the UK's ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
talent show Popstar to Operastar
Popstar to Operastar
Popstar to Operastar is a British television programme singing competition based around the training of pop stars of current to be able to sing opera. The show began airing on ITV on 15 January 2010 at 9pm. The show is repeated on TV3 Ireland on Saturday evening. The programme is produced by...
, in which eight pop stars were trained to perform world-famous opera arias. He was mentored by world-leading tenor Rolando Villazon
Rolando Villazón
Emilio Rolando Villazón Mauleón is a Mexican tenor. He settled in France and in 2007 became a French citizen.-Early life and education:...
, with whom he went on to duet with on the song "The Impossible Dream", to popular acclaim.
Charity
Campbell is an Ambassador for The Prince's TrustThe Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust is a charity in the United Kingdom founded in 1976 by Charles, Prince of Wales to help young people. They run a range of training programmes, provide mentoring support and offer financial grants to build the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people...
, helping to give opportunities and support to underprivileged youth. He has designed a guitar for Guitar Aid. He works with and supports the Lymphoma
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage...
Association and Cancer Research UK amongst other cancer charities.
Name change
In January 2010 it was announced that he would be using the name "Darius Campbell" 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.Relationships
Campbell is married to Canadian actress Natasha HenstridgeNatasha Henstridge
Natasha T. Henstridge is a Canadian fashion model turned actress. Her most notable on-screen roles include Species, The Whole Nine Yards, It Had To Be You, Ghosts of Mars, She Spies, the TV series Eli Stone, and the Canadian TV mini-series Would Be Kings, for which she won the Gemini Award for...
. Newspaper reports said they had broken off their engagement in early 2010, 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.
Discography
- Dive InDive InDive In is Darius Danesh's debut album, released toward the end of 2002. 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...
(2002) - Live TwiceLive Twice (album)Live Twice is Darius Danesh's second album, released on October 25, 2004. It did not do as well as his previous album, Dive In, charting at number 36 in the UK albums chart. He wrote 12 songs on the album, the only song he does not have a writing credit for is Save Me...
(2004) - TBA (2012)
See also
- List of British Iranians
- List of Scots
- List of Scottish actors
- List of Scottish musicians
- List of famous Glaswegians
External links
- Guitar Aid - The Darius Guitar