Martin Page
Encyclopedia
Martin Page is a musician
, singer, bass player
, session musician
, and noted pop
songwriter
.
Martin George Page was born at Southampton
, Hampshire, England, September 23, 1959 to Alan Richard Page (an aviation engineer) and Ruth Pamela Page. Page spent a good portion of his childhood moving from military base to military base as a result of his father's career. During those times, he stated that he spent a lot of time listening to early Genesis, the Beatles, and Motown musicians. Prior to becoming a musician/songwriter, Page was an apprentice to the Southampton Saints
, a professional association football (soccer) team. While he enjoyed playing within the Saints' apprentice program, Page spent a great deal of his time listening to live music and learning how to play his chief instrument, the bass guitar, and that ultimately began to affect his abilities as an association football player. After a good deal of thought and consideration, Page's love of music propelled him to leave his association football apprenticeship and become a professional bass player. Page toured with many British bands as a session musician before forming Q-Feel
with his bandmate (and later friend, flatmate, and writing partner) Brian Fairweather. Q-Feel's success with their single "Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)" led to Page and Fairweather moving to Los Angeles, where they met Diane Poncher. Poncher worked for Bob Cavallo (who was part of Cavallo, Ruffalo and Fargnoli Management and was looking for new bands to manage), and she saw that Page and Fairweather had the potential to produce quality work, so she left his agency and became Page and Fairweather's manager.
Thanks to Poncher's connections and Page and Fairweather's talents, Page was able to work with some of his musical heroes, including Earth, Wind, and Fire, The Commodores, and Elton John
's writing partner, Bernie Taupin. Page's partnership with Taupin yielded the hit "We Built This City
" (Starship) and "These Dreams
" (Heart
). Page and Taupin worked together again on Taupin's Tribe
album and Page's In the House of Stone and Light
. album. Page was also the composer behind (Go West
)'s big hits "King of Wishful Thinking
" and "Faithful
." In addition to the aforementioned hits, Page has also written songs with Robbie Robertson
, for Tom Jones
, for Josh Groban
, and many others. Page also played keyboards for Ray Parker, Jr.
, on the Ghostbusters theme song
.
In 1994, Page received recognition as a singer and musician in his own right with his album In the House of Stone and Light
. The title track, which he wrote himself after spending some time in reflection on a visit to the Grand Canyon, was a hit in the same year, reaching #14 on the Billboard Hot 100
and becoming a popular mainstream hit. After the success of In the House of Stone and Light
, Page took some time for touring and reflection. He also lost his parents and his some dear friends in the time between his first and second albums. The loss of his parents hit Page especially hard, and he went through a time of grieving. Fortunately, though, he returned to the studio and in 2008, his second album, In the Temple of the Muse, was released via IroningBoard Records, an independent label that Page and Poncher started together in order to give Page greater control of his music. Among the songs on "In the Temple of the Muse" are Page's own recording of "Mi Morena" and "Blessed," which is a song that Page has described as a "commitment song." He has also stated that "Blessed" is not about any person specifically, although he has stated that when his mother was still alive and around his studio when he was writing the song, she would plead with him not to play it because it would make her cry.
Page currently resides in Southern California
, and he has active MySpace
and Facebook
accounts in addition to his own website. Page is active and responds often to his fans through his assistant, Vanessa Leavitt. He has never married, and he shares his home with his three cats. He has finished the third album, tentatively titled, A Temper of Peace, and is now preparing for its release around Christmas 2011.
Singles
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, singer, bass player
Bass Player
Bass player can refer to:*Bass Player , an album by Rhombus*Bass Player , a magazine for bassists*Bassist, or bass player, a musician who plays the bass guitar...
, session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
, and noted pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
Martin George Page was born at Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, Hampshire, England, September 23, 1959 to Alan Richard Page (an aviation engineer) and Ruth Pamela Page. Page spent a good portion of his childhood moving from military base to military base as a result of his father's career. During those times, he stated that he spent a lot of time listening to early Genesis, the Beatles, and Motown musicians. Prior to becoming a musician/songwriter, Page was an apprentice to the Southampton Saints
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, a professional association football (soccer) team. While he enjoyed playing within the Saints' apprentice program, Page spent a great deal of his time listening to live music and learning how to play his chief instrument, the bass guitar, and that ultimately began to affect his abilities as an association football player. After a good deal of thought and consideration, Page's love of music propelled him to leave his association football apprenticeship and become a professional bass player. Page toured with many British bands as a session musician before forming Q-Feel
Q-Feel
Q-Feel was a British synthpop group. They released their self-titled album in 1983, which included their only hit single, "Dancing in Heaven ". Group member Martin Page went on to achieve success as a songwriter and solo artist....
with his bandmate (and later friend, flatmate, and writing partner) Brian Fairweather. Q-Feel's success with their single "Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)" led to Page and Fairweather moving to Los Angeles, where they met Diane Poncher. Poncher worked for Bob Cavallo (who was part of Cavallo, Ruffalo and Fargnoli Management and was looking for new bands to manage), and she saw that Page and Fairweather had the potential to produce quality work, so she left his agency and became Page and Fairweather's manager.
Thanks to Poncher's connections and Page and Fairweather's talents, Page was able to work with some of his musical heroes, including Earth, Wind, and Fire, The Commodores, and Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
's writing partner, Bernie Taupin. Page's partnership with Taupin yielded the hit "We Built This City
We Built This City
"We Built This City" is the title of a song written by Bernie Taupin, Martin Page, Dennis Lambert, and Peter Wolf, and originally recorded by the American pop rock group Starship and released as its debut single on August 1, 1985....
" (Starship) and "These Dreams
These Dreams
"These Dreams" is a song by the rock band Heart released in 1986 from their 1985 self-titled album. It was the first song by the band to become a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.-Origin of the song:...
" (Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
). Page and Taupin worked together again on Taupin's Tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
album and Page's In the House of Stone and Light
In the House of Stone and Light (album)
-Personnel:*Martin Page: Acoustic, Electric & Bass Guitars, Keyboards, Hand Claps*Bill Dillon: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Mandolin, Guitorgan*Robbie Robertson: Acoustic & Electric Guitars*Neil Taylor: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Ebow...
. album. Page was also the composer behind (Go West
Go West (band)
Go West is an English pop duo, formed in 1982 by lead vocalist and drummer Peter Cox ; and guitarist and vocalist Richard Drummie...
)'s big hits "King of Wishful Thinking
King of Wishful Thinking
"King of Wishful Thinking" is a 1990 hit song by the British pop band Go West. It was featured in the film Pretty Woman and appeared on its soundtrack...
" and "Faithful
Faithful
Faithful may refer to:* Faithfulness* Faithful , a baptised Catholic* Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season, a book about the Boston Red Sox...
." In addition to the aforementioned hits, Page has also written songs with Robbie Robertson
Robbie Robertson
Robbie Robertson, OC; is a Canadian singer-songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known for his membership as the guitarist and primary songwriter within The Band. He was ranked 59th in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
, for Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
, for Josh Groban
Josh Groban
Joshua Winslow "Josh" Groban is an American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and record producer. His four solo albums have been certified at least multi-platinum, and in 2007, he was charted as the number-one best selling artist in the United States with over 21 million records in that country...
, and many others. Page also played keyboards for Ray Parker, Jr.
Ray Parker, Jr.
Ray Erskine Parker, Jr. , is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer and recording artist. Parker is known for writing and performing the theme song to the motion picture Ghostbusters, for his solo hits, and performing with his band Raydio as well as the late Barry White.-Early life and...
, on the Ghostbusters theme song
Ghostbusters (song)
"Ghostbusters" is a 1984 song recorded by Ray Parker, Jr. as the theme to the film of the same name starring Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 11 in 1984, and stayed there for three weeks...
.
In 1994, Page received recognition as a singer and musician in his own right with his album In the House of Stone and Light
In the House of Stone and Light (album)
-Personnel:*Martin Page: Acoustic, Electric & Bass Guitars, Keyboards, Hand Claps*Bill Dillon: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Mandolin, Guitorgan*Robbie Robertson: Acoustic & Electric Guitars*Neil Taylor: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Ebow...
. The title track, which he wrote himself after spending some time in reflection on a visit to the Grand Canyon, was a hit in the same year, reaching #14 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and becoming a popular mainstream hit. After the success of In the House of Stone and Light
In the House of Stone and Light
"In the House of Stone and Light" is a song by British musician Martin Page. The song was released in July 1994 from the album of the same name. The song peaked at number 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in 1995 and reached number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.The...
, Page took some time for touring and reflection. He also lost his parents and his some dear friends in the time between his first and second albums. The loss of his parents hit Page especially hard, and he went through a time of grieving. Fortunately, though, he returned to the studio and in 2008, his second album, In the Temple of the Muse, was released via IroningBoard Records, an independent label that Page and Poncher started together in order to give Page greater control of his music. Among the songs on "In the Temple of the Muse" are Page's own recording of "Mi Morena" and "Blessed," which is a song that Page has described as a "commitment song." He has also stated that "Blessed" is not about any person specifically, although he has stated that when his mother was still alive and around his studio when he was writing the song, she would plead with him not to play it because it would make her cry.
Page currently resides in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, and he has active MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
and Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
accounts in addition to his own website. Page is active and responds often to his fans through his assistant, Vanessa Leavitt. He has never married, and he shares his home with his three cats. He has finished the third album, tentatively titled, A Temper of Peace, and is now preparing for its release around Christmas 2011.
Charts
Albums| Year | Album | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | In the House of Stone and Light In the House of Stone and Light (album) -Personnel:*Martin Page: Acoustic, Electric & Bass Guitars, Keyboards, Hand Claps*Bill Dillon: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Mandolin, Guitorgan*Robbie Robertson: Acoustic & Electric Guitars*Neil Taylor: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Ebow... |
The Billboard 200 | 161 |
| 2008 | In the Temple of the Muse | The Billboard 200 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "In the House of Stone and Light In the House of Stone and Light "In the House of Stone and Light" is a song by British musician Martin Page. The song was released in July 1994 from the album of the same name. The song peaked at number 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in 1995 and reached number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.The... " |
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 14 | ||
| 1995 | U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream | 9 | |
| "Keeper of the Flame Keeper of the Flame (song) "Keeper of the Flame" is a single by British musician Martin Page. The single was released in 1995, and is the second single to Page's debut solo album, In the House of Stone and Light... " |
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary | 19 | |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 83 | ||
| "Put on Your Red Dress Put on Your Red Dress "Put on Your Red Dress" is a single by British musician Martin Page. It was the third and final single released on the album. There was no music video made to accompany the song, however, a radio edit was made.... " |
Media Control Charts Germany Top 100 Singles | - | |