Biography

Paul Young was born on January 17, 1956 in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, UK. He is an actor and composer, known for Sixteen Candles (1984), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) and Ruthless People (1986). He is married to Lorna. He was previously married to Stacey Young.

He was inspired by American soul singers such as Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Joe Tex and Bobby Womack.

He was one of Britain's biggest pop stars of the 1980s, scoring major hits in the UK and the United States. During this period he won three Brit (British Phonographic Industry) Awards. These were British Breakthrough Act in 1984, British Male Solo Artist in 1985 following the success of his multi-million-selling album "No Parlez" and British Video in 1986 for his song "Every Time You Go Away".

He has three children with model Stacey Smith: Levi (b. 1987), Layla (b. 1994), Grady (b. 1996).

His voice was the first to be heard on the Band Aid charity record "Do They Know It's Christmas". He replaced David Bowie, who was originally wanted for the first line of the song but was not available.

Songwriter Holly Knight wrote "(Simply) The Best" (1989) with Paul in mind. However, when he passed on the offer, Tina Turner recorded the song - after adding a bridge and key change - and it became one of her most high-profile signature tunes.

I think the main thing about doing a cover is you feel there's something in the song that suits you and so you then alter the song to make it suit you. If you didn't alter things to suit you then all you're saying is 'my voice has a similar style to the guy that did it 10 years ago so I'm going to copy that' and there's not much to be said about that.

A good voice is an expressive voice. Technically I haven't got a good voice because it's rough.

[on Rod Stewart] I do think he's a great writer. I'm really pleased that on his new album he's started writing again. He's always been on form. He's never lost it.

[on Gary Glitter] A very rich and varied career. One of life's great entertainers and I've always admired great entertainers, probably even nicked a few moves at one time or another.