Bruno Mars

Overview

Peter Gene Hernandez known professionally as Bruno Mars, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, dancer, and music video director. He is known for his stage performances, retro showmanship, and for performing in a wide range of musical styles, including pop, R&B, funk, soul, reggae, disco, and rock. Mars is accompanied by his band, the Hooligans, who play a variety of instruments, such as electric guitar, bass, piano, keyboards, drums, and horns, and also serve as backup singers and dancers.
- IMDb mini biography by: Bonitao

His mother, Bernadette Bayot, died at age 55 of a brain aneurysm on June 1, 2013 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was a hula dancer and singer and has been credited with encouraging her children's love of music.
Growing up, he was widely influenced by Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley.
His father is of half Puerto Rican and half Ashkenazi Jewish (from Hungary and Ukraine) descent. His mother was of Filipino and some Spanish ancestry.
Has four sisters who form the musical group, "Lylas", and a brother who plays drums for his band.
Co-wrote the hook for number 1 hit single, "Nothin' On You", in which he also provided vocals along with rap artist B.o.B..

You're amazing just the way you are
I never once said I changed my last name to hide the fact that I'm Puerto Rican... That's so insulting to me, to my family. That's ridiculous. My last name is Hernandez. My father's name is Pedrito Hernandez, and he's a Puerto Rican pimp. There's no denying that. My dad nicknamed me Bruno since I was 2 years old. The real story is: I was going to go by 'Bruno,' one name. Mars just kind of came joking around because that sounds bigger than life. That was it, simple as that.
I think I don't take myself too seriously. You know as far as, it's a fun life. I take my music serious, but I like to have fun.
My background is I used to play (in bands at) bars and pubs. We used to cover Nirvana and sing 'Bilie Jean' over 'Smells Like Teen Spirit.' We did that at the bars and would get everyone going.
I take the artist side of what I do very seriously. I feel it's my job to continue being a student of music if I want to continue being an artist and a producer of other artists. You have to keep filling your mind with other music.