Chris de Burgh, born Christopher John Davison, is a British Irish singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans five decades and more than 45 million album sales worldwide. Beginning as an art rock performer in the early 1970s, he later transitioned into a more pop-focused sound that brought him major international success. His breakthrough came with the 1986 global hit The Lady in Red, a love song that topped charts in numerous countries and earned him the ASCAP Pop Music Award in 1988 for being one of the most performed songs of the year.
Chris signed his first record contract with A and M Records in 1974 and released his debut album Far Beyond These Castle Walls, which featured fan favourites such as Patricia the Stripper and A Spaceman Came Travelling. His compilation album Best Moves became his first UK chart entry, marking the beginning of his rise to mainstream visibility. This momentum continued with singles, including Don't Pay the Ferryman, which reached the Top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and introduced him to American audiences.
Throughout the following decades, Chris continued to release charting material, perform worldwide, and build a loyal global fanbase. His single Flying became a phenomenon in Brazil, remaining at number one for an extraordinary 17 consecutive weeks and reinforcing his status as an international touring artist. His music has also remained culturally relevant, with The Lady in Red being featured in major films such as the 2024 blockbuster Deadpool and Wolverine, which surpassed one billion dollars at the global box office within its first month of release.
In addition to his musical achievements, Chris has appeared in television and film, including The Grand Knockout Tournament in 1987, How to Cheat in the Leaving Certificate in 1998, and a guest appearance on The Bachelor in 2022. Today, he continues to perform, record, and inspire audiences around the world. With timeless hits, an unmistakable vocal style, and a catalogue beloved across generations, Chris de Burgh remains one of the most enduring and recognisable voices in contemporary music.
