MARK READ- BIOGRAPHY

Mark Read first found fame as part of the internationally successful UK Pop Group A1 scoring several number one hits across the globe and two UK No.1s within nine weeks with a cover of A-HA’s Take On Me, followed by the self-penned Same Old Brand New You.

After enjoying nine UK Top Ten Hits, six of which were co-written by Mark, three successful albums including one Triple Platinum, and being awarded a prestigious BRIT award for British Breakthrough Act in 2001 with the group, Mark now has a bright career ahead of him as a solo artist.

Since A1 disbanded in late 2002, Mark has focused on writing for other artists, signing a publishing deal with Metrophonic, the hit making house responsible for writing and producing such huge hits as Enrique Iglesias’ Hero, Chers Believe and If Your Not the One for Daniel Bedingfield.

During this time he has written with a number of major International artists and already possesses an impressive list of writing credits to his name including: Robin Gibb, Charlotte Church, Sarah Brightman, Jo O’Meara (S Club 7), Ben Adams, The Hollies, The Jones Gang amongst others.

With a reputation for outstanding musicianship and dedication to his craft, Mark has earned the opportunity to collaborate with a number of well respected writers, producers and performers throughout the early stages of his career including : Robin Gibb, Joe Brown, Sam Brown, Jarvis Cocker, Roger Cook, Rob Davis, Robert Hart (Bad Company) Mike Hedges, The Hollies, Kenney Jones (The Who, The Faces), Ronan Keating, Steve Mac, Dennis Morgan, Chris Porter, Denny Randell, Gary Stevenson and Rick Wills (Foreigner).

Mark’s experience as a performer, however, extends back long before the signing of his first recording contract at the age of 19. Growing up in a musical family gave him an early start, he began playing piano at the tender age of three and at seven he would regularly watch, mesmerised, as his parents performed with their band. It was at this time he became hooked on live performance - he joined them on stage for an impromptu rendition of Elvis Presley’s Blue Suede Shoes. It wasn’t long before he was on the circuit himself, having joined the family band. This eventually led to several stints on many P&O cruise ships at the age of 15, making him the youngest musician ever to perform on board a P&O cruise.

From the ages 16 for the next three years, Mark was approached by a number of well respected managers for various projects but it wasn’t until he met and befriended future A1 band-mate Ben Adams that the first chapter of what his career in the music industry began.

More recently, through collaboration with singer/songwriter Robert Hart (Bad Company), Mark has written songs for Kenney Jones’s (of Small Faces, the Faces and The Who fame) new band - The Jones Gang. Featuring Robert Hart on vocals and Rick Wills on bass, collectively, The Jones Gang have experienced chart success in America with their debut hit single “Angel” which reached No1 in the US Billboard Chart for 11 weeks in November 2005. Mark has also been performing with the band on keyboards at numerous gigs and on promotional trips to America and went back to LA in August 2006 as The Jones Gang won the prestigious Elvis Presley Award for the ‘Patriotic Song of 2005’ sponsored by Gibson Guitars. The band performed on CBS Network Television for this event.

During his time as a songwriter with Metrophonic Mark has focused on writing material for his own solo project. An extremely accomplished piano player/composer/arranger and vocalist, he has recently started playing the guitar, leading to a different style of writing and proving inspirational in the creation of his own material. In February 2008 a Mark Read song was selected for the final six songs in the UK entry for Eurovision ’08.

2009 is definitely a new beginning for Mark. A new song titled ‘Greatest Lady in my Life’ was taken exclusively by Tesco for their prestigious annual ‘Mum of the Year’ event staged at the Waldorf Hotel London on March 1st. Mark performed it live to this year’s winner. This single was followed by the incredibley catchy “Peace At Last”, the perfect somg for the summer!

In June his debut album as a solo artist will be released - also titled ‘Peace at Last’ - comprising 14 new songs. To coincide with its release Mark hits the road playing live at various festivals and major Butlins’ venues throughout the summer. In addition he also performs as Very Special Guest to Boyzone at several of their dates including two at London’s prestigious O2 Arena.