Raised in a family of artists, Chris Norman first appeared on stage at the age of three and received his first guitar at seven. He met Alan Silson and Terry Uttley, his future bandmates in Smokie, at primary school in their hometown of Bradford. Influenced by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan, the teenagers began performing together under various names until, in 1974, they settled on Smokie and released their debut album, Pass It Around (1975). Shortly afterward came the famous single Living Next Door to Alice, and in 1978 Chris Norman achieved recognition beyond the band with his duet with Suzi Quatro – Stumblin’ In (1978).
Long tours and homesickness convinced him in 1980 to spend more time at home and in the studio, where he began composing songs for various artists. Five years later, he reunited with Smokie for a tour in Germany and Australia, and in 1986 he struck gold as a solo artist with Midnight Lady, a song that topped the European charts and held the number one spot in Germany for six weeks. Other hits soon followed, including Some Hearts Are Diamonds, No Arms Can Ever Hold You, Broken Heroes, Sarah, and Baby I Miss You. In the years that followed, he continued touring while also working in the studio.
In recent years, Norman has released several successful solo albums, both critically and commercially acclaimed: Handmade (2003), Break Away (2004), Million Miles (2006), Coming Home (2006), Close Up (2007), and Time Traveller (2011).
