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Information About

Billy Ocean





BIOGRAPHY

He was born in Fyzabad , Trinidad And Tobago to Grenadian parents, and moved to England with his family at the age of eight. In his teenage years, he sang regularly in London clubs. He released his first single in 1972 on Spark Records as Les Charles.

By 1976 he had adopted the name Billy Ocean and recorded his debut album, ''Billy Ocean'', with the first single, "Love Really Hurts Without You," charting at number 2 in the UK and number 22 in the U.S. . More hits followed, such as “L.O.D. (Love On Delivery)”. He also wrote songs for other artists such as LaToya Jackson . In 1982 he hit the U.S. Rhythm and Blues Chart with “Nights (Feel Like Getting Down).”

Ocean's period of greatest success began with ''Suddenly'' in 1984 and its main single "Caribbean Queen". The song's title and lyrics were changed for different regions, such that the song is also known as "African Queen" or "European Queen". The album's title track also became a hit. His 1986 album ''Love Zone'' also sold very well, with hit singles "When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" and "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)." His 1988 album ''Tear Down These Walls'' had another number one single, "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car".

His later albums, such as ''Time to Move On'', ''L.I.F.E.'' and ''Showdown'', failed to spawn hits, but his 1989 ''Greatest Hits'' collection has been a steady seller over the years.

In 2002, the University Of Westminster awarded Billy Ocean an honorary doctorate of music. He continues to tour and record in Europe .

Billy now lives in Milton Keynes , where he follows his favourite football club, the MK Dons .


TRIVIA



  • Hip-hop artists Little Brother and The Sound Providers mention Billy Ocean in the chorus of the song Braggin' and Boastin'.




DISCOGRAPHY


Albums



Singles and Hot 100 history

  • 1976 "Love Really Hurts Without You" (#22)

  • 1980 "Are You Ready" / "Stay the Night" (#83 U.S. Dance )

  • 1981 "Stay the Night" / "Night (Feel Like Getting Down)" (#4 U.S. Dance)

  • 1984 "Caribbean Queen (No More Love On the Run)" (#1 two weeks, #1 U.S. Dance)

  • 1985 "Loverboy" (#2, #1 U.S. Dance)

  • 1985 "Suddenly" (#4)

  • 1985 "Mystery Lady" (#24)

  • 1986 "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (#2, #31 U.S. Dance)

  • 1986 "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" (#1, one week)

  • 1986 "Hold On Brother" (#48 U.S. Dance)

  • 1986 "Love Zone" (#10)

  • 1986 "Love Is Forever" (#16)

  • 1988 "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" (#1 two weeks, #25 U.S. Dance)

  • 1988 "The Color Of Love" (#17)

  • 1989 "License To Chill" (#32)



SEE ALSO