Chris De Burgh

Chris De Burgh (born Oct. 15, 1948) is an Irish singer/songwriter with a recording career that dates back to the mid-1970s. Since that time, he has released more than 20 studio albums. His most successful periods include the conceptual/orchestral works that he issued on A&M between 1974 and 1979, followed by his art-pop/folk-rock material for the label during the 1980s.

Stateside, De Burgh achieved his biggest successes with the singles “Don’t Pay the Ferryman” (1982) and “High on Emotion” (1984), the latter from his Rupert Hine-produced Man on the Line album. Three years later, he set AC airwaves alight with “The Lady in Red.”

He was born Christopher John Davison on October 15, 1948, in Venado Tuerto, Argentina, one of two sons borne to Colonel Charles John Davison, MBE, a British diplomat, and Maeve Emily (née de Burgh), an Irish secretary. The family moved around between Malta, Nigeria, and Zaire due to Colonel Davison’s farming interests and diplomatic work. Emily’s father, Sir Eric de Burgh, was Chief of the General Staff in India during WWII.

In the early 1960s, the Davison’s moved into Bargy Castle, a 15th century Norman fortress in County Wexford, Ireland, purchased by Sir Eric for use as a hotel. As a teenager, Chris sang for Castle patrons.

Chris attended Marlborough College in Wiltshire, England, a year below fellow pupil Nick Drake. He auditioned for Drake’s jazz band, Perfumed Gardeners, but was deemed too pop-oriented. Chris later graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a Master of Arts degree in French, English and History.

At the outset of his performing career, Chris adopted his mother’s maiden name, De Burgh.

Discography:

• Far Beyond These Castle Walls (1974)
  
• Spanish Train and Other Stories (1975)
  
• At the End of a Perfect Day (1977)
  
• Crusader (1979)
  
• Eastern Wind (1980)
  
• The Getaway (1982)
  
• Man on the Line (1984)
  
• Into the Light (1986)
  
• Flying Colours (1988)

Sources:

• Discogs: Chris De Burgh