Bryan Ferry - The Most Fascinating Facts Anywhere

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1. His father worked with pit ponies

Ferry was born in Washington, County Durham, in 1945, and grew up in a working-class family. His father was a farm labourer who looked after pit ponies.

2. He studied under a Pop Art pioneer

Ferry studied fine art at Newcastle University, where one of his teachers was the artist Richard Hamilton. Hamilton's ideas shaped his visual approach to music.

3. He taught ceramics before music took over

After university Ferry worked as a ceramics teacher at a girls' school in London. He was writing songs at the same time.

4. He auditioned for King Crimson

In 1970 Ferry tried out as a singer for the progressive band. Robert Fripp and Peter Sinfield turned him down.

5. Roxy Music took its name from cinemas

The group named themselves after the Roxy cinema chain, deliberately choosing a glamorous, old-Hollywood image. Ferry was the main songwriter.

6. Virginia Plain was named after his own painting

The 1972 debut single took its title from a Pop Art painting Ferry made as a student. It was not on the band's first album.

7. Brian Eno left after two albums

Eno departed in 1973 following For Your Pleasure, partly owing to tension with Ferry. He went on to a solo career and to produce major rock acts.

8. His first solo album was all covers

These Foolish Things in 1973 reinterpreted songs by Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and others. It was recorded while Roxy Music were still active.

9. Avalon was recorded in the Bahamas

The 1982 album was made at Compass Point Studios in Nassau. Its smooth, atmospheric sound influenced many later artists.

10. Slave to Love featured in a film

The song from Boys and Girls was used in the 1986 film Nine 1/2 Weeks. It became one of his best-loved solo singles.

11. He recorded a Dylan tribute

Dylanesque in 2007 reworked songs by Bob Dylan in Ferry's style. It continued a long relationship with Dylan's songbook.

12. The Jazz Age reimagined Roxy Music songs

The 2012 album by The Bryan Ferry Orchestra recast his songs as 1920s-style instrumentals. A version of the same approach was used for the 2013 film The Great Gatsby.

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