Graham Gouldman
Graham Keith Gouldman, born on May 10, 1946, in Broughton, Salford, Lancashire, England, is a renowned English musician, singer, and songwriter. Best known as the co-lead singer and bassist of the art rock band 10cc, Gouldman has been the sole constant member of the band since its inception in 1972. Before forming 10cc, he was a prolific freelance songwriter, crafting hits for iconic groups such as the Yardbirds, the Hollies, Herman's Hermits, and Ohio Express.
Gouldman grew up in a Jewish family and received his first guitar at the age of 11, which marked the beginning of his lifelong passion for music. Encouraged by his parents, particularly his father, who was an amateur poet and playwright, Gouldman honed his songwriting skills from a young age. He played in various Manchester bands, including the Whirlwinds and the Mockingbirds, the latter of which he formed with Kevin Godley, a future 10cc bandmate.
In addition to his work with 10cc, Gouldman has been involved in other musical projects, such as Heart Full of Songs, a semi-acoustic group that performs his extensive songwriting catalog. He has also collaborated with notable artists, including Queen's Brian May on the song "Floating In Heaven," which was released to coincide with the unveiling of the first images from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
Gouldman's contributions to music have been widely recognized, culminating in his induction into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2014 and being named an Icon of the Industry by Broadcast Music Incorporated in 2015. Throughout his career, Gouldman has remained a significant figure in the music industry, continuing to tour and perform, sharing his well-crafted songs with audiences worldwide.