Today the name Katie Melua is well known throughout the music world. And a little less than thirty years ago, no one would have undertaken to predict such a future for an ordinary Georgian girl born in Tbilisi. Here, and also in the beautiful coastal city of Batumi, she spent her childhood. And then, when the child was only eight years old, the family left Georgia and moved to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Like all children, Katie often thought about her future. But I saw him away from music. At the age of 13, she was more attracted to the career of a politician or historian. It seemed to the girl that having the opportunity to rule the world, she could give peace to the whole Earth.

However, as often happens, chance intervened in these children's plans. At the age of fifteen, Katie takes part in the show “Stars Raise Their Noses.” This was the ironic name of a young talent competition held by Irish television. In fact, participation in the competition with such a humorous name was originally planned as a joke. But the result was victory and the first prize - a bedroom renovation and a comfortable chair for my father. Although Katie herself considers the first, and successful, experience of performing live on television to be a much more valuable result. And her lucky number was the song “Without you” by Mariah Carey.

Having completed her secondary education and successfully passed her GCSE exams, Katie quite consciously decided to continue her studies at the British School of Performing Arts, and upon completion received an “A” degree diploma in music. At the same time, the girl first heard the song Eva Cassidy, which deeply shocked her. And under the impression of the news that Eva was no longer alive, Katie wrote the tribute song “Faraway Voice”. And again chance played its role. It was at this time that Mike Batt visited the school where Katie was studying. The famous producer and composer was busy searching for musicians for a jazz band. Literally at the last minute, Katie decided to perform her first own song. And the experienced Mike immediately realized that fate had brought him together with a very unique performer, a true original, which is very rare.

So the future celebrity, while continuing her studies at the performing arts school, signed her first contract with the Dramatico record label. It was he who published the first album, consisting of original compositions created by Katie and Mike. The novelty did not go unnoticed by Terry Wogan. The amazing voice of the young performer impressed him so much that, as in the case of Ava Cassidy, he decided to introduce everyone to Katie Melua and her first independent single, “The Closest Thing To Crazy.” This happened in the summer of 2003. And already in November the music world met her first album - “Call Off the Search”.

The success was amazing. In the first five months of sales, 1.2 million copies were sold. The album took first place in the British charts. It reached the top 10 in Europe. Went gold in Switzerland, Holland and Hong Kong. Platinum - in Denmark, Australia and New Zealand. Double platinum in Germany, Norway, Ireland and South Africa. Six times platinum in the UK. More than two million copies of it were sold in Europe.

Two years later, the second album was released - “Piece by Piece”, which was no less successful. At least by now it has already become four times platinum. And this despite the fact that work on the album was hampered by a busy touring schedule. At this time, Katie made a live tour of Britain consisting of fourteen performances. She went on tour in America and Europe. I visited Moscow with a concert. She took part in Nelson Mandela's charity concert, the proceeds of which were donated to the AIDS Foundation.

Romantic mood... listening to Georgian Katie Melua

Katie Melua - If You Were A Sailboat

("If You Were a Sailboat")

Katie Melua"s Music Video for "Nine Million Bicycles" taken from the album "Piece By Piece". "Nine Million Bicycles" taken from the album "By Pieces"

“Katie Melua (eng. Katie Melua, full name Ketevan Melua, genus. September 16, 1984, Kutaisi, Georgia) is a Georgian singer, author and performer of her songs.

Ketevan was born in Georgia, moved to Northern Ireland at the age of 8, and to England at the age of 14. Her debut took place in 2003. Melua works with a small record company called Dramatico, led by renowned musician and composer Mike Batt.

The video for "World Walls" was filmed in the beautiful Arctic city of Tromsø in northern Norway.

In November 2003, when Katie was just 19 years old, her first album, Call Off the Search, was released, topping the UK charts and selling 1.2 million copies in its first 5 months. Her second album, Piece by Piece, was released in September 2005 and has now gone four times platinum.

Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy - "What A Wonderful World" taken from the album "The Katie Melua Collection".

Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy - "What A Wonderful World" from the album "The Katie Melua Collection"

Today the whole world knows about Katie Melua. And on her 31st birthday, Sputnik columnist Anastasia Schreiber tried to unravel the phenomenon of Katie Melua and simply remember how she managed to become a singer of royal stature.

Mistress of unusual eyes

Graceful, fragile, petite, when she goes on stage, thousands of people listen to her with bated breath. It’s as if she has some kind of inexplicable power over them or enchants them with the magic of her gentle voice.

"Katie is a fantastic discovery. I was always auditioning vocalists, looking for girls who could sing jazz and blues in an unusual way, but I never expected to find one so unique. She is one of the most capable singers I have ever worked with. In her her voice contains the same subtle nuances as in the voices of such singers as Eartha Kitt and Edith Piaf. She is a charismatic performer, and she has beautiful, hypnotizing eyes,” her first producer, or rather her discoverer, said about the singer. Michael Butt.

FB/ Katie Melua

Although it all started a little earlier, in Georgia, where the owner of this extraordinary voice and hypnotizing eyes is from. Katie was born in Kutaisi (Western Georgia). In 1993, her family moved to Northern Ireland, where her father, a cardiac surgeon, took up a position as a doctor in a hospital. And already in 1998, the Melua family moved to England, and Katie entered the British School of Performing Arts. It was there that the girl began to write her own songs.

At the age of 15, Katie had her first big luck: she took part in a television competition for young talents under the funny name “Stars Raise Their Noses.” The young Georgian sang Mariah Carey's song "Without you" and unexpectedly won.

But the matter did not end there. The first victory was followed by a second, even more random and unheard of. The school where Melua studied was suddenly visited by none other than Michael Butt, a famous British producer and composer. At that moment he was looking for musicians for a jazz band. And literally at the last minute, Katie decided to sing some of her own for him. And I was right. Experienced Michael immediately realized that fate had brought him and Katie together for a reason. Thus, the future celebrity, while continuing her studies at the performing arts school, signed her first contract with the Dramatico record label. It was he who published the first album, “Call Off the Search,” consisting of original compositions created by Katie and Michael.

© AP Photo/Gero Breloer

The success was amazing: 1.2 million copies were sold in the first five months of sales. Katie's album topped the British charts, entered the top 10 in Europe, went gold in Switzerland, Holland and Hong Kong, platinum in Denmark, Australia and New Zealand, double platinum in Germany, Norway, Ireland and South Africa, six times platinum - in the UK.

After such a resounding success, the singer was invited to perform on the Royal Variety television show. After performing one of her songs, Katie was brought to Queen Elizabeth II, who, in the presence of journalists, uttered only one phrase: “I heard your recording on the radio, I really liked it.” This is how Katie Melua gained worldwide fame.

Because I like it

Katie's life soon turned into a busy schedule of touring the United States and Europe. And two years later, Katie Melua’s second album, “Piece by Piece,” was released, which topped the British ratings right on the day of its release. In a country where many modern pop stars live and make music, this was an incredible achievement.

But Katie had no intention of stopping. In 2006, the International Federation of the Recording Industry (IFPI) named the singer the most successful female artist of the year in Europe. In the same year, Melua entered the Guinness Book of Records for performing the deepest concert - 303 meters below sea level in the North Sea. And in July 2013, the Georgian took part in an anniversary concert in honor of the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Elizabeth II.

© AP Photo/Gero Breloer

Since then, every new song by Katie Melua is a hit, and not only in the UK. Katie often says that she writes music and sings not for the sake of success, but because she enjoys it. She does not compete with other performers, but tries to reveal something new, her own, to the world.

Meanwhile, in life she is a person without pretensions and star power. She is modest, very friendly, and dresses discreetly. And only her unusually expressive eyes and voice reveal in her the same Katie Melua whom millions listen to and love.

And Melua's music is an extreme degree of intimacy and piercing lyrics about strong feelings, all-consuming love, complex relationships and the eternal search for oneself in the world. The depth of these works is especially emphasized by her insinuating and sensual voice, gradually gaining strength and incredibly gentle.

Leap into love

In one of her interviews, Katie said that she was always intrigued by the fact that when talking about love, the British use the word “fall”, “crash”.

“I prefer the word jump - jumping into love, with eyes wide open. Music has helped me survive so many times in difficult periods of life, so I will never stop writing songs about broken hearts, heart wounds - there are too many memories left...” - how- that's what the singer told reporters.

From school until 2005, Melua dated Luke Pritchard, lead vocalist of The Kooks. At one time, young people even thought about getting married. But soon, as often happens, Luke became uncomfortable next to his girlfriend, who was becoming more and more famous. And they parted.

When Katie first met her future husband, James Toseland, she wrote the song "Forgetting all my troubles" and then the song "I never fall, I always jump." This is a play on the words of the famous phrase "Falling in love".

Melua met Toseland, a two-time World Superbike champion and ex-Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP pilot, in April 2011, and just before Christmas the motorcycle racer proposed marriage to her. The singer and the athlete were introduced by musician Jim Watson after Melua's concert at Sheffield City Hall, where racing stars were invited.

“Katie was great! And, importantly, she was completely uninterested in me because I was a motorcycle racer. She hadn’t even heard of me. She didn’t even know what Valentino Rossi looked like or who Valentino Rossi was,” said Toseland, “But Jim is a yes.” , he was a fan of mine, that's why he introduced us. We talked, and Katie found something in my personality... something that I may not yet realize on my own."

As the performer herself admits, Georgia does not let her go for a minute. She is in her memories, soul, songs. While working on her albums, Katie constantly thinks about Georgian culture and how it influenced her.

For example, the masterpiece of the Georgian director Sergei Parajanov “The Color of Pomegranates” inspired Melua to create the song “Love Is A Silent Thief”, in the video clip of which the singer used footage of this film. The singer often sings in Georgian to the British public. And not so long ago, Katie recorded music and sang with one of the most beautiful choirs in Georgia - the Gori Women's Choir.

In 2005, Katie Melua received British citizenship. As the singer admits, she really likes England and is happy there. But her roots, soul and heart are forever in Georgia.

BORN SUCCESSFUL. KATIE MELUA

She is written about as the most successful British singer of Georgian origin. This is probably the case when a person is born with a serious store of knowledge and feelings. Then it falls on fertile soil, is fertilized with daily painstaking work and comes out in the form of a song to the listeners.

Katie very young, but listening to her compositions, it’s impossible to believe it. She sings sensually, penetrating into the very heart. They say that it is impossible to sing or compose something without experiencing it in life. Youth often becomes an obstacle to deep lyrics and soulful performances. Katie it doesn't interfere.

Happy childhood by Katie Melua

The future singer was born in 1984 in the Georgian city of Kutaisi. The family moved often. This was due to the fact that the father of the little Katie was a practicing surgeon. So they lived for some time in Batumi and then moved to Northern Ireland and settled in Belfast. Katie I was 8 years old then.

Moving is difficult for any family. We need to settle in the place, find schools for the children. Link your work schedule with all household chores. It’s not for nothing that they say that moving can only be compared to a fire. It wasn't easy for the family. Moreover, it was a move to another country, distinguished not only by language, but also by culture and traditions. That's probably why when I'm little Katie was talking about her new life to an English teacher, she used the expression “out of the frying pan and into the fire.”

However, childhood Katie and her younger brother was happy. They quickly made good friends among the friendly Irish children at St. Catherine's Primary School and Dominican College in Fort William. At the age of 13, the girl did not think about becoming a singer. She dreamed of becoming a politician or historian. Now she recalls: “I really thought that I could give peace to the earth... if I ruled the world!”

The family lived in Belfast for 5 years and then moved to London. And then her family received real citizenship of the United Kingdom.

Baptism of fire

Katie Melua was 15 years old when she took part in the television competition for young talents called “Stars Turn Up Their Noses”, where she performed the Mariah Carey song “Without you”. Her participation was intended as a joke, but Katie won the competition, winning a bedroom remodel and an armchair for dad. But the main and most important thing that this competition gave was the valuable experience of three-time “live” performances on Irish television.

After passing the exams for a certificate of the second stage of education Katie entered the British School of Performing Arts, where she received an A-level diploma in music. While studying at school, she discovered various styles and musical styles, as well as the names of such artists as Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and groups. The girl was shocked by the song Eva Cassidy. She made a deep impression on her. When Katie When she found out that Eva was no longer alive, she composed the song “Faraway Voice.”

The beginning of Katie Melua's journey

Composer and producer Mike Butt came to the school to find musicians to form a new jazz band. Last minute audition Katie decided to perform a song of her own composition, “Faraway Voice”. Mike understood that I found a very unique and original performer. He said that "such as Katie don’t come across very often.”

Katie signed a contract with the Dramatico record company, but remained in school until graduation. Having received his diploma with honors in July 2003, Katie and Mike began working on a joint album. The result was a good tandem: Mike's ability to write great songs, coupled with the fresh approach of a singer with a unique worldview and an exceptional voice.

The first album consisted of original compositions by Mike and Katie, including carefully selected design. The singer's voice attracted the attention of the famous British radio and television presenter Terry Wogan. He decided to introduce everyone to Katie and her first single "The Closest Thing To Crazy" in the summer of 2003. Michael Parkinson - broadcaster, journalist and writer - also supported this idea, often providing young Katie the opportunity to perform on your own show. Simultaneously with the release of the single Katie achieved its entry into the charts at number 10.

Music, both as creativity and performance, is an obvious passion Katie. She started composing songs in 2001 and now has a small home studio that her parents helped create. I firmly believe that music should be performed live and that great musicians are original and talented in their live performances.

Come glory

The end of 2003 became a landmark year for the 19-year-old Katie. She was invited to perform at the annual Royal Variety performance, where she met Queen.

Debut album Melua Call Off the Search was released in Britain in November 2003, and the following January reached the top of the album charts, displacing Dido. Temporarily relegated to the background Nora Jones, Katie returned to the top of the charts again and stayed there for three weeks.

The end of February was marked by a live tour of Britain, which consisted of 14 performances. Then 2 more singles were released, followed by tours in America and Europe. She even came to Moscow, but few people knew her then.

"Call Off the Search" received top 10 positions in Europe and was certified gold in Holland, Hong Kong and Switzerland, platinum in Denmark, New Zealand and Australia, double platinum in Germany, Ireland, Norway and South Africa. It sold over two million copies in Europe. In 2005, the album became the best in Japan. In Britain, the album was certified 6 times platinum.

Nelson Mandela invited Katie to participate in his charity concert, the proceeds of which went to the fight against AIDS. The concert attracted more than 45 thousand people. not only played all the songs from the album, but also performed with Queen with a new version of “Too Much Love Will Kill You.” From South Africa Katie flew to Sri Lanka, where she participated in the work of the Save the Children organization.

Katie Melua is constantly working on herself

In between travels Katie recorded a new album “Piece By Piece”, once again demonstrating his supreme performing talent. The follow-up single “Nine Million Bicycles” is included in a long list of jazz collections. Cover of the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" (1987) Katie recorded for the new DreamWorks film starring Reese Witherspoon, which premiered in September 2005 in the USA and in November in Britain.

No hindrance to career

They met during one of the concerts in Sheffield. The relationship lasted about five years, and in April 2011, the lovers told the world about their relationship.

According to British press reports, she became engaged to two-time World Superbike champion James Toseland on the eve of Christmas, and in January the couple announced their engagement.

Katie and James

The wedding ceremony took place in 2012 at the Royal Botanic Gardens in London. Around 200 guests were invited to the celebration, including Prince Pieter-Christian Michiel of the Netherlands, music producer William Orbit and composer Mike Butt, along with many of Toseland's friends.

The 27-year-old bride wore an embroidered and beaded dress. The 31-year-old groom wore a gray suit with an ivory tie.

Today Katie- one of the most successful British singers. Her young husband injured his wrist during an accident, after which he retired from professional sports and now plays the piano.

FACTS

“I always get a warm feeling when I see someone holding a guitar or violin case on the street. Like I know I could be friends with someone like that. “I always smile and say “Hello!”,” she said in an interview.

***

Entered the Guinness Book of Records for performing the deepest sea concert - 303 m below sea level on Statoil's Troll A Platform in the North Sea on October 2, 2006. The recording of the concert was released on DVD under the title “Concert under the Sea” in June 2007. The record stood until April 2007.

She was included in the list of the richest Britons under 30.

Updated: April 14, 2019 by: Elena

Katie Melua was born in Georgia (a former republic of the USSR) in 1984, grew up in the city of Tbilisi, and later in the coastal town of Batumi (Adjara). Her family left Georgia and settled in Belfast (Northern Ireland) when she was only 8 years old. The move was associated with his father’s profession: he was a practicing surgeon. When Katie told one teacher about this later in England, the description of the move was something like this: “out of the frying pan and into the fire.” In fact, she never felt such an atmosphere because she had a happy childhood in both Georgia and Northern Ireland. Katie realized that people in Northern Ireland were very friendly and she soon made good friends at St Catherine's Primary School and Dominican College in Fort William. Katie attended Catholic schools in Northern Ireland while her younger brother attended a Protestant school.

Her family lived in Belfast for another 5 years before moving to south-east London. When Katie was 15, she took part in a television talent competition called Stars Up, performing Mariah Carey's song "Without you". Although her participation was intended as a joke, she won the competition (the prize was a bedroom makeover and an armchair for her father), and most importantly, she also gained the valuable experience of performing live on Irish TV three times.

After passing her GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams, Katie attended the British School of Performing Arts, where she received an A-level Diploma in Music.

“My friend had already enrolled there and it seemed like a good place...and it was available!” remembers Katie.

During her time at school, she discovered various styles and styles of music, including Queen, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Irish folk and Indian music. She was shocked by the song Eva Cassidy, which made a deep impression on her. When she learned that Eva was no longer alive, she composed a tribute song, “Faraway Voice.”

Composer and producer Mike Batt has already paid for a visit to the school to find musicians to form a jazz band. At the last minute, Katie decided to perform “Faraway Voice” and Mike realized that he had found a very special performer: “people like Katie don’t come along very often, she’s a real original!” Katie signed a contract with the Dramatico record label, but remained in school to complete her studies; she graduated with honors in July 2003.

Katie and Mike came together in the studio, where Mike's vast experience and proven songwriting ability worked beautifully with Katie's fresh approach: a unique outlook and exceptional voice. The soon-to-be-released album featured original compositions by both Mike and Katie and included carefully selected artwork.

Her sensational voice attracted the attention of Terry Wogan, who, like Ava Cassidy, decided to introduce everyone to Katy and her first single “The Closest Thing To Crazy” in the summer of 2003. Michael Parkinson also supported this idea, often giving young Katie the opportunity to perform on his show. Simultaneously with the release of the single, Katy ensured that it entered the charts at number 10.

Music, both as creativity and performance, is clearly a passion for Katie:

“I started composing songs in 2001 and have a small home studio that my parents helped me create. I firmly believe that music should be performed “live” and that great musicians are original and talented in their live performances. I always get a warm feeling when I see someone holding a guitar or violin case on the street. Like I know I could be friends with someone like that. I always smile and say hi!”

The end of 2003 was an exciting time for 19-year-old Katie. She was invited to perform at the annual Royal Variety performance, where she met Queen, who said: "We heard your record on the radio - good job!" In November 2003, Katie performed on a different stage. Her debut album, Call Off the Search, was released in Britain in November 2003, and reached the top of the album charts in January 2004, displacing Dido. Temporarily sidelined by Norah Jones, Katy returned to the top of the charts and stayed there for three weeks. The end of February 2004 was marked for her by a live tour of Britain, which consisted of 14 performances. Then 2 more singles were released and tours in America and Europe followed. She even came to Moscow, it’s a pity that few people knew her then!

"Call Off the Search" received top 10 hits across Europe and was certified gold in Holland, Hong Kong and Switzerland, platinum in Denmark, New Zealand and Australia, and double platinum in Germany, Ireland, Norway and South Africa. More than 2 million copies were sold in Europe. In 2005, the album became the best in Japan. In Britain, the album was certified 6 times platinum.

In March 2005, Katie was invited by Nelson Mandela to participate in his charity concert (funds went to fight AIDS), which attracted 46,664 people. She not only played all the songs from the album, but also performed with Queen with a new version of “Too Much Love Will Kill You.” From South Africa, Katie flew to Sri Lanka, where she felt the serious work that Save the Children was doing and took part in it.

In between her travels, Katie recorded her new album, Piece By Piece, once again demonstrating her supreme talent as a performer. The follow-up single “Nine Million Bicycles” was included in a long list of jazz collections. Katie recorded a cover song of the Cure's song “Just Like Heaven” (1987) for the new DreamWorks film starring Reese Witherspoon, which premiered in September 2005 in the USA and in November in Britain.

On October 2, 2006, Melua entered the Guinness Book of Records for performing the deepest concert at 303 meters below sea level on Statoil's Troll A Platform in the North Sea. Melua and her group underwent the necessary medical tests and survival training in Norway before flying by helicopter and landing on the platform. A recording of this concert was released on DVD under the title “Concert Under the Sea” in June 2007. This record was maintained by Melua until April 2007, when an orchestra from the Polish Kalisz played a concert underground, in the Wielicz Salt Mine at a depth of 327 m. In general, such an act is quite typical for a singer, since Katie even received the nickname “adrenaline addict” in the press for her passion for extreme sports.

The path to fame takes dangerous turns, and in March 2005 it was reported that Melua had split from her boyfriend Luke Pritchard, lead singer of The Kooks. They started dating while still studying at the School, and even thought about getting married. But it turned out to be unbearably difficult for Luke to date his girlfriend, who was becoming more and more famous, while he himself was practically marking time. As often happens with truly talented people, the breakup only added depth to Katie's work.

In 2007, Melua, under the direction of Mike Butt, released her third studio album, Pictures. The disc has a cinematic theme, which may be due to his recent acting experience, and contains beautiful pop ballads with bluesy vocals. The first single, the sweet romantic composition You Were A Sailboat, perfectly conveys the mood of the entire album.