Debra Li
MANY people have a difficult time during puberty, particularly child stars who achieve fame and fortune too early in life.
Lena Zavaroni suffered anorexia, depression and a premature death. Drew Barrymore indulged in alcohol and drugs at the age of 9. Macaulay Culkin was nabbed with marijuana at 24.
But, Declan Galbraith is different. One columnist had predicted that his parents would be divorced within years of his overnight success and Galbraith an alcoholic by the age of 16.
Now, at 16, the boy has a fully fledged career and a bright future. Galbraith released his third album last year and is now on his first world tour.
He will give a concert in Beijing on May 24, then come to Shenzhen for two shows May 26 and 27, winding up his China tour in Shanghai on May 30.
Pop fans will be able to hear more than 20 songs from the child star, including three from his debut album “Declan,” four from his second album “Thank You” and 11 from his latest disc, “You and Me.” Apart from his signature songs “Tell Me Why” and “An Angel,” Galbraith will also sing well-known pop songs like “Love Hurts” and “More Than I Can Say.”
He will bring with him several guest singers and his own stage designer and acoustic mechanics to ensure a quality show. He might sing a Chinese song for local fans, said a staff member of the Shenzhen Poly Theater, organizer of the show.
Born Dec. 19, 1991 in the small town of Hoo, near Rochester, Kent, in the United Kingdom, Galbraith received his early musical education from his grandfather whom he affectionately called “Poppy Ben.”
The boy was looked after by his grandparents from the age of 6 weeks while his parents worked. Poppy Ben, to whom Galbraith dedicated his first album, used to perform in local pubs playing the tin whistle and Irish drum and often took Declan along. He died of a heart attack while performing on stage and did not live to see his grandson’s success.
At the age of 8, Declan began to enter local talent quests and won 16 titles in 14 months. Then his lucky break came. At one of the contests he was spotted by songwriter Barry Mason, who wrote “The Last Waltz” for Engelbert Humperdinck. Mason asked for a demo tape and, before long, Galbraith found himself with a three-album recording contract with EMI worth 1 million pounds.
Everyone who has listened to his “Tell Me Why” will not forget the voice. It is as clear as a bell and pitch-perfect. Galbraith also has bags of what people call “character.” He has dark hair, thick dark lashes, bright blue eyes, a cheeky grin and oodles of confidence. His fans, mostly young people, love him so much that they call him “angel.”
Galbraith likes to sing to live audiences and among some of his most memorable performances are the Queen’s Jubilee at St. Paul’s Cathedral, when he sang “Amazing Grace” accompanied by the St. Paul’s Choir and an unforgettable experience singing in front of more than 22,000 people at an Elton John concert.
The boy simply loves singing. “It’s a great feeling running through me. It’s like a bolt of lightning rushing through my blood,” he once told a TV interview in Britain.
Declan released his first album in 2002. It took him four years to prepare for the second, “Thank You,” released in Germany under the Starwatch Music label and distributed by Warner Bros. A year later, Galbraith released his third album “You and Me,” which featured “You and Me” and “Moody Blues,” the first songs he wrote himself.
His parents, Alec and Siobhan Galbraith, were well aware of the fragility of a young talent and tried hard to provide him with a normal and relaxed environment.
The boy practices his singing each day but still goes to school. He hires a tutor to help him with schoolwork because he misses some classes from time to time.
As Galbraith matures, there has been a gradual change in his voice. But he has learned to cope with that and makes the best of it on his new CD. He learned to play the guitar and the piano and began writing his own songs.
“My greatest wish is simply to make music that people enjoy,” Galbraith told fans during a promotion for his new album.
Who is Declan Galbraith?
Birth name:
Declan John Galbraith
Birth date:
Dec. 19, 1991
Origin:
Hoo St. Werburgh, Kent, England
Genre: Pop
Instrument:
Vocals, guitar
Favorite soccer star:
Alan Shearer
Favorite pop singer:
Robbie Williams
Singers he likes:
Carole King, The Fureys, Christy Moore, Led Zeppelin, Westlife
Favorite subjects at school:
Maths, science
Favorite book:
"Harry Potter"
Concert information
Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater
Time: 8 p.m., May 26, 27
Tickets: 280 yuan-1,880 yuan
Reservations: 8637-1698
Add: The intersection of Wenxin Road 5 and Houhaibin Road, Nanshan District (南山区后海滨路与文心五路交界处深圳保利剧院)
Buses: 70, 80, K113, 204, 217, 226, 230, 245, 369, 390
Hotline: 8637-1698, 8637-1699
