80s Rock Legend with Iconic No. 1 Hit Song Turns 64

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Terence Trent D'Arby, a legendary R&B artist of the 1980s, turns 64 years old today. D'Arby, born in New York City in 1962, first developed a love for music through early exposure to church choirs and a foundational appreciation for soul and gospel music. He launched his professional music career in 1987 after serving in the U.S. Army in West Germany, and his debut studio album "Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby" was an instant sensation, selling over one million copies in its first three days of release in the U.K.

Why it matters

D'Arby's debut album garnered global attention for its high-energy soul-funk tracks and helped propel him to fame, with hits like "If You Let Me Stay," "Wishing Well," "Dance Little Sister" and "Sign Your Name." The album peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and "Wishing Well" reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B/Soul charts.

The details

Due to the unparalleled success of his debut, D'Arby won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 1989 Grammy Awards and secured a BRIT Award for International Breakthrough Act the previous year. After a mainstream decline in the 1990s following a significant stylistic shift in his music, D'Arby rebranded himself as Sananda Maitreya and continues to produce music from his home in Milan, Italy.

• Terence Trent D'Arby was born on March 15, 1962 in New York City.
• D'Arby launched his professional music career in 1987 after serving in the U.S. Army in West Germany.
• D'Arby's debut album "Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby" was released in 1987.
• D'Arby won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 1989 Grammy Awards.
• D'Arby secured a BRIT Award for International Breakthrough Act in 1988.