Gabrielle

Gabrielle biography

Louisa Gabrielle Bobb (born 16 April 1970; Hackney, London) is a multi-platinum selling, BRIT Award winning English singer, who records under the name Gabrielle. Her unconventional image includes short tight curls, and an eye patch on one of her eyes (she is not blind, but rather has ptosis, also known as "lazy eye"). She is best known for her singles "Dreams", "Rise" and "Out of Reach".

Gabrielle has won two BRIT Awards, the first in 1994 for British Breakthrough Act, and the second in 1997 for Best British Female.

Career

1993-98: Find Your Way and Gabrielle

Her debut single "Dreams" topped the UK Singles Chart in June 1993. The single entered the UK Singles Chart at number 2, which was the highest chart entry a debut act had ever scored in the UK at that time. The following week it climbed to the top spot and spent the next three weeks there. The album peaked at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart.

Other notable singles include "Going Nowhere", "Give Me A Little More Time", "Walk On By" (a cover of the Burt Bacharach/Dionne Warwick penned song) and "If You Ever" - a duet with East 17.

Gabrielle was the second studio album released in 1996. The lead single "Give Me A Little Bit More Time" peaked at number 5 on the UK chart. The album reached number 11 in the UK Albums Chart.

1999-01: "Rise"

Gabrielle made a comeback. Using a sample from Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", "Rise" became Gabrielle's second UK number one in 2000. The album of the same name also reached the top spot in the UK Albums Chart, where it stayed for three weeks. It spent 87 weeks in the charts.

The successful "Out of Reach" from the soundtrack to the film, Bridget Jones's Diary, reached number 4 in the UK Singles Chart.

2001-07: Dreams Can Come True, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 and Play To Win

Gabrielle's greatest hits collection, Dreams Can Come True, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 achieved success in the UK, where it was certified as a four times platinum seller and became the fifth best selling album of 2001.

In 2004 Gabrielle's fourth studio album Play To Win reached number 10 in the UK, and its maiden single "Stay the Same" debuted at number 20 in the UK. A supporting UK tour followed.

2007-09: Always

In 2007 she released a new single, "Why", which she performed on The National Lottery show on 19 September, as well as many other TV slots. "Why" did not reach the UK Top 40. On 1 October 2007, her new album Always was released. It peaked at number 11, but quickly fell off the chart. It included a version of the song "Why" that featured Paul Weller.

Gabrielle set off on a sell out UK tour of fourteen dates through February 2007. Critics gave positive reviews on her performances. Following the relative disappointment regarding the singles "Why" and "Every Little Teardrop" Gabrielle stated: "If people don't like that song then I'll find one that they do like because I have done it before and I'll do it again. That old saying "˜if at first you don't succeed, try and try again', well that's me, because I'm a fighter not a quitter."

« previous 1 2 3 next »

Biography from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
It may not have been reviewed by a professional editor, and recent changes may not show up straight away. See the latest version of this article. Used under licence. Subject to disclaimers.

Mark Crossley
On air and webcam now:
Mark Crossley now playing 'Gold On The Ceiling' by The Black Keys
Absolute Radio Account access
Sign-in or join today for free.