Richard Marx has been one of my favorite singers since 1992 when I first heard his song "Hazard." Before that, I had heard of his music but had never become obsessed enough to start buying his albums. I was also only 12 at the time I heard "Hazard," so before that I hadn't really been into buying CDs anyway. But, "Hazard" intrigued me. It was a murder mystery, with no real way of solving the mystery. I knew this guy had to be talented, so I bought his album "Rush Street" and fell in love. Soon after that I got his first two albums, "Richard Marx" and "Repeat Offender," and I became hooked.

I saw my first Richard Marx concert in August 1994 in Minneapolis on his "Paid Vacation" tour. It was an amazing experience because he is such a talented performer, but also because I was able to go backstage. Of course, I was only 14 at the time, so I was too afraid to say anything to him. But I got his autograph and a picture with him, and I'm surprised I stayed conscious that long.

I also saw Richard in concert in January 1997 and November 1998 in Chicago. At the 1997 show I again got the opportunity to meet him, but still couldn't say anything too him. Well, third time's a charm -- and I'm still waiting for that chance.

In 1997 Richard changed my life in a way for which I'll forever be grateful to him -- and the one thing I want now is to be able to thank him for it in person. That year he became involved in Fight for the Arts, a campaign for more arts awareness and more arts education funding in schools. As part of that campaign, he held a nationwide poetry, art, and songwriting contest for high school students. Of all the entries, several would be picked to be featured in his upcoming album "Flesh and Bone." I wasn't going to enter the contest because at that point I didn't write a lot of poetry and I didn't think I was any good. But, several of my friends convinced me to do it, and a little over a month later I got a phone call that my poem, The River of Eternity had been chosen. You can imagine how surprised and thrilled I was. That experience gave me the confidence that I was a good writer, and helped me to continue focusing on my writing.

Here are Richard's full-length albums to date (and the famous singles from each one):

Richard Marx (1987) -- Should've Known Better, Don't Mean Nothin', Hold On to the Nights, Endless Summer Nights

Repeat Offender (1989) -- Satisfied, Angelia, Right Here Waiting, Children of the Night, Too Late to Say Goodbye

Rush Street (1991) -- Hazard, Take This Heart, Keep Coming Back, Chains Around My Heart

Paid Vacation (1994) -- Now and Forever, The Way She Loves Me, Nothing Left Behind Us

Flesh and Bone (1997) -- Until I Find You Again

Days in Avalon (2000) -- Days in Avalon

Besides his own albums, Richard has also written songs for movie soundtracks and for other performers. He also produces other singers. Artists he has worked with include Chicago, Kenny Rogers, 'N Sync, 98 Degrees, SheDaisy, Chely Wright, Fee Waybill (of The Tubes), Luther Vandross, and many, many others.

Richard is also involved in many good causes. He has worked with homeless children, anti-smoking campaigns, arts awareness, Pediatric AIDS and many others.


Check out Richard's official website!