Richard Paul Ashcroft (born 11 September 1971) is an English singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer and occasional rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band the Verve from their formation in 1990 until their original split in 1999. Songs he wrote for the band include “Bitter Sweet Symphony”, “Lucky Man”, and the UK number one “The Drugs Don’t Work”. He became a successful solo artist, releasing three UK top three solo albums. The Verve reformed in 2007 but again broke up by summer 2009. Ashcroft then founded a new band, RPA & The United Nations of Sound, and released a new album on 19 July 2010. Ashcroft released his fourth solo album, These People, on 20 May 2016.
In May 2019, Ashcroft received the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors.Chris Martin of Coldplay has described Ashcroft as “the best singer in the world”.
instruments played
bass
drums
Guitar
keyboards
Vocals
Associated Acts
Confessional Lights The Verve RPA & The United Nations of Sound U.N.K.L.E. DJ Shadow Liam Gallagher No I.D. The Chemical Brothers Pino Palladino Coldplay
Birth Name
Richard Paul Ashcroft
Genres
Alternative rock shoegazing dream pop Britpop space rock neo-psychedelia
Labels
Righteous Phonographic Association Cooking Vinyl Parlophone Hut Virgin
Occupations
Singer songwriter composer multi-instrumentalist
Website
Years Active
1990 present
Name
Richard Ashcroft
Nationality
United Kingdom