Richard Marx

by Deb Rao
Staff Writer

During the heyday of the ’80s, Richard Marx captivated audiences worldwide with his first hit single,”Don’t Mean Nothing.” His stellar song-writing skills earned the performer a string of hits including, ”Hold On To The Nights”, “Endless Summer Nights”, and “Now And Forever.”

The heyday of the ’80s may be long gone, but you won’t find Richard slowing down anytime soon. Over the years, Richard Marx has worked with some of the top artists in the recording industry including Barbara Streisand, Keith Urban and Luther Vandross. The upcoming Vegas performance of Richard Marx will feature the dynamic performer in an acoustic setting with a string quartet and acoustic guitar. In this exclusive interview for Hardrock Haven, Richard Marx discusses in-depth his upcoming Las Vegas appearance, his musical roots, the music industry today, and upcoming U.S. release Stories To Tell.

HRH: Richard, it is an honor. We are excited about your upcoming appearance on March 12 and 13 at The Orleans in Vegas. Tell us what the fans can expect from your set list? Also, will you be having an orchestra perform with you?

Richard: It is a string quartet a mini version of an orchestra.

HRH: Will you be performing a lot of hits songs from your illustrious career that go way back to 1987?

Richard: Well, I started in 1987. I do primarily all of the hits from 1987 to the late ’90s. I always throw in a couple of new songs because I don’t want people to think I have just been sitting around playing videos games for the last ten years.

HRH: I know that in Europe, you released an acoustic album in Europe in 2010. Will you be performing an acoustic set in Vegas?

Richard: Well that is what the whole show is. It is just me and an acoustic guitar and a string quartet.

HRH: That will be great. How has the music industry changed since back in the ’80s when your first hit single “Don’t Mean Nothing” hit the airwaves? Do you think it has changed for the worst or for the better?

Richard: I don’t know if there is a real definitive answer to that question. How has it changed? How hasn’t it changed — it is just night and day. On one hand I think the accessibility as we all know is a lot easier. But I don’t know if that is a good thing. I am not even talking about illegal downloading. I am talking about being able to have your entire music collection on hand. On one hand, I think that is so amazing. Somewhere along the way, as music physically got smaller do did people’s sense of importance of it. I have three sons who are between 17 and 20 years old. They love music but they and their friends, it is not as a top priority list. It is not like when I was a kid and I would stand in front of a record store waiting for the new Peter Gabriel record to be released at 10. A.M. I don’t really know if there is anybody out there. Maybe Taylor Swift’s fans or Justin Bieber’s fans have that real trendy thing that happens for a couple of years where their young fan base gets really excited about new stuff. Generally speaking I don’t think there is much artist element of people following someone’s career year after year. People don’t make a point of listening anymore. The days of sitting down listening to a whole album and reading the liner notes, I think those days are gone forever unfortunately.

HRH :I think that is an interesting point. I think that it is really beneficial that your career started back in the ’80s. Your music has really outstood the test of time. It proves that you are a really great songwriter. Actually, I heard one of your songs on Glee the other night. What do you think are the elements that make a song great and able to stand the test of time? I think a lot of kids today are turning to artists from the ’80s for inspiration. I don’t think bands of today are going to have a long career in the business versus bands that emerged out of the ’80s genre.

Richard: Well, I don’t think it is the fault of the band. I think it is just the way the nature of the business has changed. Everything is very fleeting right now. People’s attention span is much less. I have to say I have to approve any song that gets aired on television so I think you are confusing one of my songs with someone else’s songs on Glee. But Glee has been a really great outfit to introduce this young generation to. I bet a bunch of kids didn’t even know “Don’t Stop Believin” before they saw it on Glee. A fact that a TV show like that can introduce music from the ’70s and ’80s to this generation is awesome. Again it circles back to what we are talking about. It is great for sort of iconic bands from the ’70s and ’80s but what does it do for the young singer-songwriter that is trying to break in now?

HRH: Correct. You have you worked with so many great performers over the years including Luther Vandross. Actually, you helped produce the Grammy award winning hit song “Dance With My Father.” What was it like working with Luther Vandross?

Richard: We were really great friends. He was probably one of the greatest singers I ever met. I was blessed to have him sing background vocals on some of my records. He asked me to write some songs with him for his stuff. He was a great friend. I miss him dearly. I just feel grateful and honored that I had a chance to work with him and know him.

HRH: You have toured so many great places over the years. In 1989, you got to visit the Berlin Wall and do a rendition of The Beatles “Help.”

Richard: Yes, I just happened to be coincidently be in Berlin around the time of the wall coming down. It was very exciting and scary. I remember seeing people from East Germany coming through and walking around like they were discovering a brand new world. It was a very historic and exciting thing to be present for. Then on top of everything else, we had the opportunity to perform. It is certainly high on my memory list.

HRH: You come from a very musical background. Your Dad, Dick Marx was a musician. What was it like singing with him at five years old and singing the jingles for some of the best know television commercials?

Richard: He was a total pro. He was a very gifted composer, arranger, and producer. I learned a tremendous amount working with him. I hit the Dad lottery. I had the coolest Dad ever. The fact that I got some of his DNA through the musical bloodline has been a great help to me. On top of everything else I try and explain this to people, I grew up with an immensely talented father but a father that adored every second of his job. I didn’t grow up around a guy who was punching in and punching out and hating his work. My Dad loved what he did. I am so glad that I do too. It is something that I don’t ever take for granted.

HRH: I am looking forward to reviewing show performance in Vegas at The Orleans on Sunday. Is there anything else that you would like to promote?

Richard: We are going to put out a new record on May 3 called Stories To Tell. We are putting a song out on radio in a week or song called, “When You Loved Me.” Just go out and have some fun.

HRH: Richard, Thank you so much for your time, we truly appreciate it.

One of the most prolific singers of our time, Grammy Award winning Richard Marx will be performing at The Orleans Casino in Las Vegas on March 12 and 13 at 8 P.M. For ticket info please call 702-365-7075.