Maria Vidal

Last updated

Maria Vidal
MariaVidal.jpg
Vidal in 1987
Background information
Birth nameMaria Elena Vidal
Born (1960-08-01) August 1, 1960 (age 62)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1979–present
Labels

Maria Elena Vidal (born August 1, 1960) is an American singer songwriter. She is known for her hit single "Body Rock", which reached No. 8 on the US Dance Charts, No. 48 on the Hot 100, No. 5 on the Springbok Charts in South Africa, and No. 11 in the UK, and charted on various international charts. [1] It was the theme song to the film Body Rock in 1984.

Contents

Early life

Vidal was born to parents of Hispanic heritage. Sometime later, she met Desmond Child and the two began writing songs and started a music career. Despite these, she still worked at a diner for extra income. Due to her slight physical resemblance to actress and photographer Gina Lollobrigida, her co-workers, as well as the diner's owner and manager, nicknamed her Gina.

Career

Early career (1977–1980)

Vidal was a founding member of the New York City-based band, Desmond Child & Rouge. They released two well-received albums in 1979 and 1980 for Capitol Records. They toured the country and were the musical guests on Saturday Night Live. Their iconic hit "Our Love is Insane" was their own particular blend of rock and disco. The band is known for their inclusion on the soundtrack to The Warriors in 1979, with the song "Last of an Ancient Breed".

Vidal, as a member of Rouge along with Diana Grasselli and Myriam Valle, was asked by Paul Shaffer (the band's keyboardist), to sing on a live comedy album that he was the musical director on for Gilda Radner. While making the album, Radner and producer Lorne Michaels, decided instead to turn it into a Broadway show: Gilda Radner – Live From New York opened at the Winter Garden Theater in the summer of 1979. [2] Rouge performed as musicians as well as a variety of characters on stage. They toured Boston and Chicago, where the performances were made into the film Gilda Live directed by Mike Nichols.

Solo career

When the band parted ways, her first solo endeavor was an album with EMI, where she worked with producer John "Jellybean" Benitez. While working on the album, she was asked to sing the theme song for the 1984 film Body Rock , produced by Phil Ramone. It became an international hit, peaking at number No. 26 in Australia. [3] Vidal toured around the world promoting it.

She appeared in the 1985 horror comedy film Once Bitten as a member of a high school band, and contributed two songs to the Once Bitten soundtrack.

Jimmy Iovine then signed Vidal as a solo artist to A&M Records after hearing her demo of "Do Me Right", which had been written and produced for her by Desmond. It became the first single off her 1987 self-titled debut solo album and was very popular internationally, especially in South America. The music video was directed by David Fincher.

In 1991, she sang a duet with Desmond Child on the Burt Bacharach/Desmond Child penned power ballad "Obsession". At the time, Vidal was making her third solo album with British-owned Charisma Records, but the album was never released.

As a singer, songwriter and producer, Vidal has contributed to many other artists' music.

Vidal contributed backup vocals to Kiss' Paul Stanley's solo album, Stevie Nicks' single "I Can't Wait" as well as a few other tracks from Nicks' solo album "Rock a Little", and was a featured vocalist for The Smithereens' single "A Girl Like You". She appears on many of Belinda Carlisle's solo albums, including the 1989 album "Runaway Horses". Other highlights include vocals for artists such as: Ellen Foley, Aerosmith, Seal, Alice Cooper, Celine Dion, Toto, Bette Midler, Real McCoy and Cher. Maria also appears on albums from Cat Stevens, and, most recently, Lana Del Rey.

As a songwriter, Vidal wrote the hit single "Summer Rain" for Belinda Carlisle, which was covered in 2004 by Slinkee Minx, as well as the title song to Carlisle's album "A Woman and a Man". The song "Angel"; in which she co-wrote (from her 1987 solo album) was also recorded by Expose on their 1992 self titled album. Vidal has written songs with Desmond Child, Billy Steinberg, and Rick Nowels, including Ace of Base single "Every Time it Rains" and Belinda Carlisle's "California."

As a studio vocal arranger and producer, Vidal has worked with a myriad of artists. Vidal's credits include Carrie Underwood and the other finalists on American Idol season 4.

In May 2009, Vidal announced the release of her album Living in Radical Radiance. The album can be downloaded on her website or ordered through the website shop.

Personal life

Vidal has a son with her husband Rick Nowels.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Related Research Articles

Belinda Carlisle American singer

Belinda Jo Carlisle is an American singer. She gained fame as the lead singer of the Go-Go's, the most successful all-female rock band of all time, and went on to have a prolific career as a solo artist.

New Radicals American alternative rock band

New Radicals were an American alternative rock band formed in 1997 in Los Angeles, California. The band was centered on frontman Gregg Alexander, who wrote and produced all of their songs. The band's only other permanent member was keyboardist and percussionist Danielle Brisebois.

Desmond Child American songwriter and producer

John Charles Barrett, known professionally as Desmond Child, is an American songwriter and producer. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008.

Rick Nowels American songwriter and record producer

Rick Nowels is an American songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and arranger. He has co-written and co-produced over 90 hit singles and his songs have appeared on over 250 million albums. In 2020 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

I Feel Free Single by British rock band Cream

"I Feel Free" is a song first recorded by the British rock band Cream. The lyrics were written by Pete Brown, with the music by Jack Bruce. The song showcases the band's musical diversity, effectively combining blues rock with psychedelic pop.

Heaven Is a Place on Earth 1987 single by Belinda Carlisle

"Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is a song by American singer Belinda Carlisle from her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). Written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, the song was released as the lead single from the Heaven on Earth album on September 14, 1987, and it reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on December 5, 1987, becoming Carlisle's only US chart-topper to date. A month later it peaked at number one in the United Kingdom, where it held the top spot of the UK Singles Chart for two weeks. It is considered to be Carlisle's signature song.

Circle in the Sand 1988 single by Belinda Carlisle

"Circle in the Sand" is a song by American singer Belinda Carlisle for her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). It was written by Rick Nowels, who also produced it, and Ellen Shipley. "Circle in the Sand" was the third single released from Heaven on Earth in May 1988 and became Carlisle's third consecutive top-10 hit in the United Kingdom and United States, reaching No. 4 and No. 7, respectively. It also charted at No. 5 in Canada, ending the year as the country's 69th-most-successful hit.

<i>A Woman & a Man</i> 1996 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

A Woman & a Man is the sixth studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle, released in the United Kingdom on September 23, 1996, by Chrysalis Records. The album contains songs written by Rick Nowels, Maria Vidal, Ellen Shipley, Charlotte Caffey, Neil Finn and Roxette co-founder Per Gessle who also produced one of the tracks.

Summer Rain (Belinda Carlisle song) 1990 single by Belinda Carlisle

"Summer Rain" is a song written by Robbie Seidman and Maria Vidal, produced by Rick Nowels for Belinda Carlisle's third album Runaway Horses (1989). The power ballad is about a man who goes away to war and leaves his wife, saying that nothing will change—they will be together forever and always. Although the conflict is unidentified, images in the video of a transport aircraft on an airfield and troops parachuting from transport aircraft suggest the man is an airborne soldier. The song is set in the present as his widow sings it, remembering the last time she saw him. It was released around the world in 1990 and was issued as a CD single, 7-inch single and a 12-inch single.

<i>Heaven on Earth</i> (Belinda Carlisle album) 1987 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Heaven on Earth is the second solo studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle. It was released on October 5, 1987, by MCA Records. Three singles reached the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, including the number-one single and Carlisle's signature song "Heaven Is a Place on Earth". The album has been certified triple Platinum in the United Kingdom and Platinum in many countries, including the United States.

<i>Runaway Horses</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Runaway Horses is the third solo studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle, released on October 3, 1989, by MCA Records. The album features songs written by Rick Nowels, Ellen Shipley, Charlotte Caffey and a song co-written by Carlisle herself. The album contains an array of guest artists, including George Harrison and Bryan Adams.

<i>Live Your Life Be Free</i> 1991 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Live Your Life Be Free is the fourth studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle, released in 1991 by MCA Records in the United States and Virgin Records in the UK. This was the first of Carlisle's albums not to chart in the United States and the last album of hers to produce a U.S. Billboard Hot 100 single. The album fared better in the UK, where it peaked at number seven.

<i>Real</i> (Belinda Carlisle album) 1993 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Real is the fifth studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle, released on September 29, 1993, by Virgin Records. The album has a genre of mainly pop songs written by Charlotte Caffey, Thomas Caffey, Ralph Schuckett and half co-written by Carlisle. It was the second Belinda Carlisle album where Rick Nowels had no writing or producing credits and was also Carlisle's first album where she contributed to the producing. The album cover was designed by Tom Dolan and is a departure for Carlisle, who presented a glamorous look on all her previous covers, choosing a "jeans and tee shirt" look instead this time without make-up. The album features a cover version of the Graces' song "Lay Down Your Arms". Former Germs guitarist Pat Smear, as well as Redd Kross members Jeff and Steve McDonald, and The Bangles' Vicki Peterson appear on the record.

Leave a Light On (Belinda Carlisle song) 1989 single by Belinda Carlisle

"Leave a Light On" is a pop song written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, produced by Nowels for American singer Belinda Carlisle's third solo album, Runaway Horses (1989). Released as a single, it narrowly missed the top 10 in the United States, peaking at number 11. It fared better elsewhere, reaching the top five in several countries, including Australia, Austria, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

I Get Weak 1988 single by Belinda Carlisle

"I Get Weak" is a song by American singer Belinda Carlisle from her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). The song was written by Diane Warren and produced by Rick Nowels, and was released as the second single from Heaven on Earth in January 1988.

California (Belinda Carlisle song) 1997 single by Belinda Carlisle

"California" is a pop song written by Rick Nowels, Billy Steinberg and Maria Vidal, produced by David Tickle for Belinda Carlisle's sixth studio album, A Woman and a Man (1996). It was released as the album's fourth single in the UK and the third single in Australia as a CD single.

<i>Jennifer Rush</i> (1992 album) 1992 studio album by Jennifer Rush

Jennifer Rush is the sixth studio album by American singer Jennifer Rush. Released in Europe in October 1992, the album features songwriters and producers such as Rick Nowels, Ellen Shipley and Desmond Child. Jennifer Rush proved less of a hit than her previous work and peaked at number 28 on the Danish Albums Chart. Singles released were "Never Say Never", "A Broken Heart" and "Vision of You," a cover of the Belinda Carlisle song.

Ellen Shipley is an American musician and songwriter.

Sandy Stewart is a songwriter, singer and keyboardist from Houston, Texas, USA. She is mostly known for her album Cat Dancer, and her association with Fleetwood Mac vocalist and solo act Stevie Nicks. Sandy's first single, "Saddest Victory" was released in 1984. Its video played on MTV for several weeks, but the song never charted. Sandy and Stevie Nicks also sang a duet for the song "I Pretend", which also was featured on Cat Dancer. A 12" single was also released to promote Cat Dancer. The single featured a large close-up photo of Sandy on its album cover.

<i>Maria Vidal</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Maria Vidal

Maria Vidal is the debut studio album by American singer Maria Vidal, released by A&M in 1987.

References

  1. ↑ "Maria Vidal Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". musicvf.com. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Gilda Radner – Live From New York – Broadway Special". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 329. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  4. ↑ "Maria Vidal – Billboard Hot 100 History". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.