Biography
Hailing from Britain, pop vocalist Paul Da Vinci possesses a three-and-a-half octave range distinguished by a striking falsetto and displays particular skill with retro-style material. He first gained widespread recognition for supplying the lead vocal on the Rubettes’ international hit single “Sugar Baby Love” and later scored his own global success with the self-penned “Your Baby Ain’t Your Baby Anymore.” Born Paul Prewer, he achieved his earliest recognition fronting the Essex-based band 1984, which issued two singles on Big T Records in 1969. After the group disbanded in 1971, Da Vinci shifted to session work, recording songwriters’ demos, contributing to major advertising campaigns, and providing backing vocals for Ringo Starr, David Essex, and Gary Moore, among others.
During 1974 sessions for a ’60s-styled ensemble put together by songwriters Wayne Bickerton and Tony Waddington, Da Vinci performed the lead on “Sugar Baby Love,” which propelled the newly formed Rubettes to prominence and held the top spot on the U.K. charts for four weeks. Although he declined a permanent role in the band at that time, he achieved another major hit later that year with his own composition and production, “Your Baby Ain’t Your Baby Anymore.” He maintained a steady presence as a studio singer and made several appearances on the British television program Top of the Pops, supporting Elton John and Justin Hayward. In 1981 he again reached the upper reaches of the U.K. charts as lead vocalist on Tight Fit’s dance-oriented medley “Back to the Sixties, Pt. 2.”
Two years later, Da Vinci and his band served as opening act for Fats Domino across a two-night engagement at London’s Royal Albert Hall. When the stage adaptation of the Who’s Tommy reached the West End in 1997, he was cast as narrator and received strong critical notices for his performance. From 2000 until 2006 he performed with the Rubettes featuring Bill Hurd throughout the U.K. and Europe, after which he departed to concentrate on solo projects. He subsequently formed Paul Da Vinci & the Justice Department, whose debut album appeared in 2009. Since that release he has sustained an active touring schedule while continuing to record, issuing the digital single “This Is Your Life” in 2014. In addition, Da Vinci writes classical compositions, chiefly for cello and piano; several of these pieces have been presented by the Innovation Chamber Ensemble, a string group connected with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
During 1974 sessions for a ’60s-styled ensemble put together by songwriters Wayne Bickerton and Tony Waddington, Da Vinci performed the lead on “Sugar Baby Love,” which propelled the newly formed Rubettes to prominence and held the top spot on the U.K. charts for four weeks. Although he declined a permanent role in the band at that time, he achieved another major hit later that year with his own composition and production, “Your Baby Ain’t Your Baby Anymore.” He maintained a steady presence as a studio singer and made several appearances on the British television program Top of the Pops, supporting Elton John and Justin Hayward. In 1981 he again reached the upper reaches of the U.K. charts as lead vocalist on Tight Fit’s dance-oriented medley “Back to the Sixties, Pt. 2.”
Two years later, Da Vinci and his band served as opening act for Fats Domino across a two-night engagement at London’s Royal Albert Hall. When the stage adaptation of the Who’s Tommy reached the West End in 1997, he was cast as narrator and received strong critical notices for his performance. From 2000 until 2006 he performed with the Rubettes featuring Bill Hurd throughout the U.K. and Europe, after which he departed to concentrate on solo projects. He subsequently formed Paul Da Vinci & the Justice Department, whose debut album appeared in 2009. Since that release he has sustained an active touring schedule while continuing to record, issuing the digital single “This Is Your Life” in 2014. In addition, Da Vinci writes classical compositions, chiefly for cello and piano; several of these pieces have been presented by the Innovation Chamber Ensemble, a string group connected with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Albums
Singles
