7 Interesting Facts About James Blunt

James Blunt has driven tanks through Kosovo, stood guard of honor for the Queen Mother, and recorded a global hit in his bathroom. On Tuesday, March 2, 2027, the British singer will perform at the Arena Genève, and the following day, Wednesday, March 3, at the Hallenstadion in Zurich. But first, let’s take a look back at his past: 7 interesting facts about James Blunt.

1 | His real last name is Blount

James Blunt was born James Hillier Blount on February 22, 1974, in Tidworth. The Blount family has served in the British Army for generations. For his music career, he dropped the “O” from his name: “Blunt” is easy for anyone to spell and pronounce. To this day, his passport still reads Blount.

2 | He flew before he drove

At age 16, Blunt got his pilot’s license—before he got his driver’s license. Flying runs in the family; his father was a helicopter pilot in the Army Air Corps. The Army funded James’s studies in Bristol—a degree in aeronautical engineering and sociology—in exchange for a commitment to at least four years of service.

3 | With a guitar strapped to his tank

After graduating from the Sandhurst Military Academy, Blunt became an officer in the Life Guards. In 1999, he served as a reconnaissance officer in Kosovo. He had his guitar with him, strapped to the outside of the tank. Every now and then, he’d play it for the locals. While on deployment, he wrote the song “No Bravery.” It later appeared on his debut album.

4 | Honor Guard for the Queen Mother

In April 2002, Captain Blunt stood guard of honor at the lying-in-state coffin of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and marched in the funeral procession. A few months later, after six years of service, he left the military. He had a plan: music.

5 | A Global Hit from the Bathroom

To record “Back to Bedlam,” Blunt moved to Los Angeles in 2003 and stayed with Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia from “Star Wars.” She even helped him come up with the album title. Blunt recorded the ballad “Goodbye My Lover” in Fisher’s bathroom. Their friendship lasted until Fisher’s death in 2016.

6 | The Most Successful British Musician Since Elton John

“You’re Beautiful” reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard charts in 2006. Blunt was the first British artist to achieve this feat since Elton John and “Candle in the Wind 1997.” “Back to Bedlam” sold over 11 million copies worldwide and was named the best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK.

7 | His chairlift is in Switzerland

Blunt owns a chalet in Verbier. The local ski resort named a chairlift after him. In 2012, he opened the restaurant La Vache at the top station with friends. So Switzerland is practically a home game for Blunt.