Few stars market themselves in the media as skillfully as John Legend. Now he is coming to Zurich with his tour - time to explore his legendary status.
The birth of the legend: His real name is Stephens. John Stephens (38). The inventor of his stage name is the American poet J. Ivy. He said to John: "You sound like one of the legends." J. Ivy was referring to the famous soul artists of the 60s and 70s. And so John Stephens became John Legend. Now he not only sounds like a legend, he has become one himself.
Awards and honors
John Legend collects precious metal. One Oscar, ten Grammys, 30 gold and
86 platinum records. And this list is not even complete. Legend's legendary status is not just limited to his music, however; he now also produces films. He was co-producer of "La La Land", which won seven Golden Globes and six Oscars.
The woman
Legend is omnipresent on social media. Together with his wife Chrissy Teigen (31), an American supermodel, he reliably feeds the world with pictures from their private lives. Just three days after the birth of their daughter Luna Simone Stephens (1), the first information was posted on Twitter directly from the hospital, including weight details. The couple also spoke openly about the "birth" of Luna: Teigen and Legend had fulfilled their desire to have a child through artificial insemination.
The friends
Legend has never lacked influential friends. He met Lauryn Hill (42) through a friend at college. She hired him to record piano elements for the hit "Everything is Everything". After college, he met Kanye West (40), who later signed him.
Politics
Legend does not necessarily make political music, but he is a highly political artist. He is outspoken on racism, inequality and Donald Trump (71). Legend, who campaigned for President Barack Obama (56), says of his political commitment: "Anyone who disagrees with me politically should not follow me on Twitter."
The head
Legend has a head on his shoulders. He studied African-American literature at the University of Pennsylvania, led school bands, school choirs and was a member of an exclusive student fraternity called the Sphinx Senior Honor Society. Before becoming a musician, he worked for the global consulting firm Boston Consulting Group. Oh yes, that would be correct: Dr. John Legend - Howard University in Washington D.C. awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2012.
This article first appeared in Sonntagsblick magazine.
JOHN LEGEND
10.10.17, Samsung Hall Zurich
TICKETS
