Who is Richard Marx

It's telling that Richard Marx broke into the music business singing backup vocals for Lionel Richie and writing songs with Kenny Rogers and Chicago, for he kept to the straightforward, middle-of-the-road approach of those acts once he became a recording artist in his own right--not that there's anything wrong with that. A dependable hitmaker throughout the late '80s and early '90s, Marx scored with rockers ("Don't Mean Nothing," "Should've Known Better"), and ballads ("Right Here Waiting," "Endless Summer Nights") alike. Greatest Hits collects those songs as well as the lion's share of his high-end chart action--of which there was plenty, proving that a devotion to craft sometimes pays off better than fickle inspiration. --Daniel Durchholz

Never mind that Richard Marx's cool meter is hovering around the same level as Michael Bolton's just now. The man knows what he's good at--that would be syrupy, rock-tinged power ballads--and, as evidenced by My Own Best Enemy, he's sticking to it. Here he grinds his sandpapery voice forcefully into the groove of a dozen songs designed to stoke or soothe mushy-hearted sensibilities. Lyrics, accordingly, are Lifetime movie-ready: He's discovering all that he is on "Again"; wallowing over who will dry his tears, hold his hand, etc., on "When You're Gone"; and sharing secrets as "deep as the ocean," his "truth laid open," on "Falling." The disc, it should be argued, matches Marx's work on early '90s hits like "Should've Known Better," and he's bound to find an appreciative audience among the throngs of lady worshippers who have been waiting for him to re-emerge. But his crime is being unfashionable, and for it he'll serve a sentence: As friendly as Enemy is to the ear, it won't earn him a new--and much-needed--generation of fans. --Tammy La Gorce

The platinum-selling Richard Marx was a radio staple in the late '80s and early '90s; he's continued to keep his hand in as a songwriter for the likes of 'N Sync ("This I Promise You"). Days in Avalon, his first album since 1997, isn't likely to change anyone's mind about Marx. But anyone who has enjoyed him in the past will appreciate this disc, whose only real surprise is the closing duet with Alison Krauss, "Straight from My Heart." Elsewhere, Marx indulges his passion for melodramatic storytelling (remember "Hazard"?) on "Boy Next Door," the tale of a Midwestern teenager who goes on a shooting spree. --Rickey Wright

Although this album is only his second, Richard Marx has revolutioned the way people think about music. He has combined Rock, Pop, and R&B music into one album that's sure to make you say, "This is Richard Marx?" (although his first album may make you think that as well). When I first listened to this album, I didn't know what to expect. I had listened to his Greatest Hits album and his first album, being "Satisfied" that he was truly, a great songwriter, as well as singer. After listening to this album, I really got into the songs that Richard Marx had written. I could relate to many of them and they became my personal favorites. Even though I ahve pretty much worn out the cd, I keep buying new copies of it because I love the music, the way it is written, and most of all, the fifth song on the cd. This song is called "Right Here Waiting" and it was a major hit. This was the only song I knew before I became interested in Richard Marx and his music. It is my favorite song of all time, and, I think, the most beautiful song ever written. So, if you like a little variety, maybe songs that you can relate to, listen to this album. It's one experience you never forget. -- "wolfybl" (Brooklyn, NY)

I just bought this cd because I heard the song "Endless Summer Nights" in a movie and remembered what a great song it was and how much I LOVED this cd (Which of course I had on cassette).

Also I thought that these facts were interesting:
- Over 30 million records sold
- Writer of Eleven #1 songs
- Nineteen Top 20 Singles as an Artist, including SEVEN #1 HITS
- 2004 Grammy Song of the Year Winner, with Luther Vandross, for "Dance With My Father"

S. Jenkins (Clarksburg, WV United States)