Richard Ashcroft

Richard Ashcroft

Richard Ashcroft is a British singer-songwriter and rock musician from Higher End, United Kingdom. He is best known as the frontman of The Verve, which he helps form in 1989. He is also associated with RPA & The United Nations Of Sound.

With The Verve

Ashcroft fronts The Verve and becomes closely identified with the band’s alternative rock and indie rock sound. The Oasis track “Cast No Shadow” is dedicated to him.

Solo career

After The Verve ends in 1999, Ashcroft begins a solo career. He releases Alone with Everybody in 2000, Human Conditions in 2002 and Keys to the World in 2006. His solo recordings continue his work as a singer-songwriter in rock and indie rock.

Collaborations and guest appearances

In 1998, Ashcroft provides vocals for UNKLE’s “Lonely Soul” on Psyence Fiction. His voice also appears on The Chemical Brothers’ Come With Us on the track “The Test”. On Human Conditions, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys guests on “Nature is the Law”.

Live appearances and connections

Ashcroft has a long association with Oasis and Coldplay. He sometimes appears as a support act at their concerts, including the European and second UK legs of Coldplay’s Twisted Logic Tour. Chris Martin introduces him as “the best singer in the world” when he performs “Bitter Sweet Symphony” with Coldplay at the London Live 8 concert in 2005. Ashcroft also says Chris Martin has helped him “let me be myself again”. He is friends with Oasis singer Liam Gallagher and with Martin.

Personal life

Ashcroft is married to Kate Radley, the former keyboard player in Spiritualized.