How Bruno Mars became the idol of millions - from early years to resounding success
Over the years of a dazzling career Bruno Mars amassed a huge fan base around the world! He is a songwriter and performer, producer, musician and, with all this, a first-class dancer! In his music, Bruno boldly unites pop, R&B, soul, funk, reggae, hip hop, rock and even disco! He has his own group Hooligans, and also - a rich life story behind him ... When he was not and 20, he moved to Los Angeles, where he signed his first contract and began releasing hits one after another ... Today, the world circulation of his records is over 130 million copies, making him one of the most commercially successful musicians in history! "Hawaiian Michael Jackson" critics call it. Actually, the legendary pop king played a big role in becoming a star under the name Bruno Mars. The fascinating story of a talented boy from Honolulu is below...
Early years
Our hero's real name is Peter Gene Hernandez. He was born in 1985 in Honolulu, Hawaii, where, in general, he spent his childhood ... The Hernandez family was creative, which largely explains Peter's love for music ... His mother was a dancer, and his father played drums! Actually - it was from his father that the boy got his nickname "Bruno" (due to the resemblance to professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino). From an early age Peter immersed himself in musical culture and various musical genres, ranging from rock and roll to R&B. At the age of four, Peter was already singing the songs of the great Elvis Presley and Michael Jacksonand also performed with the family band The Love Notes!
"Little Presley" quickly captivated the Hawaiian public, and it seemed that the path of the star was destined for him from above ...
Black stripes...
When he was a child, he had a guitar, piano and some other instruments, which he skillfully learned to play as an elementary school student! In the same period, he performed with a family band, holding several concerts a night and performing classics. Frankie Lymon and Little Anthony… At about the age of 7, he appeared in the film "Honeymoon in Las Vegas". Unfortunately, Peter's life consisted not only of fame and victories...
When the boy turned 12th, his parents divorced. The family group ceased to exist, and any undertakings of the father turned into failure ... For some time, Peter's father, the future singer himself and his brother lived in the "slums of Hawaii", on the back seat of the car, on the roofs and in an abandoned bird zoo paradise park…
At the new school Peter often suffered from bullying from peers ...
First beginnings
From an early age, music served as a kind of outlet for Peter ... The guy was inspired by the work of Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix. Hawaiian culture and family have also contributed:
“I was just surrounded and fascinated by it!”
The experience gained while performing with his family undoubtedly benefited Peter: in high school, the guy portrayed Jackson in a celebrity imitation show, earning about $ 80 per performance. So he lived until the moment when fate smiled at him ...
"What is Mars?" – the history of the pseudonym and stage image
Graduated from high school Peter got what every artist needs - freedom. It would be hard to say if he would be where he is today without his sister ... It was thanks to her that I heard him Mike Lynn - Head of A&R at the label Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. Lynn was delighted with Peter's talent and immediately invited him to Los Angeles. Following the advice of his uncle, the guy moved to California to build a dazzling musical career! At that time he was a little over 17 years old ... Pretty soon he will meet Philip Lawrence on his way, with whom he will begin to write songs for other performers. Yes Yes! It was these two who became co-authors of the hit Right Round rapper Flo Rida!
As for the stage name, he came to Peter from childhood ... But if everything is clear with Bruno, then where did he come from "Mars"? A word to the musician himself:
“Before, many people told me that I was not from this world, as if I were from Mars! Apart from that, I carefully avoided any stereotypes as the music industry dictated its own rules, trying to classify me as just another Latin artist…”
The main stages of creativity
Already to 2010 year Bruno Mars, seemed to be everywhere: his songs flew into the popular top charts, he collaborated with many artists such as Cee Lo Green, and also released his first EPs and full-length debut Doo Wops & Hooligans. The main hits of this period can be called "Just the Way You Are", "Grenade", "The Lazy Song" and "It Will Rain":
In 2012 album is released Unorthodox Jukebox, the main hit from which the composition becomes "Locked Out of Heaven":
The song quickly topped the top 100, while the album itself confidently reached number two on the US chart! For Bruno it was a great success and a breakthrough! Soon followed by a second, no less successful single "When I Was Your Man", which also took the first line of the chart:
In 2014 Bruno took part in one of the most prestigious concerts in the world - together with Red Hot Chili Peppers he spoke at Super Bowl XLVIII! In the same year, it comes out "Uptown Funk." - a song that became one of the most popular hits of the year! Topping the world charts, it brought Mars his sixth number one and several Grammys ...
In 2016. Bruno presented a funk hit to the public "24K Magic.", as well as the self-titled album, which won another Grammy for the artist!
Start 2019 of the year presented a collaboration with a hip-hop artist Cardi B as a track "Please Me":
In the middle of the same year, together with Ed Sheeran and Chris Stapletonhe recorded the track "Blow":
In 2021 year collaborated with Anderson Packwith which he released "Leave the Door Open":
Interesting Facts
- Bruno called his first song "I Love You Mom": he wrote it at the age of about 5 or 6 years ... Even then he frankly sang about how wonderful his parents are!
- He wrote and produced the World Cup anthem FIFA 2010 entitled Wavin Flag!
- Few people know, but having arrived in Los Angeles Bruno was thrown Motown Records... According to the label, Mars was too young and too green ... The musician himself recalled the following: “My goal was: “I will not return home. I won't go back to Hawaii and tell friends and family it didn't work out. I have to do something…” Luckily, he signed with Atlantic very soon!
- Bruno Mars is the owner of many different prestigious music awards, including more 10 Grammy Awards!
