:David Foster
{{short description|Canadian record producer and songwriter (born 1949)}}
{{about|the Canadian music producer|other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = David Foster
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|size=100%|OC|OBC}}
| image = David Foster by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
| caption = Foster in 2024
| birth_name = David Walter Foster
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|11|1}}
| birth_place = Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|B.J. Cook|1972|1981|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Rebecca Dyer|October 27, 1982|1986|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Linda Thompson|1991|2005|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Yolanda Hadid|November 11, 2011|2017|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Katharine McPhee|June 28, 2019}}}}
| module = {{Infobox person
| embed = yes
| children = 6
| citizenship = {{hlist|Canada|United States}}
}}
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|rock|gospel|R&B}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Record producer|composer|songwriter|arranger|musician}}
| instrument = Keyboards
| years_active = 1971–present
| label = {{hlist|Verve|Reprise|143|Atlantic}}
| past_member_of = Skylark
| website = {{URL|davidfoster.com}}
}}
David Walter Foster {{post-nominals|country=CAN|size=100%|OC|OBC}} (born November 1, 1949) is a Canadian record producer, composer, arranger, and musician. He has won 16 Grammy Awards from 47 nominations.{{cite magazine |date= |title=It's Official: David Foster Named Chairman of Verve Music Group |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/it-s-official-david-foster-named-chairman-1005684192.story |url-status=dead |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111211854/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/it-s-official-david-foster-named-chairman-1005684192.story |archive-date=11 Jan 2012 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-rolls-classical-labels-verve-group-us/|title=Universal rolls up US classical labels into Verve Group in New York|work=musicabusinessworldwide|date=May 20, 2016|access-date=May 20, 2016|archive-date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823165408/http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-rolls-classical-labels-verve-group-us|url-status=live}} His career began as a keyboardist for the pop group Skylark in the early 1970s before focusing largely on composing and production. Often in tandem with songwriter Diane Warren,{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrettwissman/2016/08/05/david-foster-the-enduring-impact-of-talent/|title=David Foster: The Enduring Impact of Talent|website=Forbes.com|access-date=January 19, 2024|archive-date=January 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119205812/https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrettwissman/2016/08/05/david-foster-the-enduring-impact-of-talent/|url-status=live}} Foster has contributed to material for prominent music industry artists in various genres since then and is credited with production on over 40 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100. He also chaired Verve Records from 2012 to 2016. Foster composed Boop! The Musical, which premeried in 2023 and debuted on Broadway; for which he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.
Early life and career
Foster was born in Victoria, British Columbia, the son of Maurice "Maury" Foster, an office worker, and Eleanor May Foster (née Vantreight), a homemaker.[http://www.davidfoster.com/story/ David Foster Official Site: "David Foster"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630152936/http://www.davidfoster.com/story/ |date=June 30, 2017 }} retrieved August 7, 2015{{cite web|title=Eleanor Foster Obituary|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timescolonist/obituary.aspx?n=eleanor-may-foster-vantreight&pid=16388904|website=Legacy.com|publisher=The Times Colonist|access-date=October 26, 2016|archive-date=October 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027054832/http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timescolonist/obituary.aspx?n=eleanor-may-foster-vantreight&pid=16388904|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Lazarus|first1=Eve|title=The House That Fostered David Foster|url=http://evelazarus.com/the-house-that-fostered-david-foster/|website=Eve Lazarus (writer)|date=December 11, 2012|access-date=October 26, 2016|archive-date=October 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027060151/http://evelazarus.com/the-house-that-fostered-david-foster/|url-status=live}} In 1963, at the age of 13, he enrolled in the University of Washington music program.[http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/David_Foster.aspx Encyclopedia.com: "Foster, David"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923214110/http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/David_Foster.aspx |date=September 23, 2016 }} Contemporary Musicians | 1995 | Shelton, Sonya In 1965, he auditioned to lead the band in an Edmonton nightclub owned by jazz musician Tommy Banks. Banks mentored Foster in jazz, producing records, and the music business. After one year there, he moved to Toronto to play with Ronnie Hawkins. In 1966, he joined a backup band for Chuck Berry. In 1972, he moved to Los Angeles with his band Skylark.[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/david-foster-emc/ The Canadian Encyclopedia: "David Foster"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624103550/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/david-foster-emc/ |date=June 24, 2017 }} retrieved September 7, 2015
Career
=Early years=
Foster was a keyboardist for the pop group Skylark, discovered by Eirik Wangberg. The song "Wildflower" was a top ten hit in 1973.{{cite magazine|author=Nat Freedland|title=Skylark flying on 'flower' power|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CQkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17|date=September 15, 1973|pages=17–}} When the group disbanded, Foster remained in Los Angeles and, together with Jay Graydon, he formed the band Airplay. In 1975, Foster played on George Harrison's album Extra Texture. He followed that up a year later by playing the Fender Rhodes and clavinet on Harrison's album Thirty Three & 1/3. In 1976, Foster joined Guthrie Thomas on Thomas' second Capitol Records album, Lies and Alibis, with Ringo Starr and a host of other performers. Foster was a major contributor to the 1979 Earth, Wind & Fire album I Am, as a studio player and arranger. He was a co-writer on six of the album's tracks, such as "After the Love Has Gone", for which he and his co-writers, Graydon and Bill Champlin, won the 1980 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.
=1981–1999=
Foster worked as a producer on albums for The Tubes: 1981's The Completion Backward Principle and 1983's Outside Inside. Foster co-wrote such songs as "Talk to Ya Later", with Tubes singer Fee Waybill and Steve Lukather from Toto; the Top 40 hit "Don't Want to Wait Anymore"; and the number 10 US hit "She's a Beauty". On the 1980 Boz Scaggs album Middle Man, he co-wrote and he played keyboard on some of Scaggs's most successful songs, including "Breakdown Dead Ahead", "Jojo", and "Simone", followed by "Look What You've Done to Me" from the film Urban Cowboy.
Foster was a major contributor to the career of jazz rock band Chicago in the early and middle 1980s, having worked as the band's producer on Chicago 16 (1982), Chicago 17 (1984) — their biggest selling, multi-platinum album — and Chicago 18 (1986). As was typical of his producing projects from this period, Foster was a co-writer on "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (US No. 1), "Love Me Tomorrow" (US No. 22), "Stay the Night" (US No. 16), and "You're the Inspiration" (US No. 3). These were co-written with the band's bassist Peter Cetera. In 1986, Foster also helped Cetera co-write (along with Cetera's wife Diane Nini) his US No. 1 solo hit "Glory of Love".
Foster co-wrote Kenny Loggins's songs "Heart to Heart" (US No. 15), from the 1982 album High Adventure, and "Forever" (US No. 40), from the 1985 album Vox Humana.
Foster worked with country singer Kenny Rogers on the hit albums What About Me? (1984) and The Heart of the Matter (1985). The latter features "The Best of Me", co-written with Richard Marx that was covered by Cliff Richard in 1989, resulting in a number-two UK hit.
In 1985, Rolling Stone magazine named Foster the "master of . . . bombastic pop kitsch".{{ Cite magazine | last=Shewey | first=Don | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/kennyloggins/albums/album/216344/review/5940971/vox_humana | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412004950/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/kennyloggins/albums/album/216344/review/5940971/vox_humana | archive-date=April 12, 2010 | date=June 6, 1985 | title=Album Reviews: Kenny Loggins: 'Vox Humana' | magazine=Rolling Stone}} That year, Foster composed the score for the film St. Elmo's Fire, including the instrumental "Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire", which hit No. 15 on the US pop charts. Another song from the film, "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)", recorded by John Parr, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 7, 1985.
In 1985, Foster also co-wrote and produced "Tears Are Not Enough", which reached top 15 status. The album was recorded by a group of fellow Canadian artists including Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Bryan Adams.
Foster continued turning out occasional film scores, including the Michael J. Fox comedy The Secret of My Success (1987), which featured a song co-written by Foster titled "The Price of Love", a version of which was performed by Roger Daltrey on his album Can't Wait to See the Movie, which Foster also produced. Foster wrote the score for the Jodie Foster-Mark Harmon film Stealing Home (1988). Both films spawned soundtrack albums with Foster's prominent contributions.
Foster composed "Winter Games", the instrumental theme song for the 1988 Winter Olympics and performed "Winter Games" and its vocal version "Can't You Feel It?" in Calgary, Alberta. "Winter Games" is the soundtrack for fountain shows at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas.{{cite web|url=http://www.bellagio.com/attractions/fountains-of-bellagio.aspx|title=Bellagio Fountains – Las Vegas|access-date=December 16, 2013|archive-date=November 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104035727/http://www.bellagio.com/attractions/fountains-of-bellagio.aspx|url-status=live}}
Foster collaborated with then-wife Linda Thompson on the song "I Have Nothing", sung by Whitney Houston in the 1992 film The Bodyguard. The couple appeared in the film's Oscars scene as the conductor and an Academy member.
In 1995, Foster signed a deal with Warner Brothers for his own boutique label, 143 Records, as a joint venture with Warner.{{cite web|url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_BrianAvnetInterview.html|title=Interview with Brian Avnet|publisher=HitQuarters|date=February 16, 2004|access-date=December 21, 2010|archive-date=July 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703171215/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview%2Fopar%2Fintrview_BrianAvnetInterview.html|url-status=live}} Foster gave responsibility for running the label to then-manager Brian Avnet. One of the label's first signings was a then-little known Irish folk-rock band, the Corrs, whose debut album he produced. By 1997, Foster decided that, in the American market at least, "logo labels" like 143 were in a "bad spot", so he sold the label back to Warner and became a senior vice president at the corporation. Foster and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds composed "The Power of the Dream", the official song of the 1996 Summer Olympics. Foster produced the Diane Warren songs "Un-Break My Heart" sung by Toni Braxton, "Because You Loved Me" sung by Celine Dion, and "Have You Ever?" sung by Brandy.
=2000s=
Foster produced major-label debut albums for Josh Groban (2001), Michael Bublé (2003),{{cite web|url=http://www.michaelbuble.com/biography|title=Michael Bublé biography|publisher=Michaelbuble.com|access-date=June 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714083320/http://www.michaelbuble.com/biography|archive-date=July 14, 2011}} Renee Olstead (2004), and Charice (2010), which were released under his 143 Records.
In 2001, Foster collaborated with Lara Fabian and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to record English-language, French-language, and bilingual versions of the Canadian national anthem, "O Canada", for a promotion of the Canadian government. Foster, with his then-wife Linda Thompson, composed "Light the Fire Within", sung by LeAnn Rimes for the 2002 Winter Olympics. In 2003, Foster won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics for [https://web.archive.org/web/20100806184457/http://www.executivevisions.com/projectdetails.asp?ProjectID=105 The Concert for World Children's Day]. His song, "I Will Be There With You" (sung with Katharine McPhee), has been used by Japan Airlines to promote the introduction of new aircraft for its US flights.
The 2001 film The Score, starring Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando, features a Diana Krall recording, "I'll Make it Up as I Go". The song was composed by Foster together with his daughter Amy Foster-Gillies.DVD (ending Credits), Universum Film GmbH & Co. KG., Constantin Films and BMG Video, Germany, 2005
In 2005, Foster, his daughter Amy Foster-Gillies, and Beyoncé wrote "Stand Up For Love" as the anthem to the World Children's Day, an annual worldwide event to raise awareness and funds for children's causes. Over the years, more than $50 million has been raised to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities and other children's organizations.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
File:DavidFosterMar10.jpg at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 2010]]
In 2008, Foster held a one-night concert called Hitman: David Foster & Friends at the Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas featuring Foster presiding center stage at the keyboard, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Peter Cetera, Katharine McPhee, Celine Dion, Blake Shelton, Brian McKnight, and Charice.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/hitman-david-foster-friends-introduction/456/|title=Hitman: David Foster & Friends {{!}} Introduction|date=December 6, 2008|website=PBS Great Performances|language=en-US|access-date=October 9, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115215451/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/hitman-david-foster-friends-introduction/456/|url-status=live}}
In 2009, it was revealed by songwriter Diane Warren that she had worked with Foster to produce tracks for Whitney Houston's upcoming album and the singer's comeback single would be the Foster-produced "I Didn't Know My Own Strength".{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2009/04/whitney_houston_new_single_confirmed|title=Dianne Warren Confirms Whitney's new single to VIBE magazine|publisher=Vibe.com|date=June 1, 2011|access-date=June 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919175357/http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2009/04/whitney_houston_new_single_confirmed/|archive-date=September 19, 2011}}
=2010s=
On May 30, 2011, Foster teamed with young singer Jackie Evancho in her Dream With Me Concert on PBS at the Ringling Brothers Museum in Sarasota, Florida. On December 15, 2011, it was confirmed that Foster would become the Chairman of Verve Music Group.{{cite magazine|title=It's Official: David Foster Named Chairman of Verve Music Group|magazine=Billboard|date=December 15, 2011|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/it-s-official-david-foster-named-chairman-1005684192.story|access-date=June 4, 2012|archive-date=January 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114021928/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/it-s-official-david-foster-named-chairman-1005684192.story|url-status=live}}
In 2013, Foster produced Mary J. Blige's first Christmas album A Mary Christmas released October 15 of that year. The album includes 12 classics such as swing-styled "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". It features artists Marc Anthony, Jessie J, The Clark Sisters, Barbra Streisand, and Chris Botti. Foster produced Andrea Bocelli's album Passione, released in January 2013. The album is a collection of Mediterranean love songs featuring duets with Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, and a virtual duet with Edith Piaf.{{Cite web |url=http://www.classicalite.com/articles/967/20121211/andrea-bocelli-release-new-album-passione-featuring.htm |title="Andrea Bocelli to Release New Album Passione Featuring Jennifer Lopez and Nelly Furtado" |date=December 11, 2012 |access-date=March 26, 2016 |archive-date=April 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407042839/http://www.classicalite.com/articles/967/20121211/andrea-bocelli-release-new-album-passione-featuring.htm |url-status=live }}
Foster produced an album with Bryan Adams titled Tracks of My Years released in 2014.{{Cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/Bryan-Adams-Tracks-Of-My-Years/release/6431709 | title=Bryan Adams-Tracks Of My Years | website=Discogs | year=2014 | access-date=January 4, 2019 | archive-date=July 13, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713033043/https://www.discogs.com/Bryan-Adams-Tracks-Of-My-Years/release/6431709 | url-status=live }}
Foster left Verve in 2016 in a label reorganization.
As of 2018, he was writing a musical with Jewel, based on Amy Bloom's novel Lucky Us.{{Cite web|url = https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-david-foster-interview-20180327-story.html|title = David Foster on his return to producing and a recent invitation from Drake|website = Los Angeles Times|date = March 27, 2018|access-date = April 5, 2020|archive-date = December 31, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191231050950/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-david-foster-interview-20180327-story.html|url-status = live}}
=2020s=
Foster composed a musical based on Betty Boop, with lyrics by Susan Birkenhead and a book by Bob Martin. Boop! The Musical premiered at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago in 2023.{{cite news |last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |title=Boop! The Betty Boop Musical Will Make Pre-Broadway World Premiere in Chicago |url=https://playbill.com/article/boop-the-betty-boop-musical-will-make-pre-broadway-world-premiere-in-chicago |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=Playbill |date=February 14, 2023 |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629201213/https://playbill.com/article/boop-the-betty-boop-musical-will-make-pre-broadway-world-premiere-in-chicago |url-status=live }} It opened on Broadway in 2025, and he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his music.{{cite web|title=Boop! Leads 2025 Drama Desk Award Nominations With 11 Nods Including Outstanding Musical; Read the Full List Here|first=Logan|last=Culwell-Block|date=April 30, 2025|url=https://playbill.com/article/boop-leads-2025-drama-desk-award-nominations-with-11-nods-including-outstanding-musical-read-the-full-list-here|access-date=April 30, 2025}}
Television appearances
In 1992, Foster went to Indonesia to record the TV show David Foster's Twilight Orchestra on the national television station RCTI. In early 2001, Foster appeared in Popstars, a WB reality series aimed at coming up with the next girl group. The result was Eden's Crush (featuring Nicole Scherzinger). Foster and Linda Thompson wrote and produced several songs on their album.{{cite web|title=Promise Me – Lyrics|url=http://www.songlyrics.com/eden-s-crush/promise-me-lyrics/|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032614/http://www.songlyrics.com/eden-s-crush/promise-me-lyrics/|url-status=live}}
In 2005, his and Linda Thompson's home life was featured in a "staged" reality television show, The Princes of Malibu, on Fox.{{cite web|url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/fox/2005_Aug_22_princes_malibu_effect|title=Reality Blurred: 'Princes of Malibu's fakeness "was meant to play funny", producer says'|date=August 22, 2005|access-date=February 8, 2010|archive-date=September 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915124949/http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/fox/2005_Aug_22_princes_malibu_effect|url-status=live}} The premise was Foster attempting to teach his spoiled stepsons, Brandon and Brody Jenner—the children of Thompson and Olympian Caitlyn Jenner{{cite magazine|author=Buzz Bissinger|title=Introducing Caitlyn Jenner|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/06/caitlyn-jenner-bruce-cover-annie-leibovitz/|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=June 1, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2015|author-link=Buzz Bissinger|archive-date=June 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613015353/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/06/caitlyn-jenner-bruce-cover-annie-leibovitz|url-status=live}}—to straighten their lives up and earn their own way.
In late April 2006, he appeared as a guest mentor on American Idol and as a guest judge on Nashville Star.{{cite web|title=Wet Paint|url=http://www.wetpaint.com/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills/david-foster|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=July 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705162029/http://www.wetpaint.com/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills/david-foster|url-status=live}} In 2006, he was a judge on the FOX TV show Celebrity Duets and appeared on Star Tomorrow, for which auditions were held in Los Angeles and New York City for undiscovered talent.
File:DavidFosterHWOFSept2012.jpg
In July 2006, Foster made a brief appearance on The View as Star Jones's vocal coach. In August 2006, he was the musical director for JCPenney Jam's The Concert For American Kids.{{cite web|url=http://www.executivevisions.com/projectdetails.asp?ProjectID=143|title=JCPenney Jam – Concert Producers |access-date=February 16, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407071100/http://www.executivevisions.com/projectdetails.asp?ProjectID=143|archive-date=April 7, 2011}} Also in 2006, Foster was featured in Under the Desert Sky, Andrea Bocceli's live album and DVD of a pop concert held in Las Vegas. In 2007, Foster was featured in Bocelli's Vivere Live in Tuscany, a live album and DVD of a pop concert performed at Bocelli's Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico, Tuscany in July. In November 2007, Foster appeared in The Oprah Winfrey Show{{'}}s annual "Favorite Things" episode, performing with Josh Groban.{{cite web|title=Nightline Playlist: Josh Groban|website=ABC News|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/SummerConcert/story?id=4040268&page=1|quote=In her recent "Favorite Things" show Winfrey named Groban's Christmas album, "Noel" as one of her favorite things of 2007.|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812154843/https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/SummerConcert/story?id=4040268&page=1|url-status=live}}
In September 2008, singer Charice joined Foster on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Celine Dion via satellite; and on October 31, he and Andrea Bocelli appeared on Oprah again together, where he stated that Bocelli was his "favourite singer on the planet".{{cite web|url=http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081031_tows_fridays/9|title=Live with Faith Hill & David Foster|publisher=oprah.com|access-date=October 31, 2008|archive-date=June 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606061243/http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081031_tows_fridays/9|url-status=live}}
In December 2008, Foster was featured in a PBS special titled Hit Man: David Foster & Friends, a concert featuring live performances by Foster and numerous other performers.{{cite web|title=Hitman: David Foster & Friends|date=December 6, 2008|publisher=PBS|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/hitman-david-foster-friends/introduction/456|access-date=March 11, 2009|archive-date=March 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305192033/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/hitman-david-foster-friends/introduction/456/|url-status=live}}
Later in 2011, he was featured in Andrea Bocelli's live album, Concerto: One Night in Central Park (also known as Live in Central Park) and in Bocelli's four PBS specials. Bocelli also performed during Foster's Hit Man special.{{cite web|title=Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park|website=PBS|date=November 30, 2011|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/andrea-bocelli-live-in-central-park/about-the-concert/1213/|quote=Bocelli was joined that rainy, windswept evening by pop stars Céline Dion, Tony Bennett, Chris Botti and David Foster,|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=February 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219225645/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/andrea-bocelli-live-in-central-park/about-the-concert/1213/|url-status=live}}
In late 2012, Foster appeared in an episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. His wife, Yolanda Foster, joined the cast of season three.[http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/meet-the-new-housewives-of-beverly-hills-in-season-3-sneak-peek-2012209 Meet the New Housewives of Beverly Hills in Season 3 Sneak Peek!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922232551/http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/meet-the-new-housewives-of-beverly-hills-in-season-3-sneak-peek-2012209 |date=September 22, 2012 }}, USWeekly, September 20, 2012
In 2015, Foster joined the panel of judges for Asia's Got Talent.{{cite news | url=http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/01/15/1413179/asias-got-talent-judges-announced | title='Asia's Got Talent' judges announced | newspaper=The Philippine Star | date=January 15, 2015 | access-date=January 24, 2015 | archive-date=December 10, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210140153/http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/01/15/1413179/asias-got-talent-judges-announced | url-status=live }} In 2017 and 2019, he returned as judge with Anggun, Mel C, and Vanness Wu for the second season and third season with Anggun and Jay Park,{{Cite web|url=https://www.axn-asia.com/programs/asias-got-talent/the-judges|title=The Judges|website=www.axn-asia.com|language=en|access-date=July 27, 2017|archive-date=April 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404014632/https://www.axn-asia.com/programs/asias-got-talent/the-judges|url-status=live}} and also judged the Chinese-language World's Got Talent.
In 2019, PBS hosted An Intimate Evening with David Foster. The show includes his wife Katharine McPhee, tenor Fernando Varela, Pia Toscano, Loren Allred, and Shelea.
{{cite news | url=https://www.today.com/video/david-foster-and-katharine-mcphee-foster-talk-an-intimate-evening-74252357714 | title=David Foster and Katharine McPhee-Foster talk 'An Intimate Evening' | publisher=Today | access-date=December 23, 2019 | archive-date=September 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904035804/https://www.today.com/video/david-foster-and-katharine-mcphee-foster-talk-an-intimate-evening-74252357714 | url-status=live }}
In 2019, the biographical documentary, David Foster: Off the Record was produced and directed by Barry Avrich.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/david-foster-off-the-record-documentary-movie-coming-1202646749/ |title='David Foster: Off The Record' Feature Documentary In Works With Music Icon Center Stage |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 16, 2019 |access-date=August 29, 2019 |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717153446/https://deadline.com/2019/07/david-foster-off-the-record-documentary-movie-coming-1202646749/ |url-status=live }} It debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2019. It includes archival footage and interviews, and appearances by singers including Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Celine Dion.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/david-foster-documentary-set-to-premiere-at-the-2019-toronto-international-film-festival-1.5230091 |title=David Foster documentary set to premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival |work=CBC Music |date=July 30, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730231632/https://www.cbc.ca/music/david-foster-documentary-set-to-premiere-at-the-2019-toronto-international-film-festival-1.5230091 |archive-date=July 30, 2019 }}
In 2021, Foster and McPhee competed in season six of The Masked Singer as "Banana Split". Foster dressed up as the banana half and did most of the instrument playing while McPhee dressed up as the ice cream half and did most of the singing. They were eliminated in the Group B Finale, where they competed against Jewel as "Queen of Hearts".
Christmas album productions
Foster has produced multiple best-selling Christmas albums beginning with Once Upon a Christmas, by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton in 1984. He produced Celine Dion's These Are Special Times (1998), Josh Groban's Noël (2007), Andrea Bocelli's My Christmas (2009), Michael Bublé's Christmas (2011), Rod Stewart's Merry Christmas, Baby (2012), Mary J. Blige's A Mary Christmas (2013), and Jordan Smith's 'Tis the Season (2016). Thus, he has produced the best-selling Christmas albums of 1984, 1998, 2007–09, and 2011–12. Four of these albums rank among the top fifteen best-selling Christmas albums ever. He composed "Grown-Up Christmas List" (1990).
Foster and his fifth wife Katharine McPhee recorded a seven-song Christmas EP called Christmas Songs in 2022.{{cite news |last=Tracy |first=Brianna |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Katharine McPhee Jokes She 'Guilted' Husband David Foster into Making a Christmas Album |work=People |url=https://people.com/music/katharine-mcphee-jokes-she-guilted-husband-david-foster-into-making-christmas-album/ |access-date=November 12, 2022 |archive-date=November 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112190359/https://people.com/music/katharine-mcphee-jokes-she-guilted-husband-david-foster-into-making-christmas-album/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Why Katharine McPhee and husband David Foster came out of 'retirement' for 'one-off' holiday EP: 'I just didn't really find a place in the recording industry' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/why-katharine-mc-phee-and-husband-david-foster-came-out-of-retirement-for-one-off-holiday-ep-i-just-didnt-really-find-a-place-in-the-recording-industry-201440827.html |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=Yahoo |date=December 13, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217215539/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/why-katharine-mc-phee-and-husband-david-foster-came-out-of-retirement-for-one-off-holiday-ep-i-just-didnt-really-find-a-place-in-the-recording-industry-201440827.html |url-status=live }} On October 20, 2023, the album was "completed" and re-released with seven additional songs.{{cite news |author=Chris |date=September 7, 2023 |title=Katharine McPhee & David Foster to release completed "Christmas Songs" album in October |work=KatharineMcPhee.net |url=https://katharinemcphee.net/katharine-mcphee-and-david-fosters-new-christmas-songs-album-coming-in-october-according-to-target/ |access-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907163625/https://katharinemcphee.net/katharine-mcphee-and-david-fosters-new-christmas-songs-album-coming-in-october-according-to-target/ |url-status=live }}
Philanthropy
Foster created the David Foster Foundation, which supports children in need of medical transplants,{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/at-65-canadian-producer-david-foster-is-not-slowing-down/article21816078/ |work=The Globe and Mail |title=At 65, Canadian producer David Foster is not slowing down |first=Nick |last=Patch |date=November 27, 2014 |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-date=July 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716115021/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/at-65-canadian-producer-david-foster-is-not-slowing-down/article21816078/ |url-status=live }} for which he was acknowledged in the Juno Awards 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/junos-david-foster-1.4972796 |title=Juno Awards 2019: David Foster to be honoured for philanthropic work |work=CBC News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=January 10, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111011610/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/junos-david-foster-1.4972796 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 }} In 2018, Foster and his then-fiancée Katharine McPhee attended a fundraiser gala for Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The event raised a record $60 million for the organization.{{cite web |title=Ashton Kutcher and Pharrell Williams among Stars and Supporters at FIDF Western Region Gala Chaired by Haim and Cheryl Saban |url=https://www.apnews.com/1a1a0238562c4b93bd1c74b2cb5f5e4e |publisher=Associated Press |date=November 2, 2018}}{{Cite web |last=Sippell |first=Margeaux |date=2018-11-02 |title=Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Gala Raises Record $60 Million for Soldiers |url=https://variety.com/2018/scene/news/friends-of-the-israel-defense-forces-gala-pharrell-williams-1203018108/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Foster has been married five times and has five daughters, one son and ten grandchildren. His first child, Allison Jones Foster, was born in 1970 when Foster was 20. He placed her for adoption and reconnected with her when she was 30.[http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/upi/ab8fb996fa31b6e4c74132a4bc0c3eb4/Allison-Jones-attends-David-Foster-Foundation-fundraiser-for-organ-donor-awareness/ UPI: "Allison Jones attends David Foster Foundation fundraiser for organ donor awareness"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521064808/http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/upi/ab8fb996fa31b6e4c74132a4bc0c3eb4/Allison-Jones-attends-David-Foster-Foundation-fundraiser-for-organ-donor-awareness |date=May 21, 2017 }} November 19, 2010{{failed verification|date=April 2020}} His first marriage was to singer and writer B.J. Cook.[http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=fa5f674c-32e4-4c02-955c-4043d37e6c45 Victoria Times: "B.J. Cook: Life of a rock survivor – A new Victoria studio honours B.J. Cook, a musical pioneer who did it her way"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108091927/http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=fa5f674c-32e4-4c02-955c-4043d37e6c45 |date=November 8, 2015 }} October 21, 2007 Cook and Foster had one daughter together, Amy (b. 1973), a songwriter and author.
He married his second wife, Rebecca Dyer, on October 27, 1982 and they divorced in 1986.{{cite magazine | url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/samantha-ronson-splits-with-erin-foster-after-9-months-2012273 | title=Samantha Ronson Splits With Erin Foster After 9 Months | date=March 27, 2012 | access-date=May 4, 2015 | first=Zach | last=Johnson | magazine=Us Weekly | archive-date=November 24, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124105118/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/samantha-ronson-splits-with-erin-foster-after-9-months-2012273 | url-status=live }} They had three daughters: Sara (b. 1981), Erin (b. 1982), and Jordan (b. 1986).{{cite magazine | url=https://people.com/all-about-david-foster-kids-7502574 | title=David Foster's 6 Kids: Everything to Know | date=January 8, 2024 | access-date=January 30, 2024 | first=Jessica | last=Sager | magazine=People | archive-date=January 30, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130214239/https://people.com/all-about-david-foster-kids-7502574 | url-status=live }}
He married his third wife, songwriter Linda Thompson, in 1991 and divorced in 2005.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1085553,00.html|title=Divorce for Mom on Princes of Malibu|last=Silverman|first=Stephen M.|magazine=People|date=July 22, 2005|access-date=March 12, 2010|archive-date=April 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423112715/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1085553,00.html|url-status=dead}} The two became a songwriting team, collaborating on several songs, including "I Have Nothing", performed by Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard (1992), and "Grown-Up Christmas List".{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/10/arts/holiday-noises-joyful-and-otherwise-on-disk-442093.html|title=Holiday Noises, Joyful and Otherwise, on Disk|last=Holden|first=Stephen|author-link=Stephen Holden|date=December 10, 1993|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 22, 2019|archive-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123012156/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/10/arts/holiday-noises-joyful-and-otherwise-on-disk-442093.html|url-status=live}} Foster was stepfather to Brandon and Brody Jenner (Linda's sons with Caitlyn Jenner), who both grew up living in his Malibu home. Both Jenner boys starred in a short-lived TV reality show called The Princes of Malibu in 2005 which also featured Foster and Thompson and was filmed in their home.
In 1992, Foster was driving on the Pacific Coast Highway when he hit actor and dancer Ben Vereen, who had just suffered a stroke while driving near his Malibu home and was stumbling on the highway, with his car.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/david-foster-opens-up-about-ben-vereen-car-accident-kat-mc-phee-marriage-and-superstar-career-212500308.html|title=David Foster opens up about Ben Vereen car accident, Kat McPhee marriage and superstar career|date=July 2020|access-date=October 2, 2021|archive-date=October 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002044000/https://www.yahoo.com/now/david-foster-opens-up-about-ben-vereen-car-accident-kat-mc-phee-marriage-and-superstar-career-212500308.html|url-status=live}} Vereen was critically injured but recovered after going through physical rehabilitation.[https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/11/us/music-producer-drove-car-that-hit-vereen.html "Music Producer Drove Car That Hit Vereen"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521010408/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/11/us/music-producer-drove-car-that-hit-vereen.html |date=May 21, 2017 }}, The New York Times, June 11, 1992[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-alexander/review-david-fosters-hit_b_147577.html "Review: David Foster's Hit Man – Star Gazing in the Recording Studio"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521064541/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-alexander/review-david-fosters-hit_b_147577.html |date=May 21, 2017 }}, Huffington Post, December 2, 2008 Vereen said afterward that he would have died if Foster had not collided with him and then called for emergency services.
Foster married his fourth wife, Dutch model Yolanda Hadid, in Beverly Hills, California on November 11, 2011.Leach, Robin. [http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/nov/16/david-foster-weds-model-yolanda-hadid-fourth-walk-/ "David Foster weds model Yolanda Hadid in fourth walk down the aisle"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108000829/http://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2011/nov/16/david-foster-weds-model-yolanda-hadid-fourth-walk-/ |date=November 8, 2015 }}, Las Vegas Sun, November 16, 2011 David had three stepchildren from Yolanda Foster's previous marriage to Mohamed Hadid: Gigi (b. 1995), Bella (b. 1996), and Anwar (b. 1999). On December 1, 2015, Foster announced that after four years of marriage and nine years together, he and Yolanda had made the decision to divorce.{{cite news|last1=McNeil|first1=Liz|title=Yolanda Foster and David Foster Divorcing|url=http://www.people.com/article/yolanda-foster-david-foster-divorcing|access-date=December 1, 2015|work=People|agency=Time Inc.|date=December 1, 2015|location=United States|archive-date=December 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202230347/http://www.people.com/article/yolanda-foster-david-foster-divorcing|url-status=live}} The divorce was finalized on October 16, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://radaronline.com/celebrity-news/yolanda-hadid-david-foster-divorce-finalized/|title=It's Official! Yolanda Hadid & David Foster Divorce Finalized|work=Radar Online|date=May 24, 2017|access-date=May 28, 2017|archive-date=July 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709130851/http://radaronline.com/celebrity-news/yolanda-hadid-david-foster-divorce-finalized/|url-status=live}}
In June 2018, Foster became engaged to Katharine McPhee.{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/david-foster-and-katharine-mcphee-are-engaged-105431|title=David Foster and Katharine McPhee Are Engaged|last=Murphy|first=Desiree|website=E! Online|date=July 3, 2018|access-date=July 3, 2018|archive-date=July 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703191219/https://www.etonline.com/david-foster-and-katharine-mcphee-are-engaged-105431|url-status=live}} On June 28, 2019, the couple wed at the Armenian Church of St Yeghiche, South Kensington in London.{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1050498/katharine-mcphee-and-david-foster-are-married|title=Katharine McPhee and David Foster Are Married|last=Murphy|first=Desiree|website=E! Online|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=June 28, 2019|archive-date=June 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629012742/https://www.eonline.com/news/1050498/katharine-mcphee-and-david-foster-are-married|url-status=live}} McPhee gave birth to a son, Rennie David, in February 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1222873/katharine-mcphee-gives-birth-welcomes-first-baby-with-david-foster|title=Katharine McPhee Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With David Foster|publisher=E!Online|date=February 24, 2021|access-date=December 30, 2021|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230043740/https://www.eonline.com/news/1222873/katharine-mcphee-gives-birth-welcomes-first-baby-with-david-foster|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Slater|first=Georgia|date=August 31, 2021|title=Katharine McPhee Shares Rare Photo of Husband David Foster and Baby Rennie, 6 Months: 'My Boys'|url=https://people.com/parents/katharine-mcphee-shares-rare-photo-husband-david-foster-baby-rennie/|magazine=People|access-date=December 30, 2021|archive-date=September 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904035925/https://people.com/parents/katharine-mcphee-shares-rare-photo-husband-david-foster-baby-rennie/|url-status=live}}
Foster's sister, producer Jaymes Foster, has a son with Clay Aiken.[https://people.com/parents/clay-aiken-welcomes-a-son/ "Clay Aiken Welcomes a Son"], People, August 8, 2008 Foster is a cousin of racecar driver Billy Foster.{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=David |date=March 17, 2011 |title="My cousin Billy Foster raced in the Indy 500 in the 1960's and I have always loved the race. This year's month-long celebration looks like something special. I plan to be there." |url=https://www.facebook.com/davidfostermusic/posts/my-cousin-billy-foster-raced-in-the-indy-500-in-the-1960s-and-i-have-always-love/136871703048947/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Facebook |language=en |archive-date=September 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904035942/https://www.facebook.com/davidfostermusic/posts/my-cousin-billy-foster-raced-in-the-indy-500-in-the-1960s-and-i-have-always-love/136871703048947/ |url-status=live }}
In addition to Canadian citizenship, David Foster holds a US citizenship since 2000, which he affirmed in 2017 in an interview with Vanity Fair when he supported Hillary Clinton during the 2016 elections after declining an offer to direct a musical program for the First inauguration of Donald Trump.{{Cite web|title=David Foster, Horatio Alger Award Recipient, Class of 2009|url=https://horatioalger.org/members/detail/david-foster/|access-date=2025-03-11|website=horatioalger.com|date=2 April 2009 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=How David Foster Became "Patient Zero" of the Kardashian Phenomenon|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/01/david-foster-music-reality-tv?srsltid=AfmBOorl70ZJC0O7YotDtgMMvS4mdNpG5CIrNsdg0C1nU_A2elc1dF8V|access-date=2025-03-11|website=vanityfair.com|date=31 January 2017 |language=en-US}}
Discography
{{Main|David Foster discography}}
- The Best of Me (1983)
- David Foster (1986)
- The Symphony Sessions (1988)
- River of Love (1990)
- Rechordings (1991)
- The Christmas Album (1993)
- Love Lights the World (1994)
- Eleven Words (2020)
- Christmas Songs (2022)
= Collaborations =
{{div col}}
- Backup band for Chuck Berry, Ronnie Hawkins and Bo Diddley (1966–1970)
- Skylark – Skylark (1972)
- Goodnight Vienna – Ringo Starr (1974)
- Teaser – Tommy Bolin (1975)
- The Hungry Years – Neil Sedaka (1975)
- Kim Carnes – Kim Carnes (1975)
- Extra Texture (Read All About It) – George Harrison (1975)
- Nigel Olsson – Nigel Olsson (1975)
- Nuthin' Fancy – Lynyrd Skynyrd (1975)
- The Main Refrain – Wendy Waldman (1976)
- Slow Down World – Donovan (1976)
- Thirty Three & 1/3 – George Harrison (1976)
- A Night on the Town – Rod Stewart (1976)
- Lisa Dal Bello – Dalbello (1977)
- Figli delle stelle – Alan Sorrenti (1977)
- The Music Man – Paul Anka (1977)
- Here You Come Again – Dolly Parton (1977)
- Southern Nights – Glen Campbell (1977)
- Foot Loose & Fancy Free – Rod Stewart (1977)
- Ringo the 4th – Ringo Starr (1977)
- Along the Red Ledge – Daryl Hall & John Oates (1978)
- Bish – Stephen Bishop (1978)
- Nigel Olsson – Nigel Olsson (1978)
- Heartbreaker – Dolly Parton (1978)
- Totally Hot – Olivia Newton-John (1978)
- From the Inside – Alice Cooper (1978)
- Off the Wall – Michael Jackson (1979)
- In Love – Cheryl Lynn (1979)
- Headlines – Paul Anka (1979)
- When Love Comes Calling – Deniece Williams (1979)
- Great Balls of Fire – Dolly Parton (1979)
- I Am – Earth, Wind & Fire (1979)
- Middle Man – Boz Scaggs (1980)
- Shine – Average White Band (1980)
- Aretha – Aretha Franklin (1980)
- Airplay – Airplay (1980)
- He Who Rides the Tiger – Bernie Taupin (1980)
- This Time – Al Jarreau (1980)
- Bi-Coastal – Peter Allen (1980)
- Faces – Earth, Wind & Fire (1980)
- {{ill|MISS M|ja|Miss M}} – Mariya Takeuchi (1980)
- What Cha' Gonna Do for Me – Chaka Khan (1981)
- Love All the Hurt Away – Aretha Franklin (1981)
- It's the World Gone Crazy – Glen Campbell (1981)
- The Dude – Quincy Jones (1981)
- Sometimes Late at Night – Carole Bayer Sager (1981)
- Every Home Should Have One – Patti Austin (1981)
- Breakin' Away – Al Jarreau (1981)
- The Completion Backward Principle – The Tubes (1981)
- Raise! – Earth, Wind & Fire (1981)
- Lite Me Up – Herbie Hancock (1982)
- Friends in Love – Dionne Warwick (1982)
- High Adventure – Kenny Loggins (1982)
- Heartlight – Neil Diamond (1982)
- Donna Summer – Donna Summer (1982)
- Thriller – Michael Jackson (1982)
- Chicago 16 – Chicago (1982)
- Angel Heart – Jimmy Webb (1982)
- Feel My Soul – Jennifer Holliday (1983)
- It's Your Night – James Ingram (1983)
- We've Got Tonight – Kenny Rogers (1983)
- Outside Inside – The Tubes (1983)
- Dirty Looks – Juice Newton (1983)
- The Wild Heart – Stevie Nicks (1983)
- Walk a Fine Line – Paul Anka (1983)
- Electric Universe – Earth, Wind & Fire (1983)
- Two Eyes – Brenda Russell (1983)
- Not the Boy Next Door – Peter Allen (1983)
- Can't Slow Down – Lionel Richie (1983)
- Jarreau – Al Jarreau (1983)
- Daydream Coast – Naoko Kawai (1984)
- Chicago 17 – Chicago (1984)
- Read My Lips – Fee Waybill (1984)
- Primitive – Neil Diamond (1984)
- High Crime – Al Jarreau (1984)
- What About Me? – Kenny Rogers (1984)
- I Feel for You – Chaka Khan (1984)
- Once Upon a Christmas – Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton (1984)
- Friends – Dionne Warwick (1985)
- The Broadway Album – Barbra Streisand (1985)
- Vox Humana – Kenny Loggins (1985)
- Watching You Watching Me – Bill Withers (1985)
- 9 1/2 NINE HALF – Naoko Kawai (1985)
- The Heart of the Matter – Kenny Rogers (1985)
- Rhythm of the Night – DeBarge (1985)
- Here's the World for Ya – Payolas (1985)
- "The Best of Me" – Olivia Newton-John (1986)
- Chicago 18 – Chicago (1986)
- Winner in You – Patti LaBelle (1986)
- "Now and Forever (You and Me)" – Anne Murray (1986)
- Headed for the Future – Neil Diamond (1986)
- East of Midnight – Gordon Lightfoot (1986)
- Precious Moments – Jermaine Jackson (1986)
- Reservations for Two – Dionne Warwick (1987)
- The Best Years of Our Lives – Neil Diamond (1988)
- Lefty – Art Garfunkel (1988)
- Citron – Seiko Matsuda (1988)
- Somebody Loves You – Paul Anka (1989)
- Through the Storm – Aretha Franklin (1989)
- Flowers in the Dirt – Paul McCartney (1989)
- Unison – Céline Dion (1990)
- What You See Is What You Sweat – Aretha Franklin (1991)
- HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I – Michael Jackson (1991)
- Unforgettable... with Love – Natalie Cole (1991)
- Leap of Faith – Kenny Loggins (1991)
- The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album – Whitney Houston/various artists (1992)
- World Falling Down – Peter Cetera (1992)
- Timeless: The Classics – Michael Bolton (1992)
- Soul Dancing – Taylor Dayne (1993)
- Airplay For The Planet – Jay Graydon (1993)
- The One Thing – Michael Bolton (1993)
- The Colour of My Love – Céline Dion (1993)
- Through the Fire – Peabo Bryson (1994)
- My Cherie – Sheena Easton (1995)
- "Childhood" – Michael Jackson (1995)
- Something to Remember – Madonna (1995)
- Falling into You – Céline Dion (1996)
- Stardust – Natalie Cole (1996)
- Open Road – Gary Barlow (1997)
- Let's Talk About Love – Céline Dion (1997)
- Higher Ground – Barbra Streisand (1997)
- Bathhouse Betty – Bette Midler (1998)
- A Body of Work – Paul Anka (1998)
- Back with a Heart – Olivia Newton-John (1998)
- A Love Like Ours – Barbra Streisand (1999)
- Rainbow – Mariah Carey (1999)
- The Heat – Toni Braxton (2000)
- Josh Groban – Josh Groban (2001)
- Christmas Memories – Barbra Streisand (2001)
- Enchantment – Charlotte Church (2001)
- A New Day Has Come – Céline Dion (2002)
- Closer – Josh Groban (2003)
- Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé (2003)
- Blue Skies – Diana DeGarmo (2004)
- Miracle – Céline Dion (2004)
- It's Time – Michael Bublé (2005)
- Awake – Josh Groban (2006)
- East of Angel Town – Peter Cincotti (2007)
- Call Me Irresponsible – Michael Bublé (2007)
- Soul – Seal (2008)
- Skylark – Renee Olstead (2009)
- Crazy Love – Michael Bublé (2009)
- Soul 2 – Seal (2011)
- Christmas – Michael Bublé (2011)
- Merry Christmas, Baby – Rod Stewart (2012)
- Tracks of My Years – Bryan Adams (2014)
- Wallflower – Diana Krall (2015)
- Love – Michael Bublé (2018)
- "Sorrows" – Bryson Tiller (2020)
{{div col end}}
Filmography
- St. Elmo's Fire (1985)
Awards and nominations
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by David Foster}}
- Order of British Columbia (1995)
- Hon. Doctorate University of Victoria (1995)
- Order of Canada (1998)
- Canadian Walk of Fame inductee (2002)
- Hon. Doctorate of Music Berklee College of Music (2002){{cite web|url=https://www.berklee.edu/news/4639/david-foster-and-shirley-horn-to-be-honored-at-c|title=David Foster and Shirley Horn to Be Honored at Commencement|access-date=December 2, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010135/https://www.berklee.edu/news/4639/david-foster-and-shirley-horn-to-be-honored-at-c|url-status=live}}
- Officer of the Order of Canada (2006){{OCC|2472}}
- Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee (2007)
- Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee (2010)
- Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee (2010){{cite web|url=http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/ceremony/C6029|title=2010 Award and Induction Ceremony|publisher=Songwritershalloffame.org|date=June 17, 2010|access-date=June 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604030431/http://songwritershalloffame.org/ceremony/C6029|archive-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=dead}}
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (2013) (located near the Capitol Records Building){{cite web|url=http://www.walkoffame.com/pages/upcoming-ceremonies|title=Upcoming Star Ceremonies – Hollywood Walk of Fame|access-date=February 16, 2015|archive-date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210214825/http://www.walkoffame.com/pages/upcoming-ceremonies|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/music/features/walkoffame-davidfoster-1200486513/|title=David Foster Honored With Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame|work=Variety|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=February 16, 2015|archive-date=May 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513070635/http://variety.com/2013/music/features/walkoffame-davidfoster-1200486513/|url-status=live}}
- Governor General Performing Arts Awards (2022)
In 1985, Rolling Stone magazine named Foster the "master of ... bombastic pop kitsch". Foster has won 16 Grammy Awards, including three Grammy Awards for Producer of the Year and has been nominated a total of 47 times.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/david-foster-eager-to-add-to-grammy-haul-1.941522|title=David Foster eager to add to Grammy haul|date=January 27, 2010|publisher=CBC News|access-date=November 6, 2017|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626193025/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/david-foster-eager-to-add-to-grammy-haul-1.941522|url-status=live}} He has been nominated three times for an Academy Award for Best Original Song and won the 1999 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for the song "The Prayer" (sung by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion) from the film Quest for Camelot. He has been named BMI's "Songwriter of the Year".{{cite web|author=David Foster|url=http://www.peermusic.com/peermusic/index.cfm/artist-writer/artist-details/?artist_id=70|title=Foster profile at Peermusic|publisher=Peermusic.com|access-date=June 7, 2011|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305062155/http://www.peermusic.com/peermusic/index.cfm/artist-writer/artist-details/?artist_id=70|url-status=live}} He was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for composing the music for Boop! the Musical.
See also
{{Portal|Music|Canada}}
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{cite news
|author = Michael Posner
|title = Michael Bublé wants to take over the world
|work = The Globe and Mail
|date = September 22, 2007
|url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070922.wbuble0922/BNStory/Entertainment/home
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090326040548/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070922.wbuble0922/BNStory/Entertainment/home
|archive-date = March 26, 2009
|access-date = June 6, 2009
|location = Toronto
|url-status = dead
|quote = That was in 2000. Mulroney, an enthusiastic crooner himself, loved the material and promptly hired Bublé. Among the wedding guests was an old Mulroney friend, record producer David Foster, whose résumé includes a veritable Who's Who of pop musicians. Among them: Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, the Bee Gees, the Corrs, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton.
}}
}}
Further reading
- {{cite book|author1=David Foster|author2=Pablo F. Fenjves|title=Hitman: Forty Years Making Music, Topping the Charts, and Winning Grammys|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6vJQwZCIVbkC&pg=PP1|year=2009|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-4391-4950-8|ref=none}}
- {{Cite magazine| last = Konigsberg | first = Eric | title = The Real Ex-Husband of Beverly Hills |magazine=Vanity Fair| volume = 679 | pages = 161–168, 192–193 | date = January 27, 2017|ref=none}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.davidfoster.com/ Official website]
- {{allmusic}}
- {{IMDb name|0287757}}
- {{Discogs artist|David Foster}}
- [http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/videos.html?id=935032361 David Foster on The Hour]
{{S-start}}
{{s-bus}}
{{succession box
| before = Tommy LiPuma
| title = Chairman of Verve Music Group
| years = December 15, 2011 – present
| after = incumbent
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for David Foster
|list1 =
{{Canadian Music Hall of Fame}}
{{EmmyAward MusicLyrics}}
{{Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song}}
{{Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical}}
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foster, David}}
Category:20th-century Canadian composers
Category:20th-century Canadian male musicians
Category:20th-century Canadian male writers
Category:21st-century Canadian composers
Category:21st-century Canadian conductors (music)
Category:21st-century Canadian keyboardists
Category:21st-century Canadian male musicians
Category:21st-century Canadian male writers
Category:21st-century Canadian organists
Category:Canadian expatriate musicians in the United States
Category:Canadian film score composers
Category:Canadian male conductors (music)
Category:Canadian male film score composers
Category:Canadian male organists
Category:Canadian music arrangers
Category:Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees
Category:Canadian music industry executives
Category:Canadian people of English descent
Category:Canadian people of Irish descent
Category:Canadian people of Scottish descent
Category:21st-century Canadian philanthropists
Category:Canadian record producers
Category:Canadian male songwriters
Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States
Category:American record producers
Category:American male songwriters
Category:20th-century Canadian classical composers
Category:Fellows of the Royal Conservatory of Music
Category:Golden Globe Award–winning musicians
Category:Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award winners
Category:Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year winners
Category:Members of the Order of British Columbia
Category:Musicians from Victoria, British Columbia
Category:Officers of the Order of Canada
Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners
Category:Skylark (Canadian band) members
Category:Verve Records artists