Richard Marx

Before becoming one of the most successful singer-songwriters of the 1990s and beyond, Richard Marx was a backing vocalist for Lionel Richie and Madonna, among others, as well as the author of 1980-era hits for Kenny Rogers and Chicago. His talent for radio-friendly romantic ballads and upbeat pop tunes paved the way for his own solo career, which launched in spectacular fashion with four Top 5 singles from his self-titled 1988 debut record, including the chart-topping "Hold On to the Night." He would score two more No. 1 songs before changing musical tastes capsized his brand of pop-rock. Marx then returned to songwriting, where he found equal success by penning such hits as "This I Promise You" for 'N Sync, "Dance with My Father" for Luther Vandross, and Keith Urban's "Long Hot Summer." He was also the only solo artist to send his first seven singles into the Top 5 on the Billboard singles chart, as well as a songwriter with No. 1 songs in four consecutive decades - a pair of accolades that few, if any, musicians could claim as their own.