"Not just a British pop music icon but also an inspiration to fans worldwide, the great Simon Webbe has taken his multi-faceted talents and poured his heart and soul into his music, causing a stir first as part of the short-lived British boy band Blue and now as a successful solo contemporary R&B sensation, as well. The incredible singer has overcome several obstacles in his life to bounce back with a strong vocal career, and his efforts have been praised through both charting albums and singles and worldwide recognition.Simon Webbe was born and raised in the working-class neighborhood of Moss Side in Manchester, England, growing up with a fierce passion for sports. The stellar athlete pursued a professional career in soccer, but a series injury in his teenage years left him physically and mentally crushed. Webbe also had a series of troubled relationships in his younger years, resulting in his becoming a father at age 17. Despite all of these mishaps, however, Webbe managed to find solace in music, joining his housemates Duncan James, Antony Costa and Lee Ryan in 2000 to form the R&B/dance group Blue. The four-piece boy band made waves in Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. with songs like ""All Rise"" and ""If You Come Back,"" making it onto the Billboard charts before eventually disassembling in the mid-‘00s.Webbe continued onward with a solo music career in 2005, immediately scooping up a dedicated fan base with the smooth single ""Lay Your Hands,"" which propelled the smokin' hot singer's debut solo album Sanctuary to the charts that year, as well. Albums Grace (2006) and Seventeen (2007) followed in the footsteps of 2005's Sanctuary, and the talented Simon Webbe continues to sweep audiences off their feet, embarking on a massive touring schedule that has included performances throughout both Europe and Asia."