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Francis (Fran) Healy (b. July 23 1973 in Stafford, Staffordshire, England) is a British rock musician. He is currently the lead singer and main songwriter of the Scottish band Travis, having written nearly all of the songs on their four studio albums.

Music

Healy’s song writing has been publicly praised by numerous artists, including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Noel Gallagher from Oasis. In 2005, Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin, called himself “a poor man’s Fran Healy.” In interviews, Healy has talked of being influenced by songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney and Graham Nash (of Hollies and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young fame). Healy has since played with both McCartney and Nash.

Although Healy predominantly plays guitar, he has also recently begun to write and preform with piano.

Travis

Healy's band Travis have twice been awarded British album of the year at the annual Brit awards, and are often credited as having paved the way for British rock bands such as Coldplay and Keane. With the release of four studio albums, beginning with Good Feeling in 1997, they continue to enjoy critical and commercial success, while also being especially noted for their live shows. In addition to their music, much has been made of the genuine, down to earth, and close nature of the band. A highly anticipated fifth studio album, their first since 2003's 12 Memories, and produced by long-time Travis and Radiohead producer, Nigel Godrich, is due for release in early 2007.

Biography

Healy grew up in his parents' home town of Glasgow. His mother had moved back to Scotland after divorcing her husband, who was violent towards her; as a result of this, Healy continues to refuse any contact with his father. He has explored the theme of domestic violence in several songs he has written for Travis, including "Blue Flashing Light" and "Re-Offender". He attended Holyrood Secondary in the Govanhill area of Glasgow.

His interest in song writing became serious when he was attending Glasgow School of Art, where future bandmates Andy Dunlop and Dougie Payne were fellow students (Healy was studying towards becoming a painter). The band which would become Travis (initially called Glass Onion) was formed at this time, with Healy establishing himself as the band's lead singer and songwriter. In spite of this, Healy is without formal musical training. As the band have risen to prominence, he has continued to be seen as Travis' spokesman and most recognisable member.

Since 2000 Healy has been in a long term relationship with German photographer Nora Kryst. Their first child, a son, was born in March 2006. Unlike many celebrities, the child’s name was kept from the media.

Make Poverty History

Healy is a part of the movement Make Poverty History. He has so far made two trips to Sudan with the Save the Children Organization, and, alongside his band, played at the Live 8 concerts in London and Edinburgh. He also participated in Band Aid 20's re-recording of Do They Know It's Christmas? – playing a leading role in its organization.

Other information

As well as Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney and Graham Nash, Healy is a fan of The Band and the Arcade Fire. He is also a fan of standup comedy.
Healy has a black belt in Karate (gained as a child).

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Francis (Fran) Healy''' (b. [[July 23]] [[1973]] in [[Stafford]], [[Staffordshire]], [[England]]) is a [[Britain|British]] [[rock music|rock]] [[musician]]. He is currently the [[lead singer]] and main [[songwriter]] of the band [[Travis (band)|Travis]], having written nearly all of the songs on their four studio albums.
+'''Francis (Fran) Healy''' (b. [[July 23]] [[1973]] in [[Stafford]], [[Staffordshire]], [[England]]) is a [[Britain|British]] [[rock music|rock]] [[musician]]. He is currently the [[lead singer]] and main [[songwriter]] of the [[Scottish]] band [[Travis (band)|Travis]], having written nearly all of the songs on their four studio albums.
 ==Music==
-Healy’s [[song writing]] has been publicly praised by numerous artists, including [[Paul McCartney]], [[Elton John]] and [[Noel Gallagher]] from [[Oasis]]. In 2005, [[Coldplay]] frontman, [[Chris Martin]], called himself “a poor man’s Fran Healy.” In interviews, Healy has talked of being influenced by [[songwriters]] such as [[Joni Mitchell]], [[Paul McCartney]] and [[Graham Nash]]. Healy has since played with both McCartney and Nash.
+Healy’s [[song writing]] has been publicly praised by numerous artists, including [[Paul McCartney]], [[Elton John]] and [[Noel Gallagher]] from [[Oasis]]. In 2005, [[Coldplay]] frontman, [[Chris Martin]], called himself “a poor man’s Fran Healy.” In interviews, Healy has talked of being influenced by [[songwriters]] such as [[Joni Mitchell]], [[Paul McCartney]] and [[Graham Nash]] (of [[Hollies]] and [[Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young]] fame). Healy has since played with both McCartney and Nash.
 Although Healy predominantly plays [[guitar]], he has also recently begun to write and preform with [[piano]].
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 Healy grew up in his parents' home town of [[Glasgow]]. His mother had moved back to [[Scotland]] after divorcing her husband, who was violent towards her; as a result of this, Healy continues to refuse any contact with his father. He has explored the theme of [[domestic violence]] in several songs he has written for Travis, including "Blue Flashing Light" and "[[Re-Offender]]". He attended [[Holyrood R.C. Secondary School|Holyrood Secondary]] in the [[Govanhill]] area of [[Glasgow]].
-His interest in [[song writing]] became serious when he was attending [[Glasgow School of Art]], where future bandmates [[Andy Dunlop]] and [[Dougie Payne]] were fellow students. The band which would become Travis (initially called Glass Onion) was formed at this time, with Healy establishing himself as the band's lead singer and songwriter. In spite of this, Healy is without formal musical training. As the band have risen to prominence, he has continued to be seen as Travis' spokesman and most recognisable member.
+His interest in [[song writing]] became serious when he was attending [[Glasgow School of Art]], where future bandmates [[Andy Dunlop]] and [[Dougie Payne]] were fellow students (Healy was studying towards becoming a [[painter]]). The band which would become Travis (initially called Glass Onion) was formed at this time, with Healy establishing himself as the band's lead singer and [[songwriter]]. In spite of this, Healy is without formal musical training. As the band have risen to prominence, he has continued to be seen as Travis' spokesman and most recognisable member.
 Since 2000 Healy has been in a long term relationship with [[Germany|German]] photographer Nora Kryst. Their first child, a son, was born in March 2006. Unlike many celebrities, the child’s name was kept from the media.
 ==Make Poverty History==
-Healy is a part of the movement [[Make Poverty History]]. He has so far made two trips to [[Sudan]] with the [[Save the Children]] Organization, and, alongside his band, played at the [[Live 8]] concerts in [[London]] and [[Edinburgh]]. He also participated in [[Band Aid 20]]'s re-recording of [[Do They Know It's Christmas?]] – playing a role in its organization.
+Healy is a part of the movement [[Make Poverty History]]. He has so far made two trips to [[Sudan]] with the [[Save the Children]] Organization, and, alongside his band, played at the [[Live 8]] concerts in [[London]] and [[Edinburgh]]. He also participated in [[Band Aid 20]]'s re-recording of [[Do They Know It's Christmas?]] – playing a leading role in its organization.
 ==Other information==