Richard Marx will bring his “Whatever We Started” tour to the WVU Creative Arts Center Sunday, Feb. 15 at the WVU Creative Arts Center. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices and online at ticketmaster.com.

 

A singer, songwriter, musician and producer, Marx’s career has spanned nearly three decades. He made history with a string of unforgettable hits that include both radio-friendly rock tunes like “Don’t Mean Nothing” and “Should’ve Known Better” as well as stirring romantic ballads like “Hold Onto the Nights” and “Right Here Waiting.”  The Chicago native has sold more than 30 million albums and amassed 14 No. 1 singles.

 

Marx first got his taste of the music business at age five singing commercial jingles written by his father, a jazz pianist and jingle writer. At 17, a tape of Marx’s music made its way to Lionel Richie who quickly became one of Marx’s earliest supporters. Marx landed early jobs as a background singer for Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross and as a songwriter, penning hits for Kenny Rogers and Chicago before eventually getting his own record deal. His 1987 self-titled debut album spawned four Top 5 singles and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance. The only male solo artist to have his first seven singles reach the Top 5 on the Billboard charts, Marx has created the soundtrack to the most memorable moments in people’s lives.

 

On his latest album, “Beautiful Goodbye,” Marx ventures in different territory. With influences ranging from Sade to Bebel Gilberto to various Electronic Dance Music (EDM) artists, Marx offers up a set of sensual, electronic-driven soundscapes that explore a more fleeting, carnal side of romance.

 

“My joke has been lately that instead of writing songs about forever, these songs are more like, ‘What are you doing for next few hours?’” says Marx. “I don’t mean it in a shallow or discarding way, but let’s face it, sometimes you do have connections with people that are profound and beautiful, but they don’t last. They’re not meant to. They’re meant to be a moment in time. The idea of exploring that lyrically was such a freeing thing for me as a writer.”

 

Tickets for the Feb. 15 concert range from $45 to $90, depending on location. WVU Student tickets are available for $33 the campus box offices with a valid Mountaineer Card. Some restrictions apply. WVU Student discounts are limited to one per valid I.D. Tickets may be purchased at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices, online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 304-293-SHOW or 800-745-3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

 

The Richard Marx concert is part of the University Arts Series produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment. Stay connected with the latest event updates through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @wvuevents.