Richard Marx Says He Was ‘Crushed’ When David Foster Told Him He Wouldn’t Be a Successful Artist

Richard Marx has revealed the significant impact that David Foster’s words had on his early music career, particularly regarding Foster’s discouragement of his ambitions to become a singer. In a recent episode of the podcast “A Life of Greatness,” hosted by Sarah Grynberg, the 62-year-old musician reflected on a pivotal moment in his life when Foster advised him against pursuing a career in vocal performance.

Marx had a close working relationship with Foster during the initial stages of his career, during which the renowned producer was already well-known for his work with artists like Whitney Houston and Earth, Wind & Fire. “I knew him before he became a famous producer. I was a big fan of what he did, and we worked together and were friends. He had me sing background vocals and collaborate with him on several projects,” Marx recalled. However, it quickly became clear that Foster did not offer the support Marx longed for in his ambitions to become a front-line artist.

This dynamic shifted dramatically when Marx directly questioned Foster about his lack of encouragement for his solo career. According to Marx, Foster responded bluntly, saying, “You shouldn’t sing, you don’t have it. You’re not going to be a successful artist. You should just be a writer-producer like me.” This comment deeply affected Marx, as he held Foster in high regard. “It crushed me because I really admired him, and it definitely shifted our relationship from that point forward,” he stated.

Despite this pivotal moment, Marx, who has since become a celebrated artist in his own right, maintains a friendly rapport with Foster to this day. However, he has noted that Foster’s “narcissism” means that the producer often claims credit for Marx’s success, asserting that his initial discouragement motivated the young singer to prove him wrong. Marx pushed back against this narrative by saying, “No, David, you didn’t have this master plan. You told a 19-year-old kid to give up his dream. That’s the fact.”

Marx reflected on the weight of inspiration and hope in aspiring artists, quoting a phrase that resonated deeply with him: “One of the worst things you could do is take someone’s hope away. It might be all that they have.” This statement encapsulates the ways in which the opinions of established figures can profoundly impact emerging talent in the arts.

In a previous interview with The New York Times, Marx recounted the moment he was dissuaded from singing, explaining how those early words from Foster held significant weight for a young artist aspiring to achieve greatness. At the age of 19, the advice struck him particularly hard due to his admiration for Foster’s accomplishments.

In contrast to Foster’s initial assessment, Richard Marx went on to achieve remarkable success in the music industry. He holds the unique distinction of being the only male artist whose first seven singles reached the UK Top 5, with hits such as “Hold On to the Nights,” “Satisfied,” and “Right Here Waiting,” each peaking at No. 1 on the charts. Additionally, Marx has penned songs for well-known artists like *NSYNC, Keith Urban, Ringo Starr, and Josh Groban, further establishing his reputation as a versatile and talented songwriter.

One of Marx’s major accolades came in 2004 when he won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for co-writing Luther Vandross’ “Dance with My Father.” This achievement not only marked a high point in Marx’s career but also highlighted his abilities beyond just performance.

Ultimately, Richard Marx’s journey from being dissuaded by a prominent figure in the music industry to becoming a celebrated artist underscores the resilience and determination that underpin success in the creative world. While the words of influential mentors can carry significant weight, it is often the individual’s resolve to pursue their passion that leads to triumph.