9/17/2009

And if winning Grammys isn't enough to convince you, see him in person at the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts

By GARY DEMUTH

Salina Journal

The "legend" in John Legend's name began as a nickname and ended up defining the Grammy award-winning singer's career.

Just before releasing his debut album, "Get Lifted," in 2004, the musician from Springfield, Ohio, had to decide between using his given name, John Stephens, or the more evocative moniker "John Legend."

"At first it was a joke, but for some reason the nickname stuck," said Legend, currently on tour on the West Coast. "I decided Legend would grab your attention more."

Legend, 30, has been grabbing people's attention since his professional debut as a pianist on a track from singer Lauryn Hill's 1998 multi-Grammy winning album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill."

Since then, he's collaborated with artists like Kanye West, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, released three critically-acclaimed and bestselling albums, won six Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Legend will be in concert Sept. 28 at the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts, 151 S. Santa Fe.

Opening for Legend will be singer Laura Izibor, whom Legend called "a talented new artist from Ireland."

Smaller venues included

On his current tour, Legend is performing with 11 band members and singers. The massive production has been designed to fit into all sizes of performing spaces from Madison Square Garden in New York City to, well, the Stiefel Theatre in Salina.

"I've played to 18,000 people in a night, but it's nice to go to smaller places, too," Legend said. "We've never played in this area before, and we're looking forward to it. We're going to have a dynamic, energetic, soulful show, and people will have a lot of fun."

Salinan Pam Davis was thrilled to hear Legend was booked to play the intimate Stiefel, which seats about 1,300.

"I was shocked -- I thought we would be too small for him," she said. "It's exciting for me that he's playing in such an intimate atmosphere. He's an amazing talent. I have great seats on the fourth row. I'll be able to almost reach out and touch him."

Born Dec. 28, 1978, the son of a seamstress and a factory worker, Legend began playing piano at the age of 4 and performing and singing at his church at age 7. He graduated from high school at the age of 16 and attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he didn't study music, but English with an emphasis on African-American literature.

"At that time, I didn't know I was going to make it in music or be a star," he said. "I knew I'd be successful at something, but maybe not at music, so I wanted to get credentials in something. If you don't have a college degree, it's hard to be successful in anything."

While in college, Legend was introduced to ex-Fugees singer Lauryn Hill by a friend, and Hill hired him to play piano on her song "Everything Is Everything."

"It was cool to be part of that," Legend said. "It didn't really lead to anything for me, but the album itself was so big. It was a harbinger of things to come."

After graduation, Legend began working as a management consultant while working on a demo tape of original songs. Through another mutual friend, Legend was introduced to up-and-coming hip hop singer and record producer Kanye West, who hired Legend for his record label.

Legend began collaborating with West and other established soul and hip hop artists, lending his voice to their songs while continuing to work on his own.

"For me, it was always about being a solo artist," he said. "I had most of the songs written for 'Get Lifted' by the time I started recording."

Legend's debut album, released in December 2004, sold about 116,000 copies in its first week and continued to sell steadily through positive word of mouth.

"I performed on Oprah and at the Grammys, but it was word of mouth that made it successful," he said.

The album ended up selling 2.1 million copies in the U.S. and three million copies worldwide and produced two hit singles: "Ordinary People" and "Used to Love U."

Legend released his second album, "Once Again," in 2006, and his third and latest album, "Evolver," in 2008.

A strong supporter of President Barack Obama, Legend performed both at the Democratic National Convention in 2008 and Obama's Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on Jan. 18, singing the James Taylor song "Shower the People" with Taylor and Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles.

"It was so cold that day," Legend said. "But it didn't matter, because there was a great energy there. The people felt hope. Now Obama's being treated like he's Hitler, Stalin and the Joker, when he's basically doing what he said he was going to do."

Legend also has become involved in humanitarian causes, which include his "Show Me Campaign," where fans are encouraged to donate funds to help victims of extreme poverty. He also plans to contribute a share of proceeds from his Aug. 13 concert at Madison Square Garden to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

"I'm in a position to help people, so why wouldn't I do it?" Legend said.

Legend's humanitarian acts and benefit concerts contributed to his being named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2009, a designation Legend called "a great honor."

Legend also shows appreciation for his fans by staying connected with them through his Web site, johnlegend.com, and through Twitter.

"Being a musician or performer is all about connecting with people," he said.

Legend wants each and every person who attends his concerts, whether longtime fans or first-timers, to leave the show feeling the money was well-spent.

"I want you to think it's one of the best shows you'll ever see," he said. "I want you to go away feeling uplifted."

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.