Her father financed her first demo tape, she gave up her part-time job for her first TV appearance and she finally signed her first record deal in Germany. The beginning of Jennifer Rush’s global career. She conquers the charts and the hearts of fans like no other singer, scores hit after hit and continues to sing in sold-out concert halls to this day. With her great ballad “The Power Of Love”, Jennifer Rush made music history and secured a place among the world’s best singers with her incomparable and unique voice. On “The Power Of Love – The Complete Video Collection” video clips of their biggest hits are published for the first time and document stages of an impressive success story.
This success story began in the mid-eighties, when the New York native first thrilled radio producers and then the audience with her single “25 Lovers”. The song quickly becomes a commercial hit, television shows flock to the singer with the curly mane and incredible voice and with “Ring Of Ice”, the following single, Jennifer Rush proves that she is a force to be reckoned with in the future. A far understatement when you consider that their next records would dominate the worldwide charts in the coming years. “Ring Of Ice” becomes an even bigger hit for Jennifer Rush and the simultaneously released debut album “Jennifer Rush” exceeds all expectations and stays in the charts for months. After two uptempo singles, they decided to release “The Power Of Love” as a single, a ballad that brilliantly showcases Jennifer’s powerful voice and on which she once again co-wrote. “The Power Of Love” develops into THE ballad of the eighties, races into the top 10 in over 16 countries, reaches number 1 in the charts from Scandinavia to South Africa, enters the US Billboard charts and gives Jennifer Rush her worldwide breakthrough. After more than 20 weeks in the UK hit lists, the single finally took pole position in England and stayed there for a sensational 6 weeks. “The Power Of Love” becomes the “best-selling single by a female solo artist in the history of the British music industry” and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. In Spain, Jennifer’s Spanish-sung version “Si Tu Eres Mi Hombre Y Yo Tu Mujer” tops the charts there, while the English version is also in the top 10. An incredible success for the young American, who has already thrown herself back into work to work on her second album.
In the fall of 1985 she finally released “Destiny,” the first single from her album “Movin’,” which would become her most commercially successful in Germany. Jennifer Rush is awarded the coveted Golden Europe Award for best pop singer and makes television appearances all over Europe in her typical leather outfit. The top 10 single “Destiny” proves to be the perfect precursor to Jennifer Rush’s second album, which was released in October 1985 and impresses with its more mature sound and its unmistakable character. “Movin’” appears at the perfect time, when “The Power Of Love” is far from gone, but fans are already hungry for new material from the new pop queen. It is precisely this ever-growing fan base that Jennifer Rush celebrates in sold-out houses on her first European tour “Movin’ In Concert”, which begins in November. As expected, “Movin’” shot to number 1 in the album charts in Germany as well as in numerous European countries and easily achieved double platinum status in Germany alone (over 1 million units sold). A phenomenon occurs when the previous album “Jennifer Rush” enters the charts again due to the immense success of “Movin’” and even reaches number 3, while “Movin’” is at number 1 at the same time. In the spring of 1986, Jennifer Rush released the ballad “If You’re Ever Gonna Lose My Love”, which was released in Spanish in Spain (like “The Power Of Love”) and once again brought her great recognition. Both the English original and “No Me Canso De Pensar En Ti” naturally become big hits. In addition to “Hero Of A Fool”, a personal favorite song of Jennifer’s, “Movin'” also includes “Ave Maria (Survivors Of A Different Kind)”, which is not (yet) released as a single, but is one of the most famous and most popular Jennifer Rush songs. “Movin’” stayed in the German Top 75 for 70 weeks and to crown its successful streak, the album became the best-selling in Germany in 1986 and thus “Album of the Year”.
Jennifer Rush moves her residence from Munich back to the USA to New York and Los Angeles, from where she returns to the music market almost a year later. With a team of renowned producers in the USA, she has been working on her third studio album, which is eagerly awaited worldwide. In addition to Andy Goldmark, Bruce Roberts and Gus Dudgeon, she brings Oscar winner Harold Faltermeyer on board, as well as Desmond Child, who previously worked for Cher and Bon Jovi, among others, and with whom a successful collaboration is created, which also applies to Jennifer Rush -Albums from the nineties repeated. With a lavishly produced video clip in her luggage, she heralded a brilliant comeback in February 1987 with the first single “I Come Undone”. However, the following studio album “Heart Over Mind” surpasses everything that came before and was already a sensational success when it was released worldwide (including the USA and Japan). Number 1 in almost all European countries, top 10 on almost all continents, it’s raining gold, platinum and double platinum awards. In Germany alone, “Heart Over Mind” stayed at the top of the album charts for 12 weeks and became the second best-selling album of 1987 behind U2’s “The Joshua Tree”. In addition to the title track, which celebrated chart success as the third single, you can find it on “ Heart Over Mind” is an absolute milestone in Jennifer Rush’s career: Together with Sir Elton John she is on the microphone for “Flames Of Paradise” and the rousing duet reaches, among other things, number 8 in Germany and the top 40 of the American Billboard charts. Jenny and Elton are clearly having fun not only in their exclusive TV appearances, but also in the spectacular video clip, which is delighting people all over the world. Jennifer’s second European tour “Heart Over Mind In Concert” is planned for autumn/winter 1987 and well over 200,000 tickets have already been sold in advance, which earns her the “Platinum Concert Ticket”. The tour becomes a triumph for Jennifer Rush. She always plays in front of sold-out big houses across Europe, has to schedule additional dates and is celebrated frenetically by her fans. In a program lasting over two hours, she presents her world hits with natural charm, stage presence and a breathtaking live voice that will leave audiences of all generations on their feet. She also won the Berolina ’87, the International German Record Prize (today’s Echo Award) as the best international singer, appears in Europe’s biggest TV shows and is a regular guest on all TV and radio channels.
After a short creative break and months of studio work, her fourth album “Passion” was released on September 28, 1988, of which over 250,000 copies had already been pre-ordered, earning her a gold record before its release. In Germany, “Passion” easily reached number 3 in the charts and consistently reached top 10 positions in Europe. In addition to Michael Omartian, Jellybean and once again Harold Faltermeyer, Ric Wake is responsible for some of the songs as producer, having already worked for Taylor Dayne and later enjoying success with Celine Dion and Anastacia. The beautifully solemn “You’re My One And Only” is released as the first single, and after three uptempo singles, Jennifer Rush once again proves herself to her fans and in the sales charts as a ballad queen. “Passion” is released not only in Europe, but also in the USA and Asia, and for the Spanish market Jennifer records “Vida De Mi Vida” (You’re My One And Only) and “Solitaria Mujer” (Keep All The Fires Burning Bright), both of which also become big single hits. In Germany she was awarded the Bambi in 1988 and at the end of the year presented “Keep All The Fires Burning Bright”, the second single from “Passion”, in several glamorous TV appearances. In addition to three successful hit singles, “Passion” also contains “Same Heart”, a duet with Michael Bolton, who is already one of the most sought-after pop and soul artists in the USA. While “Same Heart” first made people aware of Michael Bolton in Europe, the duet gave Jennifer Rush further popularity in the States. 1989 became one of the most creative and busiest years in Jennifer Rush’s career, as she first shot the elaborate video clip for the third single “Love Get Ready” in the spring, and before she began working on her fifth studio album, she devoted herself to two other major ones music projects. Together with artists like Chaka Khan and Joe Cocker, she is in front of the microphone for the benefit song “Yes We Can”, the proceeds of which go to saving the rainforest. In addition, there is another highlight in Jennifer Rush’s career: none other than Placido Domingo, one of the world’s best and most famous opera tenors, brings Jennifer into the studio and the two of them for his musical CD project “Goya… A Life In Song”. Exceptional voices record the dreamy duet “Till I Loved You”. The music press applauds this collaboration, the fans are beside themselves and the single even becomes a big hit in the fast-moving pop and dance-heavy UK charts, reaching a fantastic 17th place.
In November of this year, Jennifer Rush will be presenting her own material again. She recorded her new album “Wings Of Desire” with Phil Ramone, Christopher Neil and Michael J. Powell, and released the rousing uptempo number “Higher Ground” as the first single, the UK edition of which also includes “The Power Of Love”. as a double-A-Side. Unfortunately, Jennifer falls while taping a major German TV show, breaks her ankle and has to undergo surgery. But that doesn’t stop her from presenting “Higher Ground” on television. With crutches and a leg cast, she completes the planned appearances with a wink and her typical natural charm and wins the sympathy of television viewers. The album “Wings Of Desire” only reached number 12 in the German album charts, but received better reviews than its predecessor “Passion” and still sold over 250,000 copies. A sensational sales result by today’s standards. Her fans love the album as a very independent, soul-oriented work that shows new facets of Jennifer Rush vocally with songs like “Pleasure” and “For All That”. The title song “Wings Of Desire” was chosen as the second single, with which she appeared on stage professionally (and without a cast!) in the spring of 1990. Another collaboration with Harold Faltermeyer surprises her fans in December when Jennifer Rush records the exclusive soundtrack ballad “We Are The Strong” and releases it as a single.
She has released five extremely successful studio albums in just a few years, has been certified gold, double and triple platinum worldwide, has been applauded by hundreds of thousands on her tours and has become a shining star in the pop sky that has become an integral part of the music scene. So it’s time to release Jennifer Rush’s first best-of album. In honor of her biggest hit to date, the album is called “The Power Of Jennifer Rush” and appears on store shelves in the fall of 1991. In addition to all the hit singles, the duet with Michael Bolton is also included at Jennifer’s personal request, and for the first time two Spanish versions are being released internationally, which makes the record interesting for more than just fans. With this album, “Ave Maria (Survivors Of A Different Kind)” is finally released as a single, which has established itself as a secret favorite and popular airplay hit over the years. A successful best-of album that achieves the commercial success hoped for, but unfortunately Jennifer Rush does not appear in the media with it.
It wasn’t until September 1992 that she returned to her audience, who had been waiting for new album material for three years. “Never Say Never” becomes Jennifer Rush’s first Top 50 hit of the 1990s and also turns out to be an airplay hit. The song is played up and down on all channels, Jennifer presents herself brilliantly as usual on television shows and enjoys presenting her new single and her brand new album. Her sixth studio album had the working title “Timeless” but is ultimately just called “Jennifer Rush” and is still considered by fans to be one of the best albums of her career. The reason for this is not only the first-class song material, which Jennifer consciously took the time to select. World-class producers like Rick Nowels, Michael O’Hara and once again Desmond Child don’t miss the opportunity to work with Jennifer and have created a small masterpiece together with the once again stunning vocal artist. Jennifer also refines this album project by recording four songs in Spanish, including “Timeless Love / Amor Sin Final”, which is one of her personal favorites. So it’s no wonder that not only is the album a chart success, but all three singles “Never Say Never”, “Vision Of You” and “A Broken Heart” are also placed in the sales lists, which shouldn’t be taken for granted .
After more than half a year of media presence, Jennifer Rush briefly retreats into her private life, which she now lives exclusively in New York City. From there came the happy news in August 1993 that Jennifer and her long-term partner had become parents, and that their daughter Ariel was the newest project from the Rush family. Without much press hype, Jenny’s dream of private happiness has come true.
Jennifer Rush’s most commercially successful album of the 1990s was “Out Of My Hands,” which was released in spring 1995. The first single “Tears In The Rain”, a ballad written by Diane Warren and Desmond Child, stayed in the charts for weeks, not least because of the world-class video, which was shot in America under the direction of Randee St.Nicholas . The album “Out Of My Hands”, which reached number 15 in the German album charts, has even more highlights. Not only is “Fortress”, which was created in collaboration with David Austin in England, an outstanding element of the album, but also Jennifer’s own interpretations of the pop classics “Nights In White Satin” and “Who Wants To Live Forever”. For the latter you can even get Queen guitarist Brian May as a duet partner – there couldn’t be a better accolade! The video clip for the second single “Out Of My Hands” was shot again in the USA. It is one of the most beautiful of Jennifer Rush’s career and perfectly accompanies the dance pop terrain that Jennifer is exploring here.
In the fall of 1995, Jennifer Rush surprised people for the first time with a recording in German. She recorded a German version of the Oscar-winning song “Colors Of The Wind” for the Walt Disney animated film “Pocahontas,” and completely unexpectedly, “The Color Play of the Wind” becomes a chart hit, even before Jennifer performs it on Europe’s biggest TV show “Bet that…?” occurs.
While she is enjoying her time as a mother to the fullest, Jennifer is preparing her eighth studio album, titled Credo, in collaboration with Barry J. Eastmond and Nick Patrick. The focus is on carefully selected song material, choral elements from gospel and African-American music and a sophisticated production in which Jennifer Rush’s warm voice is embedded. With “Credo”, an atmospheric “adult” album was created in London and New York that, despite its variety of songs, impresses as a coherent overall work. In addition to the title song and first single “Credo,” which Jennifer Rush presents on television with a gospel choir, “More Than Words,” for example, sounds pleasantly soulful, and in “Sweet Thing,” the second single, the singer uses dance elements in a playful way, and With “All In Love Is Fair,” a cover version of the Stevie Wonder song, she created another great ballad. “Credo” is also extremely successful in the charts, easily entering the top 100 in the top 30 and staying well placed for weeks. For the Spanish market, Jennifer Rush also sings two tracks from this album in Spanish, “Credo (Spanish)” and “Ya Que Te Tengo A Ti (Now That I Found You)” are already running numbers 9 and 10 in this beautiful tradition the artist.
An eleventh Spanish song shouldn’t be long in coming, but this time not exclusively for the Spanish album editions. Just over a year after the “Credo” project, which came to an end with Jennifer Rush’s brilliant performance with “Piano In The Dark” at the International Radio Exhibition (IFA) in Berlin, the American is surprising her audience with a very special concept album A long-held wish became reality: Supported by the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra, Jennifer Rush records eight of her greatest hits in new classical arrangements, including “Hero Of A Fool” and “Ave Maria”, for which she writes new lyrics in Spanish. Together with four new ballads, all of which show her handwriting as a songwriter and are also recorded classically, the album “Classics” was created, which was released in November 1998 and immediately secured a top spot in the charts despite the competitive pre-Christmas business in the music industry. Jennifer Rush released “The End Of A Journey”, one of the four new titles, as a single in advance and delighted Europe with a live performance at the José Carreras Gala, at the finale of which she performed the exclusive duet “Amigos Para” with the star tenor Siempre”. Of course, “The Power Of Love”, in English and Spanish, is also part of the “Classics” repertoire and for “The End Of A Journey” Jennifer even records a version in Hungarian for the first time. At the beginning of 1999 the sensational news came: Jennifer Rush was going on an extensive tour again for the first time. “Classics in Concert” unites orchestra and band on one stage, mixes classical arrangements with rock sounds and the concept works wonderfully. Jennifer Rush delights her audience with her classics, but also presents material from the albums “Out Of My Hands” and “Credo” in front of a live audience for the first time. Whether the soulful “In The Arms Of Love”, the rousing original version of “Ave Maria” or Jenny’s favorite encore “Great Balls Of Fire”, as always performed barefoot, Jennifer Rush proves at over 20 concerts in German-speaking countries how bright her star still is always shines.
After the acclaimed “Classics” tour, Jennifer retreats into private life for some time, not least to recharge her batteries for creativity and energy for future projects and musical endeavors. While she, like many artists of her stature, is always the shining center of attention at major gala concerts and worldwide charity events, she is working in the studio on new songs for her next album. She enjoys life in New York with her daughter and is happy about the creative freedom that allows her to work beyond the pressure of success and time. She has promised her fans that she will soon be back with a new album, and what could be better than reviewing the highlights of a unique career on DVD in the meantime. “The Power Of Love – The Complete Video Collection” takes us back to the eighties with a wink, shows stages of a global career that continued into the nineties and lets us share in a unique voice that we will hopefully hear a lot more about .
© Thommy Stegherr / May 2004
