David Foster is a Grammy-winning producer, composer, vocalist and arranger who has collaborated with some of the greatest musicians such as Chaka Khan, Toni Braxton, Michael Buble and Chicago.
He pulls his black SUV into the parking lot of an exclusive hotel and walks upstairs where dinner has already been set out for him, although he arrives a little too early.
Career
David Foster has spent four decades crafting careers as a musician, singer, arranger, composer and producer. He is best known for penning hit songs for pop icons like Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson; overseen albums that sold millions; introduced vocalists such as Natalie Cole, Andrea Bocelli Rod Stewart and Josh Groban into mainstream pop music; created culture-defining soundtracks like The Bodyguard movie soundtrack; and established himself as an integral performer across Asia where he regularly tours.
Foster was eager to open up his life and career to filmmaker Barry Avrich for the documentary Hit Man. Foster is currently working on a Broadway show that will highlight his talents. Additionally, he co-founded The David Foster Foundation as well as having longtime companion Katharine McPhee as part of his life.
Personal life
Foster first found success as a keyboardist for Eirik Wangberg’s band Skylark before transitioning into producing and arranging. Since then he has produced albums for such luminaries as Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion Rod Stewart Madonna Natalie Cole. For his work on The Bodyguard soundtrack as well as Quest for Camelot soundtrack he received Grammy awards.
Foster has made charitable work a key aspect of his life. He founded The David Foster Foundation to assist families waiting for organ transplants for their children. Additionally, his vast Rolodex has allowed him to organize events like Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night and Andre Agassi Foundation Benefit, raising millions in donations.
Foster was born in British Columbia to Canadian lumberjack parents. Married to Katharine McPhee with whom they have one daughter together; additionally he shares one child from his first wife B J Cook (also member of Skylark). Foster takes his middle name from “Wildflower”, an international hit song which reached number one both domestically and abroad.
Music
David Foster’s influence in music stretches far and wide. From celine Dion, Chicago, Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand hits to films like Urban Cowboy Footloose & Ghostbusters while earning multiple Grammy nominations, his signature power ballad aesthetic has touched numerous songwriters from different genres – creating adult contemporary format in the ’80s virtually from scratch! With multiple Grammy nominations under his belt he also earned multiple fan followings from fans around the globe.
He founded the David Foster Foundation to assist families whose children require lifesaving organ transplants and has performed on numerous concert tours since 2001. Additionally, as part of Canada’s promotion for its Olympic games held that year in Vancouver, he produced record-breaking English and French language versions of Canada’s national anthem with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as part of their promotion efforts for these games.
As an accomplished arranger and keyboardist, he has provided his talents to numerous symphony orchestras as an arranger and pianist; hosting musical specials on CBC and CTV; co-starring on Princes of Malibu alongside Linda Thompson; appearing as piano teacher on ABC Family/CBS sitcom The Nanny and the Professor; co-starring on staged reality series Princes of Malibu alongside Linda Thompson as co-star; as well as being featured as television star on Princes of Malibu staged reality series co-starring as co-star co-starring alongside Linda Thompson; co-starring as co-star on Princes of Malibu staged reality series Princes of Malibu co-starring alongside Linda Thompson; co-starring alongside Linda Thompson as co-starring alongside her as piano teacher/coach on ABC Family/CBS sitcom The Nanny and Professor as co-star/TV sitcom The Nanny and Professor as well.
Television
Foster first made headlines for his private life when it was exposed on The Princes of Malibu reality television show in 2005, featuring himself and Linda Thompson’s attempt to teach their spoiled stepsons, Brandon and Brody Jenner, how to correct their lives. Since then he has appeared as a judge on American Idol, Nashville Star, and Celebrity Duets shows.
He also hosts charity concerts across Vancouver and internationally, and serves as an expert judge panelist on Asia’s Got Talent talent search program.
Foster is currently developing a one-man show detailing his career as a producer, writer and musician. He holds a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located just in front of Capitol Records – which had great significance to him growing up as the self-declared “biggest Beatles fan on the planet”. Foster also holds memberships in both Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters’ Hall of Fame; is an Officer of Order of Canada recipient; and won multiple Juno Awards during his life time.