by Evan C. GutierrezSimon Webbe was born March 30, 1979, in the Manchester working-class neighborhood of Moss Side. Though he dabbled with music in his early years, he was also an excellent amateur soccer player, and had intended to pursue athletics as a career before a serious injury in his early teens. Webbe was challenged by a series of troubled relationships during his teen years (some of which would be explored in later lyrics), one of which made him a father by the age of 17. Webbe channeled frustration into self-improvement, and modeling engagements paved the path for his musical career. Webbe was selected to join British boy band Blue, making him a multi-million record selling artist by his early twenties. Though successful, Blue's time line was limited, leaving Webbe to chart his own course by 2005. In August of that year, Webbe's urban folk-tinged single "Lay Your Hands" hit the airwaves and reached number four on the U.K. singles charts. The song "No Worries" followed, also reaching number four, priming the market for the release of Webbe's solo debut, Sanctuary. The record's alternative, rootsy style surprised and charmed audiences. Though it debuted at number 28, the record quickly climbed to number seven. The much anticipated follow-up release, Grace, was met with success in November of 2006, and peaked at number 11. With a strong fan base throughout Europe and Asia and a busy touring schedule, Webbe has an international reputation that continues to flourish.