Welsh-born Amie Ann Duffy studied music production in Warrington and was then encouraged to work as a singer at Chester University.

She first did this modestly with gigs at local jazz clubs in Chester, where she was then inspired to enter Wawffactor, a TV talent show on S4C. Although she finished second, we never heard from the winner (Lisa Pedrick). Duffy went on to record the EP Aimée Duffy (2004). Three years later she signed to A&M Records where she worked on her debut album.

Her debut single, Rockferry, was a modest hit in the UK, not reaching number 45. Its sequel marked her breakthrough worldwide. Duffy may not have had the greatest success outside Europe with Mercy; in Europe, the song was a hit everywhere, reaching the top 5 on almost all European charts. Mercy spent two weeks at number 1 in the Top 40. The song was co-written by Steve Booker, who had previously written songs for Stevie Nicks, Jack Savoretti and the Sugababes, among others. Mercy was one of the last songs they worked on for Duffy’s debut album, Rockferry, which was due for release in March 2008. While completing the album, the pair felt it was unfinished and it wasn’t long before the songs Stepping Stone and Mercy were released. Mercy eventually earned Duffy a Grammy nomination for Best Female Vocal Performance. As for Best Newcomer, a category she had also been nominated for, she saw Adele emerge victorious. Rockferry did win the Grammy Award for Best Pop Album.

Duffy’s music career was short and intense. All four of his Top 40 hits came from his debut album Rockferry. His second hit, Warwick Avenue, was his best, reaching number 19. For his debut album’s follow-up, Endless, he collaborated primarily with Albert Hammond, the man who had produced eight Top 40 hits in our country between 1972 and 1986. The album fared far less well. In the UK only Well, Well, Well was released as a single, while we also got I’m Keeping My Baby in our country. Both songs stuck on Tipparade. Duffy announced a break in 2011 and said he would not start work on a third album for two years.

In 2015, Duffy was seen in the film Legend where he played singer Tim Yuro.

(11-26-2022)