Soulful. Divine. Spellbinding. Simone Denny is…a legend in the making.
As a very young Torontonian, Simone knew in her heart that music would always be a major part of her life. Never one to follow a traditional path, she listened to diametrical genres and styles that can only be described as eclectic. Where calypso, classical, and reggae meet Billie Holiday, Bryan Adams and Puccini is where you would find Simone.
Singing at a talent show in the 6th grade cemented the deal; Simone literally found her place in music and was determined to take the world by storm. She quickly developed a following in local bands and landed the role of “Mama” in the Canadian production of “Mama, I Want to Sing!”
In 1993, Simone hooked up with boy wonder DJ/producer Chris Sheppard and the group BKS. The results were nothing short of spectacular, resulting in numerous hits that include 1996’s smashing “Astroplane,” which nabbed both a Juno and a Much Music Award in the same year. This prompted a non-stop tour directly across Canada.
Sheppard and Simone teamed up again in 1997 to form the group Love, Inc. Magic struck twice as their eponymous debut album went platinum. The CD spawned numerous hits including the mind-blowing “Broken Bones,” (which cracked the top ten on the Canadian pop charts, hit #1 on the dance charts, and won a Juno plus 2 Much Music Awards), and the wondrous “You’re A Superstar,” (which became a #1 dance song domestically as well as internationally in Australia and Spain). For co-writing the song “Who Do You Love,” Simone earned a SOCAN Music Songwriter’s Award. This success brought about a remarkable tour for Love Inc., taking them all across Canada as well as into Europe.
The turn of the millennium marked the release of Love Inc.’s second CD, “Into the Night.” In 2001, their techno-pop single “Here Comes the Sunshine” soared to the top of the Canadian dance charts, reached #3 in digital sales, and also received a Juno and a Much Music award.
With the disbanding of Love Inc., Simone recorded the powerful “I Don’t Want You” for the awe-inspiring duo Widelife. This phenom surged to the top of Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Play Chart in October 2002, which launched a major U.S. tour for Simone, as she performed coast to coast, from Los Angeles to New York City.
Proving that anything can happen in the music industry, at the end of 2002 and into 2003, “You’re A Superstar” and “Broken Bones” were ecstatically embraced by the United Kingdom and Ireland. Both singles reached the top ten on radio play and dance charts. This prompted a brief Love Inc. reunion and a tour overseas.
Wanting to finally put a name to her voice, in 2004 Simone recorded the theme for the television show, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” “All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)” was released by Widelife featuring Simone Denny. This incredibly upbeat, catchy tune reached #5 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play listing, #7 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Airplay chart, and earned Simone another Juno award.
Unwilling to rest on her laurels and determined to tackle the industry on her own, Simone continued to forge ahead. As an independent solo artist, she released “Cliché” in 2004, and chalked up another hit which reached #4 on Billboard’s Dance Chart.
Between recording sessions and touring, Simone has enthusiastically donated her time to a multitude of charities. She has performed at numerous events including those that support ACT (Aids Committee of Toronto), CANFAR, and Doctors Without Borders. During Fashion Cares 2004, Simone experienced a thrill of a lifetime when she performed “Lady Marmalade” with Patti Labelle and Jocelyn Brown.
As for the future, it looks extremely bright for Simone. To quote the songstress herself, “Every day is a blessing. I am grateful for my family, my friends, and all my fans. I hope through my music I am able to put a little magic and happiness back into the world.”
In the studio at the present time working on her latest CD, we all await once again to hear Simone’s incredibly passionate, richly emotional, unmistakable voice. A blessing indeed.
Simone Denny is…a legend in the making.
