Roland Orzabal Biography: Wife, Children, Age, Songs, Net Worth, Albums, Mad World Lyrics

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Biography

Roland Orzabal, born Roland Jaime Orzabal De La Quintana on August 22, 1961, in Portsmouth, England, is best known as the co-founder, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter of the iconic pop-rock band Tears for Fears.

He and Curt Smith formed the band in 1981 after the breakup of their previous group, The Graduate. Drawing inspiration from a variety of musical genres, Tears for Fears became a defining act of the 1980s synth-pop movement.

The band rose to prominence with their albums The Hurting (1983) and Songs from the Big Chair (1985), which produced timeless hits such as “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” The latter earned them a Brit Award for Best British Single. Orzabal‘s exceptional songwriting skills were further recognized with the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year in 1986.

With their third album, The Seeds of Love (1989), Tears for Fears shifted towards a more organic sound, earning critical praise. After parting ways with Curt Smith in 1991, Orzabal continued the Tears for Fears legacy, releasing albums like Elemental (1993) and Raoul and the Kings of Spain (1995). The duo reunited in the early 2000s and released Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (2004) and The Tipping Point (2022), with the latter achieving their highest chart success in decades and marking a triumphant return.

In addition to his music career, Orzabal has produced for other artists, including Oleta Adams, and has even authored a romantic comedy novel, showcasing his creative versatility beyond music.

Roland Orzabal
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Roland Jaime Orzabal De La Quintana
Stage Name:	Roland Orzabal
Born:	22 August 1961 (age 63 years old)
Place of Birth:	Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Nationality:	English
Education:	Mayville High School
Height:	1.73 m
Parents:	George Orzabal de la Quintana, Margaret Orzabal de la Quintana
Siblings:	Julian Orzabal, Carlos Orzabal
Spouse:	Emily Rath Orzabal (m. 2021), Caroline Orzabal (m. 1982–2017)
Girlfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	Pascal Orzabal, Raoul Orzabal
Occupation:	Musician • Songwriter
Net Worth:	$40 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Roland Orzabal, born Roland Jaime Orzabal De La Quintana on August 22, 1961, in Portsmouth, England, grew up in a family marked by creative influence and personal challenges. With Spanish heritage on his father’s side, his full name reflects his cultural roots. While his religious beliefs are not widely discussed, his Spanish background may suggest an exposure to Catholicism during his upbringing.

Orzabal‘s father, George Orzabal de la Quintana, was a Spanish sailor who was largely absent during Roland’s childhood, leaving most of the parenting to his English mother, Margaret Orzabal de la Quintana. The strained relationship with his father, combined with his parents’ eventual divorce, played a pivotal role in shaping Orzabal’s songwriting, often reflecting themes of abandonment and emotional turmoil. He has two siblings, Julian and Carlos Orzabal.

Orzabal attended Mayville High School in Portsmouth, where he met Curt Smith, who would later become his musical partner in Tears for Fears. The school’s focus on liberal arts may have fostered their early musical explorations. Orzabal and Smith formed their first band, Graduate, during their school years. Although the band didn’t achieve commercial success, it was instrumental in honing their musical abilities and laid the foundation for the future success of Tears for Fears.

Career

Roland Orzabal’s career is defined by his pivotal role in creating and succeeding Tears for Fears, his contributions as a songwriter, and his diverse creative ventures. After the dissolution of their first band, Graduate, Orzabal, and Curt Smith formed Tears for Fears in 1981.

Their debut album, The Hurting (1983), was both a critical and commercial success. It explored deep emotional themes like childhood trauma and psychological distress, influenced by Arthur Janov’s primal therapy theories. Songs such as “Mad World” highlighted Orzabal’s ability to write introspective and universally resonant lyrics.

The band’s second album, Songs from the Big Chair (1985), propelled them to international fame with hits like “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” This album solidified their place in the 1980s pop scene, blending synth-pop with more complex, organic sounds. Orzabal’s production and composer skills were further refined, earning the band a Brit Award and securing Orzabal the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year in 1986 for “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”

Following a creative rift with Smith, Orzabal carried the Tears for Fears name, releasing Elemental (1993) and Raoul and the Kings of Spain (1995). These albums reflected a more personal and experimental approach, though they didn’t achieve the same commercial success as their earlier work.

In the early 2000s, Orzabal reunited with Smith, reviving interest in Tears for Fears with the release of Everybody Loves a Happy Ending in 2004. Although it didn’t reach the commercial heights of their 1980s hits, the album was well-received. In 2022, the band made a significant comeback with The Tipping Point, which marked their highest chart success in decades, earning critical praise for its reflective and mature songwriting.

Beyond his work with Tears for Fears, Orzabal has pursued other creative outlets, including producing for artists like Oleta Adams and writing a romantic comedy novel.

Social Media

• Instagram: Roland Orzabal (@officialrolandorzabal_)
• IMDb: Roland Orzabal

Personal Life

Roland Orzabal married Caroline Johnston, also known as Caroline Orzabal, in 1982, whom he had been dating since his teenage years.

Sadly, Caroline passed away in 2017 due to complications from alcoholism, a loss that deeply affected Orzabal and influenced his later work. In April 2021, he married Emily Rath Orzabal, marking a new chapter in his life.

Orzabal has two children, Pascal Orzabal and Raoul Orzabal, from his marriage to Caroline.

Net Worth

Roland Orzabal‘s net worth is estimated at approximately $40 million, reflecting his long-standing success as the co-founder, lead vocalist, and principal songwriter of Tears for Fears. The band’s massive commercial success, particularly in the 1980s with hits like “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and albums such as Songs from the Big Chair, significantly contributed to his financial success and cemented his legacy in the music industry.

Beyond his work with Tears for Fears, Orzabal has also added to his wealth by producing for other artists and his foray into writing, including a romantic comedy novel. His continued success, highlighted by the release of The Tipping Point in 2022, demonstrates his enduring relevance and financial stability in the ever-evolving music landscape.

Discography

Albums with Tears for Fears

1. The Hurting (1983)
2. Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
3. The Seeds of Love (1989)
4. Elemental (1993) – Released under the name Tears for Fears, but primarily Orzabal’s work
5. Raoul and the Kings of Spain (1995) – Also released under Tears for Fears, though without Curt Smith
6. Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (2004) – Reunion album with Curt Smith
7. The Tipping Point (2022)

Notable Singles with Tears for Fears

• “Mad World” (1982)
• “Change” (1983)
• “Pale Shelter” (1982)
• “Shout” (1984)
• “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (1985)
• “Head Over Heels” (1985)
• “Sowing the Seeds of Love” (1989)
• “Woman in Chains” (1989)
• “Elemental” (1993)
• “Break It Down Again” (1993)
• “God’s Mistake” (2004)
• “Raoul and the Kings of Spain” (1995)
• “The Tipping Point” (2022)
• “No Small Thing” (2022)

Other Contributions

• Solo Work: Although not primarily known for solo work, Orzabal has contributed to various projects under his name or in collaboration with others.
• Producing: He has produced tracks for artists like Oleta Adams, including her hit “Get Here.”
• Writing: Orzabal penned a romantic comedy novel titled “Safety,” which reflects his interest in storytelling beyond music.
• Soundtracks: His music has been featured in various soundtracks and media, enhancing his influence in pop culture.

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