Richard Marx<\/a> is an ace musician, but he\u2019s also a champion conversationalist.<\/p>\n The singer\/songwriter\/producer who has commandeered the charts for decades with more than 30 Top 40 pop and adult contemporary hits can easily zigzag topics, whether music past and current, shaking a martini, or applying moisturizer.<\/p>\n Marx talked to USA TODAY recently<\/a> about his new album, \u201cAfter Hours,\u201d<\/a> which embraces the Great American Songbook, and podcast\/YouTube series \u201cStories to Tell.\u201d<\/a> But he also took time to chat about some of his favorite music; how, at 62, he still looks like the guy who dropped \u201cDon\u2019t Mean Nothing\u201d in 1987; and yes, his spectacular hair.<\/p>\n Marx was about 8 years old when he purchased his first album, Elvis Presley\u2019s \u201c\u201968 Comeback Special,\u201d<\/a> spending $8.99 of his allowance.<\/p>\n \u201cI was the Elvis freak (in the house). My dad was never an Elvis fan. He was a jazz musician; he looked down on Elvis but came to appreciate his charisma and performance. My mom loved Elvis but not like I did,\u201d Marx says. \u201cThe first time I saw him on TV, I was captivated like everyone else.”<\/p>\n Richard Marx says his enviable hair is more “luck” than good genes.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Marx says he\u2019s \u201cconstantly\u201d listening to new music, with his favorite of the past few years the Canadian electronic duo Bob Moses.<\/a> \u201cI\u2019m obsessed with them,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n But there is one classic embedded in Marx\u2019s musical soul: Earth, Wind & Fire\u2019s<\/a> 1979 gem, \u201cI Am,\u201d<\/a> which includes the evergreens \u201cBoogie Wonderland\u201d and \u201cAfter the Love Has Gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my desert island disc,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019ve written with Philip Bailey, but the heart of that group was (the late) Maurice White. He was a hero of mine. His voice \u2013 he\u2019s one of the most underrated singers ever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to answer this differently than I thought I would,\u201d Marx says when asked who his favorite collaborator has been during his lengthy career. \u201cI\u2019ve written many songs with Keith Urban,<\/a> including three of his hits, and it\u2019s never a particularly enjoyable experience,\u201d he says, continuing, \u201cIt\u2019s laborious. The music usually comes fast to us and we riff off each other, but when it comes to lyrics, it\u2019s not fun. We\u2019ve had some contentious moments working together, but \u2026 I love what I\u2019ve done with Keith.\u201d<\/p>\n Marx cites Urban\u2019s 2011 anthem \u201cLong Hot Summer\u201d<\/a> as one of his favorites, which the pair wrote in three writing sessions in three different cities.<\/p>\n \u201cMy relationship with Keith is interesting in that we butt heads, but I love him and at the end of the day, what we have written together I really hold dear.\u201d<\/p>\n The lithe Marx has been a vegetarian \u2013 sometimes vegan \u2013 most of his life, as well as someone committed to fitness. But when he turned 60 two years ago, he made a major change to his diet and cut out all added sugar.<\/p>\n After a few months of the new regimen he had some medical tests and, \u201cMy doctor went, \u2018Dude! You\u2019re 60 and you have no inflammation in your body.\u2019 And I drink<\/em>!,\u201d he says with a laugh.<\/p>\nRichard Marx is an Elvis devotee<\/h2>\n
Richard Marx doesn\u2019t listen to much old music \u2013 with one exception<\/h2>\n
Richard Marx has worked with dozens of artists, but one stands out for a surprising reason<\/h2>\n
Richard Marx\u2019s keys to health \u2013 no sugar and plenty of sun<\/h2>\n