1. Genevieve Alison Jane Ballard, formerly known as Alf, is an English singer.
31 Facts About Alison Moyet
1. 2.
Genevieve Alison Jane Moyet was born on 18 June 1961 in Basildon, Essex, to a French father and English mother.
3.
Alison Moyet did not grow up bilingual, but spoke "Franglais", and was called Alison from a young age.
4.
Alison Moyet grew up in Basildon, where she attended Janet Duke Junior School and then Nicholas Comprehensive at secondary level, where she was in the same sixth form class as future Depeche Mode members Andrew Fletcher and Martin Gore.
5.
Alison Moyet was involved in a number of punk rock, pub rock, and blues bands in the southeast Essex area during the late 1970s and early 1980s, including the Vandals, the Screamin' Ab Dabs, the Vicars, and the Little Roosters.
6.
In 1984, Alison Moyet released her debut solo album Alf.
7.
In 1985, Alison Moyet performed at Live Aid alongside Paul Young and later returned unscheduled to the stage to provide vocals on "Let It Be" when Paul McCartney's vocal microphone at his piano failed, leaving him unable to be heard for the first stanza of the song.
8.
The album sold respectably in the UK, and Alison Moyet was nominated for a Grammy for the single "It Won't Be Long".
9.
Alison Moyet's next album, Essex, was a source of controversy for her; in order for the album to be released, her label insisted that certain Essex tracks be re-recorded and re-produced, and that there be additional material remixed to create a more "commercial" package.
10.
Alison Moyet signed to Sanctuary Records and released her first studio album in eight years.
11.
In December 2006, Alison Moyet signed a recording contract with W14 Music, a Universal Music Group imprint.
12.
Alison Moyet left W14 shortly after the release of The Turn.
13.
Alison Moyet supported the release with a tour of the UK and Ireland during November and December 2009.
14.
Alison Moyet appeared with Jools Holland throughout his tour of the UK in 2010.
15.
Alison Moyet appeared with Heather Peace in January 2012 on the final concert of Peace's first studio album, Fairytales.
16.
On 22 January 2013, Alison Moyet announced that she had signed a worldwide deal with London-based record label Cooking Vinyl.
17.
In July 2013, Alison Moyet said that she has begun writing new material for the follow-up to The Minutes.
18.
On 16 October 2013, Alison Moyet appeared as a guest performer on ITV 1's The One and Only Cilla Black celebrating Cilla Black's 50 years in show business.
19.
On 30 July 2015, it was announced that Alison Moyet would be releasing deluxe editions of her albums Hometime, Voice, and The Turn.
20.
On 21 September 2015, Alison Moyet performed at the Burberry Show at London Fashion Week.
21.
On 20 April 2018, Alison Moyet released her second live album, The Other Live Collection, taken from The Other Tour.
22.
In June 2024, Alison Moyet launched a podcast, 40 Alison Moyet Moments, a 40-part podcast series where she discusses key moments of her career.
23.
Alison Moyet embarked on a world tour in support of Key in 2025.
24.
Alison Moyet has achieved nine top 30 singles and six top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart.
25.
Alison Moyet made her stage debut in the London West End production of the musical Chicago in 2001.
26.
Alison Moyet has a daughter with former partner Kim McCarthy, and a daughter with her current husband David Ballard.
27.
Alison Moyet has been candid about her battles with weight and agoraphobia and the challenges of having dyslexia and ADHD.
28.
Alison Moyet embarked on a weight loss programme, because she did not want to become "an obese old woman".
29.
On 14 October 2014, Alison Moyet was presented with a Gold Badge Award by professional music writers association The Ivors Academy.
30.
Alison Moyet was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to music.
31.
Alison Moyet received a degree in Fine Art Printmaking from the University of Brighton in 2023 at age 62.