Damon Albarn was born in Whitechapel Hospital, London. He was the son of Keith (a former luminary of England's late-1960s psychedelic rock scene that yielded Soft Machine and others) and Hazel (a stage designer for Joan Littlewood's theatre company). Arriving in Colchester, Essex in the late '70s, the young Damon began studying music (the piano) and drama. He met Graham Coxon, guitar genius in Stanway Comprehensive School and they formed a group named 'Seymour' later changed to 'Blur', perhaps one of the greatest modern rock groups these days. Damon is the leadsinger of 'Blur' as well as writes songs and plays keybords. His witty, sarcastic lyrics are exquisitely combined with unique sounds, influenced by Beatles, Rolling stones, Kinks and Small Faces. He split with Justine Frischman, frontwoman of 'Elastica' in 1998. _Face (1997)_ is his debut film.
