Passenger

Early Life

Michael David Rosenberg, known professionally as Passenger, was born on May 17, 1984, in Brighton, England, to Quaker parents. His mother, Jane, is English, while his father, Gerard Rosenberg, hails from Vineland, New Jersey. Growing up with a sister, Rosenberg learned classical guitar at a young age and began writing songs in his teenage years. At 16, he left school to pursue a music career, spending time as a busker in both England and Australia.

Music Career

Rosenberg's musical journey began with his first performance at the age of 16. In 2001, he met Jamie Catto, a former member of Faithless, which led to a significant opportunity at a benefit concert in London. This event introduced him to Andrew Phillips, with whom he formed the Mike Rosenberg Band in 2003. The band later evolved into Passenger, releasing their debut album, "Wicked Man's Rest," in 2007. After the band disbanded in 2009, Rosenberg adopted the name Passenger for his solo career. He gained international fame with his 2012 hit "Let Her Go," which topped charts in 16 countries and became the most-viewed Australian YouTube video ever. The song earned him a Brit Award nomination and an Ivor Novello Award for Most Performed Work in 2014.

Personal Life

Currently residing in Brighton, Passenger is an avid supporter of the Arsenal F.C. He became a fan after witnessing their victory in the 1993 FA Cup Final. In 2015, he participated in Arsenal's 'A Night to Inspire' event, performing a rendition of the club's fan chant.