Career Timeline of David Foster: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of David Foster, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
David Foster is a highly accomplished Canadian record producer, pianist, film composer, and music executive. He gained initial recognition as a keyboardist for Skylark, then transitioned to composition and production, collaborating extensively with Diane Warren. He has produced numerous hits across various genres, contributing to over 40 Billboard Hot 100 pop hits. Foster has also been recognized with 16 Grammy Awards from 47 nominations, and served as chairman of Verve Records from 2012 to 2016.
1965: Audition for Tommy Banks' Band
In 1965, David Foster auditioned to lead the band in an Edmonton nightclub owned by jazz musician Tommy Banks, an opportunity that led to mentorship in jazz, producing records, and the music business.
1966: Joins Chuck Berry's Backup Band
In 1966, David Foster joined a backup band for Chuck Berry, contributing to his early experience in the music industry.
1972: Moves to Los Angeles with Skylark
In 1972, David Foster moved to Los Angeles with his band Skylark, marking a significant relocation for his music career.
1973: "Wildflower" Top Ten Hit
In 1973, the song "Wildflower" by Skylark, where David Foster was a keyboardist, became a top ten hit, marking an early success in his career.
1975: Plays on George Harrison's Album
In 1975, David Foster played on George Harrison's album Extra Texture, marking a collaboration with a renowned artist.
1976: Joins Guthrie Thomas on Album
In 1976, David Foster joined Guthrie Thomas on his second Capitol Records album, Lies and Alibis, with Ringo Starr and other performers, contributing to the album's production.
1980: Co-wrote and Played Keyboard on Boz Scaggs' Album
In 1980, David Foster co-wrote and played keyboard on some of Boz Scaggs's most successful songs on the album Middle Man, including "Breakdown Dead Ahead", "Jojo", and "Simone".
1981: Producer on The Tubes' Album
In 1981, David Foster worked as a producer on The Tubes' album The Completion Backward Principle, contributing to their musical direction.
1982: Co-Wrote Kenny Loggins's Songs
In 1982, David Foster co-wrote Kenny Loggins's song "Heart to Heart" from the album High Adventure, marking a collaboration in songwriting.
1982: Producer for Chicago 16
In 1982, David Foster worked as the producer on Chicago 16, marking the beginning of his collaboration with the jazz rock band.
1983: Producer on The Tubes' Album "Outside Inside"
In 1983, David Foster produced The Tubes' album Outside Inside, continuing his work with the band, and also co-wrote songs.
1984: Produced Once Upon a Christmas
In 1984, David Foster produced "Once Upon a Christmas" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, marking the beginning of his successful ventures in producing best-selling Christmas albums.
1984: Producer for Chicago 17
In 1984, David Foster produced Chicago 17, which became their biggest selling, multi-platinum album.
1984: Works With Kenny Rogers on Album
In 1984, David Foster worked with country singer Kenny Rogers on the hit album What About Me?, marking a collaboration in the country music genre.
September 7, 1985: "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" Reaches No. 1
On September 7, 1985, "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)", recorded by John Parr from the film St. Elmo's Fire, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
1985: Co-Wrote Kenny Loggins's "Forever"
In 1985, David Foster co-wrote Kenny Loggins's song "Forever" from the album Vox Humana, continuing their collaboration in music.
1985: Co-wrote and Produced "Tears Are Not Enough"
In 1985, David Foster co-wrote and produced "Tears Are Not Enough", which reached top 15 status and featured Canadian artists including Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Bryan Adams.
1985: Worked With Kenny Rogers on "The Heart of the Matter"
In 1985, David Foster worked with Kenny Rogers on "The Heart of the Matter", and co-wrote "The Best of Me" with Richard Marx.
1985: Rolling Stone Label
In 1985, Rolling Stone magazine called David Foster the "master of ... bombastic pop kitsch".
1986: Producer for Chicago 18 and Co-Writer
In 1986, David Foster produced Chicago 18 and also helped Peter Cetera co-write his US No. 1 solo hit "Glory of Love".
1987: Composed Score for "The Secret of My Success"
In 1987, David Foster composed the score for the film The Secret of My Success, which featured a song co-written by Foster titled "The Price of Love".
1988: Composed Theme Song for Winter Olympics
In 1988, David Foster composed "Winter Games", the instrumental theme song for the Winter Olympics, and performed it in Calgary, Alberta.
1988: Wrote Score for "Stealing Home"
In 1988, David Foster wrote the score for the film Stealing Home, contributing significantly to the film's soundtrack.
1989: Cliff Richard Covered "The Best of Me"
In 1989, Cliff Richard covered "The Best of Me", co-written by David Foster and Richard Marx, resulting in a number-two UK hit.
1990: Composed Grown-Up Christmas List
In 1990, David Foster composed the song "Grown-Up Christmas List", which has become a Christmas standard.
1992: Collaboration on "I Have Nothing"
In 1992, David Foster collaborated with Linda Thompson on the song "I Have Nothing," which was performed by Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard.
1992: David Foster's Twilight Orchestra
In 1992, David Foster went to Indonesia to record the TV show David Foster's Twilight Orchestra on the national television station RCTI.
1995: Signs Deal with Warner Brothers for 143 Records
In 1995, David Foster signed a deal with Warner Brothers for his own boutique label, 143 Records, as a joint venture.
1996: Composed "The Power of the Dream"
In 1996, David Foster and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds composed "The Power of the Dream", the official song of the Summer Olympics.
1997: Sells 143 Records Back to Warner
In 1997, David Foster sold the 143 Records label back to Warner and became a senior vice president at the corporation.
1998: Produced Celine Dion's These Are Special Times
In 1998, David Foster produced Celine Dion's album, "These Are Special Times", adding to his collection of best-selling Christmas albums.
1999: Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song
In 1999, David Foster won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for "The Prayer" (sung by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion) from the film Quest for Camelot.
2001: Collaborated on "O Canada" Versions
In 2001, David Foster collaborated with Lara Fabian and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to record English-language, French-language, and bilingual versions of the Canadian national anthem, "O Canada", for a promotion of the Canadian government.
2001: Produced Josh Groban's Debut Album
In 2001, David Foster produced the major-label debut album for Josh Groban, released under his 143 Records.
2001: "I'll Make It Up as I Go" in The Score
In 2001, the film The Score featured a Diana Krall recording, "I'll Make it Up as I Go", composed by David Foster and his daughter Amy Foster-Gillies.
2002: Composed "Light the Fire Within"
In 2002, David Foster, with his then-wife Linda Thompson, composed "Light the Fire Within", sung by LeAnn Rimes for the Winter Olympics.
2003: Produced Michael Bublé's Debut Album
In 2003, David Foster produced the major-label debut album for Michael Bublé, released under his 143 Records.
2004: Produced Renee Olstead's Debut Album
In 2004, David Foster produced the major-label debut album for Renee Olstead, released under his 143 Records.
2005: Wrote "Stand Up For Love"
In 2005, David Foster, his daughter Amy Foster-Gillies, and Beyoncé wrote "Stand Up For Love" as the anthem to the World Children's Day, raising awareness and funds for children's causes.
August 2006: Musical Director for JCPenney Jam
In August 2006, David Foster was the musical director for JCPenney Jam's The Concert For American Kids, overseeing the music for the event.
2007: Produced Josh Groban's Noel Album
In 2007, David Foster produced Josh Groban's Christmas album "Noel", contributing to a streak of successful Christmas albums.
2008: Hitman: David Foster & Friends Concert
In 2008, David Foster held a one-night concert called Hitman: David Foster & Friends at the Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas, featuring various renowned artists.
2009: Produced Andrea Bocelli's My Christmas
In 2009, David Foster produced Andrea Bocelli's Christmas album "My Christmas", further solidifying his reputation in the Christmas album market.
2009: Produced Whitney Houston's Comeback Single
In 2009, it was revealed that David Foster worked with Diane Warren to produce tracks for Whitney Houston's album, and the singer's comeback single would be the Foster-produced "I Didn't Know My Own Strength".
2010: Produced Charice's Album
In 2010, David Foster produced Charice's album, which was released under his 143 Records.
May 30, 2011: Dream With Me Concert
On May 30, 2011, David Foster teamed with Jackie Evancho in her Dream With Me Concert on PBS at the Ringling Brothers Museum in Sarasota, Florida.
December 15, 2011: Chairman of Verve Music Group
On December 15, 2011, it was confirmed that David Foster would become the Chairman of Verve Music Group, marking an executive role in the music industry.
2011: Produced Michael Bublé's Christmas
In 2011, David Foster produced Michael Bublé's album "Christmas", which became another best-selling album in his discography.
2012: Chair of Verve Records
In 2012, David Foster became the chairman of Verve Records, marking a significant milestone in his career. He took on a leadership role within the music industry.
2012: Produced Rod Stewart's Merry Christmas, Baby
In 2012, David Foster produced Rod Stewart's album "Merry Christmas, Baby", adding to his successful streak of producing top-selling Christmas albums.
January 2013: Produced Andrea Bocelli's Album
In January 2013, David Foster produced Andrea Bocelli's album Passione, a collection of Mediterranean love songs featuring duets with Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, and a virtual duet with Edith Piaf.
2013: Produced Mary J. Blige's A Mary Christmas
In 2013, David Foster produced Mary J. Blige's album "A Mary Christmas", contributing to his portfolio of best-selling Christmas albums.
2014: Produced Bryan Adams' Album
In 2014, David Foster produced an album with Bryan Adams titled Tracks of My Years, continuing his work with prominent artists.
2015: Joined Asia's Got Talent as a Judge
In 2015, David Foster became a judge on the panel for Asia's Got Talent, marking his entry into the reality talent show scene.
2016: Leaves Verve
In 2016, David Foster left Verve in a label reorganization, marking a change in his affiliations.
2016: End of Chairmanship at Verve Records
In 2016, David Foster's tenure as chairman of Verve Records concluded, signifying a transition in his executive roles within the music industry.
2017: Returned as Judge for Asia's Got Talent Season Two
In 2017, David Foster returned as a judge for the second season of Asia's Got Talent, alongside Anggun, Mel C, and Vanness Wu.
2018: Writing Musical with Jewel
As of 2018, David Foster was writing a musical with Jewel, based on Amy Bloom's novel Lucky Us, signaling a venture into musical theater.
2018: Attended Fundraiser Gala for Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
In 2018, David Foster and his then-fiancée Katharine McPhee attended a fundraiser gala for Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, where the event raised a record $60 million.
September 2019: David Foster: Off the Record Documentary Debut at Toronto International Film Festival
In September 2019, the biographical documentary "David Foster: Off the Record," produced and directed by Barry Avrich, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, featuring archival footage, interviews, and appearances by singers such as Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Celine Dion.
2019: Judged Asia's Got Talent Season Three and World's Got Talent
In 2019, David Foster served as a judge for the third season of Asia's Got Talent with Anggun and Jay Park, and he also judged the Chinese-language World's Got Talent.
2019: Acknowledged in Juno Awards for David Foster Foundation
In 2019, David Foster was acknowledged in the Juno Awards for his David Foster Foundation, which supports children in need of medical transplants.
2019: PBS Hosts "An Intimate Evening with David Foster"
In 2019, PBS hosted "An Intimate Evening with David Foster", featuring his wife Katharine McPhee, tenor Fernando Varela, Pia Toscano, Loren Allred, and Shelea.
2021: Competed on The Masked Singer as "Banana Split"
In 2021, David Foster and Katharine McPhee competed as "Banana Split" on season six of The Masked Singer, with Foster as the banana and McPhee as the ice cream. They were eliminated in the Group B Finale.
2022: Recorded Christmas Songs EP with Katharine McPhee
In 2022, David Foster and his wife Katharine McPhee recorded a seven-song Christmas EP called "Christmas Songs".
October 20, 2023: Re-released "Christmas Songs" Album
On October 20, 2023, David Foster and Katharine McPhee re-released their seven-song Christmas EP, "Christmas Songs", with seven additional songs.
November 19, 2023: Premiere of "Boop! The Musical"
On November 19, 2023, "Boop! The Musical", composed by David Foster, had its world premiere at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago.
