Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Harry Styles
How Harry Styles built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Harry Styles is a highly influential English singer, songwriter, and actor. Rising to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction, he has since achieved significant success as a solo artist. Styles is known for his distinctive vocal style, songwriting abilities, and charismatic stage presence. Beyond music, he has ventured into acting, appearing in films like "Dunkirk." Styles' flamboyant and gender-fluid fashion choices have made him a style icon and have significantly impacted popular culture, challenging traditional norms and inspiring self-expression.
1971: Inspiration from Blue and Tapestry
In 1971, Joni Mitchell's album Blue inspired Harry Styles to contact the album's dulcimer instrumentalist, with whom he worked on Fine Line. Also in 1971, he chose to record Fine Line in Henson Recording Studios after being inspired by Carole King's album Tapestry, which was recorded there.
1973: Secretariat running the Belmont Stakes
The Rolling Stone Review of One Direction's concert at MetLife Stadium in 2015 compared Harry Styles' unusually energetic performance to watching Secretariat running the Belmont Stakes in 1973.
1973: Inspiration from Hosono House
While writing Harry's House in Tokyo, Harry Styles was inspired by Haruomi Hosono's 1973 debut album Hosono House and paid homage to its title.
1977: Fine Line Compared to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours
In 1977, Singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks likened Harry Styles' album Fine Line to Fleetwood Mac's album Rumours and commented that she was inspired by him to write new music and poetry.
1978: Reference Point for Harry's House Creation
In 1978, Gerry Rafferty's 1978 single "Right Down the Line" was a specific reference point during the creation of Harry Styles' album Harry's House.
1987: Sampling "Faith" on "Anna"
In 1987, Harry Styles sampled George Michael's "Faith" on his unreleased track "Anna".
April 2010: The X Factor Audition
On April 11, 2010, Harry Styles auditioned as a solo contestant for The X Factor, singing "Hey, Soul Sister" and later "Isn't She Lovely".
July 2010: Formation of One Direction on The X Factor
In July 2010, after being eliminated as a solo contestant, Harry Styles and four other contestants formed the boy band One Direction to compete in the "Groups" category on The X Factor. Harry suggested the name One Direction for the group.
2010: Formation of One Direction
In 2010, Harry Styles's musical career began as a member of One Direction, a boy band that formed on The X Factor after individual eliminations. One Direction would later become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.
January 2011: One Direction Signs with Syco Records
In January 2011, One Direction signed a recording contract with Simon Cowell's label, Syco Records.
2012: Release of Take Me Home Album
In 2012, One Direction released their album, Take Me Home, which debuted at number one in the UK.
2013: Ambassador for Trekstock and Response to Westboro Baptist Church
In 2013, Harry Styles and Liam Payne became ambassadors for the cancer charity Trekstock, raising over US$800,000. Styles also spoke out on Twitter against the Westboro Baptist Church, affirming his belief in equal rights for everyone.
2013: Midnight Memories Album Release
In 2013, One Direction released their album, Midnight Memories, which debuted at number one in the UK and became the world's best-selling album of the year.
2013: One Direction: This Is Us Documentary
In 2013, the One Direction documentary 'One Direction: This Is Us' featured the Tremlow Viaduct, where Harry Styles signed his name. This moment has since become a point of interest for fans visiting Holmes Chapel.
2014: Endorsement of HeForShe Campaign
In 2014, Harry Styles endorsed Emma Watson's HeForShe gender equality campaign.
2014: Support for LGBT Rights
In 2014, Harry Styles joined LGBT rights charity Stonewall's #FirstSnog campaign and showed support for Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team, by wearing his jersey onstage.
2014: Release of Four Album
In 2014, One Direction released their album, Four, which debuted at number one in both the UK and the US. The album's success made One Direction the only group in Billboard 200 history to have their first four albums debut at number one.
2014: Collaboration with Harry Lambert
In 2014, during One Direction's Four era, Harry Styles began collaborating with stylist Harry Lambert, marking a shift in his personal style and fashion choices.
2015: Sponsorship of Water Wells in India
In 2015, Harry Styles sponsored water wells in India via Drop4Drop in support of Life Water's World Water Day campaign.
2015: Release of Made in the A.M. Album
In 2015, One Direction released their album, Made in the A.M., which debuted at number one in the UK.
2015: Energetic Performer
In a 2015 Rolling Stone review of One Direction's concert at MetLife Stadium, Rob Sheffield noted Harry Styles' unusually energetic performance. The review compared it to watching Secretariat running the Belmont Stakes in 1973.
2016: Solo Career Preparations
During 2016, Harry Styles signed with Jeffrey Azoff's Full Stop Management and CAA, securing a recording contract with Columbia Records and launching his own record label, Erskine Records. He spent time in Los Angeles, London, and Jamaica writing and recording his debut album.
2016: Featured in Another Man Magazine
In 2016, Harry Styles was featured in Another Man magazine, leading to Anne T. Donahue of The Guardian labeling him an "artthrob" for his unique fashion sense and artistic expression.
2016: One Direction's Indefinite Hiatus
In 2016, One Direction began an indefinite hiatus after completing promotional activities for 'Made in the A.M.' Styles expressed a sense of freedom upon signing a solo contract without the cleanliness clauses that were present in his One Direction contracts.
March 2017: Announcement of "Sign of the Times" Release
In March 2017, Harry Styles announced the release of his first solo single, "Sign of the Times", slated for April 7.
May 2017: Intimate Shows to Celebrate Debut Album Release
In May 2017, Harry Styles celebrated the release of his debut album by playing intimate shows at The Garage in London and at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, with all proceeds benefiting charities.
May 2017: Release of Debut Solo Album and Film
In May 2017, Harry Styles released his debut studio album, "Harry Styles," which reached number one in multiple countries. The film "Harry Styles: Behind the Album" documenting the album's creation, was released on Apple Music.
July 2017: Feature Film Debut in Dunkirk
In July 2017, Harry Styles made his feature film debut in Christopher Nolan's war film Dunkirk, playing a British soldier named Alex.
September 2017: Start of First Solo Tour
In September 2017, Harry Styles began his first headlining concert tour, Harry Styles: Live on Tour.
November 2017: Television Special and Victoria's Secret Performance
In November 2017, BBC One broadcast a one-hour television special, 'Harry Styles at the BBC,' and Harry Styles performed at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai.
2017: Origin of "Treat People With Kindness" Slogan
In 2017, Harry Styles began using the slogan "Treat People with Kindness" during his debut concert tour on a badge on his guitar and tour merchandise.
2017: Film Role in Dunkirk
In 2017, Harry Styles made his film debut in Christopher Nolan's war film Dunkirk.
2017: Debut Solo Album Release
In 2017, Harry Styles released his eponymous debut solo album through Erskine and Columbia Records. It reached number one in both the UK and the US, becoming one of the world's best-selling albums that year. His lead single, "Sign of the Times," topped the UK Singles Chart.
July 2018: End of Harry Styles: Live on Tour
In July 2018, Harry Styles' first headlining concert tour, Harry Styles: Live on Tour, came to an end.
October 2018: Happy Together Sitcom Premiere
In October 2018, the CBS sitcom Happy Together, co-executive produced by Harry Styles, premiered. The sitcom was inspired by Styles' time living with television producer Ben Winston and his wife.
2018: Performance with Fleetwood Mac and Support for MusiCares
In 2018, Harry Styles joined Fleetwood Mac for a performance of "The Chain" when the band were honored with the MusiCares Person of the Year award. Styles is a patron of the MusiCares non profit organization.
2018: Gay Times Honour for LGBTQ Advocate
In 2018, Harry Styles received a Gay Times Honour for LGBTQ Advocate, recognizing his support and advocacy for the LGBTQ community.
2018: Pride Month T-Shirts and Social Activism
In 2018, Harry Styles' online store sold T-shirts with the slogan "Treat People with Kindness" in a rainbow print for Pride Month, with profits benefiting GLSEN. That year, Styles also tweeted in support of the March for Our Lives petition, and added "Black Lives Matter" and "End Gun Violence" stickers to his guitar.
July 2019: Talks for The Little Mermaid Role
In July 2019, Harry Styles was in early talks to play Prince Eric in the live-action Disney film 'The Little Mermaid' but ultimately turned down the role.
October 2019: "Lights Up" Release
In October 2019, Harry Styles released "Lights Up", the lead single from his second album, 'Fine Line'.
2019: Fine Line Album Debut
In 2019, Harry Styles's second album, 'Fine Line', debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200 with record-breaking first-week sales for an English male artist.
March 2020: NPR Tiny Desk Concert and "Changes" Co-write
In March 2020, Harry Styles performed an NPR Tiny Desk concert and co-wrote the song "Changes" for Cam's album The Otherside.
May 2020: Support for Black Lives Matter After George Floyd's Murder
In May 2020, Harry Styles showed support for Black Lives Matter, urging fans to share and donate in support, and pledged to donate to a bail fund for arrested Black Lives Matter activists following the murder of George Floyd.
2020: COVID-19 Relief Efforts
During the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, Harry Styles released t-shirts to support the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and paid his core tour crew's salaries.
2020: Postponement of Love On Tour
In 2020, the Love On Tour, planned to support Harry Styles' album Fine Line, was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 2021: "Treat People with Kindness" Single Release
In January 2021, Harry Styles released the song "Treat People with Kindness" as a single, with a music video featuring Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
March 2021: Grammy Win for "Watermelon Sugar"
In March 2021, at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, Harry Styles won the Best Pop Solo Performance award for "Watermelon Sugar".
September 2021: Love On Tour Kickoff
After previous postponement, Harry Styles' Love On Tour kicked off on September 4, 2021, in Las Vegas.
November 2021: Eternals Cameo and Pleasing Launch
In November 2021, Harry Styles made a cameo appearance as Eros / Starfox in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Eternals, and he launched his gender-neutral skin and nail care brand, Pleasing.
2021: Film Role in Eternals
In 2021, Harry Styles appeared in the film Eternals.
2021: Rescheduled Love On Tour
Love On Tour, originally set for 2020, was rescheduled and took place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2022: AirPods Commercial Feature
In June 2022, Harry Styles and the single "Music for a Sushi Restaurant" were featured in an AirPods commercial.
June 2022: Donation to International Rescue Committee
On June 2, 2022, Harry Styles announced he was donating his appearance fee from Apple's AirPods' spatial audio campaign to the International Rescue Committee.
September 2022: Madison Square Garden Residency
In August and September 2022, Harry Styles performed 15 sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden as part of his Love On Tour. In September 2022, a permanent banner was raised inside the venue to mark the achievement.
November 2022: Gucci Collaboration
In November 2022, Harry Styles collaborated with Alessandro Michele on a Gucci collection titled "Gucci Ha Ha Ha".
2022: "As It Was" Most Streamed and Vinyl Sales Record
In 2022, "As It Was" was the most-streamed song of the year globally on Spotify and Deezer, and Forbes noted that Harry Styles racked up a first-week vinyl sales count larger than anything any musician has managed before with Harry's House.
2022: Onstage Physicality
In 2022, Craig McLean described Harry Styles' onstage physicality for The Face as, "stomping, head-banging exuberance" that is "impossible to resist."
2022: Film Roles in Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman
In 2022, Harry Styles appeared in the films Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman.
2022: Acting Roles in Elvis, Don't Worry Darling, and My Policeman
In 2022, Harry Styles auditioned for Elvis, starred in Don't Worry Darling with Florence Pugh, and starred in My Policeman with David Dawson and Emma Corrin. Both films premiered at international film festivals and received mixed reviews.
2022: Harry's House Album and "As It Was" Success
In 2022, Harry Styles released his third album, Harry's House, which broke numerous records and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. The lead single, "As It Was," became the number-one song globally according to Billboard.
2022: Induction into Business of Fashion's Class of 2022
In 2022, Harry Styles was inducted into the Business of Fashion's Class of 2022, a definitive index of people shaping the global fashion industry, recognizing his significant influence on the fashion world.
2022: Partnership with Everytown for Gun Safety
In 2022, following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Harry Styles partnered with Everytown for Gun Safety for 44 shows as part of his Love On Tour.
2022: Gucci Collection and Museum Exhibits
In 2022, the Gucci dress Harry Styles wore on the cover of Vogue was featured in a V&A Museum exhibit. Additionally, Styles designed a Gucci joint capsule collection with Alessandro Michele, unveiled at Milan Fashion Week, and several of his outfits were displayed in museums.
July 2023: Invitation to Ukrainian Refugees at Warsaw Concert
In July 2023, Harry Styles invited three Ukrainian refugees supported by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to Love On Tour at his show at Warsaw's PGE Narodowy Stadium.
July 2023: Love On Tour Conclusion
In July 2023, Love On Tour concluded as the then-fifth-highest-grossing tour of all time, earning $617.3 million.
September 2023: Background Vocals on Mitch Rowland's Track
In September 2023, Harry Styles provided background vocals on bandmate Mitch Rowland's track "Here Comes the Comeback".
2023: Influence on Concert Dressing
In 2023, Harry Styles was credited alongside Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for the rise in elaborate concert dressing. After Styles consistently wore Adidas Gazelles on Love On Tour, Adidas renamed the shoes to "Satellite Stompers" in honor of his fans.
2023: Likely Release of The Little Mermaid
It was reported in July 2019 that Harry Styles was in early talks to play Prince Eric in the live-action Disney film The Little Mermaid (2023). He ultimately turned the part down for various reasons which included touring and wanting to pursue darker roles.
July 2024: Performance with Stevie Nicks
In July 2024, Harry Styles joined Stevie Nicks on stage at the British Summer Time festival in London to perform "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" and "Landslide" in tribute of Christine McVie's birthday.
2024: Investment in S.S. Daley
In 2024, Harry Styles invested in a minority stake in emerging British fashion label S.S. Daley, indicating his commitment to supporting new talent in the fashion industry.
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