Biography
Joe McElderry Biography
Born in South Shields, England, Joe McElderry is the only child of Jim McElderry and Eileen Joyce.The couple separated when Joe was a young child, but have said they have a great relationship. Joe was raised with help from his grandmother Hilda Joyce and his aunts. His grandmother used to sing in a group called The Dolly Mixtures, who performed in pubs and clubs in the North East.
Joe attended Harton Technology College in South Shields, before joining South Tyneside College to study AS level school qualifications, and then Newcastle College to study the performing arts
Music Career
He was the Pride of South Tyneside’s Young Performer of the Year in 2008. Joe studies for BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Newcastle College Performance Academy. He was backed by the college to win The X Factor 2009 He took the role of Danny Zuko in Grease performed at Harton Technology College. Joe had previously auditioned for The X Factor in 2007, but walked away as he flet that he was too young in comparision with other contestants.
The X Factor
Joe auditioned in Manchester and sang Luther Vandross’ “Dance with My Father”. The audition was televised on 22 August 2009. After this performance, he got the full support from the judges. He travelled to Marrakesh in Morocco with mentor, Cheryl Cole, and guest judge Will Young, and was picked as one of her final three contestants in the boys’ category to progress to the live shows final 12.
Finals
McElderry’s first song in the final was Luther Vandross’ “Dance With My Father”, the song he sang at his audition. His second song, was a duet with George Michael of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”.His third song was a cover of Elton Johns “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”, which he also sang on the eighth live show.Joe secured his place in the final two after winning the public vote along with essex boy Olly Murs.Stacey Solomon missed out on a place, despite giving a confident performance.They both performed the winner’s song “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus in Sunday night’s final.Joe won the series with 3/4’s of the vote, and went on to release his first single, “The Climb”.Joe told the Sunday Mirror that he wanted to win the title for his grandmother.
Performances
McElderry performed the following songs during the contest:
Audition “Dance with My Father” Luther Vandross
Bootcamp “Praying for Time” George Michael
Judges’ House “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” Elton John
Week 1 “No Regrets” Robbie Williams
Week 2 “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” Whitney Houston
Week 3 “Sway” Dean Martin
Week 4 “Don’t Stop Believin’” Journey
Week 5 “Circle of Life” Elton John
Week 6 “Somebody to Love” Queen
Week 7 “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” Elton John
Week 8 “Could It Be Magic” Take That
Week 9 (Semi-final) “She’s Out of My Life” Michael Jackson
Week 10 (Final) “Dance with My Father” Luther Vandross
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (Performed with George Michael)
“Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” Elton John
“Don’t Stop Believin’” Journey
“The Climb” Miley Cyrus
