Page "Damon Albarn" Paragraph 7

Albarn played guitar, piano and violin in his youth and was interested in composing music one of his compositions winning a heat in the nationwide Young Composer of the Year competition.

Commenting on his early musical abilities, Jessica stated, " we both had piano lessons, but I knew Damon had something special.

Whereas I ’ d come home and practise my sheet music, he ’ d already be banging out his own stuff.

He was always free like that, you couldn ’ t contain him, and he ’ s been like that ever since.

" Damon and Jessica both attended a primary school nearby which, according to Damon, was burnt down seven times in a time period of 18 months by one of the teachers.

After both siblings failed their 11 plus exam, they started attending Stanway Comprehensive School, where Damon described himself as being " really unpopular " and " to a lot of people ".

However, he developed an interest in Drama and started acting in various school productions.

It was at Stanway where he would meet future Blur guitarist, Graham Coxon, who recalls seeing him act and feeling that he was a " confident performer " as well as a " show off ".

Albarn's first words directed at Coxon were " Your brogues are crap, mate.

Look, mine are the proper sort " as he was showing off his leather shoes, fashionable footwear at the time influenced by the Mod Revival.

Nevertheless, the pair went onto become good friends, due to their shared passion for music, particularly The Jam, The Human League, XTC and Madness.