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Ed Sheeran: 22 Facts About One Of The World’s Most Successful Artists

By Stacey Cole
Published on: 04:13 PST, Jun 28, 2015

Ed Sheeran. Just the name conjures up images of success, talent, musicality, a resurgence in the popularity of red hair, and an all-round nice guy. An English-born singer, songwriter, and musician, Ed Sheeran has become a worldwide sensation in recent years for his deep, heart touching voice and song lyrics. Here are some facts about the “The A Team” hit-maker that you may not have known.

Ed Sheeran’s Childhood and His Love of Music

Edward Christopher Sheeran, commonly known as Ed Sheeran, was born in Halifax, England, but grew up in Suffolk.

His father is an art curator, and his mother is a jewelry designer. His elder brother, Matthew, is a classical music composer.

His love for music began at the early age of 11, when he started to play his guitar.

Ed Sheeran convinced his parents that his time would be better spent looking for gigs on the road, and he left school and his childhood home at the age of 16.

His childhood dream was to become a train driver.

Ed Sheeran was known as “Teddy” as a child.

Ed Sheeran’s Musical Journey

Ed Sheeran’s first EP, Orange Room, was released when in 2005 when he was just 13, and it featured four tracks: “I Love You,” “Addicted,” “Misery,” and “Moody Ballad.”

Ed Sheeran’s next album was self-titled and featured some of his memorable tracks such as “Open Your Eyes,” “Beyond the Pale,” and “Insomniac’s Lullaby.”

According to Boombeats, Ed Sheeran is said to have performed over 312 concerts in 2009. In 2010, Ed Sheeran released four EPs.

His debut single track, “The A Team,” released in 2011, was a huge hit and reached the Number 3 position on the UK singles chart.

“You Need Me, I Don’t Need You,” his next single, was released later that year and reached Number 4 in the charts.

In September 2011, Ed Sheeran released his debut album, +, which sold over 100,000 copies and topped the UK singles chart.

The video for Ed Sheeran’s next single, “The Lego House,” featured Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint as an obsessed fan and was also hugely successful.

Ed Sheeran sold out Madison Square Garden in three minutes.

Ed Sheeran’s Collaboration with Other Artists

Sir Elton John is a massive fan of Ed Sheeran, and they performed together at the Grammys.

Ed Sheeran co-wrote One Direction’s song “Moments” for their debut album in November of 2011.

Ed Sheeran toured with Taylor Swift on her world tour RED and even has a tattoo of the logo on his arm, reported Suprtickets.

Ed Sheeran’s Interests and Obsessions

He is a huge fan of Eminem and says he would love to meet him one day.

The Beatles and Van Morrison are his greatest musical influences.

Ed Sheeran is a child at heart in many ways and loves building things with Legos.

He has over 100 individual tattoos on his left arm, including tea cups, a ketchup bottle, and Puss in Boots. He adds a new tattoo to his collection every time he tours a new place as a souvenir.

Ed Sheeran reportedly cuts his own hair and enjoys playing Monopoly.

[Photo: Theo Wargo, Ethan Miller, Jason Merritt, Larry Busacca / Getty Images]

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