David Foster

David Foster is a Canadian musician, songwriter, and producer whose career spans performance, production, and artist development.

He began in the 1960s as a keyboardist with The Strangers, performing with Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. In 1969, he worked with Tommy Banks in Edmonton and also performed with Ronnie Hawkins. In 1971, he co-founded Skylark, serving as keyboardist and leader; their 1973 single “Wildflower” was a top ten hit. After the band’s breakup, he remained in Los Angeles as a studio musician.
In the mid-1970s, Foster played on George Harrison’s albums Extra Texture and Thirty Three & 1/3 and formed the band Attitudes. He transitioned into production, signing a management deal with Ned Shankman and Ron DeBlasio. His early production credits include Hall & Oates’ Along the Red Ledge (1978) and Alice Cooper’s From the Inside (1978). In 1979, he contributed as a writer, arranger, and keyboardist on Earth, Wind & Fire’s I Am, co-writing “After the Love Has Gone,” which won a Grammy for Best R&B Song.
In the 1980s, Foster produced major albums for Boz Scaggs, The Tubes, and Chicago. His work on Chicago 16, 17, and 18 yielded multiple hit songs, including “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” and “You’re the Inspiration.” He won Producer of the Year at the Grammys for Chicago 17. He also produced the original cast album of Dreamgirls (1982), winning a Grammy. During this period, he worked on film soundtracks including St. Elmo’s Fire, The Secret of My Success, and Stealing Home, and composed “Winter Games” for the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Foster released solo instrumental albums throughout the 1980s, including The Symphony Sessions (1988), and founded the David Foster Foundation in 1986. He also launched and managed 143 Records, developing artists and producing projects across pop, R&B, and film.
In the 1990s, Foster produced Natalie Cole’s Unforgettable… with Love (1991), which won Album of the Year, and contributed to Whitney Houston’s The Bodyguard soundtrack (1992), one of the best-selling albums of all time. He worked extensively with Celine Dion, including her English-language debut Unison, and produced major hits such as “Because You Loved Me” and “The Power of the Dream.” He also produced “I Swear” (All-4-One) and co-wrote “The Prayer,” which won a Golden Globe and received an Academy Award nomination. In 1995, he partnered with Warner Bros. to expand 143 Records and later became a senior vice president at Warner Music Group.
In the 2000s, Foster produced debut or breakthrough albums for artists including Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, and Charice. He served as a mentor on Popstars USA and American Idol, and won an Emmy Award in 2003 for The Concert for World Children’s Day. His work with Michael Bublé earned consecutive Grammys for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album (Call Me Irresponsible and Crazy Love).
In the 2010s, Foster served as Chairman of Verve Music Group (2011–2016) and continued producing albums for artists including Michael Bublé, Andrea Bocelli, Mary J. Blige, and Bryan Adams. He developed live concert series including Hitman: David Foster & Friends and An Intimate Evening with David Foster, and appeared as a judge on Asia’s Got Talent. His stage work includes Primal Scream: The Musical (2014).
In the 2020s, Foster released the instrumental album Eleven Words (2020), which topped Billboard’s Classical Crossover chart. He produced Chris Botti’s Vol. 1 (2023) and released Christmas Songs with Katharine McPhee. His musical Boop! The Musical premiered in Chicago in 2023 and transferred to Broadway in 2025, earning him a Drama Desk Award nomination.
Foster has won 16 Grammy Awards and has worked across pop, R&B, classical crossover, film, and Broadway.