Christian Burns
A versatile vocalist who transitioned from 90s pop stardom to become a sought-after collaborator in the world of electronic dance music.
Born 1974 (age 52)·English singer·Birthday: January 18·Generation X
Biography
Christian Burns's musical path is one of quiet reinvention. The son of 1960s Liverpool rock musician Tony Burns, he first found fame in the 1990s as a member of the pop group BBMak, known for their tight harmonies and international hit 'Back Here'. When the boyband era faded, Burns didn't retreat. Instead, he masterfully pivoted, leveraging his keen melodic sense and smooth tenor into the electronic music sphere. He became a secret weapon for top-tier DJs and producers, contributing haunting vocals and songwriting to tracks that dominated clubs and airwaves. His voice is featured on massive hits like Tiësto's 'In the Dark' and Armin van Buuren's 'This Light Between Us', bridging the gap between pop songcraft and trance energy. This second act has proven more durable than the first, establishing Burns not as a fleeting pop star, but as a respected and adaptable musical voice in global dance music.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Christian was born in 1974, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Christian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1974
#1 Movie
The Towering Inferno
Best Picture
The Godfather Part II
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Christian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1974Born
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1979Started school
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1987Became a teenager
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Could drive
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1992Could vote
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Turned 21
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2004Turned 30
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 40
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 50
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 52 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Achieved international pop success as a member of BBMak, whose single 'Back Here' was a top 10 hit in multiple countries.
- Co-wrote and provided vocals for Tiësto's single 'In the Dark', a major club hit.
- Collaborated with trance legend Armin van Buuren on the track 'This Light Between Us'.
- Maintained a sustained career as a featured vocalist and songwriter for prominent DJs after his initial pop fame.
Did You Know?
His father, Tony Burns, was a member of the 1960s Merseybeat band The Signs, who were signed to Decca Records.
He is left-handed.
After BBMak disbanded, he initially pursued a solo career under the name Burns.
He has a black belt in Taekwondo.
“A melody must feel honest, even if it takes you twenty years to find it.”
