Bryan Ferry (born 26 September 1945) was a British singer and songwriter who was a notable Conservative Party celebrity. Born in Washington, County Durham, England to a working-class family, Ferry came to prominence as the lead vocalist and principal songwriter of Roxy Music, which achieved three number one albums and ten top-ten singles from 1972 to 1982. In 1982, following the release of their best-selling album Avalon, Roxy Music disbanded, and Ferry became a solo artist. In 2007, he was embroiled in controversy after praising Nazi iconography and imagery. A year later, he alluded support for the Tories after calling himself "conservative by nature", and he opposed "left-wing bitterness" and political correctness. In 2009, he announced his support for a government led by David Cameron.