Richard Marx Talks About the Creation of His After Hours Album with Support from Rod Stewart, His Wife Daisy Fuentes, and His Late Father

Richard Marx.
Credit :

Brandon Marx

NEED TO KNOW

• Richard Marx discusses his new album After Hours.
• The singer-songwriter embraces a big band-era sound with the record.
• Marx shares insights into his relationship with wife Daisy Fuentes and his three sons.

Richard Marx experienced a moment of inspiration while at home, sharing a relaxed evening with his wife, Daisy Fuentes. As they enjoyed martinis, the evocative sounds of Frank Sinatra’s 1964 classic “Fly Me to the Moon” filled the room. Caught up in the rhythm, Marx found himself compelled to race to the piano, where he transformed the upbeat swing song into a slower ballad, unveiling what he describes as “a beautiful love song hidden in this swing song.”

This creative burst eventually led to Marx’s latest album, After Hours, a tribute to the music of the Great American Songbook and his first release since 2022. Playing to audiences globally, the enthusiastic reception of his new arrangement pushed him to explore this distinct sound further.

Richard Marx’s new album ‘After Hours’.

At 62, Marx approached this new project with a commitment to authenticity, opting to record the entire album live in the studio. Despite finding the process “scary and intimidating,” he recognized the positive outcomes of his nerves, resulting in music that he describes as perfect for enjoying with a chilled martini. “I’m a guy who’s just intent upon squeezing every drop of juice out of this ride,” he said.

“Creating this record was about making something people could enjoy while cooking or relaxing,” he explained. Drawing inspiration from artists like Rod Stewart and Michael Bublé, as well as classic figures like Sinatra and Dean Martin, Marx initially hesitated to pursue a project centered on covers. However, after realizing he could pen original material, he embraced the challenge of writing songs that felt like they belonged in the era of 1948.

Marx revealed that most of the songs were composed during long hikes, where he believes inspiration lies in nature. One standout track is “Magic Hour,” co-written with Fuentes. The idea sparked during a walk when Marx sought to create an original piece akin to Dean Martin’s “Sway.” The melody came to him, but the lyrics took time. While in Australia on tour, he and Fuentes completed the song’s lyrics while enjoying a beach day, with her contributions being key to the song’s development.

“I love her honest feedback,” Marx noted, explaining that she offers constructive criticism, which pushes him to improve his work.

“After celebrating our 10th anniversary, we still love being together,” he shared, noting that they rarely spend more than two weeks apart. Their strong bond is evident, even as Marx discusses his three sons, Brandon, Lucas, and Jesse, from his previous marriage. He expressed pride in their individual musical journeys, yet recognized the challenges posed by the industry that may tempt them to set aside their ambitions.

Reflecting on his own family’s musical legacy, Marx mentioned his late father, Dick Marx, a jazz pianist, and his mother, a big band singer. He fondly recalled moments during the album sessions when he felt an intense connection to his parents, regretting they couldn’t witness the project firsthand.

Collaborations also played a significant role in this album. Notably, actor John Stamos contributed conga rhythms after expressing enthusiasm for the project. “He just played and let loose,” Marx recalled, showing appreciation for Stamos’s talents.

Finally, Marx discussed his journey from feeling pigeonholed as a balladeer to embracing his diverse musical identity. As he reflects on his career, the changes in personal perspective have allowed him to appreciate the privilege of impacting new generations with his songs now almost four decades old.

He concluded with gratitude for the many talents that joined him on this album, affirming his enjoyment of the collaborative spirit throughout the process.

Richard Marx performing in Australia in December 2024.

Ashley Mar