But back then, neither name had much stock on a national level — John Legend still was finalizing his record deal with Columbia Records; John Stephens was a high school salutatorian, prom king and Ivy League grad who could’ve led a comfortable life as a business consultant.
That all changed on Dec. 28, 2004, when Legend dropped his debut, “Get Lifted.” (It went platinum, as did his 2006 follow-up, “Once Again.” His third album, last fall’s “Evolver,” has so far gone gold.)
He’s gone on to win six Grammys.
Legend’s current tour doesn’t lead home, but it does head to Cincinnati Friday, July 31, as part of the two-day Macy’s Music Festival.
If this were the TV-news business, we’d be able to brag that we told you about John Legend first — that we’re the coverage you can count on, blah, blah, blah.
But to mark John Stephens’ first five years as John Legend, we’ll just let him tell it like it was.
Here’s the story so far in his own words.
On his roots at El Bethel Temple and North High:
• “It taught you to play anything. Old ladies will just start singing and you have to follow. The spirit in the church is very improvisational. Creatively, that’s the feeling you want. You go where the spirit leads you.” (May 2004)
• “I used to be the worst dancer in the show choir. I was one of the only black kids in the choir and still couldn’t dance.” (November 2004)
On getting his start as a piano player and singer for Kanye West, who first made his name as a producer:
• “Alicia Keys was skeptical because she didn’t know me. But Kanye said, ‘You have to get my singer in here. He’s got a real old soul sound.’ He called and said, ‘You have to get to the studio right away.’ I was at home, but it’s Alicia Keys for God’s sake.” (May 2004)
• “Being with Kanye over the past year, I’ve been able to see what it looks like. I’m not yet famous. If it comes, hopefully I’ll be able to handle it graciously.” (October 2004)
On his own music:
• “I was going for a mixture of things: old soul, hip-hop and gospel. I think people will hear it. I really believe in it.” (October 2004)
• “We’ve got to keep challenging the radio. And right now, we have to lead instead of follow.” (August 2006, speaking about “Save Room,” the lead single from his second album.)
• “Music is retro almost by definition. We always put our own, new twist on it, but clearly, artists of today are influenced by artists from the past. Maybe mine’s been more explicit. There’s only so much under the sun you can do that’s new.” (October 2008)
On the path to stardom:
• “I feel we’re on the brink of a lot of good things. There’s quite a bit of excitement. Not as hyped as a 50 Cent or Eminem record but hopefully I can live up to the hype.” (October 2004)
• “I’m not nervous, no. It feels right. It feels like it was preordained.” (October 2004)
• “See it while you can for $10.” (November 2004, speaking before a self-booked show at North High on Thanksgiving Day in which he previewed songs from “Get Lifted.”)
On that lofty stage name:
• “I used to not introduce myself as that. Now it’s who I am as an artist. But I still sign my checks as Stephens and still receive my checks as Stephens. Legend. To earn the name, you have to stick around for a while.” (November 2004)
On success:
• “I got turned down by every label. Every record label, including the one I’m signed to. They know, but the person who was in charge isn’t there anymore. But I have to rub it in, though.” (April 2005)
• “I don’t really buy a lot of clothes or jewelry or anything. I don’t have any jewelry except a nice watch that I didn’t even pay for. I support my family as much as possible, so they probably get as much money as anybody does.” (July 2005)
• “They want me to stay morally grounded. They know there’s a lot going on. They want me to not forget about how they raised me and who I am inside. I appreciate that. It’s good for me to hear.” (July 2005, speaking about his parents.)
• “At 27, it’s kind of weird to have people come celebrate me.” (July 2006, speaking about “John Legend Day,” a gathering of fans from across the country in Springfield.)
• “Yes, that’s my crowning achievement. It’s good to know that women, you know, think of me as an ideal candidate for husband. I meet a lot of women. It seems like they’re a lot more interested in me than they used to be.” (July 2005, in response to being named one of People magazine’s 50 hottest bachelors.)
On his 2005 Summer Arts Festival show before a record crowd estimated at 20,000:
• “When I heard the roar of the crowd even before I walked on, I got chills.” (July 2005)
On his first Grammy nominations:
• “It just shows you hard work can pay off. It makes you believe there’s some kind of justice.” (December 2005)
On winning the Grammy for best new artist:
• “The new artist award is not a curse. It’s actually stupid to say it’s a curse. I don’t mean to denigrate all the people who’ve said it, but if you just think about it, you’re saying if it’s a curse, that means it’s better that you don’t win than if you do win. I’ll take my chances with the ones that have won, like Mariah Carey, The Beatles and Alicia Keys.” (May 2006)
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