In an insightful new interview with AZ Central, Keith Urban opened up about an interesting piece of his past— his decision to leave high school for good at the tender age of 15.
The country superstar explained his unusual path, “I was in public school and the curriculum was super basic. I was already playing in a band on the weekends and the band would play during the week without me. I said to my mom, ‘If I wasn’t in school, I could be playing five, six nights a week, earning really good money playing four hours a night, getting amazing experience. Obviously, this is what I’m going to be doing my whole life. I’ve been doing this since I was 7. I’m 15 now. I’d really like to quit school.’”
Surprisingly enough, Keith’s parents Marienne and Bob went along with their musically gifted son’s assessment. But his mother did have one request, that Keith stick it out until the end of the Australian school year so he could at least earn his junior certificate. He obliged.
Now that he’s the father of two daughters with wife Nicole Kidman, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, he makes sure they know his stance, “I’ve got kids now and they’re in school. And look, I’ve got nothing against school. Good lord. I always have to put it in perspective.”
Obviously being a well-known guitar prodigy in his home country helped him reach stardom. Education, especially music education in public schools, is something Urban is truly passionate about.
Enjoy the video below of a 16-year-old Keith Urban competing on the Australian TV talent show New Faces in 1983. He performed Air Supply’s “All Out of Love” and received mixed reviews from the judging panel.
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