Fans of One Direction woke up on Thursday to the shocking news of band member Liam Payne’s death after a fall from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The 31-year-old was part of the famed quintet of Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan who took the world by storm with their songs of teenage love and longing in the mid-2010s. Liam was a singer and songwriter in the British band who had a flourishing career as a solo artist after One Direction members parted ways in 2016.
The X-Factor that changed lives in many ‘Directions’
Born on August 29, 1993, Liam excelled in cross-country running and boxing, and studied music technology at the City of Wolverhampton College.
Liam Payne in 2010 (source: X)
In the fall of 2010, Liam was one of five young boys who stepped onto The X Factor stage as individual contestants, each hoping to make their mark. But little did they know that their paths were about to intertwine, and together they would embark on a journey that would define an era. Liam, who was 16 then, was picked along with Harry, Niall, Zayn and Louis by Simon Cowell, and One Direction was born.
Becoming a global sensation
Although One Direction finished third in The X Factor, they had already won the admiration of millions. In 2011, they launched their debut single, What Makes You Beautiful, which quickly took the No. 1 spot in the UK and became an anthem celebrating teenage hope and romance.
Shortly thereafter, their first album, Up All Night, debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, quite a feat for a British artist's initial release. In the next five years, the band released five albums—Take Me Home (2012), Midnight Memories (2013), Four (2014), and Made in the A.M. (2015)—all of which achieved No. 1 status in numerous countries. With each album, their musical style evolved, transitioning from pop to rock and indie elements.
During his time with the group, Liam was frequently acknowledged as the most 'responsible' member among the four. He also contributed to the songwriting of several hit tracks for the band, including Midnight Memories, Story of My Life, Change Your Ticket, and Night Changes.
Directioners and the breakup
One Direction shot to superstardom performing sold-out world tours, with the Where We Are Tour in 2014 being one of the highest-grossing of all time. The band won seven Brit Awards, seven American Music Awards (including Artist of the Year twice), four MTV Video Music Awards, and six Billboard Music Awards, and their fans — called the ‘Directioners’ — were a force to reckon with.
In March 2015, Zayn Malik left the band but the others continued and released their first album Made in the A.M. without Zayn. A year later, the rest of the members decided to go on an indefinite break with their last song History.
Liam’s solo career
In 2017, Liam released his first single Strip That Down (featuring Quavo) as a solo artist, reflecting a more mature side. The song became a massive hit, peaking at No. 3 in the UK and No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. His debut album, LP1 (2019), continued this journey of exploration, blending pop, R&B and electronic influences. Songs like For You with Rita Ora and Familiar with J Balvin showcased his versatility and willingness to experiment with different genres.
