Passenger: 'Ed Sheeran Changed My Life'

Passenger rocked the stage at Hard Rock Calling in the Olympic Park last weekend, and has admitted that if it had not been for Ed Sheeran, his career would have been very different.

Passenger, whose real name is Mike Rosenberg, spoke to Absolute Radio's Sarah Champion in the Hard Rock VIP area, where he gushed about Ed: "We've been mates for about five years. We met when we were on the same nill at a local gig and really liked what each other were doing. When Ed got massive, he took me on tour with him and changed my life. I love him, he's a wonderful guy."

It hasn't been all high flying for the Let Her Go singer, however, as he talks about the split between himself and his bandmates, who previously made up Passenger. The singer said: "I did part with my band and it was a sad time. Not being able to see my best mates day in and day out was tough and I took it badly."

Despite this, Passenger admits that it may have been for the best: "Professionally I suppose it was a good decision but at least I still see the guys back in Brighton. They're all doing their own music projects and everything is totally cool between us."

Passenger is looking to the future, and cannot contain his excitement about his unexpected success. The singer expressed his surprise at his spring to success after releasing hit single Let Her Go. The folk-rocker said: "I was just strolling along playing small gigs in little pubs and bars and busking, and then wrote this tune and it's been massive. It's been quite a shock really."

And the surreal moments just keep rolling in for this cheeky chappy, as he's been fibbing to his mates about who he has been performing with. The one-man-band told Absolute Radio 'I've been telling all my mates, 'Yeah I'm supporting Bruce Springsteen, no big deal'. That's not true but it's a nice lie to tell. I do a cover of Dancing In The Dark and it's just such an incredible lyric so can't wait to hear Bruce play it."

He's not the only act at the event to be excited about Bruce, as budding folk star Lissie also admitted to Absolute Radio: "I absolutely love Bruce Springsteen. I'm going to hang outside his dressing room pretending to smoke a cigarette and see if I can start a conversation."

US Rockers Alabama Shakes also proclaimed their love for 'The Boss', with the leader singer Brittany Howard claiming: "He's the only reason we came!"

To listen to Festival Highlights and watch exclusive interviews visit www.absoluteradio.co.uk/live

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