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Avril Lavigne
Background information
Birth name Avril Ramona Lavigne
Born September 27, 1984 (1984-09-27) (age 22)
Origin Flag of Ontario Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Genre(s) Punk-pop, rock pop, alternative pop-rock, rock, post-grunge, teen
pop
Occupation(s) Singer, musician, songwriter, actor, model
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar, piano, drums
Years active 2002–present
Label(s) Sony BMG/Arista, RCA
Associated
acts Sum 41, The Black List Club
Website AvrilLavigne.com
Avril Ramona Lavigne Whibley[1] (born September 27, 1984) is a Canadian rock
singer and musician. She has sold over twenty-six million albums worldwide.
In 2006, Canadian Business Magazine ranked her the seventh most powerful
Canadian in Hollywood.[2]
Although her parents are of French origin, she does not speak French[3] and
her name is usually pronounced in an anglicized way as /ˈævrəl ləˈviːn/"La-Veen"
(in French it is commonly pronounced /aˈvʁil laˈviːɲ/ (help·info)). Avril is
French for "April", while la vigne means "the vine" or "the vineyard".
Lavigne's debut album, Let Go, was released in 2002. Her second and third
albums, Under My Skin (2004) and The Best Damn Thing (2007), respectively,
reached number one on the U.S. Billboard 200. Lavigne has scored three
number one songs worldwide to date and a total of nine top ten hits,
including "Complicated", "Sk8er Boi", "I'm with You", "My Happy Ending",
"Nobody's Home", "Keep Holding On", and "Girlfriend".
Background
Avril Lavigne was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada,[4][5] to a
French-born father, John, and a Franco-Ontarian[6] mother, Judy. Both
parents are Catholic and she had a Catholic upbringing.[7] Avril's musical
talent was first spotted at the age of two when her mother says Avril began
singing along with her on church songs. The family moved to Napanee,
Ontario, when Lavigne was five years old.
In 1998, Lavigne won a competition to sing with fellow Canadian singer
Shania Twain on her first major concert tour. She appeared alongside Twain
at her concert in Ottawa, appearing on stage to sing "What Made You Say
That".
She was discovered by her first professional manager, Cliff Fabri, while
singing country covers at a Chapters bookstore in Kingston, Ontario.[4]
During a performance with the Lennox Community Theatre, Lavigne was spotted
by local folk singer Steve Medd (a relation of the influential Canadian
journalist, Ben Medd), who invited her to sing on his song "Touch the Sky"
for his 1999 album Quinte Spirit. She also sang on "Temple of Life" and "Two
Rivers" for his follow up album, My Window to You, in 2000.[4]
At the age of sixteen she was signed by Ken Krongard, the
artists-and-repertoire (A&R) representative of Arista Records, who invited
the head of Arista, Antonio "L.A." Reid, to hear her sing at the New York
City studio of producer Peter Zizzo.[4] She then completed work on her first
album.
Music career
Let Go (2002–2004)
Let Go was released on June 4, 2002 in the United States, reaching number
two there and number one in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This
made Lavigne the youngest female soloist to have a number-one album in the
UK up until that time.[8]
Just over one month after its release, "Let Go" reached multi-platinum
status in late-August,[9] and was certified triple platinum two weeks
after.[10] Before the end of 2002, just six months after its debut, it was
certified four times platinum by the RIAA.[11] It sold a total of 13,197,000
copies worldwide. It was the best selling album of the year for a female
artist and for a debut album in 2002.[12]
Four singles from the album were released. "Complicated" went to number one
in Australia, while reaching number two on the U.S. Hot 100, and it was one
of the best-selling Canadian singles of 2002. Lavigne tied a record set by
Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn" when "Complicated" held the number one spot on
the contemporary hit radio chart (which tracks air play on the radio) for
eleven weeks in a row.[13] "Sk8er Boi" reached the top ten in the U.S. and
Australia, "I'm with You" reached the top ten in the U.S and the UK, and
"Losing Grip" reached the top ten in Taiwan, and the top twenty in Chile.
Lavigne was named "Best New Artist" at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, won
four Juno Awards in 2003 (out of six nominations), received a World Music
Award for "World's Best-Selling Canadian Singer", and was nominated for
eight Grammy Awards, including "Song of the Year" for "Complicated" and
"Best New Artist".
Under My Skin (2004–2005)
Lavigne's second album, Under My Skin, was released on May 25, 2004, in the
U.S. It debuted at number one in the U.S., the UK, Germany, Japan,
Australia, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Ireland, Thailand, Korea and
Hong Kong and sold more than 380,000 copies in the U.S. in its first
week.[14] Lavigne wrote most of the album with Canadian singer-songwriter
Chantal Kreviazuk, though some tracks were co-written by Ben Moody (formerly
of Evanescence), Butch Walker of Marvellous 3, and her former lead guitarist
Evan Taubenfeld. Kreviazuk's husband, Our Lady Peace front man Raine Maida,
co-produced the album with Butch Walker and Don Gilmore.
Lead single "Don't Tell Me" went to number one in Argentina and Mexico, the
top five in the UK and Canada, and the top ten in Australia and Brazil. "My
Happy Ending" reached the top ten in the U.S. and was her third-biggest hit
there, but third single "Nobody's Home" did not make the top forty. The
fourth single from the album, "He Wasn't", reached top forty positions in
the UK and Australia, and was not released in the U.S.[15] "Fall to Pieces"
was released as the final single from the album, but did not do as well as
previous singles.
Lavigne won two World Music Awards in 2004 for "World's Best Pop/Rock
Artist" and "World's Best-Selling Canadian Artist". She received five Juno
Award nominations in 2005, picking up three, including "Fan Choice Award",
"Artist of the Year", and "Pop Album of the Year". She won the award for
"Favourite Female Singer" at the eighteenth Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice
Awards.[16] Lavigne co-wrote "Breakaway" with Matthew Gerard, which was
recorded by Kelly Clarkson for the soundtrack to the film The Princess
Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004).[17] "Breakaway" was later included on
Clarkson's second album, Breakaway, being released as the album's first
single. The song peaked inside the U.S. top ten and provided Clarkson with a
substantial hit.
Lavigne went on a "Live and by Surprise" twenty-one city mall-tour in the
U.S. and Canada, starting on March 4, 2004, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to
promote Under My Skin. Each performance consisted of a short live acoustic
set of songs from the new album. She was accompanied by her guitarist, Evan
Taubenfeld. The venue in each city was not announced until forty-eight hours
before the show. The tour was very popular and was successful in promoting
the album. The set at Indianapolis on March 25, 2004, at Glendale mall
included "He Wasn't", "My Happy Ending", "Don't Tell Me", "Take Me Away",
"Nobody's Home", "Sk8er Boi", and "Complicated". Selections of this tour
were released on the Avril Lavigne Live Acoustic EP, which was released in
U.S. Target stores.
Lavigne was touring throughout most of 2005, and pursuing her acting and
modelling careers. She represented Canada at the closing ceremony of the
2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, performing her song "Who Knows" during
the eight minutes of the Vancouver 2010 portion.[18]
The Best Damn Thing (2006–present)
Lavigne's third album, The Best Damn Thing, was released on April 17, 2007
and debuted at number one in the U.S. The album was produced by Dr. Luke,
Lavigne's husband Deryck Whibley, Rob Cavallo, Butch Walker and Lavigne.[19][20]
Travis Barker recorded drums for the record. The first single from the album
was "Girlfriend", which became Lavigne's first single to reach number one on
the Billboard Hot 100. On Ryan Seacrest's radio show Lavigne said that "When
You're Gone" would be the second single.
Lavigne has been doing a small tour to promote The Best Damn Thing, with
tickets available only to members of her fan club. She began the tour in
Calgary, Alberta, and played for a crowd of around two hundred. This show
was aired on television on April 2, 2007, on the CBC Network.
Lavigne recorded a cover of the John Lennon song "Imagine" as her
contribution to the album Instant Karma: Save Darfur.[21]
Film career
Lavigne made her film debut in the animated film Over the Hedge, which is
based on the comic strip of same name. She worked alongside William Shatner,
Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Wanda Sykes, Nick Nolte and Steve Carell. She
is also acting in the Richard Gere film The Flock,[22] as the girlfriend of
a crime suspect, and her third project is Fast Food Nation, based on her
favorite book. Lavigne wrote and recorded a new song titled "Keep Holding
On" with Dr. Luke, for the Eragon film soundtrack; it was included on her
third album, The Best Damn Thing. The song was released for digital download
on November 28, and made its worldwide debut on radio on November 17.[23] It
reached the top spot on the Canadian top twenty.
Lavigne made a cameo in the film Going the Distance and also appeared in an
episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, performing "Sk8er Boi" with her band.
Media image
The classification of Lavigne's style of music has been debated. All Music
Guide and other reviewers consider her "teen pop" or "adult/alternative
pop-rock". It is questioned whether her music style is punk. The reason for
the confusion appears to be for her punk-like appearance early in her
career, along with statements made by the songstress herself that she is "as
punk as they come". However, there have been several occasions where she has
stated "I'm not punk."[24] Lavigne told Vainquer Magazine in April 2005 that
she considered her music to be pop rock. Though she cites many early punk
bands and figures as influences (most notably Sid Vicious), her music has
little in common with 1970s punk.
Lavigne spoke about her new look in a September 2006 interview. She
explains, "When I was in high school I was a little shit, hanging out with
the guys, getting drunk, getting in fights, playing hockey. My band were all
guys, so I was only around guys, but when I got older I started being more
of a chick. I broke out on the scene looking like the 17-year-old that I
was. And from then to now I look really different—but that's called growing
up."[25]
On September 26, 2006, Lavigne was caught spitting on a photographer's face
outside Hyde nightclub in Los Angeles after the paparazzo caught her kissing
her husband Deryck Whibley in her car. On September 27, 2006, her
twenty-second birthday, Lavigne exited a club with her husband and a few
friends only to find herself surrounded by paparazzi and autograph-seekers.
She gave her autograph along with some profanity to the seekers. After she
got into her car, she leaned out the window and spat on the camera lens of
the nearest photographer.[26] Lavigne later issued a public apology for
spitting on the photographers, claiming "It's trying at best dealing with
their insistent intrusions. I meant no offense to my fans, whose
relationship I truly value."[27] No detailed explanation was offered for the
incident.
Lavigne appeared to pose topless in the June 2007 issue of U.S. magazine
Blender.[28] She later said to MTV that she was actually wearing a tubetop
and the magazine just covered it with the banner to make her look
topless.[29]
Personal life
It has been revealed that Lavigne is a vegetarian. In the January 2003 issue
of Seventeen magazine, she admitted to "snagging a bite of Matt's
cheeseburgers every now and again." Also in a recent interview, she said she
prefers not to eat meat, but will not say she's a vegetarian "in case anyone
caught her eating meat".[30] In an interview with the magazine live, it is
stated: "It goes without saying that Lavigne is a vegetarian".[cite this
quote]
As a teenager she would hang out at the La Pizzeria restaurant in Napanee,
Ontario. In her Under My Skin Bonez Documentary, she has stated that pizza
with olive toppings is her favourite food, although she doesn't eat it too
much because pizza is detrimental to her voice. Since her rise to fame, the
restaurant has named a pizza after Lavigne that contains her favourite
toppings and there is a guest book for fans to sign that Lavigne picks up
when she visits friends and family in her home town.[31]
Lavigne has a star tattooed on the inside of her left wrist that matches the
style of the one used for her first album artwork. It was created at the
same time as friend and musical associate Ben Moody's identical tattoo. In
late 2004, she had a small pink heart-shaped tattoo featuring the letter 'D'
applied to her right wrist — thought to be a reference to husband Deryck
Whibley, with whom she has bought a house in Bel-Air, previously owned by
another famous couple: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler.[32]
Lavigne was romantically linked to her former guitarist Jesse Colburn, but
despite rumors, she did not have a relationship with another former
guitarist, Evan Taubenfeld. However, Taubenfeld still considers Lavigne his
"dearest friend in the whole world" as said on a recent Q&A on his band's
official website. In a J-14 magazine from 2004, she talks about her first
kiss being when she was fourteen years old.[cite this quote]
In February 2004,[33] she began dating fellow Canadian singer Deryck Whibley,
the lead singer/guitarist of pop punk band Sum 41. On June 27, 2005, Lavigne
and Whibley became engaged.[33] Whibley proposed to Lavigne by surprising
her with a trip to Venice, a gondola ride, and then a romantic picnic.[33]
The couple married in a Catholic ceremony attended by about 110 guests on
July 15, 2006 at a private estate in the California coastal city of
Montecito.[34] When asked if they were ready for kids the couple said "not
right now but somewhere down the road."[35][36][37]
Charities
Lavigne has been involved in a number of charities, such as Make Some Noise,
Amnesty International, Camp Will-a-Way, Music Clearing Minefields, U.S.
Campaign for Burma, Make-a-Wish Foundation and War Child. She has also
appeared in ALDO ads with YouthAIDS to raise money to educate people
worldwide about HIV/AIDS. ALDO sells tags featuring the phrases "HEAR",
"SEE", and "SPEAK" and limited edition tote bags that are now being sold at
ALDO stores and online, to help fund YouthAIDS HIV-prevention initiatives
around the world.
Backing band
Current members
* Al Berry — bass guitar, backing vocals (2007–present)
* Rodney Howard — drums, percussion, backing vocals (2007-present)
* Stephen Anthony Ferlazzo Jr. — electronic keyboard, backing vocals
(2007–present)
* Jim McGorman — rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2007–present)
* Devin Bronson — lead guitar, backing vocals (2004–present)
* Sofia Toufa — backing vocals, dancer (2007–present)
* Lindsey Blaufarb — backing vocals, dancer (2007–present)
Past members
* Mark Spicoluk — bass guitar, backing vocals (April 2002–September 2002)
* Jesse Colburn — rhythm guitar (2002–October 2003)
* Evan Taubenfeld — lead guitar, backing vocals (2002–July 2004)
* Craig Wood — rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2003–January 2007)
* Matt Brann — drums, percussion (2002–February 2007)
* Charlie Moniz — bass guitar (2002–February 2007)
Discography
* Let Go (2002)
* Under My Skin (2004)
* The Best Damn Thing (2007)
Filmography
Year Film Role Other notes
2007 The Flock Beatrice Bell Girlfriend of crime suspect
2006 Over the Hedge Heather Voice
2006 Fast Food Nation Alice College activist
2004 Going the Distance Herself Cameo; performed "Losing Grip"
2002 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch[38] Herself Guest-star; performed "Sk8er Boi"
Notes
1. ^ She reports having taken her new husband's last name as a second
surname in various interviews, such as with The Independent on April 22,
2007, accessible online here
2. ^ Power players: Canada's top actors | Canadian Business Online. August
14, 2006. Retrieved June 27, 2007.
3. ^ Avril Lavigne takes on 7 languages for new single
4. ^ a b c d Thorley, Joe. Avril Lavigne The Unofficial Book, Virgin Books,
[2003]
5. ^ Izon, Lucy. At 13 Avril Lavigne won a radio contest to preform with
Shania Twain, Canda Cool (2006).
6. ^ http://german.imdb.com/name/nm1245099/bio
7. ^ WomanCelebs Biography
8. ^ Avril Lavigne at about.com
9. ^ "Let Go" reaching multi-platinum status at RIAA.com
10. ^ "Let Go" certified 3× platinum
11. ^ "Let Go", six months after release, certified 4× platinum
12. ^ "Let Go" - best selling album of the year
13. ^ "Complicated" tied Natalie Imbruglia's eleven week number-one record
14. ^ Under My Skin at Yahoo Music
15. ^ "He Wasn't" release info
16. ^ "Favourite Female Singer" at the Kids' Choice Awards
17. ^ The Princess Diaries 2 DVD extras.
18. ^ Closing ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics
19. ^ Third album at MTV News
20. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2006). Butch Walker Works With Avril, Hot Hot Heat, Says
Solo LP Won't Be 'Emo-Tastic' (jhtml). MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved on
2006-12-13.
21. ^ AvrilSpain.com News, June 9, 2007 [1]
22. ^ The Flock
23. ^ "Keep Holding On" at Lavigne's official site
24. ^ Boston Herald Music News
25. ^ Lavigne's glamourous new look
26. ^ Encounter with the paparazzi
27. ^ Avril apologises for paparazzi outburst
28. ^ Avril Lavigne Goes Topless
29. ^ Avril Lavigne Explains 'Topless' Magazine Cover, Says She Wants
'Darker' Film Roles
30. ^ January 2003 - Seventeen Magazine
31. ^ Home town pizza restaurant names pizza after Avril
32. ^ Avril Lavigne Buys 10-Bathroom Mansion People.com Retrieved on
05-15-07
33. ^ a b c Avril Lavigne engaged
34. ^ Avril Lavigne Weds SFgate.com
35. ^ Avril Lavigne weds her Sk8er Boi, Whibley
36. ^ Avril Lavigne Marries Sum 41 Frontman Deryck Whibley
37. ^ Yet Another Wedding
38. ^ Avril's appearance on Sabrina
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