Gwen Stefani
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Gwen Stefani – a young, energetic, song-writer, former lead vocalist for the Grammy winners, No Doubt, a successful solo performer, a proud parent and the loving wife of Bush’s front man, Gavin Rossdale. She also has her own clothing line – L.A.M.B. A self-proclaimed Sound of Music fanatic who brought a girly but powerful spark in the music industry.
Contents |
About
Gwen Renee Stefani was born on October 3, 1969 under the sign of Libra. She grew up with brothers Todd and Eric Stefani where they were raised by their parents Dennis and Patti in Southern California. She finished high school and followed up her studies at the Cal State Fullerton College. Gwen Stefani has been a long time ska music fan at a young age but she never dreamed of becoming a celebrity. She only wants a simple life in the future because relationship was her passion. Not until she discovered she could write songs that, her life changed. She joined her brother Eric, when he formed a band while still in college. The band has been successful until 2000. During the span of time, she was romantically linked with her bandmate bassist, Tony Kanal for 8 years and then after, with the lead vocalist of Bush, Gavin Rossdale for five years before they got married.
With the release of Love. Angel. Music. Baby and her sophomore effort The Sweet Escape, which peaked at number 3 in the US Billboard 200 chart, her enthusiasm will undoubtedly spread to audiences worldwide.
The Past: No Doubt
Gwen was highly influenced by ska and punk music as it raises popularity in California; that when her brother, Eric Stefani, formed a band with his friend John Spence in 1987, she was more than ready. She shared lead vocals with Spence and a little later Adrian Young, Tom Dumont and Tony Kanal, whom she dated for 8 years, joined the group. But in that same year, John Spence committed suicide, leaving Gwen to move ranks as the band’s lead vocalist. After gaining popularity by performing in local gigs, Flea ( bassist of Red Hot Chilli Peppers ) recorded a demo in 1990 which landed them a recording contract with Interscope Records.
No Doubt released their self-titled album in 1992 and followed by their sophomore album The Beacon Street Collection in 1995. But the fruit of their efforts came as they released on the same year their higely successful third album, Tragic Kingdom only this one her brother Eric left to be an animator on The Simpsons. The third album earned them a Grammy nomination and hit #1 spot on the US Billboard charts. Another full-length album was released in 2000, Return of Saturn, which was also the band’s last.
The Present
Gwen Stefani has been recording outside the band where she collaborated with Eve for the award-winning song, Let Me Blow Ya Mind before she released her solo debut album Love. Angel. Music. Baby on November 2004 worldwide. It debuted in the Billboard 200 albums at number 7. In early 2005, it had major success over the different charts across the world, including Australia and Mexico, where it became the highest-selling English album for more than a month. Gwen collaborated with a couple of artists in the album, including The Neptunes, Eve and Linda Perryof 4 Non Blondes.
What You Waiting For is the first single released from the album which has a top twenty success across Europe, Asia and Australia. The second single released from the album is a duet with rapper, Eve, Rich Girl. The single is an adaptation of the 1990’s pop song by Louchie Lou and Michie, which also proved successful on several hit charts. Her 1st single that reached number 1 in the US charts is Hollaback Girl. Cool was released shortly following the popularity of its predecessor as the album’s fourth single. But the fifth single released off the album, Luxurious did not perform as well as its predecessors.
Awards and Certifications
Awards Won
| Year | Category | Single |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Meteor Ireland Music Award | Best International Female |
| 2005 | Glamour Award | International Solo Artist of the Year for "Hollaback" |
| 2005 | Teen Choice Award | Choice Music Breakout, Female |
| 2005 | Teen Choice Award | Choice Music Collaboration for "Rich Girl" shared with Eve |
| 2005 | International Dance Music Award | Best Alternative/Rock Dance Track for "What You Waiting For" |
| 2005 | World Music Award | World's Best Selling New Female Artist |
| 2005 | American Music Award | Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist |
| 2005 | Billboard Music Award | New Artist of the Year |
| 2005 | Billboard Music Award | Digital Song of the Year for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2005 | XM Nation Music Award | Best Solo Career |
| 2005 | MuchMusic Video Award | Favourite International Artist for "Rich Girl" |
| 2005 | ShockWaves NME Award | Sexiest Woman |
| 2005 | Brit Award | Best International Female Solo Artist |
| 2005 | MTV Australian Video Music Award | Best Dressed Video for "What You Waiting For" |
| 2004 | California Music Award | Outstanding Female Vocalist |
| 2003 | California Music Award | Outstanding Female Vocalist |
| 2002 | Grammy Award | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" shared with Eve |
| 2001 | My VH1 Music Award | My Favorite Female Artist |
| 2001 | VH1/Vogue Fashion Award | Rock Style for "Southside" shared with Moby |
| 2001 | MTV Video Music Award | Best Male Video for "South Side" shared with Moby |
| 2001 | MTV Video Music Award | Best Female Video for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" shared with Eve |
| 2001 | Teen Choice Award | Choice R&B/Hip Hop Track for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" shared with Eve |
| 2001 | Visionary Video Award | for "Southside" shared with Moby |
| 2000 | Bay Area Music Award | Best Female Vocalist |
Nominations
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | MTV Video Music Award Japan | Best Pop Video for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2006 | Grammy Award | Record of the Year for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2006 | Grammy Award | Album of the Year for Love. Angel. Music. Baby |
| 2006 | Grammy Award | Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2006 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Album for Love. Angel. Music. Baby |
| 2006 | World Music Award | World's Best Pop/Rock Artist for "What You Waiting For" |
| 2006 | Grammy Award | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Rich Girl" shared with Eve |
| 2006 | People's Choice Award | Favorite Female Performer |
| 2006 | Juno Award | International Album of the Year for Love. Angel. Music. Baby |
| 2006 | Blimp Award | Favorite Song for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2006 | ECHO Award | International Pop/Rock Female Artist of the Year for "[[Love. Angel. Music. Baby]]" |
| 2006 | Soul Train Music Award | Best R&B/Soul or Rap Dance Cut for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2006 | Soul Train Music Award | Best R&B/Soul Single, Female for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2005 | Radio Music Award | Artist of the Year/ Mainstream Hit Radio |
| 2005 | Billboard Music Award | Hot 100 Song of the Year for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2005 | American Music Award | Artist of the Year |
| 2005 | Vibe Award | Hottest Hook for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2005 | Vibe Award | Club Banger for "Can I Have It Like That" shared with Pharrell Williams |
| 2005 | MTV Europe Music Award | Best Pop Act |
| 2005 | Grammy Award | Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "What You Waiting For?" |
| 2005 | MuchMusic Video Award | Best International Video (Artist) for "What You Waiting For?" |
| 2005 | TRL's 1st Lady Award | |
| 2005 | Roc the Mic Award | Best Performance for "What You Waiting For" |
| 2005 | MTV Video Music Award | Best Female Video for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2005 | MTV Video Music Award | Best Pop Video for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2005 | MTV Video Music Award | Video of the Year for "Hollaback Girl" |
| 2005 | MTV Europe Music Award | Best Album for Love. Angel. Music. Baby |
| 2005 | Actor Award | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for The Aviator (2004) shared with Alan Alda; Alec Baldwin; Kate Beckinsale |
| 2005 | MTV Europe Music Award | Best Video for "What You Waiting For?" |
| 2005 | MTV Europe Music Award | Best Female Act |
| 2005 | Q Award | Best Video for "What You Waiting For" |
| 2005 | World Music Award | World's Best Selling Pop/Rock Artist |
| 2001 | MTV Video Music Award | Viewer's Choice for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" shared with Eve |
| 2001 | MTV Video Music Award | Best Hip-Hop Video for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" shared with Eve |
Chart Toppers
| Year | Single | U.S. | CAN | U.K. | AUS | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | What You Waiting For? | 47 | 24 | 4 | 1 | Love. Angel. Music. Baby |
| 2004 | Rich Girl (Ft. Eve) | 7 | 12 | 4 | 2 | Love. Angel. Music. Baby |
| 2005 | Hollaback Girl | 1 | 12 | 8 | 1 | Love. Angel. Music. Baby |
| 2005 | Cool | 13 | 1 | 11 | 10 | Love. Angel. Music. Baby |
| 2005 | Luxurious | 21 | 10 | 44 | 25 | Love. Angel. Music. Baby |
| 2007 | Wind It Up | 6 | 3 | 5 | The Sweet Escape | |
| 2007 | The Sweet Escape | 2 | 2 | 2 | The Sweet Escape | |
| 2007 | 4 In The Morning | 60 | 22 | 9 | The Sweet Escape |
Tours & Concerts
The Sweet Escape Tour 2007
- Phoenix, Arizona, USA Cricket Pavilion
- San Diego, California, USA Coors Amphitheatre
- Fresno, California, USA Save Mart Center
- Bakersfield, California United States Rabobank Arena
- Las Vegas, Nevada United States MGM Grand Garden Arena
- Salt Lake City, Utah United States The "E" Center
- Denver, Colorado United States Pepsi Center
- Albuquerque, New Mexico United States Journal Pavilion
- Dallas, Texas United States Smirnoff Music Centre
- Houston, Texas United States Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
- Tampa, Florida United States Ford Amphitheatre
- West Palm Beach, Florida United States Sound Advice Amphitheatre
- Atlanta, Georgia United States HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
- Charlotte, North Carolina United States Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
- Raleigh, North Carolina United States Alltel Pavilion
- Virginia Beach, Virginia United States Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
- Washington, D.C. United States Nissan Pavilion
- Holmdel, New Jersey United States PNC Bank Arts Center
- Wantagh, New York United States Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre
- Uncasville, Connecticut United States Mohegan Sun Arena
- Boston, Massachusetts United States Tweeter Center
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States Tweeter Center at The Waterfront
- Atlantic City, New Jersey United States Borgata Hotel and Casino
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania United States Post-Gazette Pavilion
- Montreal, Quebec Canada Bell Centre
- Toronto, Ontario Canada Air Canada Centre
- Detroit, Michigan United States Palace of Auburn Hills
- Indianapolis, Indiana United States Verizon Wireless Music Center
- Omaha, Nebraska United States Qwest Center
- Saint Paul, Minnesota United States Xcel Energy Center
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin United States Bradley Center
- Chicago, Illinois United States First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
- Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada MTS Centre
- Edmonton, Alberta Canada Rexall Place
- Calgary, Alberta Canada Pengrowth Saddledome
- Vancouver, British Columbia Canada General Motors Place
- Seattle, Washington United States White River Amphitheatre
- Sacramento, California United States Sleep Train Amphitheatre
- San Francisco, California United States Shoreline Amphitheatre
- Irvine, California United States Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Announcements
In addition to her new album, she will also be releasing a two version DVD of her recent tour entitled "Harajuku Lovers Live", will be released along with The Sweet Escape. The versions are: explicit and edited and will include the unreleased video for "Serious".
Discography
Albums
 November 22, 2004 Interscope |
 December 05, 2006 Interscope |
Official Singles
 September 28, 2004 Interscope Records |
 December 14, 2004 Interscope Records |
 April 05, 2005 Interscope Records |
 May 01, 2005 Interscope Records |
 October 01, 2005 Interscope Records |
 October 31, 2006 Interscope Records |
 January 01, 2006 Interscope Records |
 June 21, 2007 Interscope Records |
 September 17, 2007 Interscope Records |
 October 01, 2007 Interscope Records Europe Only |
Promo singles
 January 01, 2006 Interscope Records North America only |
 November 05, 2006 Interscope Records |
Compilations & Live Releases
 2005 Vitamin Records |
 December 5, 2006 Interscope Records |
Other artists
Similar artists
Influences
Contemporaries
Trivia
- Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale had two weddings held in the UK and US on September 14, 2002 and again on September 28, 2002.
- The lyrical content of the song Hollaback Girl features the word "shit" thirty-seven times.
- The music video for Cool depicts Stefani's former relationshiip with No Doubt's bass guitarist, Tony Kanal.
- She's so obsessed with Sound of Music that she's re-creating scenes from the film in her Wind It Up video.
