Lenny Kravitz
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Lenny Kravitz is an American rock singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist who rose to fame via his album, Let The Love Rule.
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[edit] About
Lenny Kravitz was born on May 26, 1964 at New York, New York to "Sy Kravitz" who works as a television executive and free-lance music promoter and "Roxie Roxer" who is an actress. In 1980, he and his family moved to California. He studied how to play bass, piano, drums and guitar. Lenny became a member of the California Boys Choir. He studied in Beverly High School and used to perform at their stage under the name, Romeo Blue.
In the late 80's Lenny returned to New York City to pursue his musical career. One of his roommates, Lisa Bonet turned out to be an actress, a mainstay of the top rating comedy show The Cosby Show. They got married. In 1988, Lenny signed a recording contract under Virgin Records. In 1989, he released his debut album, Let Love Rule which was a minor hit. His second single, "I Build This Garden For Us" reached number 25 at Billboard charts.
In 1990, Lenny got his recognition when Madonna reached number one with a cover version of Lenny's song, "Justify My Love" on her Immaculate Collection album. In that same year, Lenny's marriage to Lisa has been ended. In 1991, he released his second album, Mama Said which reached the top 40 of the Billboard charts. It features his hit single, "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" which reached number 2 on the Billboard charts.
In 1993, his album, Are You Gonna Go My Way was released. The album reached number 21 on the Billboard charts. In 1995, he released his album, Circus which reached number 10 on the Billboard chart. In 2000, he released a compilation album and proved to be his most successful album when it reached number 2 on the Billboard charts and went triple platinum. In 2001, he released his sixth album, Lenny. The album reached number 12 on the Billboard charts.
In 2003, he released a single, "We Want Peace" as a protest against the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The single reached number 1 on the world internet downloads charts. In that same year, he worked with Michael Jackson on a song entitled, "Another Day". In 2004, he released his seventh album, Baptism. The album debuted at number 14 on Billboard charts. His single, "Lady" went gold. In 2006, his latest single "From The Bottom of My Heart" was released. This is Lenny's charity single for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The song was composed by Michael Jackson.
[edit] Awards & Certifications
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Male Video |
| 1994 | BRIT Awards | Best Male Artist |
| 1998 | Grammy Awards | Best Male Rock Vocal Performance For Fly Away |
| 1998 | VH1 Award | Most Fashionable Male Artist |
| 1999 | Grammy Awards | Best Male Rock Vocal Performance For American Woman |
| 2000 | Grammy Awards | Best Male Rock Vocal Performance For Again |
| 2001 | Grammy Awards | Best Male Rock Vocal Performance For Dig In |
| 2001 | Radio Music Awards | Artist of The Year |
| 2001 | Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | Favorite Male Artist |
| 2002 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Pop Artist |
Certifications
| Year | Album | RIAA Certification |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 5 | Certified 2x Platinum |
[edit] Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | US Charts | UK Charts | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Let Love Rule | 89 | 39 | Let Love Rule |
| 1991 | It Ain't Over Til It's Over | 2 | 11 | Mama Said |
| 1993 | Are You Gonna Go My Way | 12 | 4 | Are You Gonna Go My Way |
| 1993 | Believe | 60 | 30 | Are You Gonna Go My Way |
| 1998 | Fly | 12 | 1 | 5 |
[edit] News
[edit] Tours & Concerts
2008 Tours
January 29, 2008 Electric Factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
January 31, 2008 Orpheum Theatre, Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
February 1, 2008 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, New York, U.S.A.
[edit] Announcements
Watch out for Lenny's new Album, It Is Time for a Love Revolution which will be out at all record stores on February 5, 2008.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
 September 1, 1989 Virgin |
 April 2, 1991 Virgin |
 November 22, 1993 Virgin |
 September 12, 1995 Virgin |
 May 12, 1998 Virgin |
 October 30, 2001 Virgin |
 May 18, 2004 Virgin |
 February 5, 2008 Virgin |
[edit] Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Let Love Rule | Virgin |
| 1989 | Be | Virgin |
| 1989 | I Build This Garden For Us | Virgin |
| 1989 | Mr. Cab Driver | Virgin |
| 1991 | Always on The Run | Virgin |
| 1991 | Stop Draggin Around | Virgin |
| 1991 | It Ain't Over Til It's Over | Virgin |
| 1991 | Stand By My Woman | Virgin |
| 1993 | Are You Gonna Go My Way | Virgin |
| 1993 | Believe | Virgin |
| 1993 | Is There Any Love in Your Heart | Virgin |
| 1995 | Rock and Roll is Dead | Virgin |
| 1995 | Circus | Virgin |
| 1996 | Can't Get You Off My Mind | Virgin |
| 1998 | If You Can't Say No | Virgin |
| 1998 | I Belong To You | Virgin |
| 1998 | Fly Away | Virgin |
| 1998 | Thinking of You | Virgin |
| 2001 | Dig In | Virgin |
| 2002 | Stillness of Heart | Virgin |
| 2002 | Believe In Me | Virgin |
| 2002 | If I Could Fall In Love | Virgin |
| 2004 | Where Are You Runnin? | Virgin |
| 2004 | California | Virgin |
| 2004 | Lady | Virgin |
[edit] Compilations & Live Releases
 October 24, 2000 |
 2004 |
[edit] Other artists
[edit] Similar artists
[edit] Contemporaries
[edit] Influences
[edit] Trivia
- Lenny Kravitz appeared on an episode of The Simpsons along with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Tom Petty, Elvis Costello and more.
- Lenny is a big fan of the jam band Phish, and has been seen several times at Phish concerts in the United States.
