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Annie Lennox
BORN: December 25, 1954
Annie Lennox was born in Scotland on December 25,
1954. Annie's musical interest was evident to her
parent from the time she was three years old, which
ultimately led her to the Royal Academy of Music in
London to study the flute. Although Annie's debut LP
wasn't released until 1992, Annie is no stranger to
musical success. Annie was one-half of the 1980's
super duo, Eurythmics. While living in London, Annie
met guitarist Dave Stewart and joined a band named
The Tourists who gained marginal success in the U.K.
in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Annie and Stewart
soon left the band to form the Eurythmics.
The group disbanded quietly in 1991 when Annie took
time off to have a child, and eventually work on her
solo debut. In 1989, Annie had some non-Eurythmics
success when she teamed up with Al Green to record a
remake of "Put A Little Love In Your
Heart" for the soundtrack to Scrooged."
But in the 90s, Annie emerged as a solo act: a white
girl from Scotland with a lot of soul in her voice.
Before Annie had even gone solo, she was awarded
with 4 Brit Awards for Best British Female Artist
(in 1984, 1986, 1989, and 1990).
1992 Annie's first solo LP, Diva, was
released in May. Annie's style and vocals on the LP
were described as more mature. Her LP had shown a
departure from the electronic sounds of the 1980s,
and an arrival into the adult contemporary sound.
Singles such as "Walking On Broken Glass"
and the haunting "Why" established Annie
as a successful solo singer. Her video
interpretations of the songs were equally admired by
music fans. The LP sold over 2 million copies in the
U.S., and was nominated for three Grammy Awards,
including "Album of the Year." The music
video for "Why" also won a MTV Music Award
for Best Female Video, and Rolling Stone readers
proclaimed her the "Best Female Singer" of
1992.
Diva went on to sell over 2 million copies in the
U.S. Annie had proven herself as a successful solo
artist with Diva. She had also moved from the
technopop-80s into a sophisticated sound of the 90s
all her own. Not only were Annie's vocals praised
and admired, but her abilities as a songwriter were
equally lauded. But Annie's next LP release would
not showcase her songwriting abilities.
1993 Annie won 2 Brit Awards for Best British
Album and Best British Female Artist.
1995 Annie's second LP, Medusa, was released
in March. The LP was a collection of cover tunes and
included the hit "No More 'I Love You's'."
Other tracks include Blue Nile's "Downtown
Lights," The Temptations' "Can't Get Next
To You," Bob Marley's "Waiting In
Vain," and Neil Young's "Don't Let It
Bring You Down." Annie continued to display her
eccentric style in her videos and live musical
performances. It's hard to forget Annie's male
backup singers in ballet wear or bear suits. Medusa
went on to sell over 2 million copies in the U.S.
Late in 1995, an LP, Live In Central Park was
released to fans in the U.K. and an accompanying
video in the U.S.
1996 Annie could be heard at the movies.
Annie wrote and sang backup on the Whitney Houston
song "Step By Step" used in the film The
Preacher's Wife. Other contributions to soundtracks
and compilations LPs by Annie include: "Every
Time We Say Goodbye" from the Red Hot + Blue
compilation LP and video (1990) and "Love Song
For A Vampire" from the Dracula soundtrack
(1992), as well as House Of Groove (1993), MTV
Unplugged Collection, Vol. 1 (1994), and Ain't
Nuthin' But A She Thing (1995). Annie's voice can
also be heard on a couple of tracks from Apollo 13
("Dark Side Of The Moon" and "End
Titles"). Annie won a Brit Award for Best
Female Artist.
1997 Never one to be labeled "status
quo," Annie Lennox has achieved a musical style
that other artists can only dream of. Recently,
Annie has been keeping a low-profile but in 1997 she
contributed a track called "Dream Angus"
to the Carnival compilation to benefit the
rainforests. Annie is also focusing on what she has
referred to as her most important role - motherhood.
1999 Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox will be
teaming up publicly once again as the Eurythmics in
February at the 1999 Brit Awards where they will
also receive a lifetime achievement award:
Outstanding Contribution to the British Music
Industry award.
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