In 2002, 18-year-old Canadian girl Avril Lavigne entered the US music scene with her debut CD Let Go.
Three of the album's singles, including Complicated, reached the top 10 on the Billboard charts. Let Go became the second best-selling CD of the year.
Lavigne's music has received excellent reviews from fans and critics alike. She had her own style, which consisted of loose trousers, T-shirts and ties. As a result, this led to a fashion trend. She was heralded in the press as a "skaterpunk", an alternative to pop princesses like Britney Spears.
In May 2004, Lavigne released her second album, Under My Skin. It debuted at number 1 not only in the United States but also in other countries including Germany, Spain and Japan. Lavigne has performed with many artists on an extended concert tour. In April, she received the Juno Awards. It is considered the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards.
Avril Lavigne "I'm not just a girl"
Avril Ramona Lavigne was born on September 27, 1984 in Belleville. This is a small city in the eastern part of the province of Ontario (Canada). She was the second of three children. Her father (John) was a technician at Bell Canada and her mother (Judy) was a housekeeper.
When Lavigne was 5 years old, the family moved to Napanee. It is a farming town, smaller than Belleville, with a population of only 5. Since childhood, Lavigne adored her older brother Matt. As she explained to Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly, “If he played hockey, I needed to play hockey too. He played baseball, I already bought myself a ball.
When Lavigne was 10 years old, she played in the Napanee Raiders boys' hockey league. She also became known as a baseball jumper.
When Avril got older, she gained a reputation as a tomboy. She preferred active walks such as cycling or dating trips.
And in the 10th grade, she discovered skateboarding, which became a special passion. "I'm not just a girl," Lavigne told Willman with a laugh. However, when she was not playing sports, she was fond of singing.
Avril Lavigne family
The family were devout Christians and attended Napanee Gospel Temple. There, young Avril sang in the choir, starting at the age of 10. She soon expanded to sing at all types of venues, including county fairs, hockey games, and corporate parties. Basically, the girl sang cover versions of popular songs.
“Why should I care what other people think of me? I am who I am and who I want to be, ”said the singer.
In 1998, when she was 14, Lavigne's first manager Cliff Fabry discovered her singing in a small play at a local bookstore.
He liked Lavigne's voice and was very impressed with her confidence. In the same year, she won a song contest with Shania Twain at the Corel Center (in Ottawa).
Lavigne performed in front of 20 people for the first time and was fearless. As she told Willman: “I thought, this is my life, you have to take while they give.”
Avril Lavigne goes to hell
When Lavigne was 16, Fabry arranged an audition for Antonio LA Reid (head of Arista Records) in New York. After a 15-minute audition, Reid signed the artist to a two-record, $1,25 million contract.
The 16-year-old girl immediately dropped out of school to devote herself to working on her first album. At first, the producers offered Avril new country tunes for singing. But after 6 months, the team was unable to write songs.
Reid then sent the singer to Los Angeles to work with The Matrix's production and writing team. When Lavigne arrived in Los Angeles, The Matrix producer Lauren Christie asked Lavigne about the style she wanted to sing in. Lavigne replied, "I'm 16. I want something that drives." On the same day, the first song for Complicated was written.
Album Let Go
The debut album Let Go was released on June 4, 2002. And after 6 weeks, it became "platinum", that is, more than 1 million copies were sold. The single Complicated, which received a significant amount of radio play, peaked at number 1 on the Billboard charts. I'm With You also reached #1 on the charts.
To promote the album, Lavigne went on tour, appearing on talk shows such as Late Night with David Letterman. She also performed a series of concerts in Europe with a newly formed band. It was founded by the new firm Nettwerk.
Most inexperienced singers were supported by experienced musicians. But the Nettwerk company decided to take on young artists who were successful and appeared on the Canadian punk rock scene. As Nettwerk manager Shona Gold Shende Desiel of Maclean says: "She's young, her music is unique, we needed a band that fit who she is as a person."
Independence Avril Lavigne with Under My Skin
At the end of 2002, Let Go sold 4,9 million copies. It became the second bestseller of the year right after The Eminem Show. In 2005, worldwide sales exceeded 14 million copies. In 2003, Lavigne became even more popular.
She performed to an audience of 5 on her first North American concert tour. The singer has received XNUMX Grammy nominations, including a Song of the Year nomination for I'm With You. As well as "Best New Artist" at the MTV Video Music Awards.
In Canada, Avril has received 6 Juno Awards nominations. Winning four, including Best New Female Artist and Best Pop Album.
Despite a busy schedule, Lavigne returned to the studio in 2003. And she recorded the second album, which she decided to do in her own way. Lavigne wrote several songs for Let Go thanks to many producers.
She then flew to Los Angeles to work with Canadian singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk. She also wrote one song with guitarist Ben Moody of the band Evanescence.
Avril Lavigne's personal life
In June 2005, Avril Lavigne got engaged to her boyfriend Derick. He was the vocalist for the Canadian punk-pop band Sum 41. Its members are known for their fast and catchy rock melodies and energetic performances.
The second album Under My Skin was released on May 25, 2004. It debuted at number 1 on the US Billboard Albums Chart. It also led to the release of popular singles including Don't Tell Me and My Happy Ending. Critics have always been kind in their reviews. Chuck Arnold (People) applauded Lavigne for her "artistic independence". He also praised her "rebellious spirit, racing rhythms and tough language".
Lorraine Ali noted that fans saw a more mature artist. Claiming that her new songs are "rougher and darker" and her voice has lost some of its "girlish height". One song garnered significant attention, the emotional ballad Slipped Away (about the death of his grandfather).
The family life of Avril and Derik lasted from July 15, 2006 to November 16, 2010. In July 2013, she married Canadian rocker Chad Kroeger (leader of Nickelback).
As an entrepreneur, she created the successful fashion brand Abbey Dawn and two fragrances, Black Star and Forbidden Rose. The Avril Lavigne Foundation worked to raise awareness to mobilize support for the sick, children with disabilities and youth.
Avril Lavigne Happy Ending
In late 2004, 20-year-old Lavigne became one of America's best-selling female artists. Her face graced the covers of teen magazines such as CosmoGIRL!. And she was featured in Time and Newsweek magazine articles.
She also completed her second concert tour, the Bonez Tour, which began in October. Lavigne ended the year directing soundtracks for two films: The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.
In 2005, Lavigne again became the main artist of the Canadian Juno Awards. She has received five nominations and three awards. Including the award "Best Female Artist" and the second victory in the nomination "Best Pop Album".
Lavigne also announced that she would be immersing herself more in films, lending her voice to a character in the animated feature The Hedge, which was scheduled for release in 2006. In June 2005, Avril became engaged to her boyfriend Deryck Whibley (vocalist of the Canadian punk rock band Sum 41).
The artist had only two albums. But most music critics said that Avril Lavigne has a good future. As USA Today correspondent Brian Mansfield told Billboard, "Avril's core audience can be very young, and she looks like a real artist who is respected and hoped to see more. She is the kind of singer who has her best ahead of her."
Interesting facts about Avril Lavigne
- The future star wrote her first song at the age of 12.
- Avril Lavigne is constantly at the center of scandals. The most striking scandal was the singer's accusation of plagiarism.
- In 2008, she began releasing guitars under the Fender brand.
- Avril is very fond of the work of groups: Nirvana, Green Day, System of a Down and Blink-182.
- In late 2013, Lavigne was diagnosed with Lyme disease. It developed after a tick bite.
Due to Lyme disease, the singer has suspended her musical activities. After a course of treatment and rehabilitation, the girl returned to the stage. Lavigne was able to overcome her illness and began recording a solo album.
And again the music
In 2012, the singer was noticed with the outrageous Manson. Then the artists released a joint track Bad Girl. It was included in Avril Lavigne's fifth album. A year later, a new collection by Avril Lavigne was released, which received laudatory reviews from music critics.
The Best Damn Thing is an album thanks to which the performer not only gained fans, but also radically changed her own image.
Previously, her style could be described as "eternal teenager". After the release of The Best Damn Thing, Avril dyed her hair blonde and rarely wore makeup.
Avril Lavigne now
2017 was a very fruitful year for Lavigne. She devoted herself to writing musical material for the record "I am a warrior." In the same year, she took part in the creation of an album for the Japanese band One Ok Rock.
In 2019, the singer presented her new album Head Above Water to her fans. It was released on February 15, 2019 by BMG. The collection was the singer's return to the stage after the release of the previous album. After the release of this record, the performer shot a number of bright video clips.
Avril actively maintains social pages, where he shares the latest news with fans. Avril plans for 2019 and 2020. go on tour.
