Avril Lavigne

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Avril Lavigne Whibley,[1] better known by her birth name of Avril Lavigne (/ˈævrəl.ləˈviːn/), (born September 27 1984) is a Canadian rock/punk-pop singer, musician and actress. In 2006, Canadian Business Magazine ranked her the seventh most powerful Canadian in Hollywood,[2] and in 2007 she won ninth place in the Jabra Music Contest for the Best Band in the World, based on fan votes from around the world.[3]

Lavigne's birth name is usually pronounced in an anglicized way as /ˈævrəl ləˈviːn/ ("La-Veen") (in French it is commonly pronounced /aˈvʁil laˈviːɲ/ⓘ). Avril is French for "April", while la vigne means "the vine" or "the vineyard".

Lavigne's debut album, Let Go, was released in 2002, and went on to sell over 18 million copies worldwide.[4] and was certified six times platinum in the United States[5] 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 five number one songs worldwide to date and a total of eleven top ten hits, including "Complicated", "Sk8er Boi", "I'm with You", "My Happy Ending", and "Girlfriend". She's ranked # 50 on VH1's "50 Greatest Women Of The Video Era" show list.

Background

Avril Lavigne was born in Napanee, Ontario[6][7] to a devout Christian family.[8][9] Lavigne's musical talent was first spotted at the age of two when her mother says Lavigne began singing along with her on church songs. The family moved to Napanee, Ontario, when Lavigne was five years old.

In 1998, Avril 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.[6] 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.[6]

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.[6] She then completed work on her first album, Let Go. The Matrix, who worked extensively with Lavigne on the album, commented on her songwriting, saying, "We conceived the ideas on guitar and piano. Avril would come in and sing a few melodies, change a word here or there."[10]

Music career

Let Go (2002–2004)

Main article: Let Go (Avril Lavigne album)

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, at seventeen, the youngest female soloist to have a number-one album in the UK up until that time.[11]

Just over one month after its release, Let Go reached multi-platinum status in late-August,[12] and was certified triple platinum two weeks after.[13] Before the end of 2002, just six months after its debut, it was certified four times platinum by the RIAA.[14] It sold a total of 14 million copies worldwide. It was the best selling album of the year for a female artist and for a debut album in 2002.[15]

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.[16] "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)

Main article: Under My Skin

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.[17] 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" went to number one in Mexico and it reached the top ten in the U.S. making it her third-biggest hit there, but third single "Nobody's Home" did not make the top forty in the U.S., and it only went to number one in Mexico and Argentina. 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.[18] "Fall to Pieces" was released as the final single from the album, but did not do as well as previous singles.

Lavigne performing in Geneva on June 9 2005.

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.[19] 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).[20] "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.[21]

The Best Damn Thing (2007–present)

Main article: The Best Damn Thing
Lavigne in Hong Kong, 2007.
Lavigne in the 2007 MuchMusic Video Awards.

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.[22][23] 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. Avril's third single from the album is "Hot".

Lavigne has been doing a small tour to promote The Best Damn Thing, with tickets available only to members of her fan club.[24] 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.

On May 25 2007, Lavigne, her co-songwriter Lukasz Gottwald, and her record label were sued by songwriters James Gangwer and Tommy Dunbar over claims that her song "Girlfriend" infringes on their 1979 song "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend", originally performed by The Rubinoos.[25] In June 2007, Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, with whom Lavigne wrote the majority of her second album, Under My Skin, spoke to Performing Songwriter magazine about Lavigne's songwriting, saying, "I mean, Avril, songwriter? Avril doesn't really sit and write songs by herself or anything. Avril will also cross the ethical line and no one says anything. That's why I'll never work with her again. I sent her a song two years ago called 'Contagious', and I just saw the tracklisting to this album and there's a song called 'Contagious' on it—and my name's not on it. What do you do with that? See, I won't [call the lawyers], I'll just tell you. Art should not be subject to that kind of controversy."[26] On July 6, Lavigne denied both accusations in an open letter on her website, claiming that she had "never heard the [Rubinoos] song in [her] life" and also that she is considering taking legal action against Kreviazuk with regards to her allegations, which she considers "damaging to my reputation and a clear defamation of my character".[27] On July 10, Kreviazuk made a full public apology and retracted the statements made in the aforementioned interview.[28]

The song "I Don't Have to Try," also stirred up controversy. Similarities between this song and Peaches' 2003 song, "I'm the Kinda" has sparked further plagiarism speculations.[29]

Lavigne recorded a cover of the John Lennon song "Imagine" as her contribution to the album Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur.[30]

Other works

Lavigne has also covered the Goo Goo Dolls' mega-hit " Iris", actually performing a duet of the song with the band's lead singer and lyricist John Rzeznik at the Fashion Rocks concert in 2004. Other covers include Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan,No One Needs To Know by Shania Twain and Basket Case by Green Day. Lavigne has stated that "Iris" is her favorite song of all time.[citation needed]

Lavigne has also featured in a comic series called Make 5 Wishes. She stars as herself, a pop star, who is idolized by the protagonist of the story.[31]

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,[32] 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 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.[33] 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

In Lavigne's official MySpace page, she affirms that her music genre is Pop/Punk/Rock;[34] but All Music Guide and other reviewers consider her "Punk, Punk-pop, Pop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Alternative Pop-Rock, Modern Rock and Post-Grunge". 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".[citation needed] However, there have been several occasions where she has stated "I'm not punk."[35] Lavigne 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."[36]

Lavigne appeared to pose topless in the June 2007 issue of U.S. magazine Blender.[37] 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.[38]

Personal life

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".[39]

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.[40]

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 for $9.5 Million. The house has 8 bedrooms, 10.5 bathrooms, an office, elevator, a high-tech kitchen and a 10-car garage.[41]

Lavigne was romantically linked to her former guitarist Jesse Colburn, but despite rumors[citation needed], 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.[This quote needs a citation]

In 2004, reports emerged that Hilary Duff and Lavigne were fighting. "I read that I was supposedly mad at my fans for dressing like me", Newsweek quoted Lavigne as saying. "They quoted Hilary Duff saying, 'Avril needs to appreciate her fans more and blah, blah, blah.' I'm like, excuse me? First off, it's not even true. I never said that. And second, who the hell cares what she has to say about my fans? Whatever. Hilary Duff's such a goody-goody, such a mommy's girl." Recently, there were reports of drama between the two at a Maxim party in New York - with a complication in arrival times causing an unwanted run-in. Lavigne was said to be furious, pacing around and pressuring her company to leave.

In February 2004,[42] 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.[42] Whibley proposed to Lavigne by surprising her with a trip to Venice, a gondola ride, and then a romantic picnic.[42]

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.[43] When asked if they were ready for kids the couple said "not right now but somewhere down the road."[44][45][46]

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.

Lavigne worked with Reverb, a non-profit environmental organization, for her 2005 east coast tour.[47]

Avril also sung 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' for a charity.

Backing band

Current members

Past members

Discography

Main article: Avril Lavigne discography

Number-one singles

The following singles reached number one in the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Europe and/or United World Chart. For a full singles discography, see Avril Lavigne discography.
Year Single Chart positions
U.S. AUS CAN ITA SPA EUR WOR
2002 "Complicated" 2 1 1 2 1 2 1
2003 "Sk8er Boi" 10 3 9 8 1 1 2
2003 "I'm With You" 4 - 13 5 21 9 1
2004 "My Happy Ending" 9 6 11 7 1 1 2
2007 "Girlfriend" 1 1 1 1 8 1 1
Total Number-one hits 1 2 2 2 3 3 3

Videos featured on TRL

The following videos have charted on MTV's Total Request Live (TRL) program:

Year Title Peak Other notes
2002 "Complicated" # 1 9 days at # 1
2002 "Sk8er Boi" # 1 5 days at # 1
2003 "I'm With You" # 1 8 days at # 1
2003 "Losing Grip" # 1 1 day at # 1
2004 "Don't Tell Me" # 6
2004 "My Happy Ending" # 2
2004 "He Wasn't" - Not released in the U.S.
2007 "Girlfriend" # 1 4 days at # 1
2007 "When You're Gone" # 1 4 days at # 1
2007 "Hot" # 6 Peaked for three days after its debut until cancelation of a major part of the fan-voting procedure.

Filmography

Year Film Role Other notes
2007 The Flock Beatrice Bell Suspect's Girlfriend
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[48] Herself Guest-star; performed "Sk8er Boi"

Awards

Main article: Awards and nominations for Avril Lavigne

Awards Avril Lavigne has won.

2002:

  1. MTV VMA's for New Artist In Video (Complicated)
  2. MTV Latin America VMA's for Best International New Artist
  3. World Music Awards for Best Canadian Pop/Rock Artist

2003:

  1. ECHO Awards for Best International New Artist
  2. Ivor Novello Awards' for International Hit Of The Year (Complicated)
  3. Juno Awards for Album of the Year (Let Go)
  4. Juno Awards for Pop Album of the Year (Let Go)
  5. Juno Awards for New Artist
  6. Juno Awards for Single of the Year (Complicated)
  7. MTV Latin America VMA's for Best International Pop Artist
  8. MTV Asia Awards for Favourite Female Artist
  9. MTV Asia Awards for Favourite Breakthrough Artist
  10. MTV Asia Awards for The Style Award
  11. Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Song (Sk8er Boi)
  12. Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Female Artist
  13. Radio Music Awards for Song of the Year (Modern Adult Contemporary Radio) {Complicated}
  14. TMF Awards for Best International Rock Artist
  15. World Music Awards for World's Best selling Canadian Pop/Rock Artist of the Year

2004:

  1. Comet Music Awards for Best Female Singer International
  2. Common Sense Media Award for Best Musician
  3. MTV Latin America VMA's for Best International Pop Artist
  4. MuchMusic Video Awards for Best international video by a Canadian (Sk8er Boi)
  5. MuchMusic Video Awards for People's Choice Favourite Canadian Artist
  6. World Music Awards for Best Pop/Rock Artist
  7. World Music Awards for World's Best Selling Canadian Artist

2005:

  1. Juno Awards for Artist of the Year
  2. Juno Awards for Pop Album of the Year (Under My Skin)
  3. Juno Awards for Fan Choice Awards
  4. MTV Asia Awards for Favourite Female Artist
  5. NRJ Music Awards for Best International Artist

2006:

  1. Italian TRL Awards for First Lady

2007:

  1. MTV Latin America VMA's for Best International Pop Artist
  2. MTV Latin America VMA's for Song of the Year (Girlfriend)
  3. MTV Russian Music Awards for Best International Artist
  4. MuchMusic Video Awards for Best international video by a Canadian (Girlfriend)
  5. MuchMusic Video Awards for People's Choice Favourite Canadian Artist
  6. Teen Choice Awards for Choice Music Single (Girlfriend)
  7. UK Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for Best Female Singer
  8. UK Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for Best Music Video (Girlfriend)
  9. MTV Europe Music Awards for Most Addictive Track (Girlfriend)
  10. MTV Europe Music Awards for Best Solo Artist
  11. World Music Awards for Best Selling Pop/Rock Female Artist
  12. World Music Awards for Best Canadian Artist


References

  1. ^ She reports having taken her new husband's last name 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. ^ "The Best Band in the World is Announced". Jabramusic.com. 2007-07-21. Retrieved 2007-07-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ http://www.avrillavigne.com/about
  5. ^ "RIAA Certification". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2006-10-02.
  6. ^ a b c d Thorley, Joe. Avril Lavigne The Unofficial Book, Virgin Books, [2003]
  7. ^ Izon, Lucy. At 13 Avril Lavigne won a radio contest to preform with Shania Twain, Canda Cool (2006).
  8. ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3067748/
  9. ^ "Go ahead, punkette". Daily Telegraph. 2002-09-19. Retrieved 2007-09-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ The Guardian, March 2003 [1]
  11. ^ Avril Lavigne at about.com
  12. ^ Let Go reaching multi-platinum status at RIAA.com
  13. ^ Let Go certified 3× platinum
  14. ^ Let Go, six months after release, certified 4× platinum
  15. ^ Let Go - best selling album of the year
  16. ^ "Complicated" tied Natalie Imbruglia's eleven week number-one record
  17. ^ Under My Skin at Yahoo Music
  18. ^ "He Wasn't" release info
  19. ^ "Favourite Female Singer" at the Kids' Choice Awards
  20. ^ The Princess Diaries 2 DVD extras.
  21. ^ Closing ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics
  22. ^ Third album at MTV News
  23. ^ 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 2006-12-13.
  24. ^ AvrilLavigne.com: Special TV Taping
  25. ^ Apple Insider, [2]
  26. ^ Performing Songwriter Magazine, June 2007 [3]
  27. ^ Lavigne, Avril (2007). "To My Dear Media, Friends, and Fans". Avril Lavigne. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  28. ^ LeBlanc, Larry (2007). "Kreviazuk Retracts Lavigne Songwriting Comments". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  29. ^ Did Avril Lavigne Bite a Peaches Track Too?
  30. ^ AvrilSpain.com News, June 9 2007 [4]
  31. ^ Official make5wishes Website
  32. ^ The Flock
  33. ^ "Keep Holding On" at Lavigne's official site
  34. ^ [5]
  35. ^ Boston Herald Music News
  36. ^ Lavigne's glamorous new look
  37. ^ [6]
  38. ^ Avril Lavigne Explains 'Topless' Magazine Cover, Says She Wants 'Darker' Film Roles
  39. ^ January 2003—Seventeen Magazine
  40. ^ Home town pizza restaurant names pizza after Avril
  41. ^ Avril Lavigne Buys 10-Bathroom Mansion People.com Retrieved on 05-15-07
  42. ^ a b c Avril Lavigne engaged
  43. ^ Avril Lavigne Weds SFgate.com
  44. ^ Avril Lavigne weds her Sk8er Boi, Whibley
  45. ^ Avril Lavigne Marries Sum 41 Frontman Deryck Whibley
  46. ^ Yet Another Wedding
  47. ^ http://www.reverbrock.org/site/
  48. ^ Avril's appearance on Sabrina

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Avril Lavigne.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Avril Lavigne.


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