Gwen Stefani was born in Orange County, California on October the 3rd 1969, did you know that Gwen Stefani also shares a birthday with singer Ashlee Simpson and Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee? She is 1.68m tall. Her favourite food is sushi and/or pizza with anything except anchovies, pepperoni or sausage. Growing up in Southern California with her two brothers, Tod and Eric, and one sister, Jill, where they were raised by parents Dennis (who is Italian) and Patti (who is Irish/ Scottish) Stefani. As a youth Gwen was highly influenced by the rising popularity of "ska" and "punk" music that was making its presence clear in the Southern California area. She now likes to listen to bands such as 311, Blur, Radiohead and Jamiroquai. Her first job was scrubbing floors at a Dairy Queen, and she once worked in a department store.
Gwen's brother, Eric who was the keyboardist, started up their now hugely popular band "No Doubt" with his friend John in 1987 and asked the always enthusiastic Gwen to join as a co-vocalist with Spence. Tony Kanal joined the group a little later and the trio began to rise up the ranks by playing at local parties.
But the party didn't last long as Spence, suffering from deep depression went into a public park and committed suicide later that year, which left Gwen to move up the ranks to lead vocalist of the effervescent group. And as if that were not enough Gwen suffered another sadness when her grandmother died, but understanding how much her band was struggling her parents turned their house over to them as a makeshift rehearsal and recording studio. But, the show must go on, and as it did "No Doubt" continued to grow in popularity and perform at local gigs. In the meantime, Gwen had graduated high school and followed up her studies at the California State Fullerton College. Gwen was forced to juggle her band, studies and what turned out to be a 7 year long relationship with a fellow band member, Tony Kanal. In 1989, two new members joined the "No Doubt" crew, guitarist Ton Dumont and drummer Adrian Young. After that "No Doubt" was really starting to attract a fan base, Flea, the bassist of the "Red Hot Chilli Peppers" kindly recorded a demo for the band in 1990, which led them to their singing career with Interscope Records.
In 1992 the band released their self titled debut, but despite the substantial numbers of followers the band had garnered, the album was far from a commercial success, in fact, it was quite the opposite. The record company was losing faith in what they thought might be the next big thing, but "No Doubt"'s persistence did not waver. The determined group went back to the studio with their own money and recorded a collection of extra songs that they had written. Their trump-card, The Beacon Street Collection, was released in 1995, and it not only struck a chord with their devoted fans, but it set ablaze Interscopes confidence with the band.
"No Doubt" was back in business and returned to recording in the studio with the support of their record company behind them. The fruit of their hard labour was the hugely successful "Tragic Kingdom" which was released in 1995, only this album had a major difference, it was missing Eric Stefani who left the band to become an animator on the smash hit TV show, the Simpsons.
1995's "Tragic Kingdom" smashed through the charts with its debut single, Just a Girl, with the help of the punk-tinged catchy lyrics and all complimented by a colourful video. The album went on to generate hits such as Spiderwebs and the super smash hit, Don't Speak, which was a tribute to Gwen's relationship with the fellow band member, Tony, which to Gwen's dismay, didn't last. The song, like many others, hit a home run with the fans, and has since become one of the bands best singles to date, and has topped charts worldwide!
The album went on to become a billboard number one, and garnered two Grammy nominations for the group. One of Gwen Stefani's most recent release which hit the charts this year, 2005, was Rich Girl, the always cunning Gwen Stefani took the lyrics to Fiddler on the Roof and tinkered around with them to create this hot hit, and she even invited an old friend, Eve, to spice up this song some more. Another of her latest songs is What You Waiting For, both of these, including many others and 2 bonus tracks can be found in her latest album, L.A.M.B. or as it is also known, Love.Angel.Music.Baby. What You Waiting For is linked to the theme of Alice in Wonderland, and Rich Girl to Pirate Ships. And her most recent release is Hollaback Girl, is linked to the theme of cheerleading.
But this funky chick was far from the most popular at school, she was a dorky, chubby kid who was teased mercilessly by her fellow schoolmates. Former classmate Susan says "Gwen was the least likely kid to grow up and be a glamorous star. She was the butt of all jokes and was made fun of all the time. When she tried out for the swimming team nobody thought she would make it because she was so overweight. Then when she changed into her swimsuit we noticed that she wore huge knickers, like something your granny would wear. She couldn't stay out late or go to parties either! Her parents were EXTREMELY strict. We also used to call her frog because of the way she used to swim, but she took it all in her stride with amazing grace and never snapped or let it show it was getting to her."
But Gwen herself remembers thinking that she wouldn't make it until the end of high school. But Susan adds "But she transformed herself completely, she worked hard on her swimming and eventually became a star athlete."
Gwen is now married to the lead singer of "Bush", Gavin Rossdale, and the rock star pair have been involved for over 5 years, although, at the moment I've heard they are split up! Gwen now wears a solid gold necklace with a G on it symbolising her relationship with him. And not only that, People magazine voted her one of the top 50 most beautiful people and she was voted number 1 on MTV's Top 10 Blondes!
But Gwen has just recently begun to tackle other entertainment worlds, and her first venture onto the big screen was as Jean Harlow in Martin Scorsese's Howard Hughes "The Aviator" opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, she also lends her voice to the animated "Madagascar", and has also lent her voice to a videogame! A busy year in business for her, and, she has also launched her own fashion label called L.A.M.B. with her clothes and purses showing up on all sorts of trendy celebrities, including herself. But music is still her top priority.
Gwen Stefani's "Harjuku Girls" is arguably the centrepiece of her delicious "Love Angel Music Baby" album. The song is her ode to Japanese pop culture (and Harjuku's colourful youth scene in particular) which was the primary source of inspiration for her L.A.M.B. fashion line.
On "Harjuku Girls" (produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis) Stefani croons, "In a pedestrian paradise. Where the catwalk got its claws. A subculture in a kaleidoscope of fashion. Prowl the streets of Harajuku. Putting on a show , when you dress up in your clothes, wild hair colour and cell phones, your accessories are dead on. Harajuku girls you got the wicked style. I like the way that you are. I am your biggest fan."
Tokyo's vibrant Harjuku district has been the hip and happening force behind much of Asia's cutting-edge underground culture. The area used to be the home of the US military right after World War II. In 1964, it housed many of the athletes during Tokyo's Olympic Games.
Inspired by the international influences of the Olympics, Harjuku became the epicentre for everything different in the late '60s. Today, an eccentric cast of hippies, punks, rockabillies, street performers still flock to Takshita Street, Meiji Dori Avenue and Omotesando Dori Avenue to hang out and show off their distinct style.
No Doubt about it, the self-proclaimed music of this woman brings a girly, yet powerful spark to the band, and the music industry.
If you want to know more about this funky female, then check out my website which pays homage to her, the link is in my homepage, thanks for checking this out everyone. :)
Are you calling me a no1?
You post all that information and make no mention of her bra size, that's pathetic.
good one monolith_xyber! XD
Exactly Monilith. She is a hot, talentless, bimbo. :P
Okay, Okay, that's enough.
Monolith, TheOneAndOnly, those posts aren't needed. You're entitled to your opinions, but saying no one cares and such is uncalled for.
The Reincarnation of Pegasus, feel free to make another thread. But this one is...
Closed*