Background:
"I like being a minor because you can't get into trouble. Now I just have to try and behave myself." Avril Lavigne
Skater-punk, dynamic spirit, and a true wild child, Avril Lavigne (nickname from her official site) was tossed toward stardom with her 6 times platinum and Grammy nominated debut album, "Let Go" (2002). The album spawned the big hit singles, "Complicated," "Sk8er Boi," as well as the Grammy nominated "I'm With You" and "Losing Grip." Teen punk-rock sensation Avril later gained more recognition with her second album, the double platinum "Under My Skin" (2004), which launched the hit songs, My Happy Ending, Nobody's Home, and Don't Tell Me.
5 feet, 1 inches tall Lavigne, whose trademarks are her loose ties and bitter lyrics, was listed as one of Teen People's Hottest Stars Under 25 in 2004. On her personal life, Lavigne, best friend of Pink and Vanessa Carlton, has dated then band member Jessie Colburn. She was married to Deryck Whibley, lead vocalist of Sum41 but, they have split up. That's sad! :'(
Wild Avie
Childhood and Family:
The middle child of French-Canadian parents John and Judy Lavigne, Avril Ramona Lavigne was born on September 27, 1984, in Napanee, Ontario, Canada. Avril has two siblings, younger sister Michelle and older brother Matthew. At merely 2 years old, Avril started to perform on several local music stages and in churches. She also taught herself to play the guitar and spent her time writing songs in her early adolescence.
"I taught myself on my dad's guitar. I started writing lines here and there and they grew into songs. I did it on my own, but my parents supported me." Avril Lavigne
When she attended the Napanee District High School, Avril Lavigne, nicknamed Avie, was known as a wild girl who was always involved in fights.
"I got into lots of fights. My teachers hated me because I never did my work and never paid attention in class. I was rebellious towards my parents, but we're cool now. I was always in trouble. I was never allowed to do anything after school so I'd go to my room and write." Avril Lavigne
After signing a contract with a recording company, 16-year-old Avril dropped out of high school in the 11th grade and flew to Manhattan to record her debut album.
Complicated
Career:
"When I was 2, my mom said she knew I was going to be a singer. I've been performing ever since I was a young kid. So I've known I wanted to do this for a while. I always knew in my heart that I'd be singing." Avril Lavigne
Spending her childhood singing in local church choirs and festivals, Avril Lavigne, who originally trekked a country and folk music career, won a radio station singing contest and was sent to Ottawa to sing a duet with Ontario fellow native, country music icon Shania Twain. Subsequently, Avril started to send her stage performance videotapes to label and management companies. After a lot of rejections, she landed with Nettwerk Management, which has promoted such Canadian musicians as Sarah McLachlan, Sum 41 and Barenaked Ladies.
Nettwerk Management scheduled her to fly to New York to meet Arista CEO, Antonio "L.A." Reid. Though she had not shown her demo tapes, 16-year-old Avril was surprisingly handed a deal by the recording company. Accompanied by brother Matthew, Avril left school and shuttled to New York to start working on her debut album.
"My lyrics are honest and I write about whatever happens to me. My song "Losing Grip" means a lot to me, it's about my ex-boyfriend. We weren't meeting on a emotional level and he wasn't giving me what I needed. I can still play the same songs and get mad and get my anger out. It's therapeutic and I hope I can help others in a similar situation." Avril Lavigne
With the help of producer/songwriter Cliff Magness (also bolstered Celine Dion, Wilson Phillips and Sheena Easton) and songwriting team The Matrix (previously worked for Sheena Easton and Christina Aguilera), Avril co-wrote her debut album "Let Go," which was launched on June 4, 2002. It topped at No. 1 in the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada as well as No. 2 in the US. The album handed her Best New Artist at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards and three 2003 Juno Awards. The album eventually nabbed 6 times platinum certification.
In the early spring of 2002, the first single "Complicated" was released. It was an instant hit, topped at No. 1 on the US and Australia adult charts and poled in at No. 2 on Billboards Top 100. It handed Avril 5 Grammy nominations, MTV music awards, and MTV European music awards. The second single "Sk8er Boi" went to the top 10 in the US and Australia, and peaked at No. 1 in Canada. The following song, "I'm With You", pointed at No. 1 on the US and world adult charts (US, UK, Canada, Germany, France and Australia) and No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Meanwhile, the single "Losing Grip" went to No. 1 in Canada and was listed in the top 50 on European charts.
The sophomore album, "Under My Skin," arrived on May 25, 2004. With assistance from Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk and produced by Butch Walker of the Marvelous 3, Our Lady Peace leader Raine Maida and Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Good Charlotte), the album topped at No. 1 worldwide. The album netted her three Juno Awards (2005) and an Annual Kid's Choice award, as well as landing double platinum certification.
"Under My Skin" first single, "Don't Tell Me," was released in June 2004, reached the top in Argentina and reached No. 5 in the UK and Canada, as well as went to the top 10 in Australia, Brazil and Europe. The second single, "My Happy Ending," arrived at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The following track, "Nobody's Home," was co-written by Avril with former Evanescence member, Ben Moody. It received average success by only reaching No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. Meanwhile, the fourth track, "He Wasn't," is presently climbing charts.
In August 2005, Avril is scheduled to perform on television on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (August 12) and Good Morning America (August 26). She will also soon start her 2005 summer tour.
"I'd like to be a little more hard-rocking on my next album. But I hate the whole label thing." Avril Lavigne
