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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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