Annie Lennox

Annie Lennox Artistfacts

  • December 25, 1954
  • After hearing Nelson Mandela describe the HIV pandemic in Africa as a "genocide," Lennox took up the cause, forming the SING organization to raise money and awareness. She was named UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, and in 2010 gave a TED talk called "Why I am an HIV/AIDS activist."
  • She and Dave Stewart were a couple when they formed a group called The Tourists in 1977, but split up before they formed the Eurythmics in 1980. Their relationship remained complicated, and they often used songs and interviews as a form of therapy. In 1988, she said of their relationship, "It isn't physical anymore, but it is romantic."
  • Lennox is one of the most popular British female artists of all time. Including her work with Eurythmics, she's sold over 80 million albums worldwide.
  • She has adopted many different looks, creating a striking visual profile. In the early '80s, she often wore men's clothes and kept her hair cut short, leading to questions about her sexuality. "It was a kind of slightly subversive statement and what's even more subversive about it is that I'm so not gay," she told The Guardian. "I'm completely heterosexual."
  • Her first husband was a Hare Krishna monk named Radha Raman. They were married in 1984, but divorced a short time later. Lennox later admitted that the marriage was her way of rebelling against her father, as he opposed the union. She and her dad didn't speak to each other for about a year; in 1987, he died from cancer.
  • Her first solo album, Diva, was released in 1992 and was a huge success, earning the Brit Award for Best British Album and garnering a Grammy Nomination for Album of the Year. Lennox was married to her second husband (Israeli film producer Uri Fruchtmann) at this time and starting a family, so she didn't tour to support the album, which still sold over two million copies in America. The couple had two daughters, Lola and Tali.
  • Lennox is a prolific songwriter, but her second solo album, Medusa (1995), is all cover songs. The biggest hit from the album is "No More I Love You's," which was a minor hit in 1986 for the group The Lover Speaks.
  • She was never into drugs or other indulgences associated with headline acts. Her tour rider requested items like raw vegetables and tea.
  • She has a record six Brit Awards for Best Female Artist.
  • She and The Spice Girls shared a manager in Simon Fuller. According to Fuller, Lennox gave the girls some great tips that helped them develop their personas. She suggested they go louder and bolder, accentuating their personality traits.
  • Annie Lennox's career started on the top deck of a London bus. "I remember one day I was sitting on the top of a double-decker bus in London, and the thought came to me, 'I want to be a singer-songwriter, I think I can do that,'" she told Best magazine.

    By the time she stepped off the bus, she'd made up her mind. "I said, 'I'm going to be a singer-songwriter.' Honestly, it sounds ridiculous, but I'll be real about this, I think you need to conceive what you want to become. There has to be a compass where you say, 'That's it.'"

Comments: 2

  • Sweet Dreams from MalaysiaBravo Annie!
  • Laura from 68310I'm sure you won't see this Annie, but Happy Birthday yesterday! From a mega fan, Laura.
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