Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth Artistfacts

  • 1981-
    Thurston MooreGuitar, vocals1981-
    Lee RanaldoGuitar, vocals1981-
    Kim GordonBass, vocals1981-2011
    Steve ShelleyDrums1985-
    Jim O'RourkeMultiple instruments, production1999-2005
    Mark IboldBass, guitar2006-
  • Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon married in 1984 and split in 2011. They have a daughter named Coco Haley.
  • in 1985, Sonic Youth created a band called Ciccone Youth to glorify their obsessions with Madonna (Ciccone is Madonna's surname). Ciccone Youth released one album, The Whitey Album, but never toured.
  • The members of sonic youth own a record label, SYR, which they use to release their own experimental LPs.
  • Each member has released a solo album or is a part of a side project band.
  • Ranaldo is a published poet. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Heather - Minneapolis, MN, for all above
  • In July 1999 a truck full of their equipment was stolen after a show. In it were many unique and irreplaceable instruments. Though members saw this as a tragic incident, it did give them a fresh start to the recording of their following albums. Only one guitar has been recovered so far. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Manuel - Lima, Peru
  • Kim Gordon revealed to The Guardian that when she was teenager, she and a friend were busted by security for smoking weed at Disneyland. Gordon recalled the pair being taken underground, being held overnight in a cell and spotting "Mickey Mouse with a walkie-talkie."

Comments: 1

  • Steven from Park City, UtCurrently Mark Ibold is playing bass with them to free Kim up to sing.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.