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

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."