Beck
With an unusual name and an unusual sound, Beck is one of the most successful, popular, and unique alternative rock musicians around today. But more than just your average musician, Beck is also a singer and songwriter who can play multiple instruments and is famous for his funky, postmodern, unorthodox, idiosyncratic sound, musical style, and lyrics. In particular, Beck is noted for what is generally considered his breakthrough song, “Loser.”
Although renowned for his individual style, many critics and fans put Beck on par with musical artists Prince, Bob Dylan, and the Beastie Boys, a popular band with current regular members Michael Diamond (Mike D), Adam Yauch (MCA), Adam Horovitz (King Ad-Rock), and Michael Schwartz (Mix Master Mike).
Beck, who officially goes by the name Beck Hansen, was actually born as Bek David Campbell on July 8, 1970, in Los Angeles. His parents are both Scientologists, Canadian musician David Campbell and Norwegian-Swedish visual artist Bibbe Hansen.
Beck spent most of his time and energy on his music and musical talent as a child and teenager, and dropped out of high school to educate himself, travel, and focus on his music. He got by through busking and working random odd jobs and tried to play wherever he could.
He first recording was in 1988 on a cassette called Banjo Story—now available as a bootleg. This was the start of about five years of independent releases. However, it wasn’t until Beck hooked up with musician Chris Ballew, founder of the rock band The Presidents of the United States of America, that he really got into the professional music scene.
Beck went on to record with different recording companies and record labels, working with big names like Tom Grimley, Tom Rothrock, Rob Schnapf, and Bradshaw Lambert. After he released the independent smash-hit success single “Loser” with hip-hop producer Carl Stephenson, labels actually fought to sign Beck, who eventually selected Geffen Records.
Beck’s debut release with Geffen was the critically acclaimed Mellow Gold in 1994, elevating Beck to alternative rock iconic status. He also released two other albums, Stereopathetic Soulmanure with Flipside Records and One Foot in the Grave with K Records, which were less successful, and Beck had to fight against the one-hit wonder label bestowed upon him after the release of “Loser.”
Fight back he did, with the 1996 release of Odelay, featuring the hit single “Where It’s At,” in collaboration with producers the Dust Brothers (Michael Simpson, a.k.a E.Z. Mike and John King, a.k.a. King Gizmo). Odelay quickly earned double platinum status, and a whole string of awards,
including two Grammy Awards.
Beck went on to release several successful albums, including 1998’s Mutations, which instigated a legal battle between Beck and Geffen Records and Bong Load Records, and also originally included a song written for Johnny Cash that Beck never submitted; Midnite Vultures, released in 1999 by Geffen; Sea Change in 2002, which became Beck’s very first top ten album in the U.S.; Guero in 2005, produced by the Dust Brothers as well as Tony Hoffer, and collaborated with Jack White from The White Stripes; and most recently, The Information, released in early October of 2006, featuring a make-your-own album cover with a sheet of stickers.
Besides his successful and unique albums and singles, Beck is known for his many tours, concerts, and performances; for being an active Scientologist; and for his marriage to Marissa Ribisi, actor Giovanni Ribisi’s twin sister, in early 2004, with whom he has a son, Cosimo Henri Hansen.
YUDDY
