She possesses an extraordinary vocal talent and established her musical group using her own efforts. There's an irresistible quality to the unique blend of her singing and musical compositions. Amy Lee came into the world on December 13, 1981.
(Photo: Amy Lee)
= California is her birthplace, and she presently has two sisters, Carrie and Lori. Tragically, she lost a younger sister to an unknown illness at the age of 3, and her brother Robby succumbed to severe epilepsy in 2018.
= Her life journey took her to various locations across the United States. She completed her education at a private high school and initially pursued music studies at a university in Tennessee. However, she eventually stepped back from academics to concentrate on her emerging band.
= In 1995, she co-founded the pivotal band of her career, "Evanescence," alongside guitarist and musician Ben Moody. Their paths crossed at a summer camp a year prior to the band's formation.
(Photo: last.fm.com)
= For those curious, the band's name, "Evanescence," holds the meaning of "disappearance" or "faded."
= The duo embarked on their musical journey by performing and releasing three EPs: "Evanescence EP," "Sound Asleep EP," and "Mystery EP." Their initial complete demo album, "Origin," saw the light of day in 2000.
= Following the attention drawn by their song "My Immortal," representatives from the record company "Wind Up" decided to sign the band. Amy and Ben secured an apartment in Los Angeles, equipped with a rehearsal space, a gym membership, acting lessons, and sound development facilities.
= About two years into the process, the record company enlisted producer Dave Fortman for the debut album. However, prior to this, Amy was pressured to include a full-time "male" singer, a proposal she strongly opposed. Eventually, she reluctantly agreed to share vocals on the first single, "Bring Me to Life."
= The band's inaugural album, "Fallen," made its debut in 2003. Alongside Amy and Ben were their longstanding musical companions from the outset: John LeCompt, Rocky Gray, and Will Boyd. This album marked a significant breakthrough for the band, achieving international acclaim by maintaining a presence on the Billboard charts for 48 weeks and earning them two Grammy Awards.
= Following extensive touring to support the album, Ben opted to part ways with the band. The decision stemmed from a divergence in musical vision between him and Amy. While Amy leaned towards a more creative and experimental direction, Ben's inclination was more towards a poppy and commercial sound.
= In 2004, Amy engaged in one of her initial notable collaborations with Shaun Morgan, the lead vocalist of "Seether," recording the song "Broken."
= The composition of the song "Call Me When You're Sober" emerged from Amy's personal experience, reflecting on her breakup with Shaun due to his struggles with drug addiction.
= Following various lineup changes, the band unveiled their second album, "The Open Door," in 2006. Notably, the album claimed the top spot on the "Billboard 200" chart, sustaining the momentum of their debut success.
= Accompanying the album's release was a global tour, featuring appearances at major festivals such as the renowned "Family Values Tour" alongside "Korn." The tour concluded on June 26, 2007, in Raanana, Israel.
= Concurrently, in the same year, Amy assumed the role of American chairwoman for the international organization "Out of the Shadows," focusing on epilepsy education.
= Amy delivered another remarkable performance in 2007, collaborating with the band "Korn" on "MTV Unplugged." During the show, they performed the song "Freak on a Leash" together.
= After further changes within the band and numerous delays in recording and production, the third eponymous album was released in October 2011. This album achieved significant success, clinching the top spot on the "Billboard 200" chart and dominating charts in 20 additional countries.
(Photo: Paul Brown)
= In 2014, Amy filed a lawsuit against The Wind Up, alleging non-payment of $1.5 million in royalties.
= 2016 saw Amy's release of a cover versions EP, featuring four songs spanning tracks by "U2," "Led Zeppelin," "Portishead," and Chris Isaac.
= During the same year, Amy also ventured into children's music with the album "Dream Too Much." Comprising 12 songs, including three covers, the album initially intended to feature 4-3 songs inspired by Amy's experiences as a mother. However, "Amazon" embraced the concept and encouraged her to create a full album.
= After a three-year hiatus in 2017, the band returned with their fourth album, "Synthesis." This unique release incorporated orchestral renditions of songs from previous albums, along with two new compositions. Amy aimed to strip down and reimagine her songs, adorning them with strings, piano, and various other instruments.
= The band's fifth album, "The Bitter Truth," made its debut in March 2021. Three singles have been released to date: "Wasted on You," "The Game Is Over," and "Use My Voice."
= Amy has contributed to the soundtracks of various films, crafting the album "Aftermath" specifically for the movie "War Story" in 2014. Additionally, she worked on the soundtrack for "Indigo Gray: The Passage" in 2015, "I Am Her" in 2016, and "Blind" in 2017.
= In 2020, a notable collaboration emerged when Amy joined forces with Lzzy Hale for the "EP Reimagined" by the band "Halestorm." Their joint effort produced the song "Break In," adding another beautiful piece to their creative repertoire.
= Another noteworthy collaboration that garnered acclaim this year was with BMTH on the song "One Day The Only Butterflies Left Will Be In Your Chest As You March Towards Your Death."
= In December 2022, the debut album "Fallen" achieved the prestigious "diamond" title. Bestowed by the RIAA, this accolade is reserved for albums surpassing 10 million units in sales in the USA. Such recognition is a rare distinction, particularly in today's music landscape dominated by streaming platforms, underscoring the remarkable achievement in an era where physical album purchases are less prevalent.