Rock On The Net: Beck (original) (raw)
Beck (Hansen) was born on July 8, 1970, as Beck David Campbell. Beck's mother, Bibbe Hansen, is a former Andy Warhol protegee/theater actress. Raised in Los Angeles and occasionally in Kansas City, Beck later moved to New York City in 1989. Beck had dropped out of school after junior high and started playing folk music on the streets of L.A. In New York's clubs, Beck found and refined his sound, and returned to California in 1991. Beck's music has been described as celebrating the "junk culture" of the 1990's with influences drawn from folk, hip-hop, psychedelic pop, and post-modern rock. Beck's style combines and recycles all of these elements into the music he plays, and in doing so has found success on alternative and pop charts.
# 69Singles Artist of the Year
Becktopped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for 5 weeks with "Loser."
Beck gained musical attention with his offbeat song "Loser" from his LP, Mellow Gold. The song became a radio and video favorite and soon more attention was paid toward Beck. "Loser" was originally released on an independent label, Bongload Records, as a 12" single and first became a hit on underground and alternative radio stations. Eventually, the song went Top 10 on the pop charts, and Beck agreed to sign with Geffen Records after being assured of artistic freedom.
Beck hit the Top 40 with "Loser."
Beck hit the Top 10 with "Loser."
The single "Loser" was certified gold.
Mellow Goldwas certified gold.
The video for "Loser" was nominated for 3 MTV Video Music Awards including Best Male Video, Best New Artist, and Best Alternative Video.In addition to control over his art, Beck was allowed to continue to release LPs on independent labels which he did with Stereopathetic Soul Manure andOne Foot In The Grave. The LPs showcased more of Beck's folk roots and experimental nature.
Beck was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance - Male ("Loser").In the summer, Beck showcased his live performances by touring with Lollapalooza.
Mellow Goldwas certified platinum.
# 176Singles Artist of the Year
Beck's next major LP, Odelay, was released to more critical and commercial success. The LP featured more traditional arrangements than his previous LP, but was still regarded as fresh and innovative. Although pop success eluded the tracks of Odelay, the alternative scene and video channels embraced the LP and tracks such as "Where It's At," "The New Pollution," "Jack Ass," and "Devil's Haircut."Odelay was produced by Beck and the Dust Brothers, who had gained notoriety by producing for the Beastie Boys. Odelay was also hailed as the 'Best LP of the Year' by many music critics.
Odelay was certified gold.
Beck won a MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video ("Where It's At") and the video was nominated for Best Editing.
Beck was named Artist of the Year by Rolling Stone and Spin.
# 140 Singles Artist of the Year
Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock And Roll includes "Loser."
Odelay was certified platinum.
Beck won 2 Grammy Awards for Best Rock Vocal Performance - Male ("Where It's At) and Best Alternative Music Performance (Odelay) and was nominated forAlbum of the Year (Odelay).Beck toured with the H.O.R.D.E. Festival during the summer.
Odelay was certified 2x platinum.
Beck and his videos won 5 MTV Video Music Awards including Best Male Video and Best Editing ("Devil's Haircut"), Best Art Direction (K.K. Barrett), Best Choreography (Peggy Hickey), and Best Direction ("The New Pollution" which Beck directed). "The New Pollution" was also nominated for Video of the Year and Best Alternative Video.
Beck could be heard on the soundtrack for A Life Less Ordinarywith "Deadweight."
Beck performed a "country music-blues type concert" in Los Angeles at the El Ray Theater. "Beck Acoustic With Friends" will include some Beck's more well-known tunes from his own LPs and some songs by Jimmie Rogers. Beck's taste of country music was made more evident at Farm Aid '97 where he performed a Jimmie Rogers song ("Peach Pickin' Time Down In Georgia") with Willie Nelson.
Readers of Rolling Stone named Beck the Best Male Performer of the Year.
Beck could be heard singing withEmmylou Harris on a tribute LP to the late Gram Parsons.
Beck was nominated for an American Music Awardfor Favorite Male Rock/Pop Artist.
Beck was nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film ("Deadweight").
Beck's next LP, Mutations, was released and various tracks from the LP were previewed interchangeably at his official website.
Mutations was certified gold.During the year Beck won a California Music Award for Artist of the Year and was named Artist of the Year by Rolling Stone.
Beck filed a counter-suit against Geffen Records for releasing his LP, Mutations, last year claiming it was meant to be an indie-label release.
Beck released his next LP, Midnite Vultures.MTV: 100 Greatest Videos Ever Madeincludes "Loser" at # 64.
Midnite Vultures was certified gold.
Beck won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance (Mutations).
Beck won a Brit Award for Best International Solo Artist.
Beck was injured at a show in London after falling in the middle of his concert. The injury occurred during a planned routine that had Beck being lifted by his bass player, but unfortunately Beck landed hard on his guitar.
Beck performed at the Bridge School Benefit concert held in California.
Beck was nominated for 2 Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Performance (Midnite Vultures).
Beck covered David Bowie's classic "Diamond Dogs" for the film Moulin Rouge.
VH1: 100 Greatest Videosincludes:# 57- "Loser."
Beck ranked # 70 on VH1: 100 Sexiest Artists.
Beck released his next LP - Sea Change. Beck said of the LP tracks: "They're honest and simple songs and they're trying to capture a universal experience that anybody goes through... It's taking something sad and trying to turn it into something that's hopeful at the end."
Rolling Stone magazine critics picked Beck as Best Male Artist and Sea Change as Best Album.
Beck performed on Saturday Night Live.
Beck was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance (Sea Change).
VH1: 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 Years includes "Loser" at # 63.
Beckspent 13 months on tour and began work on his next LP - he told Rolling Stone, the LP will be "...pretty aggressive. I've been working on it for a while, but I ended up doing Sea Change first. I've been wanting to do a record with loud guitars for a long time."
Rolling Stone: The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: # 305:Odelay, # 440:Sea Change.
Beck got married.
Beck released Guero.
Beck topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart with "E-Pro."
Beck topped the Billboard Top Internet Albums chart with Guero.
Sea Change was certified gold.
The video for "E-Pro" was nominated for a MTV Video Music Awardfor Best Male Video.
Beck performed on ReAct Now: Music & Relief - a benefit program shown on music video channels to raise money for those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Guerolito was released.
Beck was nominated for a Grammy Awardfor Best Alternative Music Album (Guero).
The video for "Hell Yes" was nominated for a MTV Video Music Awardfor Best Special Effects.
Beck released his next LP The Information.
Beck nominated for a Grammy Awardfor Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance("Nausea").
VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 90's included "Loser" at # 22.
Beck re-issued his LP Odelay with additional remixes and b-sides.
Beck nominated for a Grammy Awardfor Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance ("Timebomb").
Entertainment Weekly: 100 Best Albums of the Last 25 Years included Odelay at # 17.
Beck released Modern Guilt.
Beck topped the Billboard Top Digital Albums chart with Modern Guilt.
Beck topped the Rolling Stone 'Readers Poll' for Best Male Performer of 2008.
Beck was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album (Modern Guilt).
Beck could be heard on the charity compilation LP War Child Presents Heroeson the track "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat." Proceeds of the LP assist war-affected children around the world.
Rolling Stone: '100 Best Albums of the Decade (2000-2009)' included Sea Changeat # 17.
February 25: Beck released Morning Phase.
Beck topped the Billboard Rock Albums chart and Alternative Albums chart with Morning Phase.
- February 8: Beck won 2 Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Album (Morning Phase), and was also nominated for Best Rock Song (awarded to the songwriter) and Best Rock Performance ("Blue Moon").
- February 23: The Information was certified gold.
- July 11: Beck topped the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart with "Dreams."
- February 15: Morning Phase was certified gold.
- June 9: Beck could be heard on the Music From 'The American Epic Sessions' compilation.
- October 13: Beck released Colors.
- November 4: Beck topped the Billboard Rock Albums chart with Colors.
- December 9: Beck topped the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart with "Up All Night."
- December 16: Beck topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart with "Up All Night."
- January 27: Beck topped the Billboard Rock Airplay chart with "Up All Night."
- January 28: Beck was nominated for a Grammy Awardfor Best Music Video ("Up All Night").
- February 10: Beck won a Grammy Awardfor Best Alternative Music Album (Colors) and was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance ("Colors").
- November 22: Beck released Hyperspace.
- December 21: Beck topped the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart with "Uneventful Days."
- October 23: Beck could be heard on the Gorillaz LP Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez on the track "The Valley Of The Pagans."
- March 14: Beck was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album (Hyperspace).
- February 5: Beck was nominated for a Grammy Awardfor Best Rock Performance ("Old Man").
- August 5: Beck topped the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay chart with Phoenix with "Odyssey."
Mellow GoldReleased: March, 1994 US: Platinum Billboard peak: # 13 Tracks: "Loser" - "Pay No Mind (Snoozer)" - "F****' With My Head (Mountain Dew Rock)" - "Whiskeyclone, Hotel City, 1997" - "Soul Suckin Jerk" - "Truckdrivin Neighbors Downstairs (Yellow Sweat)" - "Sweet Sunshine" - "Beercan" - "Steal My Body Home" - "Nitemare Hippy Girl" - "Mutherf*****" - "Blackhole" | |
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Stereopathetic Soul ManureReleased: March, 1994 Tracks: "Pink Noise (Rock Me Amadeus)" - "Rowboat" - "Thunder Peel" - "Waitin' For A Train" - "The Spirit Moves Me" - "Crystal Clear (Beer)" - "No Money No Honey" - "8.6.82" - "Total Soul Future (Eat It)" - "One Foot In The Grave" - "Aphid Manure Heist" - "Today Has Been A F***** Up Day" - "Rollins Power Sauce" - "Puttin' It Down" - "11.6.45" - "Cut 1/2 Blues" - "Jagermeister Pie" - "Ozzy" - "Dead Wild Cat" - "Satan Gave Me A Taco" - "8.4.82" - "Tasergun" - "Modesto" - "Bonus Stuff" - "Track 25" | |
One Foot In The GraveReleased: June, 1994 Tracks: "He's A Mighty Good" - "Sleeping Bag" - "I Get Lonesome" - "Burnt Orange Peel" - "Cyanide Breath Mint" - "See Water" - "Ziplock Bag" - "Hollow Log" - "Forcefield" - "Fourteen Rivers, Fourteen Floods" - "A**hole" - "I've See The Land Beyond" - "Outcome" - "Girl Dreams" - "Painted Eyelids" - "Atmospheric Conditions" | |
iTunes Amazon.mp3 | OdelayReleased: June, 1996 US: 2x Platinum Billboard peak: # 16 Rolling Stone: Tracks: "Devil's Haircut" - "Hotwax" - "Lord Only Knows" - "The New Pollution" - "Derelict" - "Novacane" - "Jack-Ass" - "Where It's At" - "Minus" - "Sissyneck" - "Readymade" - "High 5 (Rock The Catskills)" - "Ramshackle" - "Bonus Computer Rock" |
MutationsReleased: November, 1998 US: Gold Billboard peak: # 13 Rolling Stone: Tracks: "Cold Brains" - "Nobody's Fault But My Own" - "Lazy Flies" - "Canceled Check" - "We Live Again" - "Tropicalia" - "Dead Melodies" - "Bottle Of Blues" - "O Maria" - "Sing It Again" - "Static" | |
Midnite VulturesReleased: November, 1999 US: Gold Billboard peak: # 34 Rolling Stone: Tracks: "Sexx Laws" - "Nicotine & Gravy" - "Mixed Bizness" - "Get Real Paid" - "Hollywood Freak" - "Peaches & Cream" - "Broken Train" - "Milk & Honey" - "Beautiful Way" - "Pressure Zone" - "Debra" | |
Sea ChangeReleased: September, 2002 US: Gold Billboard peak: # 8 Rolling Stone: Tracks: "The Golden Age" - "Paper Tiger" - "Guess I'm Doing Fine" - "Lonesome Tears" - "Lost Cause" - "Nothing I Haven't Seen" - "It's All In Your Mind" - "Round The Bend" - "Already Dead" - "Sunday Sun" - "Little One" - "Side Of The Road" | |
GueroReleased: March, 2005 US: Gold Billboard peak: # 2 Rolling Stone: - Entertainment Weekly: A- Tracks: "E-Pro" - "Que Onda Guero" - "Girl" - "Missing" - "Black Tambourine" - "Earthquake Weather" - "Hell Yes" - "Broken Drum" - "Scarecrow" - "Go It Alone" - "Farewell Ride" - "Rental Car" - "Emergency Exit" | |
GuerolitoReleased: December, 2005 Entertainment Weekly: B+ Tracks: "Ghost Range" (Homelife Remix) - "Que Onda Guero" (Island Remix) - "Girl" (Octet Remix) - "Heaven Hammer (Missing)" - "Shake Shake Tamourine (Black Tambourine)" (Adrock Remx) - "Terremoto Tempo" (Mario C Remix) - "Gettochip Malfunction" (8Bit Remix) - "Broken Drum" (Boards Of Canada Remix) - "Scarecrow" (el-P Remix) - "Wish Coin" (Diplo Remix) - "Farewell Ride" (Subtle Remix) - "Rental Car" (John King Remix) - "Emergency Exit" (Th'corn Gangg Remix) - "Clap Hands" | |
The InformationReleased: October, 2006 Billboard peak: # 7 US: Gold Rolling Stone: - Entertainment Weekly: A- Tracks: "Elevator Music" - "Think I'm In Love" - "Cellphone's Dead" - "Strange Apparition" - "Soldier Jane" - "Nausea" - "New Round" - "Dark Star" - "We Dance Alone" - "No Complaints" - "1000 BPM" - "Motorcade" - "Information" - "Movie Theme" - "Horrible Fanfare / Landslide / Exoskeleton" | |
Odelay (re-issue)Released: January, 2008 Rolling Stone: Tracks: "Devil's Haircut" - "Hotwax" - "Lord Only Knows" - "The New Pollution" - "Derelict" - "Novacane" - "Jack-Ass" - "Where It's At" - "Minus" - "Sissyneck" - "Readymade" - "High 5 (Rock The Catskills)" - "Ramshackle" - "Deadweight" - "Inferno" - "Gold Chains" - "Where It's At" (U.N.K.L.E. Remix) - "Richard's Hairpiece" (Aphex Twin Remix) - "American Wasteland" (Mickey P. Remix) - "Clock" - "Thunder Peel" - "Electric Music And The Summer People" - "Lemonade" - "Sa-5" - "Feather In Your Cap" - "Erase The Sun" - ".000.000" - "Brother" - "Devil Got My Woman" - "Trouble All My Days" - "Strange Invitation" - "Burro" | |
Modern GuiltReleased: July, 2008 Billboard peak: # 4 Rolling Stone: - Entertainment Weekly: B+ Tracks: "Orphans" - "Gamma Ray" - "Chemtrails" - "Modern Guilt" - "Youthless" - "Walls" - "Replica" - "Soul Of A Man" - "Profanity Prayers" - "Volcano" | |
iTunes Amazon.mp3 | Morning PhaseReleased: February 25, 2014 US: Gold Billboard Top 200 LPs peak: # 3 Grammy Winner: Album of the Year, Best Rock Album Tracks: "Cycle" - "Morning" - "Heart Is A Drum" - "Say Goodbye" - "Blue Moon" - "Unforgiven" - "Wave" - "Don't Let It Go" - "Blackbird Chain" - "Phase" - "Turn Away" - "Country Down" - "Waking Light" |
iTunes Amazon.mp3 vinyl | ColorsReleased: October 13, 2017 Billboard Top 200 LPs peak: # 3 Grammy Winner: Best Alternative Music Album Tracks: "Colors" - "Seventh HEaven" - "I'm So Free" - "Dear Life" - "No Distraction" - "Dreams" (Colors Mix) - "Wow" - "Up All Night" - "Square One" - "Fix Me" |
iTunes Amazon.mp3 vinyl | HyperspaceReleased: November 22, 2019Grammy Nominee: Best Alternative Music Album Tracks: "Hyperlife" - "Uneventful Days" - "Saw Lightning" - "Die Waiting" - "Chemical" - "See Through" - "Hyperspace" - "Stratosphere" - "Dark Places" - "Star" - "Everlasting Nothing" |
Note: Song title and position links lead you to the song's Top 40 chart run (from the ARC Weekly Top 40) and LP links take you to Amazon.com's page for that LP (often including track listings and sound samples). |
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