Aaron Lewis
Aaron Lewis | |
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Lewis performing in 2012 | |
Background information | |
Born |
Rutland City, Vermont, U.S. | April 13, 1972
Origin | Longmeadow, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | |
Years active | 1990–present |
Labels | |
Associated acts |
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Aaron Lewis (born April 13, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter and musician who is best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and founding member of the alternative metal band Staind, with whom he released seven studio albums. He has also enjoyed a successful solo career in country music with his debut EP Town Line, which was released on March 1, 2011 on Stroudavarious Records. Lewis' first full-length solo release, The Road, was released by Blaster Records on November 13, 2012.[1] Lewis released his second studio album Sinner on September 16, 2016.
In 2006, Lewis was ranked at number 49 in the Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists by Hit Parader.[2]
Early life
Lewis was born in Vermont to hippie parents living in a log cabin. When his parents split up, he moved with his father to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he attended high school.[3]
Career
Before Staind, Lewis was in a band known as J-CAT[4] with Tori Sands, Chris Ballini, and former Staind bandmate Jon Wysocki. An album surfaced on the internet with nine of J-CAT's performances at Club Infinity in Springfield, Massachusetts. The performances were recorded while Dysfunction was being recorded. Two of Staind's popular singles—"Outside" and "It's Been Awhile"—were both originally performed by J-CAT with somewhat different lyrics. Lewis has stated in multiple interviews that music has always been his outlet for getting the feeling off his chest. He met Staind lead guitarist Mike Mushok at a Christmas party in 1993, where they became acquainted. Mike told him about plans on starting a band; however, around that time, Lewis was actually homeless in the New England area. They were going to name the band Staind with the correct dictionary spelling of 'stained', but a punk rock group called Lit had previously used that band name with the same spelling. Lewis says out of respect for the band, they dropped the 'e' in the word 'stained' for their own signature band name.
Lewis' music has often focused on his family's issues (until his country music surfaced, now that he and his parents are closer) and his struggles of growing up. He won't comment much on his childhood, but says he had low self-esteem back then (not necessarily now) and that he was often depressed and often "felt very alone". His songs have become much more positive over the years than in the beginning, but he's stated that his lyrics are always reality-based, and he believes it's why so many have had a strong personal connection to his music over the years.
Most fans who've met Lewis say he can be shy when he's not on-stage but friendly, down-to-earth, and one who possesses an upbeat attitude about life. He's said in interviews that he's never desired to wear much of a celebrity image; that though he's pleased with the success he's had in music, he also enjoys the fact that he can go places with his daughters and people still won't recognize him as Aaron Lewis or come up to him. He's an outdoor kind of person (growing up in the Massachusetts countryside) and is very family-oriented. His feelings on raising a child of his own were expressed in the Staind song he wrote about his daughter, "Zoe Jane". He calls it the song he's most proud of writing (AskMen.com interview). On August 1, 2014, Lewis was on hand to roll the first dice and perform at the opening of The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Sioux City, Iowa.
Solo career
Lewis has been performing solo acoustic shows since he was 17 and still does today. He has written and performed many songs that have never been officially released such as "Angel", "Something Like Me", "Bonghits for Breakfast" (originally performed with J-CAT), and "Sleeping at the Wheel".
In July 2010, Lewis finished recording a country music EP entitled Town Line that was released March 1, 2011 on Stroudavarious Records. It features seven tracks including three versions of the first single "Country Boy" featuring George Jones, Charlie Daniels, and Chris Young, as well as the songs "Massachusetts", "Vicious Circles", "The Story Never Ends", and a re-recording of "Tangled Up in You" originally from The Illusion of Progress.[5] Lewis said in a July 2011 interview that he was introduced to country music as a child by his grandfather, but his interest was recently rekindled when he toured with fellow rock turned occasional country singer Kid Rock.[6]
Lewis released his first full solo album, The Road, in November 2012. Its debut single, "Endless Summer", has also made the country charts. Lewis wrote every song on the 10 track collection, except for "Granddaddy's Gun" which was penned by Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Bobby Pinson, marking the first time Lewis has recorded outside material for an album.[7] In an interview with Broadway's Electric Barnyard, Lewis said he recorded "Granddaddy's Gun" as both a compliment to a friend, and because he was pressed for time.[8]
Lewis wrote songs for his second solo album whilst touring in support of The Road, often performing the unreleased material in his live sets.[9][10] The album, dubbed Sinner, was mostly recorded in a single 18 hour session, with many tracks done in one take. Aaron's daughter Zoe also provides guest vocals on one song.[11] It was released on September 16, 2016, with the lead single, "That Ain't Country", released on 17 June. Country artist Willie Nelson is featured on the album's title track as well.
Collaborations
Lewis was featured on the song "No Sex" by Limp Bizkit on their album Significant Other. He was also featured on a remix of the song "Crawling" on Linkin Park's first remix album Reanimation (titled as "Krwlng" on the remix album). He contributed vocals to the song "Follow" by Sevendust from Animosity, and to the songs "Bleed" and "Send in the Clowns" by the band Cold from 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage. He's also featured on Jimmie's Chicken Shack's song "Falling Out", the only single off their 2004 album re.present. In December 2010 while promoting his Town Line album Lewis collaborated with Corey Taylor for a one-night-only acoustic duet show covering songs such as Pearl Jam's "Black", Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb", and Alice in Chains' "Down in a Hole". Lewis told Broadway's Electric Barnyard that he's open to collaborating with anyone. When asked specifically about Jason Aldean, whom he shouts out in "Endless Summer", Lewis said, "Yeah."[8]
Incidents and controversies
2014 Kansas City Rockfest
At the 2014 Kansas City Rockfest, during the performance of the song "Something to Remind You" from Staind, Aaron Lewis scolded some men for groping a teenage female fan while she was crowd surfing. His rant was met with applause from the audience.[12]
2014 World Series performance
At the 2014 World Series Game 5, Aaron Lewis flubbed the United States' national anthem. Instead of singing "at the twilight's last gleaming," Lewis sang, "were so gallantly streaming," words that come later on. Lewis released a statement of apology, stating, "All I can say is I'm sorry and ask for the Nation's forgiveness. My nerves got the best of me and I am completely torn up about what happened. America is the greatest country in the world. The Star-Spangled Banner means so much to so many, including myself. I hope everyone can understand the intensity of the situation and my true intent of this performance. I hope that the Nation, Major League Baseball and the many fans of our national pastime can forgive me."[13] The incident was particularly embarrassing for Lewis, as three years earlier he publicly criticized singer Christina Aguilera for doing the same thing.[14]
Equipment
- 1950 Gibson Acoustic J-45
- 1951 Gibson Acoustic Southern Jumbo
- 1936 Gibson Acoustic Jumbo J-35
- 1956 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top
- 1968 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top
- 1980's Gibson Heritage Series Les Pauls (at least 5)[15]
- 3 Fender Telecasters
- Fender Stratocaster
- 1957 Martin Acoustic D-28 as of 2017
Personal life
Lewis is married to Vanessa Lewis and has three daughters, Zoe Jane, Nyla Rae and Indie Shay. Lewis also has two sisters, Evyette and Rachel, as well as a brother, Jesse. Regarding the commercial success of Staind's albums in the early 2000s, Lewis reflected "A lot of other people made a shit load of money but we're the same as any of you. I have to work to pay my bills."[16]
Lewis is a registered Republican.[17] He is a "constitutional conservative"; he opposes high taxes and supports marijuana legalization. His views were expressed in the song "Country Boy".[18][19] Lewis supported Donald Trump before the United States presidential election of 2016, even though he said he was disappointed with his "bickering and name-calling" that was not exhibiting presidential behavior.[20]
In a five-minute interview with Outdoor Life magazine Lewis said that he has been hunting whitetail deer since he was old enough to keep up in the "good old woods," since probably around age 4 or 5. His preferred method of hunting deer is with a compound or recurve bow, and he occasionally utilizes a muzzleloader.[21]
Philanthropy
On November 4, 2006, Lewis performed at his old high school in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and gave all the proceeds to the music department to fund the department's expenses to buy new equipment and supplies.[22] Lewis' main focus, however, is the non-profit organization It Takes a Community, where he and his wife have started to reopen their daughters' elementary school in Worthington, Massachusetts.[23]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |
---|---|---|---|---|
US [24] |
US Country [25] | |||
The Road |
|
30 | 7 |
|
Sinner |
|
4 | 1 |
|
Extended plays
Title | Extended play details | Peak chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
US [24] |
US Country [25] |
US Rock [28] | ||
Town Line |
|
7 | 1 | 3 |
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [29] |
US Adult [30] |
US Alt. [31] |
US Country [32] |
US Country Airplay [33] |
US Heri. Rock [34] |
US Main. Rock [35] |
US Rock [36] | ||||
"Outside" (with Fred Durst) |
2000 | 56 | 31 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | The Family Values Tour 1999 | |
"Country Boy" (featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels) |
2011 | 87 | — | — | 50 | — | 20 | 23 | 39 | Town Line | |
"Endless Summer" | 2012 | — | — | — | 39 | — | — | — | — | The Road | |
"Forever" | — | — | — | 50 | 38 | — | — | – | |||
"Granddaddy's Gun"[38] | 2013 | — | — | — | — | 46 | — | — | — | ||
"That Ain't Country" | 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sinner | |
"Sinner" (featuring Willie Nelson) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | – | |||
"Whiskey and You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | – | |||
"Lost and Lonely" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | – | |||
"Mama" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | – | |||
"Folded Flag" | 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unknown | |
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Music videos
Title | Year | Director(s) |
---|---|---|
"Country Boy" (version 1)[39] (featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels) |
2010 | Alex Castino |
"Country Boy" (version 2)[40] (featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels) |
2011 | N/A |
"Endless Summer" (live)[41] | 2012 | Jim Wright |
"Endless Summer"[42] | ||
"Forever" (live)[43] | Fran Strine | |
"Forever"[44] | Jim Wright | |
"Granddaddy's Gun"[45] | 2013 | |
"That Ain't Country"[46] | 2016 |
Awards and nominations
Year | Association | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | CMT Music Awards | USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year – "Country Boy"[47] | Nominated |
Collaborative Video of the Year – "Country Boy" (with George Jones and Charlie Daniels)[47] | Nominated |
References
- ↑ Wyland, Sarah (August 29, 2012). "Aaron Lewis Plans an 'Endless Summer'". Great American Country. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
- ↑ "Blabbermouth.net Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists – Dec. 1, 2006". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/staind-dark-stars-48045/
- ↑ "J.C.A.T Biography". Archived from the original on October 24, 2009.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis Talks "Town Line," Alice in Chains, Christmas and George Jones – ARTISTdirect News". Artistdirect.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis: Drastic Genre Crossover". Revuewm.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis Reveals Album Details". Musicrow.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- 1 2 "Broadway's Electric Barnyard". Broadwayselectricbarnyard.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis stays true to traditional country roots". Kansas.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- ↑ "Staind singer's shift to country is all about outlook". Mrt.com. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis on committing to country music, status of Staind & why he'd 'certainly vote for' Donald Trump". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 11, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis Scolds Grabby Audience in Onstage Rant: 'Your Mothers Should Be Ashamed' (Video)". Billboard. June 2, 2014. Archived from the original on June 5, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
- ↑ "Watch singer flub National Anthem before Game 5 of World Series at AT&T Park, players react, singer apologizes". San Jose Mercury News. October 27, 2014. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ↑ "THE STAIND SINGER WHO MADE FUN OF CHRISTINA AGUILERA'S NATIONAL ANTHEM SCREWED UP THE NATIONAL ANTHEM". MTV News. October 27, 2014. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Staind's Aaron Lewis Loves Gibson Acoustics". Gibson.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
- ↑ "Mass Republican and Staind Front Man Aaron Lewis pens new TEA Party Anthem". Red Mass Group. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ↑ "Massachusetts Republican Aaron Lewis of Staind shares his political beliefs with paper". Red Mass Group. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis of Staind talks about solo country CD, politics, and why the folks at MTV should be burned at the stake". masslive.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis on Committing to Country Music, Status of Staind & Why He'd 'Certainly Vote For' Donald Trump". Archived from the original on June 11, 2016.
- ↑ "5 Minutes with Aaron Lewis, Outdoor Life, June/July 2011, Page 124". Outdoorlife.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ↑ "STAIND's AARON LEWIS Playing Benefit For Alma Mater". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. October 20, 2006. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
- ↑ "Staind's Aaron Lewis Starts New Charity, Discusses Solo Debut". Billboard.com. September 14, 2009. Archived from the original on July 1, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- 1 2 "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- 1 2 "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Country Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016.
- ↑ Bjorke, Matt (March 13, 2018). "Top 10 Country Albums Chart: March 12, 2018". Roughstock. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Rock Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Country Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Heritage Rock". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Mainstream Rock Tracks". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis – Chart History: Rock Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ↑ "American certifications – Lewis, Aaron". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ↑ "R&R Going For Adds: Country (Week Of: June 25, 2013)". Radio & Records. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ↑ "CMT : Videos : Aaron Lewis, George Jones, Charlie Daniels : Country Boy". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ↑ "CMT : Videos : Aaron Lewis : Country Boy (Fourth of July Military Tribute)". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ↑ "CMT : Videos : Aaron Lewis : Endless Summer (Live)". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ↑ "CMT : Videos : Aaron Lewis : Endless Summer". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ↑ "CMT : Videos : Aaron Lewis : Forever (Live Version)". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ↑ "CMT : Videos : Aaron Lewis : Forever". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ↑ "CMT : Videos : Aaron Lewis : Granddaddy's Gun". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Aaron Lewis' New Album SINNER Debuts at #1 on iTunes Albums Charts". The Country Note. September 17, 2016. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- 1 2 "It's Jason Aldean's Kinda Party: Leads CMT Music Awards Nominations". Roughstock. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
External links
- Official website
- The Darkness Within by Jenny Eliscu, Rolling Stone, July 19, 2001 (In depth interview, includes birthplace)
- Aaron Lewis lyrics
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