Brendon Urie

Brendon Urie
Brendon Urie performing in Germany at Rock im Park 2016
Born Brendon Boyd Urie
(1987-04-12) April 12, 1987
St. George, Utah, U.S.
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician[1]
Years active 2004–present
Spouse(s)
Sarah Orzechowski (m. 2013)
Musical career
Origin Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • bass
  • drums
  • percussion
Labels
Associated acts
Website panicatthedisco.com

Brendon Boyd Urie (born April 12, 1987) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of Panic! at the Disco, of which he is the only original member remaining.[8]

Early life

Urie was born in St. George, Utah, and his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, when he was two years old.[9] He is the fifth and youngest child born to Grace and Boyd Urie[10]. He was raised in an LDS family,[10] but left the faith around 17.[11][12][13] Urie attended Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas,[14] where he met future ex-Panic bassist Brent Wilson in his guitar class. Wilson asked Urie to try out for a band he was in, since they needed a replacement guitarist.[15]

Urie described himself as a "spaz in high school," and explained that one student would always bully him.[16] He worked at Tropical Smoothie Cafe in order to pay his band's rent for their practice space. At the cafe, Urie often sang for customers. He explained, "I would sing anything I was listening to at the time, but I was down to take requests. I remember singing some Scorpions songs, some W.A.S.P. 80s anthems are usually good for tips. It was a huge range of stuff. Some people liked it, and some people didn't. I had to respect other people's wishes, but I had a couple people come in who would ask me to sing for a tip. That's always fun."[16]

Career

Panic! at the Disco

Urie in 2006

Urie met Brent Wilson while taking guitar classes offered at their high school and Wilson asked Urie to try out as lead guitarist for Panic! at the Disco, as they were looking for a replacement at the time. Originally, Ryan Ross was their lead singer. When Urie filled in for Ross during a band rehearsal, they were impressed with Urie's vocal abilities and he was chosen as their lead singer.[17]

Since then, Panic! at the Disco has released five studio albums with Urie as lead vocalist. A Fever You Can't Sweat Out was released in 2005 with the hit lead single "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" propelling it to 1.8 million sales. For their second album, Pretty. Odd. (2008), Urie also took lyrical responsibility and wrote two of the tracks on the record by himself; those tracks being "I Have Friends in Holy Spaces" and festival favorite "Folkin' Around." He also wrote "New Perspective" for the soundtrack to the motion picture Jennifer's Body.[18]

Urie in 2007

On March 22, 2011, the band released their third album Vices & Virtues following the departure of Ross and Walker. On October 8, 2013, the fourth album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! was released. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. On July 21, 2014, Urie won "Best Vocalist" at the Alternative Press Music Awards. In 2015, founding drummer Spencer Smith left the band and bassist Dallon Weekes departed from the official lineup, being downgraded to a touring member, leaving Urie as the only member of the official lineup.[15]

On January 15, 2016, Panic! at the Disco released their fifth studio album, Death of a Bachelor, eventually earning the band its best sales week and first number one album.[19]

On March 21, 2018, the band released two new songs Say Amen (Saturday Night) and (Fuck A) Silver Lining.[20] At the same time, the band also announced a tour, and a new album called Pray For The Wicked.[21][22]

Other projects

Urie provided guest vocals alongside Patrick Stump on The Cab's song "One Of THOSE Nights" from their debut album, Whisper War.[23]

Urie performing with Panic! at the Disco in 2009

Urie has also been involved with several songs and other projects by former labelmates Fall Out Boy. He provided vocals on the songs "What a Catch, Donnie" and "20 Dollar Nose Bleed" from Fall Out Boy's 2008 album, Folie à Deux. Urie also sang back vocals on the track "7 Minutes In Heaven" off of Fall Out Boy's From Under The Cork Tree.[24]

In 2008, Urie became involved with a song for the Coca-Cola Company, called "Open Happiness." Urie sings the chorus of the song, which also features labelmate Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, labelmate Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes, Cee-Lo Green, and Janelle Monáe. The song was written and produced by Butch Walker, co-written by Cee-Lo Green and remixed by Polow Da Don. Urie was also featured as an elated news reporter in the music video for the song, which was released on July 16, 2009.[25]

In December 2013, Urie sang "Big Shot" in front of Billy Joel, President Obama and an audience, when Billy Joel received the Kennedy Center Honors, the nation highest honor for influencing American culture through the arts.[26]

Urie performing with Panic! at the Disco in 2011

Urie appeared in the music videos "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More Touch Me," "What A Catch, Donnie" and "Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet" by Fall Out Boy. Urie appears in the Gym Class Heroes video for the song "Clothes Off!!" alongside bandmate Spencer Smith and former Panic! at the Disco band members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker. The members are seen dancing in animal costumes, Urie being in a dog suit. Urie also appears in "One of THOSE nights" by The Cab, which also features Ryan Ross, Jon Walker, Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump and Spencer Smith. In 2010 Urie and bandmate Spencer Smith appeared in Butch Walker's music video "Pretty Melody," appearing as ninjas.[27][28] Brendon co-wrote a song with Rivers Cuomo of the band Weezer. Rivers has said that "If Panic! wants it, they have first dibs, but if not, it could work for Weezer."[29] Urie and bandmate Spencer Smith appeared in Butch Walker's Panic! at Butch Walker's, a parody in which Urie discovers Walker is a psychotic homicidal cannibal, and Brendon is his next meal.[30]

On March 24, 2014, Brendon Urie was featured on Travie McCoy's single "Keep On Keeping On" off his upcoming album Rough Waters.[31] Urie featured on the entirety of the song "Love in the Middle of a Firefight" for Dillon Francis's album Money Sucks, Friends Rule.[32] Francis called it his favorite track on the album. Urie also was featured on the Lil Dicky track "Molly" on his debut studio album Professional Rapper.[33][34]

In 2016, Urie was featured on the song "It Remembers" by the band Every Time I Die, from their album Low Teens.[35]

On April 11, 2017, Urie announced that he would star in Cyndi Lauper's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Kinky Boots, in which he played one of the lead roles, Charlie Price. He played the role from May 26, 2017, to August 6, 2017.[36][37][38]

In 2015, Urie wrote a song for the SpongeBob SquarePants musical. The musical made its debut in Chicago in the summer of 2016 and returned to the Palace Theater on Broadway in the winter of 2017. For the musical, Urie sings a song called, "Not A Simple Sponge." Nickelodeon released a video in the spring of 2016 that includes details about the artists that they worked with to bring the score to life, including Aerosmith, John Legend, Plain White T's and Panic! at the Disco.[39][40]

Voice

Urie possesses a lyric tenor vocal range that spans four octaves. His range extends D2 to C7.[41] His voice is known for being "extensive" and "versatile," notably after the release of "This Is Gospel" (2013).[4][42]

Personal life

In September 2011, it was confirmed that Urie was engaged to Sarah Orzechowski (born 1987).[43] The couple got married on April 27, 2013.[44][45]

Urie says that he has "experimented" with men but says, "I guess if I had to classify myself, I'd say I'm straight."[46] In July 2018, Urie described himself as pansexual, stating, "I'm married to a woman and I'm very much in love with her but I'm not opposed to a man because to me, I like a person. ... If a person is great, then a person is great."[47]

In February 2017, Urie moved out of his home in Los Angeles, California, to an undisclosed location. He said the move was to get away from excessive attention from his fans. He also said that he did not feel safe in his own home.[48][49]

Urie has said that he has been diagnosed with ADHD and was prescribed medication for the condition at a young age. He says that he likes to be open about his mental health to his fans.[50][51]

Influences

Urie has cited Frank Sinatra, Queen and David Bowie as his biggest influences.[52]

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Pettigrew, Jason. "Panic! At The Disco Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Beaumont, Mark (January 13, 2016). "Panic! at the Disco review – emo pop for a teen rebellion". The Guardian. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Panic! at the Disco are back with dark pop punk at HMV". Tamworth Herald. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Vocal Range and Profile: Brendon Urie". Diva Devotee. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Panic! at the Disco – Death of a Bachelor". Tuned Up. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Panic! At The Disco Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!". altpress.
  7. ↑ Panic at the Disco – Biography at Allmusic
  8. ↑ ""Panic! At The Disco's Brendon Urie joins 'Kinky Boots' cast"". NME.
  9. ↑ Urie, Brendon. "I do. Born in St. George, UT. Family moved me to Vegas when I was 2". Twitter. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Growing up is hard to do". The Guardian. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  11. ↑ "Panic! At The Disco's frontman on being the only original member left". The Independent. 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  12. ↑ "Out to Win: Panic! at the Disco frontman Brendon Urie takes on Westboro, talks 'gay' past and lapsed Mormonism – David Atlanta". davidatlanta.com. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  13. ↑ "Sex, Drugs and Show Tunes: Panic! at the Disco's Brendon Urie Talks His Unconventional Road to Kinky Boots Stardom". people.com.
  14. ↑ Weatherford, Mike (June 17, 2011). "Las Vegas' Panic! at the Disco playing House of Blues after weathering lineup changes". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  15. 1 2 "Panic! at the Disco Biography". Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  16. 1 2 Valerie Nome (March 22, 2011). "Panic! At The Disco Frontman Moves Forward". OK!. Archived from the original on March 24, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Panic! Attacks". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2005-10-28. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  18. ↑ "Panic! at the Disco Talk "Jennifer's Body" Song, Plans for New LP". Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  19. ↑ "Panic! at the Disco Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. January 24, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  20. ↑ Melendez, Monique (March 21, 2018). "Panic! at the Disco — "Say Amen (Saturday Night)" / "(Fuck A) Silver Lining"". Spin. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  21. ↑ Dickman, Maggie (March 21, 2018). "Panic! At The Disco announce massive U.S. tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  22. ↑ Moore, Sam (March 21, 2018). "Panic! At The Disco announce new album and unveil single 'Say Amen (Saturday Night)'". NME. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Buzzworthy Obsession: The Cab, 'One of Those Nights'". MTV. 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  24. ↑ "Brendon Urie Discography". Discogs. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  25. ↑ "Open Happiness". Myspace Open Happiness. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  26. ↑ "Brendon Urie Covers Billy Joel at 'Kennedy Center Honors'". Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  27. ↑ "Exclusive: Butch Walker's Kung Fu Epic". SPIN. 2010-04-12. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  28. ↑ "Butch Walker – Pretty Melody". YouTube. 2010-04-12. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  29. ↑ "Weezer's Rivers Cuomo & Jermaine Dupri: The Billboard Cover Story & Video". Billboard. 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  30. ↑ "Panic! at Butch Walker's". YouTube. 2010-02-16. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  31. ↑ By Walker (2014-03-24). "Travie McCoy - Keep On Keeping On (feat. Brendon Urie) | OnSMASH". Freeonsmash.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  32. ↑ Dillon Francis And Panic! At The Disco Frontman Fight For Love In New Track MTV. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Lil Dicky Laments Love Lost With Panic! at the Disco's Brendon Urie in 'Molly' Video: Watch". Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  34. ↑ "Professional Rapper by Lil Dicky on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Brendon Urie guests on new Every Time I Die song—listen - News - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
  36. ↑ "Panic! At the Disco's Brendon Urie Joins 'Kinky Boots' Cast". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
  37. ↑ "Brendon Urie Proves he Makes Those High Heels Work in new Kinky Boots Pictures". rocksound.
  38. ↑ "Panic! At the Disco's Brendon Urie Will Star in Broadway's Kinky Boots". Playbill.
  39. ↑ "Here's a song Panic! At The Disco wrote for the 'SpongeBob Squarepants' musical". 6 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  40. ↑ "Panic! at the Disco Have Written a Song for a Spongebob Squarepants Musical". 6 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  41. ↑ "Vocal Range and Profile: Brendon Urie (Panic! At The Disco)". Critic of Music. 13 August 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  42. ↑ "Which APMA-nominated vocalist has the best pipes?". Alternative Press. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  43. ↑ Brendon Urie and Sarah Orzechowski Announce Their Engagement". Buzznet. September 19, 2011.
  44. ↑ "Best day of my life. Meet Mrs. Urie". Brendon Urie Official Twitter Account. Twitter, Inc. 2013-04-28. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
  45. ↑ "Sarah Urie, Brendon's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  46. ↑ James Michael Nichols (8 Nov 2013). "Brendon Urie, Panic At The Disco Frontman, Has 'Experimented' With 'Homosexuality And Bisexuality'". Huffington Post.
  47. ↑ Beatrice Hazlehurst (6 July 2018). "Brendon Urie Lays It All Out". PAPER Magazine.
  48. ↑ "Brendon Urie forced to move houses after fan harassment". Altpress.com. 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  49. ↑ "Panic! At The Disco's Brendon Urie forced to move house after 'constant harassment' from fans". nme.com. 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
  50. ↑ thisisthenewgay (2016-12-22), brendon urie talking about his mental health, retrieved 2017-04-24
  51. ↑ "Brendon Urie's not going to panic about his new responsibilities". Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  52. ↑ Sherwin Lainez (January 18, 2016). "Panic! at the Disco's Brendon Urie Talks the Influence of Bowie, Queen, and Sinatra on Death of a Bachelor". ABC News Radio.
  53. ↑ "Panic! At The Disco Discography". Retrieved 25 April 2017.
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