Nineties

1 of 8 Pages     Next ›

(Vocal group, 1996–2001) The launch point for the career of Justin Timberlake, *NSYNC formed in Florida in 1996. J.C. Chasez, Chris Kilpatrick, Joey Fatone and James Lance Bass scored their first hits in Europe with ‘I Want You Back’ and ‘Tearing Up My Heart’. America fell for their good looks and vocal charms in 1998 and by No Strings Attached (2000) they were platinum-selling artists. Timberlake and Kilpatrick even enjoyed a ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
92 Words Read More

(Singer-songwriter, b. 1974) This Canadian singer recorded two teen-oriented albums that went nowhere in 1990 and 1992. Signed to Madonna’s Maverick label, major debut Jagged Little Pill (1995) was a multi-platinum success. Music aside, it was Morissette’s abrasive, honest, sharp lyrical concerns, ranging from anger at being jilted to confessional, that captivated. Singles like ‘Ironic’ and the Chilis-esque rock power of ‘You Oughta Know’ were huge hits. Second album Supposed Former ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
100 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1987–present) This Seattle group, Layne Staley (vocals), Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Mike Starr (bass) and Sean Kinney (drums), cut their teeth on a winning blend of metal and acoustic numbers before being remarketed as a ‘grunge’ act after Nirvana’s huge success. Their second album Dirt (1992) won acclaim and huge sales, a position cemented by Jar Of Flies EP (1994) and an eponymous third album (1995). Despite spawning imitators, they ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
99 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1990–94) Formed in Georgia, and based around Todd ‘Speech’ Thomas and Timothy ‘DJ Headliner’ Barnwell. Taking a pastoral rather than city attitude, Arrested Development fused articulate social concerns, black pride and education on to music that blended hip hop, funk and heavy doses of Sly. 3 Years, 5 Months And Two Days In The Life Of… (1992) featured vital hits ‘People Everyday’ and ‘Mr Wendel’. After Zingalamadni (1994) the ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
94 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1992–present) Hailing from Northern Ireland, Ash comprise Tim Wheeler, (vocals, guitar), Mark Hamilton (bass) and Rick McMurray (drums). Initially trading as teenagers, their infectious blend of indie rock was captured on their debut album 1977 (1996). They had expanded to a wider palette on Nu-Clear Sound (1998) by which time they had added Charlotte Hatherley on additional guitar. Fourth album Meltdown (2005) was a mature rock album. In 2006, ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
90 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1992–present) Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson (left 2006). An American boy band, their first taste of success came in Europe in 1996 with soft-focus ballads like ‘Get Down (You’re The One For Me)’. They conquered the US in 1998, and albums like Millennium (1999) – the obligatory Christmas album – and Black & Blue (2000) sold in their millions. ‘Quit Playing Games (With ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
101 Words Read More

(Vocals, b. 1970) By making music that incorporates eclectic influences from folk, hip hop, rock, electronica and studio prowess, Beck Hansen has become one of the most influential American solo artists. Early EPs, albums and singles like the classic ‘Loser’ were released on a variety of labels. When Beck signed to Geffen he retained the unheard-of right to release material on other labels. Odelay (1996) delivered every promise. Mutations (1998) was ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
94 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1990–98) Named after a feminist magazine of the same name, Seattle’s Bikini Kill spearheaded the riot grrrl movement. Kathleen Hanna (vocals), Tobi Vail (drums) and Kathi Wilcox (bass) published the magazine and roped in Billy Boredom on guitar. Musically a mixture of punk and feminist lyrics, the band built up a no-compromise reputation as a live act. EPs, singles and first album Pussy Whipped (1994) documented the musical and ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
93 Words Read More

(Vocals, b. 1965) Lead singer with native Icelandic band The Sugarcubes, Björk Gudmundsdóttir went solo in 1991. Debut (1993) was a starting collection of songs yielding hits like the dance entrancing ‘Human Behaviour’ and ‘Venus As A Boy’ complete with Indian soundtrack string arrangements. Björk’s unique keening and infectiously enthusiastic singing style was a refreshing change and Debut charted internationally. Always with an ear to the UK club scene – and ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
172 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1988–present) This New York jam band initially favoured the extended blues rock format made popular by The Grateful Dead. John Popper (vocals, harmonium), Chan Kinchla (guitar), Bobby Sheehan (bass) and Brendan Hills (drums) built a solid following that was vastly amplified when aptly named fourth album – Four (1995) – sold four million copies on the back of the hit single ‘Run-Around’. Although Shehean died in 1999 – at ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
97 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1989–2003, 2009–present) Formed at London’s Goldsmiths College, Damon Albarn (vocals), Graham Coxon (guitar), Alex James (bass) and Dave Rowntree (drums) tuned into the vibe generated by The Stone Roses with baggy anthems ‘She’s So High’ and ‘There’s No Other Way’. Although Leisure (1991) showed a band adept at updating 1960s pop, Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993) revealed depth beneath the iceberg of Albarn’s pretty face. With the release of infectious ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
172 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1988–present) The sound of Motown in the early 1990s was the harmonies of this R&B vocal group. Wanya ‘Squirt’ Morris, Michael ‘Bass’ McCary, Shawn ‘Slim’ Stockman and Nathan ‘Alex-Vanderpool’ Morris formed when students at a Philadelphia High School. Their first two albums Cooleyhighharmony (1991) and II (1994) spawned monster hit singles like ‘One Sweet Day’ and ‘On Bended Knee’. By Full Circle (2000) the romantic boys were men with ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
92 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1993–2000) This Irish answer to Take That racked up seven Top 10 singles and spawned an equally successful solo star in Ronan Keating. Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch, Stephen Gately (1976–2009) and Keating were mustered by future X-Factor svengali Louis Walsh in 1993. Their first UK hit was a cover version of The Osmonds’ ‘Love Me For A Reason’. After that, hits and photo-shoots came thick and fast ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
98 Words Read More

(Singer-songwriter, b. 1959) This Canadian singer-songwriter first found US success with his third album Cuts Like A Knife (1984). With material ranging from pleasing orthodox rock to lung-sucking ballads, the rest of the 1980s were fertile soil especially for rousing singles like ‘Summer Of ‘69’. Adams began the 1990s with the theme song from Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves, ‘(Everything I Do) I Do It For You’, which topped the UK ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
176 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1992–present) Formed in 1992 by Gavin Rossdale, (guitar, vocals), Dave Parsons (bass), Nigel Pulsford (guitar) and Robin Goodridge (drums), Bush were playing UK dives when signed by American label Interscope. The grunge-powered sound of their debut album Sixteen Stones (1994) received heavy rotation on American radio – with equally healthy sales – after the breakthrough ‘Everything Zen’ single. Hard touring and hard sounding Razorblade Suitcase (1996) produced by Steve ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
102 Words Read More
1 of 8 Pages     Next ›

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.