Avril Lavigne

Born: 

September 27, 1984 - Belleville, Ontario, Canada

Quote From Avril Lavigne: 

"i dont want to be compared to Britney, Ashlee, Hilary or Lindsay. i want to be compared to me."

Avril Lavigne Trivia Fact: 

Avril Lavigne was the youngest female artist ever to have a #1 album in the U.K.

Early Years: 

Avril Lavigne grew up in the small town of Napanee, Ontario. She was discovered by her first manager singing country songs in a bookstore in Kingston, Ontario. At the age of 16 Avril came to the attention of Arista records head L.A. Reid, and she was offered a recording contract.

Creating 'Let Go,' Avril Lavigne's First Album: 

With her new recording contract, Avril Lavigne moved to New York City. She was surrounded by some of the top songwriters and producers in the music business. Unfortunately, she was disappointed with her co-songwriters. Lavigne moved to Los Angeles and connected with Cliff Magness and the Matrix songwriting team. They helped put together the album Let Go.

Pop Success: 

Let Go, released in 2002, when Avril Lavigne was 17, was nearly an instant hit. Within 6 months the album sold over 4 million copies in the U.S. "Complicated," the album's first single, reached #2 on the pop singles chart. "Sk8erboi," the followup, reached the top 10 as well and helped hone Lavigne's self-chosen image as a skater punk. She soon found herself spearheading a wave of independent young female singers and setting fashion trends. Ultimately Let Go sold more than 15 million copies worldwide.

For the followup album Under My Skin, released in 2004, Avril Lavigne worked extensively with Canadian songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk. She also worked with three producers for the album: Butch Walker of the Marvelous 3, Raine Maida, Kreviazuk's husband, and Don Gilmore, producer of Good Charlotte and Linkin Park. The result was an album that sounded more mature and polished than Let Go. Under My Skin debuted at the top of the pop albums chart and included "My Happy Ending," another top 10 hit single.

In 2005, Avril Lavigne announced her engagement To Deryck Whibley of the punk pop group Sum 41. After the announcement Whibley headed to Europe to tour with his group while Lavigne continued her Bonez Tour through North America.