Ben Folds life and biography

Ben Folds: A Pioneering Singer-Songwriter and Rock Pianist

Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds, born on September 12, 1966, is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. Folds gained prominence as the frontman and pianist for the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five, active from 1995 to 2000. Following the band’s breakup, Folds launched a highly successful solo career, performing globally and becoming one of the most celebrated modern artists to bring piano-based rock into mainstream music.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Folds grew up surrounded by creativity. His father was a carpenter, and his mother was a painter. Folds was drawn to music from a young age, learning to play the bass, drums, guitar, and piano. "When everyone else was out playing Army, I was at home playing piano or drums or bass or guitar, or something," Folds recalled in an interview with NPR. Though he took just a year of formal piano lessons, he taught himself through energetic playing, inspired by musicians like Little Richard.

After briefly attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he flunked out of the music program, Folds explored various musical ventures, including songwriting in Nashville and performing in Miami. His love for piano-led rock led him to form Ben Folds Five in 1993, alongside drummer Darren Jesse and bassist Robert Sledge.

Ben Folds Five and Rise to Fame

The Ben Folds Five trio, with its piano-driven, guitar-less sound, quickly became a fan favorite, particularly among college students. The band’s quirky, alternative rock style earned them the moniker "nerd rock." Their self-titled debut album, Ben Folds Five (1995), sold over 195,000 copies and became especially popular in Japan. The single "Underground" became a breakthrough hit, and the band’s distinctive sound garnered them a cult following.

Their follow-up album, Whatever and Ever Amen (1997), was a massive success, featuring the hit single "Brick", which explored themes of personal loss and resonated with mainstream audiences. The album sold over 946,000 copies and solidified the band’s place in alternative rock history.

Despite the success, Folds’s experimental approach stood out. He described the band’s sound as "punk rock for sissies", often drawing comparisons to Elton John and Billy Joel. Folds, however, remained distinct in his playing style, often using his feet or head to strike the piano keys during performances, an element that became a hallmark of his energetic shows.

Solo Career and Continued Success

In 2001, Folds transitioned to a solo career, starting with the release of Rockin’ the Suburbs. The album was notable for Folds’s decision to play all the instruments himself. The title track became a hit, with a music video directed by Weird Al Yankovic. Folds found renewed success with his solo work, citing that going solo allowed him to explore his music more freely.

Folds’s solo career was characterized by innovation and collaboration. He formed The Bens, a supergroup with Ben Lee and Ben Kweller, and produced a music collection for William Shatner. His live album, Ben Folds Live (2002), showcased his raw talent and intimate performances. In 2006, he released Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP, a compilation of songs from his previously released EPs.

Television and Collaboration with Orchestras

Folds’s visibility expanded when he became a judge on NBC's The Sing-Off, offering insightful commentary on the a cappella performances. He also collaborated with author Nick Hornby on the album Lonely Avenue (2010), with songs like "From Above", featuring Kate Miller Heidke.

His foray into classical music came in 2014, when he premiered a piano concerto with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. This marked a significant departure from his pop-rock roots, and in 2015, he released the album So There, a blend of chamber pop songs and his piano concerto.

In 2017, Folds was appointed Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where he helped program and perform in concerts blending classical and contemporary music. His work with the orchestra included collaborations with artists like Regina Spektor and Jon Batiste.

Recent Work and Legacy

In 2023, Folds released What Matters Most, his latest studio album, which he hinted may be his final rock album. The album was well-received, and Folds spent much of the year on a tour promoting the release. During his 2024 Paper Airplane Request Tour, he announced plans for a Christmas album, teasing fans with a new song titled "Me and Maurice".

Folds's diverse musical career has cemented him as a genre-defying artist. Whether through his early work with Ben Folds Five, his solo ventures, or his collaborations with orchestras, Folds has remained a powerful, innovative force in modern music. His unique blend of humor, personal reflection, and musical complexity continues to resonate with fans worldwide.


Selected discography:
Solo:
-(As Fear of Pop) Volume 1 550 Records, 1998
-Rockin' the Suburbs Epic, 2001
-Ben Folds Live Sony, 2002

With Ben Folds Five:
-Ben Folds Five Passenger, 1995
-Whatever and Ever Amen 550 Records, 1997
-Naked Baby Photos (compilation), Caroline, 1998
-The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner Sony, 1999

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