Evanescence life and biography

Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. After recording private albums, the band released their first full-length album, Fallen, on Wind-up Records in 2003. Fallen sold more than 17 million copies worldwide and helped the band win two Grammy Awards and seven nominations, in addition, Fallen is #6 at the "Top Bestselling albums of the last 10 Years".

Catapulted into the mainstream by their blockbuster major label debut Fallen, Evanescence was dubbed Best New Artist of 2003 at the Grammy Awards. A rare metal-Goth combo, these musicians are fronted by a powerful soprano, Amy Lee, who spews dire lyrics that belie the airy sensation inferred in the band's name. Evading catastrophe in the unanticipated loss of keyboardist David Hodges while on international tour in October 2003, the band regrouped and reduced the disaster to a mere speed bump on the road to superstardom. With continued success, global sales of the band's multiplatinum debut album, Fallen, were reported at 11 million units in May 2004.

Evanescence began in 1995 in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the brainchild of two adolescent musicians, Amy Lee and Ben Moody, each of them aspiring songwriters. Lee, then 13 years old, was studying piano, while the 14-year-old Moody was learning guitar. Based in a mutual love of music, a friendship flourished freely between the two who became acquainted while at a summer camp. They began musical collaborations almost immediately.

Vocalist Lee, an introverted child, had developed a morose temperament after the sudden death of her three-years-younger sister when Lee was only six. This withdrawal was aggravated when her father, a soft-rock disc jockey, moved the family from their native California, relocating to Florida and Illinois before settling in Little Rock, Arkansas, when Lee was in her early teens. She began writing songs and poetry in grade school, and pursued her love of classical music by taking piano lessons in fourth grade with the ambition of performing professionally. With dedication, she continued her piano studies for nine years, through the upheaval of relocation. Likewise she joined school choirs, served as president of the high school chorus, and was a member of the Arkansas State Choir. Although she sang alto as a student, Lee was destined to make her mark professionally with her powerful, falsetto-like soprano, which became the trademark of Evanescence.

Already a loner, Lee became a rebel as a teenager. She adopted a hard-line feminist approach to life and love, and she discarded her affection for pop rock stars like Christina Aguilera. With a sincere admiration for outrageous individualism, Lee acquired a taste for grunge, metal, and mosh pits.

The line-up of the group has changed several times: David Hodges leaving in 2002, co-founder Moody left in 2003 (mid-tour), bassist Will Boyd in 2006, followed by guitarist John LeCompt and drummer Rocky Gray in 2007. The last two changes led to a hiatus, with temporary band members contributing to tour performances. Billboard ranked Evanescence #71 on the Best Artists of the Decade chart.

Announced in June 2009, the newest line-up of the band eventually returned with Evanescence, their self-titled third studio album, released on October 11, 2011. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 127,000 copies in sales. According to Examiner.com, the album also debuted at #1 on four other different Billboard charts; the Rock Albums, Digital Albums, Alternative Albums, and the Hard Rock Albums charts. The first single, "What You Want", was released on August 9, 2011. The second single, "My Heart Is Broken", was sent to radio stations in October 31, 2011. The band is currently on tour in promotion of their new album with other bands including The Pretty Reckless and Fair to Midland.

Discography:
-Fallen (2003)
-The Open Door (2006)
-Evanescence (2011)

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