Alex Turner (musician)
Encyclopedia
Alexander David Turner is an English musician, best known as the lead vocalist
, guitarist
and main songwriter of the English rock
band Arctic Monkeys
. He has also recorded with a side-project called The Last Shadow Puppets
and as a solo artist.
, a suburb of Sheffield.
He attended Stocksbridge High School in Sheffield (1997–2002) and was later remembered by his English teacher, Steve Baker, as "someone unconventional, a little bit different, with a brightness and a cleverness that would serve him well. He had a very original sense of humour. Alex was never particularly vocal, but you could sense when some pieces of poetry moved him.
He spent most of his teenage years listening to rap artists such as Roots Manuva
. His attentions later turned to guitar music following the breakthrough of The Strokes
and The Libertines
. Turner's parents bought him his first guitar for Christmas 2001.
Following sixth form college, his parents reluctantly agreed to let him defer university for one year to pursue his musical ambitions. During this time he worked as a barman at Sheffield venue, The Boardwalk. Turner has since said that, had Arctic Monkeys
not become successful, he would have studied English at Manchester University. He is known to be a die-hard Sheffield Wednesday fan.
from April 2007 to July 2011. She was also in the music video of the song My Mistakes Were Made For You
by The Last Shadow Puppets
.
As of November 2011 Turner is now worth in excess of £9million.
, released in early 2006, became the fastest-selling debut album in British music history. The band have since released three more albums: Favourite Worst Nightmare
(2007), Humbug
(2009) and Suck It and See
(2011) all reaching No.1 in the UK album charts.
, James Ford
and Owen Pallett
.
The album is called The Age of the Understatement
, and was released on 21 April 2008 and reached the number one spot in its first week. Towards the end of 2008 they completed a small tour, backed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra
, starting at Portsmouth Guildhall
on 19 August 2008.
for Submarine
, the debut feature film of Richard Ayoade
, a friend and director of various Arctic Monkeys
music videos. The soundtrack was released on 18 March 2011 in the UK and US.
. Turner worked with Dizzee Rascal
on the song "Temptation" from Dizzee Rascal's album Maths and English. Turner also features in the Reverend and the Makers
song "The Machine" from their debut album The State Of Things.
He co-wrote with Johhana Bennett"Fluorescent Adolescent
".
Collaborations
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and main songwriter of the English rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
. He has also recorded with a side-project called The Last Shadow Puppets
The Last Shadow Puppets
The Last Shadow Puppets is a band consisting of Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, Miles Kane formerly of The Rascals, and composer/producer James Ford.-Formation:...
and as a solo artist.
Early life
Alex Turner is the only child of Penny and David Turner, who taught German and music respectively at Sheffield secondary schools. He was raised in High GreenHigh Green
High Green is the northernmost suburb of Sheffield, England. Its about 8 miles in distance from inner Sheffield.It is found to the north of Chapeltown and is served by a number of buses; the nearest rail station is in Chapeltown 1 mile away....
, a suburb of Sheffield.
He attended Stocksbridge High School in Sheffield (1997–2002) and was later remembered by his English teacher, Steve Baker, as "someone unconventional, a little bit different, with a brightness and a cleverness that would serve him well. He had a very original sense of humour. Alex was never particularly vocal, but you could sense when some pieces of poetry moved him.
He spent most of his teenage years listening to rap artists such as Roots Manuva
Roots Manuva
Rodney Hylton Smith , better known by his stage name Roots Manuva, is a British rapper from Stockwell, South London. He is currently signed to Big Dada.-Biography:...
. His attentions later turned to guitar music following the breakthrough of The Strokes
The Strokes
The Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in 1999 in New York City. Consisting of Julian Casablancas , Nick Valensi , Albert Hammond, Jr. , Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti ....
and The Libertines
The Libertines
The Libertines were an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât and Pete Doherty . The band, centred on the song-writing partnership of Barat and Doherty, also included John Hassall and Gary Powell for most of its recording career...
. Turner's parents bought him his first guitar for Christmas 2001.
Following sixth form college, his parents reluctantly agreed to let him defer university for one year to pursue his musical ambitions. During this time he worked as a barman at Sheffield venue, The Boardwalk. Turner has since said that, had Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
not become successful, he would have studied English at Manchester University. He is known to be a die-hard Sheffield Wednesday fan.
Personal life
Turner was in a relationship with television presenter and model Alexa ChungAlexa Chung
Alexa Chung is an English television presenter, model and contributing editor at British Vogue.She currently hosts Gonzo with Alexa Chung for MTV UK, and is scheduled to host Thrift America for PBS in 2011...
from April 2007 to July 2011. She was also in the music video of the song My Mistakes Were Made For You
My Mistakes Were Made for You
"My Mistakes Were Made for You" is the third single released by The Last Shadow Puppets. It was released on October 20, 2008 in the United Kingdom on Domino Records, featuring three b-sides: a live version of the album track "Separate and Ever Deadly" plus two covers...
by The Last Shadow Puppets
The Last Shadow Puppets
The Last Shadow Puppets is a band consisting of Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, Miles Kane formerly of The Rascals, and composer/producer James Ford.-Formation:...
.
As of November 2011 Turner is now worth in excess of £9million.
Arctic Monkeys
The band signed to independent label Domino Records after a bidding war in 2005. Their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm NotWhatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not is the debut album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 23 January 2006. The album became the UK's fastest selling debut album, shifting over 360,000 copies in its first week, and remains the fastest selling debut album by a band. It...
, released in early 2006, became the fastest-selling debut album in British music history. The band have since released three more albums: Favourite Worst Nightmare
Favourite Worst Nightmare
Favourite Worst Nightmare is the second studio album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys that was first released in Japan on 18 April 2007 before being released around the world. Recorded in east London's Miloco Studios with producers James Ford and Mike Crossey, the album was preceded by the...
(2007), Humbug
Humbug (album)
Humbug has received major critical acclaim, with many praising the band's newfound maturity. Billboard stated that the band "justif[ies] the hype by shifting its best qualities into different, equally dazzling shapes," while The Record Review noted that with Humbug, the Arctic Monkeys proved...
(2009) and Suck It and See
Suck It and See
Suck It and See is the fourth studio album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, released 6 June 2011 in the UK and 7 June in the US, following their 2011 North American tour. The band worked with producer James Ford on this album and promised a more "vintage" style. The music video for "Brick...
(2011) all reaching No.1 in the UK album charts.
The Last Shadow Puppets
In August 2007, plans were announced for Turner to record an album with Miles KaneMiles Kane
Miles Peter Kane is an English musician originally from Meols on the Wirral near Liverpool, best known as the co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets and former frontman of The Rascals...
, James Ford
James Ford (musician)
James Ford is an English musical composer, record producer and musician.-Biography:Ford was a founding member of the group Simian and currently a member of their spin-off duo Simian Mobile Disco...
and Owen Pallett
Owen Pallett
Michael James Owen Pallett is a Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist from Toronto, Ontario. He won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize for the album He Poos Clouds....
.
The album is called The Age of the Understatement
The Age of the Understatement
Different versions of the album list the last two tracks in a different manner. Catalog number WIGCD208 lists track #11 and #12 as "The Meeting Place" and "Time Has Come Again" respectively while catalog number WIGCD208S lists them as "Meeting Place" and "The Time Has Come...
, and was released on 21 April 2008 and reached the number one spot in its first week. Towards the end of 2008 they completed a small tour, backed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
, starting at Portsmouth Guildhall
Portsmouth Guildhall
Portsmouth Guildhall is the biggest events venue in the Hampshire city of Portsmouth in England. The building, completed in 1890, was designed in the neo-classical style by architect William Hill, who had earlier been responsible for the design of the town hall in Bolton...
on 19 August 2008.
Solo work
Turner wrote and performed all six tracks for the soundtrackSubmarine (soundtrack)
All songs written and performed by Alex Turner. Music written by Alex Turner and James Ford.-Personnel:* Alex Turner - vocals, piano, keyboards, guitars, bass, drums* Bill Ryder-Jones - guitar on tracks 2 & 4...
for Submarine
Submarine (2010 film)
Submarine is a 2010 coming-of-age comedy-drama film adapted from the 2008 novel of the same name by Joe Dunthorne. The film was written and directed by Richard Ayoade and stars Craig Roberts, Yasmin Paige, Sally Hawkins, Noah Taylor and Paddy Considine...
, the debut feature film of Richard Ayoade
Richard Ayoade
Richard Ellef Ayoade is a British comedian, actor, writer and director best known for his role as Maurice Moss in The IT Crowd.Ayoade was born an only child to a Norwegian mother, Dagny , and a Nigerian father, Layide Ade Laditi Ayoade. Ayoade studied at St...
, a friend and director of various Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
music videos. The soundtrack was released on 18 March 2011 in the UK and US.
Collaborations
In October 2008, Turner made his debut as a short story writer, performing spoken word track "A Choice of Three" on his bandmate's compilation Late Night Tales: Matt HeldersLate Night Tales: Matt Helders
Late Night Tales: Matt Helders is a DJ mix album, mixed by Matt Helders , released as part of Late Night Tales / Another Late Night DJ series.-Track listing:...
. Turner worked with Dizzee Rascal
Dizzee Rascal
Dylan Kwabena Mills , better known by his stage name Dizzee Rascal, is a Ghanaian British rapper, songwriter and record producer. His music is a blend of garage, hip hop, grime, ragga, pop and electronic music, with eclectic samples and more exotic styles...
on the song "Temptation" from Dizzee Rascal's album Maths and English. Turner also features in the Reverend and the Makers
Reverend and The Makers
Reverend and The Makers are an indie pop band based in Sheffield, England and signed to Wall of Sound. The band is fronted by Jon McClure, nicknamed "The Reverend"...
song "The Machine" from their debut album The State Of Things.
He co-wrote with Johhana Bennett"Fluorescent Adolescent
Fluorescent Adolescent
- Chart performance :On downloads alone, "Fluorescent Adolescent" charted in the UK Singles Chart at #55 for the week commencing 25 June 2007. The song charted at number five upon release of the single on CD for the week commencing 16 July 2007. Since 27 June 2007, "Fluorescent Adolescent" has...
".
Instruments
- Fender Stratocaster
- Fender JazzmasterFender JazzmasterThe Fender Jazzmaster is an electric guitar designed as an upmarket sibling to the Fender Stratocaster. First introduced at the 1958 NAMM Show, it was initially marketed at jazz guitarists, but found favor among surf rock guitarists in the early 1960s...
- Fender BroncoFender BroncoThe Fender Bronco was an electric guitar model produced by the Fender company from mid 1967 until 1981. It used the body and neck from the Fender Mustang, but had only one pickup and a different tremolo arm mechanism...
(Stolen as of July 2011) - Fender TelecasterFender TelecasterThe Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
- Ovation Viper
- Gibson J-45Gibson J-45The Gibson J-45 is an acoustic guitar model manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. It is part of Gibson's round-shoulder, dreadnought acoustic "jumbo" line, begun in 1934 with the Gibson Jumbo Flattop which was to compete with C.F. Martin & Company's "D" line.The J-45 is generally regarded...
- GretschGretschThe Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
Spectra Sonic baritone - MartinC. F. Martin & CompanyC.F. Martin & Company is a US guitar manufacturer established in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Martin is highly regarded for its steel-string guitars, and is a leading mass manufacturer of flattop acoustics with models that retail for thousands of dollars and vintage instruments that often...
F-65 - Gibson Les Paul CustomGibson Les Paul CustomThe Gibson Les Paul Custom is a higher end variation of the Gibson Les Paul guitar. It was developed in 1954 after Gibson had introduced the Les Paul model in 1952.-Notable Les Paul Custom players:...
Sound Equipment
- SelmerThe Selmer CompanyHenri Selmer Paris company is a French family-owned enterprise, manufacturer of musical instruments based in Paris, France in 1885. It is known for its high-quality woodwind and brass instruments, especially saxophones, clarinets and trumpets...
Zodiac 30 - DanelectroDanelectroDanelectro is an American manufacturer of musical instruments and accessories, specializing in rock instruments such as guitars, bass guitars, amplifiers and effects units.-History:...
Reel Echo - Hughes & KettnerHughes & KettnerHughes & Kettner is a German brand of guitar and bass amplifiers, cabinets and effects processors. It was founded in Neunkirchen in 1984 and is based in St.Wendel since 1987....
Rotosphere - BossBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
CE-1 - BossBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
DM-1 - Cornell First Fuzz
- Morley Footswitch ABY
- MXR Micro Amp
- Ibanez Tube ScreamerIbanez Tube ScreamerThe Ibanez Tube Screamer is a guitar overdrive pedal, made by Ibanez. The pedal has a characteristic mid-boosted tone popular with blues players...
TS-808 - Coopersonic Valveslapper
- Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Plus
- Electro-Harmonix Hum Debugger
- Fender Blender
- Morley Power Wah
- Pro Co RATPro Co RatThe Pro Co "The RAT" is a guitar effects pedal produced by Pro Co Sound. The original RAT was developed in the basement of Pro Co's Kalamazoo, Michigan facility in 1978...
2 - BossBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
TU-2 Chromatic Tuner - OrangeOrange AmplificationOrange Music Electronic Company is a British electric guitar and public address amplifier manufacturing company, famous for its distinctive sound and bright orange Tolex-like covering on amplifier heads and speaker cabinets...
AD30T - Vox AC30Vox AC30The Vox AC30 is a guitar amplifier manufactured by Vox and known for its "jangly" high-end sound. First introduced in 1958 due to the growing demand for higher-wattage amplifiers, it became an iconic amplifier for British musicians and soon for others....
CC2X amplifiers. - Boss LS-2 Line Selector
- Electro-Harmonix Memory Man
Discography
Album appearances- 2006 - Arctic MonkeysArctic MonkeysArctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
– Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm NotWhatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm NotWhatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not is the debut album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 23 January 2006. The album became the UK's fastest selling debut album, shifting over 360,000 copies in its first week, and remains the fastest selling debut album by a band. It... - 2007 - Arctic MonkeysArctic MonkeysArctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
– Favourite Worst NightmareFavourite Worst NightmareFavourite Worst Nightmare is the second studio album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys that was first released in Japan on 18 April 2007 before being released around the world. Recorded in east London's Miloco Studios with producers James Ford and Mike Crossey, the album was preceded by the... - 2008 - The Last Shadow PuppetsThe Last Shadow PuppetsThe Last Shadow Puppets is a band consisting of Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, Miles Kane formerly of The Rascals, and composer/producer James Ford.-Formation:...
- The Age of the UnderstatementThe Age of the UnderstatementDifferent versions of the album list the last two tracks in a different manner. Catalog number WIGCD208 lists track #11 and #12 as "The Meeting Place" and "Time Has Come Again" respectively while catalog number WIGCD208S lists them as "Meeting Place" and "The Time Has Come... - 2009 - Arctic MonkeysArctic MonkeysArctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
- HumbugHumbug (album)Humbug has received major critical acclaim, with many praising the band's newfound maturity. Billboard stated that the band "justif[ies] the hype by shifting its best qualities into different, equally dazzling shapes," while The Record Review noted that with Humbug, the Arctic Monkeys proved... - 2011 - Alex TurnerAlex TurnerAlex Turner is the name of:*Alex Turner , Virginian slave, who escaped at the beginning of the American Civil War and fought in the Union army*Alex Turner , film director...
- SubmarineSubmarine (soundtrack)All songs written and performed by Alex Turner. Music written by Alex Turner and James Ford.-Personnel:* Alex Turner - vocals, piano, keyboards, guitars, bass, drums* Bill Ryder-Jones - guitar on tracks 2 & 4... - 2011 - Arctic MonkeysArctic MonkeysArctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
- Suck It and SeeSuck It and SeeSuck It and See is the fourth studio album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, released 6 June 2011 in the UK and 7 June in the US, following their 2011 North American tour. The band worked with producer James Ford on this album and promised a more "vintage" style. The music video for "Brick...
Collaborations
- 2007 - Reverend and The MakersReverend and The MakersReverend and The Makers are an indie pop band based in Sheffield, England and signed to Wall of Sound. The band is fronted by Jon McClure, nicknamed "The Reverend"...
- The State of Things ("The Machine") - 2007 - Dizzee RascalDizzee RascalDylan Kwabena Mills , better known by his stage name Dizzee Rascal, is a Ghanaian British rapper, songwriter and record producer. His music is a blend of garage, hip hop, grime, ragga, pop and electronic music, with eclectic samples and more exotic styles...
- Maths + EnglishMaths + English- Track listing :*1 Samples Lyn Collins' "Think " and Galactic Force Band's "Space Dust Gurnhill EZI".*2 Co-mixed by Shy FX.*3 Samples "So You Wanna Be a Boxer" from the film musical Bugsy Malone.*4 Omitted from US version.-Charts:...
("Temptation") - 2009 - Matt HeldersMatt HeldersMatthew Helders , is the drummer for English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. He is the most comprehensive backing vocalist in the group, appearing on several tracks, including the majority of 'Humbug'...
- Late Night Tales: Matt HeldersLate Night Tales: Matt HeldersLate Night Tales: Matt Helders is a DJ mix album, mixed by Matt Helders , released as part of Late Night Tales / Another Late Night DJ series.-Track listing:...
("A Choice of Three") - 2011 - Miles KaneMiles KaneMiles Peter Kane is an English musician originally from Meols on the Wirral near Liverpool, best known as the co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets and former frontman of The Rascals...
- Colour of the TrapColour of the TrapColour of the Trap is the debut solo album by English musician Miles Kane, released on 6 May 2011. The album peaked to number 11 on the UK Albums Chart.Clémence Poésy is featured on the track "Happenstance".- Singles :...
(As the co-writer of some songs off the album)