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Ben Folds
Ben Folds
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Singer/pianist Ben Folds (born September 12, 1966, in Winston-Salem, NC) is best known as the leader of the power pop trio Ben Folds Five, but has also struck out on his own as a solo artist. Despite playing in bands in high school, his musical career didn't really get off the ground until the late '80s, as a bassist for Majosha (the outfit issued such obscure releases as Party Night: Five Songs About Jesus and Shut Up and Listen to Majosha). Proving his multi-instrumental talents, Folds also played drums as a session musician in Nashville. After relocating to New York, Folds started acting again (he'd done some theater in high school previously) and signed a publishing deal with Sony Music.

Moving back to North Carolina, Folds in 1994 formed Ben Folds Five, a trio that also included bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jessee. Whereas most alternative bands of the '90s specialized in distorted teen-angst rock, the guitarless trio was a refreshing break from the norm, their sound akin to such past power popsters as Todd Rundgren, Jellyfish, early Joe Jackson, and such piano-driven artists as Billy Joel and early Elton John. But like punk bands, Ben Folds Five put on a high-energy, blistering live show. The band was signed to the independent Caroline Records shortly afterward, resulting in their self-titled debut one year later. Due to airings of their humorous anthem "Underground" (which poked fun at the politics of the punk/alternative scene) on MTV's 120 Minutes) and constant touring, quite a buzz was stirring for the band by the time of their second album.

Released in 1997, Whatever and Ever Amen was pure pop perfection -- easily one of the year's best releases and perhaps the best power pop release of the '90s. The band's songwriting and sound had improved even further, as evidenced by such gems as "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces," "Fair," "Kate," and "Battle of Who Could Care Less," plus their whimsical tribute to breakups, "Song for the Dumped." But it was the ballad "Brick" that broke the band commercially -- unlike the majority of their material, which was upbeat, the song contained melancholic music and vocals, as the lyrics told the story of a teenage couple who decides to get an abortion (it has been speculated that the tale was autobiographical for Folds). The single didn't hit until several months after the album was released, which meant that the band stayed on the road for well over a year, playing with such notables as Dave Matthews, Beck, and as part of the 1997 H.O.R.D.E. festival -- earning Whatever platinum status.

While 1998 didn't see a new studio album by the band, BF5's former label issued a 16-track rarities collection (Naked Baby Photos), as Folds released his first solo album, Volume 1, under the pseudonym Fear of Pop. Although the album went largely unnoticed, it included the song "In Love," which included overly dramatic vocals from none other than Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner (comparable in approach to Shatner's must-hear 1968 album, The Transformed Man) and which was performed on The Conan O'Brien Show shortly after the album's release. Ben Folds Five regrouped with 1999's The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner, which was a more mature work than its predecessors, although the energetic leadoff single, "Army," showed that Folds' humorous approach hadn't dulled at all. Folds officially went solo again in 2001 with Rockin' the Suburbs. A series of EPs followed, with the new long-player Songs for Silverman dropping in 2005. He released Supersunnyspeedgraphic: The LP in 2006, followed by the full-length Way to Normal in 2008. In 2009 Folds contributed two songs to University A Cappella, a collection of a cappella covers of some of Folds' best tracks by various university groups. ~ Greg Prato, All Music GuideMore

Official Profile

Ben Folds
BEN FOLDSWay to NormalOver the last 15 years, Ben Folds’ first-class melodic gifts, irony-lace...
Songs: 7, Videos: 1, Playlists: 3, Blog Posts: 2, Polls: 0, Battles: 0

Most Popular Music Videos (7)

Rockin' The Suburbs
(Duration: 4:15)
Jun 20th, 12:46am
You Don't Know Me (featuring Regina Spektor)
(Duration: 3:10)
Oct 25th, 3:28am
Still Fighting It
(Duration: 4:27)
Jun 22nd, 8:14am
Learn To Live With What You Are
(Duration: 4:44)
Jun 19th, 10:42pm
Jesusland
(Duration: 4:03)
Jun 28th, 11:43pm
Landed
(Duration: 4:07)
Jun 28th, 11:35pm
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Fan Comments

Sep 18th, 10:35pm
There is something about your music that makes it some of the best music I have ever heard, Ben Folds your my hero no jokes!
Jul 15th, 12:56pm
I love your music! It reminds me of the times my parents and I had before they got a divorce. Your music was the one thing they didn't argue about. We used to sit in the car and jam to Rockin' The Suburbs and every one would be smiling. So everytime I listen to your music it takes me back to the happy times I had with my mom and dad. Thank you for giving me an escape from my sad and depressing life.
Jul 3rd, 8:36pm
Check out the "Ben Folds Group" group....
May 10th, 9:43pm
Have you guys checked out the website for Ben Folds' A Capella album? (http://www.benfolds.com/acappella)

There's a ton of videos and exclusives. I can't stop listening :) (I guess I have a soft spot for a capella!)
Apr 29th, 4:41pm
Man, I'm hooked. ;)
Mar 17th, 11:10am
selling art??? HAHAHAH
Two free albums!! Click on picture and you wont be redirected anywhere and download begins automatically. 'Pillowface' is alternative/folk and 'Face Time' is rap/hip hop. Enjoy!
Jan 26th, 12:04am
don't mean to toot my own horn, but I do believe I've got the best Ben Folds playlist on imeem. Not just sayin it to say it, I'm sayin it cuz if you're here, you're a fan like me, and I'm all about sharing!
Nov 25th, 9:52pm Last edited Nov 25th, 9:53pm.
Oct 9th, 3:51pm
sweetness x3
Oct 7th, 6:16pm