Alex Turner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alex Turner
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Turner performing with Arctic Monkeys in 2023
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alexander David Turner |
| Born | 6 January 1986 Sheffield, England |
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| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Domino |
Alexander David Turner (born 6 January 1986) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the frontman and main songwriter for the rock band Arctic Monkeys. Turner is famous for his clever and creative lyrics, which have been praised by music critics.
When Turner was 15, he and three friends started Arctic Monkeys in 2002. Their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006), became the fastest-selling debut album in British history. This album and their fifth album, AM (2013), were named on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Besides Arctic Monkeys, Turner is also part of a band called The Last Shadow Puppets with his friend Miles Kane. He also wrote the music for the movie Submarine (2010). Over his career, he has won many awards, including seven Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello Award.
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Early Life and School Days
Alexander David Turner was born in Sheffield, England, on 6 January 1986. He is the only child of Penny and David Turner, who were both teachers. His mother taught German and loved language, while his father taught music and physics. His parents were big music fans, and he grew up listening to bands like the Beatles and the Beach Boys. His father played in big bands and taught Alex a few things on the piano.
Turner grew up next door to Matt Helders, who would later become the drummer for Arctic Monkeys. They were friends from the age of five and went to the same schools. They met Andy Nicholson in secondary school, and the three friends loved listening to hip-hop artists like Dr. Dre and the Wu-Tang Clan.
When the Strokes became popular in 2001, Turner and his friends got interested in rock music. For Christmas when he was 15, his parents bought him an electric guitar. His former teachers described him as a bright and popular student who was good at sports. His English teacher remembered him as clever but "quite reserved."
Career
Starting the Arctic Monkeys
When he was 15, Turner and his friends decided to form a band. In 2002, Arctic Monkeys was born with Turner, Helders, Nicholson, and a neighbor, Jamie Cook. At first, Turner just played guitar. He became the lead singer because two other friends they asked said no. Helders knew Turner was good with words and encouraged him to write lyrics.
The band practiced for a year in Turner's garage before their first show. Their first gig was on 13 June 2003, at a local pub called The Grapes. They played a mix of their own songs and covers of songs by bands like the Beatles and the White Stripes.
The band started recording demos and handing out free CDs at their shows. Fans began sharing their music online, and soon they had a large following. By the end of 2004, their song "I Bet You Look Good on The Dancefloor" was being played on BBC Radio 1.
Rise to Fame
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In 2005, Arctic Monkeys became famous across the UK. They signed with the independent record label Domino Recording Company. Their first single, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", went straight to number one on the UK charts.
Their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, was released in January 2006. It also went to number one and became the fastest-selling debut album in British history. Turner's lyrics about teenage life in Sheffield were widely praised. He was called "the voice of a generation" by the press, but he was often quiet and shy in interviews.
The band quickly released more music, including the EP Who the ... Are Arctic Monkeys? in April 2006. That summer, Nick O'Malley replaced Andy Nicholson as the band's bassist.
Exploring New Sounds
Arctic Monkeys' second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), was also a number one hit. It showed the band trying new sounds, with hints of psychedelic rock. That summer, they headlined the famous Glastonbury Festival.
For their third album, Humbug (2009), the band worked with producer Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age. This album had a heavier, darker sound. Turner described it as a "massive turning point" for the band. One of its most famous songs is "Cornerstone", a witty and sad song about lost love.
Their fourth album, Suck It and See (2011), was written in New York and recorded in Los Angeles. It featured a mix of pop ballads and glam-rock songs. Critics praised Turner's clever and poetic lyrics.
International Success with 'AM'
By 2012, Arctic Monkeys had moved to Los Angeles. They toured the US with the Black Keys and performed at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.
In September 2013, they released their fifth album, AM. The album was a huge international success and blended sounds from T. Rex, the Rolling Stones, and Black Sabbath. It became their most popular album in the US and helped them become one of the biggest bands in the world. They toured for 18 months and headlined Glastonbury for a second time.
New Directions
The band's sixth album, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018), was a big surprise for fans. Turner wrote most of it on a piano, and it has a space-themed, lounge-music feel. The album is told from the point of view of a character living in a hotel on the moon. Critics called it a "captivatingly bizarre" and clever album.
Their seventh album, The Car, was released in October 2022. It continued the cinematic and string-heavy sound of their previous album. In 2023, the band headlined Glastonbury Festival for a third time.
The Last Shadow Puppets
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In 2007, Turner started a side project called the Last Shadow Puppets with his friend Miles Kane and producer James Ford. Their music is inspired by 1960s film scores and artists like Scott Walker and David Bowie.
Their first album, The Age of the Understatement (2008), was praised for its bold, cinematic sound. They toured with a full orchestra. Their second album, Everything You've Come to Expect, was released in 2016 and featured more love songs written by Turner.
Solo Work and Other Projects
In 2011, Turner wrote and performed six acoustic songs for the movie Submarine. The soundtrack was released as a solo EP and was praised for its tender and witty songs.
He has also worked with many other artists. He co-wrote songs for Miles Kane's solo albums and for the singer Alexandra Savior. He also sang backing vocals on a song for Queens of the Stone Age.
Artistry and Influences
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As a teenager, Turner was a big fan of hip-hop, especially artists like Roots Manuva and Method Man. His interest in guitar music grew after he discovered the Strokes, who he said "changes your whole perception of things." Other early influences included the Libertines and the White Stripes.
As he got older, he began to admire classic songwriters like Elvis Costello, Ray Davies of The Kinks, and Leonard Cohen. The poet John Cooper Clarke was also a huge inspiration for his early, fast-paced lyrics.
Turner's songwriting is known for its clever wordplay and detailed stories. His early songs were about teenage life, but his lyrics have become more poetic and complex over time. He is also influenced by movies, and he often creates characters and scenes in his songs.
Personal Life
Turner is usually private about his personal life. He has lived in London, New York, and Los Angeles. He is a big fan of reading and movies, and he supports the Sheffield Wednesday F.C. football team. In his free time, he practices Muay Thai and enjoys riding motorcycles.
Discography
Solo
- Submarine (2011)
With Arctic Monkeys
- Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)
- Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
- Humbug (2009)
- Suck It and See (2011)
- AM (2013)
- Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018)
- The Car (2022)
With The Last Shadow Puppets
- The Age of the Understatement (2008)
- Everything You've Come to Expect (2016)
See also
In Spanish: Alex Turner para niños
