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. He is best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the rock band Arctic Monkeys. People praise Turner for his clever lyrics, which can be about everyday life or more dream-like ideas. Almost all of his albums have reached number one in the UK. He has won many awards, including seven Brit Awards.
Turner and three friends started Arctic Monkeys in 2002 when he was 15. Their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006), became the fastest-selling debut album in British history. Their album AM (2013) is also very famous. The band has tried different music styles, like indie rock and R&B. Turner also formed another band called The Last Shadow Puppets with Miles Kane in 2007. They have released two albums with a big, orchestral sound.
Turner also created an acoustic soundtrack for the movie Submarine (2010). This was his first solo music project. He also helped write and produce Alexandra Savior's first album, Belladonna of Sadness (2017).
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Alexander David Turner was born in Sheffield, England, on January 6, 1986. He was the only child of Penny and David Turner, who were both school teachers. His mother taught German and loved languages. His father taught music and physics and was a big fan of jazz music. Turner's parents loved music, and he grew up listening to bands like the Beatles and the Beach Boys. His father taught him some piano, and he took lessons until he was eight.
From age five, Turner grew up with his neighbor Matt Helders. They went to primary school, secondary school, and college together. They became friends with Andy Nicholson in secondary school. The three friends loved hip-hop artists like Dr. Dre and the Wu-Tang Clan. They spent time playing basketball and making hip-hop beats.
Turner and his friends became interested in rock music when the Strokes became popular in 2001. When Turner was 15, his father let him borrow a school guitar. For Christmas that year, his parents bought him an electric guitar.
Turner went to Stocksbridge High School from 1997 to 2002. His teachers said he was bright and popular, good at sports, but quiet. He enjoyed English lessons. He later attended Barnsley College from 2002 to 2004. He studied music technology and media studies.
Music Career Highlights
Arctic Monkeys: The Early Years
Forming the Band
Turner, Helders, and Nicholson decided to start a band in mid-2002. Turner already knew some music basics because of his father. Helders bought drums, and Turner suggested Nicholson learn bass. They invited Jamie Cook, a neighbor, to play guitar. At first, Turner played guitar, but he became the lead singer when others didn't want to sing. Helders thought Turner was perfect for writing lyrics.
The band practiced for a year in Turner's garage and a warehouse. Their first show was on June 13, 2003, at a local pub. They played four original songs and four cover songs.
In summer 2003, Turner played guitar for a funk band called Judan Suki. He met Jon McClure on a bus. Later, Turner asked Alan Smyth to produce an Arctic Monkeys demo. Smyth agreed and thought they were special. The band got managers, Geoff Barradale and Ian McAndrew. They paid for more demos. Turner was quiet and observant during recording.
Arctic Monkeys worked very hard. Their rehearsal room owner lent them equipment. Barradale drove them to shows across England to build their reputation. The band gave out free demo CDs after shows. Fans started sharing their unofficial demo compilation, Beneath the Boardwalk, online.
After college in 2004, Turner took a year off to focus on the band. He worked part-time as a bartender at The Boardwalk in Sheffield. He met musicians like Richard Hawley there. By late 2004, fans were singing along to Arctic Monkeys' songs. A demo of "I Bet You Look Good on The Dancefloor" was played on BBC Radio 1.
Rising to Fame
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Arctic Monkeys became famous in early 2005. A newspaper called them "the most exciting band to emerge this year." They released an EP with the single "Fake Tales of San Francisco" in May. They then started their first national tour. In June, they signed with the independent label Domino Recording Company.
They recorded their first album in rural Lincolnshire. In October, the single "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" went to number one in the UK. Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not was released in January 2006. It also went to number one. Turner's lyrics about teenage life in Sheffield were highly praised. Critics said his lyrics were worth memorizing.
The album was the fastest-selling debut album in British history. It became a huge cultural event. The British press called Turner "the voice of a generation." But Turner was quiet and didn't like the attention. The band didn't want too much hype. They quickly released new music, an EP in April, and a single in August. That summer, Nick O'Malley, another childhood friend, replaced Nicholson in the band.
Arctic Monkeys' second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, came out in April 2007. It was produced by James Ford, who has worked on all of Turner's projects since. The album's lyrics were about fame, love, and heartbreak. Critics said the album showed Turner's "gift for vivid imagery." The band was "pushing gently" at their sound. The album was a big success, reaching number one in the UK. Arctic Monkeys headlined Glastonbury Festival in summer 2007.
Turner also started working with other artists. He worked with rapper Dizzee Rascal. He co-wrote songs for Reverend and The Makers' album. Richard Hawley sang on an Arctic Monkeys B-side.
Turner called Arctic Monkeys' third album, Humbug (2009), a "massive turning point." They worked with producer Josh Homme in California. This was their first time spending a long time in a studio. Homme encouraged Turner to sing in a new "crooning" style. Critics praised the band's desire to try new things. "Cornerstone" was called a "dazzling display" of Turner's talent.
Turner wrote Arctic Monkeys' fourth album in New York. He met his bandmates and James Ford for recording in Los Angeles. Critics liked the album's "chiming indie pop" and "muscular glam-rock." They also praised Turner's new lyrical style.
Global Success
By 2012, Arctic Monkeys were living in Los Angeles. Turner and Helders shared a house. Arctic Monkeys toured the US, opening for the Black Keys. They released "R U Mine?" before the tour. Later that year, Arctic Monkeys performed at the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in London. They played "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and a the Beatles cover.
In early 2013, Turner sang backing vocals for a Queens of the Stone Age song. He also played bass on a Miles Kane song. Arctic Monkeys headlined Glastonbury Festival for a second time in June.
AM was released in September 2013. Critics said the album mixed old rock sounds with modern ideas. It was described as "their most coherent, most satisfying album since their debut." Arctic Monkeys promoted the album a lot in the US. They toured for 18 months for AM.
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, Arctic Monkeys' sixth album, came out in May 2018. Turner wrote the space-themed album after getting a piano for his 30th birthday. He wrote it from the point of view of a "lounge-y character." The band recorded the album in Los Angeles and France. Musicians from other bands joined them.
Critics called Tranquility Base a "captivatingly bizarre album." It was praised for being "thrilling, smug, clever and oddly cold." The album became Turner's eighth number one album in the UK. The band toured the album from May 2018 to April 2019.
Turner's songwriting for Arctic Monkeys' seventh album, The Car, also had a calm tone. The album came out in October 2022. It featured a string section arranged by Turner. The music video for the single "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball" was co-directed by Turner. In 2023, the band headlined Glastonbury Festival for the third time.
The Last Shadow Puppets
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In 2007, Turner announced a new band, the Last Shadow Puppets. He formed it with Ford and Miles Kane, whom he met on tour. Their first album, The Age of the Understatement, was released in April 2008. Turner and Kane co-wrote the album. It was recorded in France and featured string arrangements. Critics noted Turner's lyrics were becoming more "cinematic." The album showed an artist "broadening his scope."
The Last Shadow Puppets released their second album, Everything You've Come to Expect, in April 2016. Turner, Kane, and Ford were joined by Zach Dawes. The album featured "the most straight-up love letters" of Turner's career. Critics praised Turner's "sparkling use of language" and "melodic skill." They toured Europe and North America from March to August 2016.
Solo Work and Other Projects
While living in Brooklyn, New York, Turner wrote an acoustic soundtrack for the film Submarine (2010). It was released as an EP in March 2011. Director Richard Ayoade asked Turner to sing covers, but Turner recorded six original songs instead. Critics said the soundtrack was "tender" and "exquisite." In 2014, Submarine was on The Times's list of 100 Soundtracks to Love. Turner also co-wrote songs for Miles Kane's solo albums.
In 2014, Turner was asked to work with Alexandra Savior. He co-wrote her debut album, Belladonna of Sadness. Turner and James Ford co-produced the album in 2015. Turner also played instruments on it. The album was released in April 2017.
In 2022, Turner created music for the audiobook version of Richard Ayoade's The Book That No One Wanted to Read. He also composed music for Ayoade's next book in 2024.
Artistry and Style
Musical Influences
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As a teenager, Turner was very interested in hip-hop. When he first started writing lyrics, Roots Manuva was a main influence. He also listened to artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem. He has often said Method Man is one of his favorite lyricists.
The Strokes were a huge influence on Turner when he was 14 or 15. They changed his view of music. He started dressing differently and became interested in guitar music. Other early guitar influences included the Libertines and The White Stripes. Later, he discovered lyricists like Elvis Costello and Jarvis Cocker. Turner has performed with Jack White and Costello.
John Cooper Clarke, a poet, was a "massive" early inspiration. Turner saw him perform in 2004 and was amazed. He was inspired by Clarke's use of a regional accent. The early Arctic Monkeys song "From the Ritz to the Rubble" was a tribute to Clarke's style. Later, Arctic Monkeys invited Clarke to perform at one of their shows.
Turner admires lyricists like Nick Cave and Bob Dylan. He also respects country music songwriters. He likes artists who change their style over time, like The Beatles and David Bowie. For The Last Shadow Puppets, Turner was inspired by music from Bowie and Scott Walker. He has also said he is a Beyoncé fan.
Turner's music is also influenced by movies. Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino was inspired by films like 2001: A Space Odyssey. He is interested in film production and editing. He has also mentioned authors like Raymond Chandler as inspirations for The Car.
Songwriting Style
Critics call Turner "one of the great lyricists of the 21st century." His songs are full of "lovingly extended metaphors" and witty observations. He is known for his fast-paced lyrics and clever rhymes. Simon Armitage said Turner is "among the most poetic" lyricists today. He is a great storyteller.
Turner's early songs were about teenage nightlife in England. They were like "kitchen-sink, social-realism." He was good at creating character sketches. As he got older, his lyrics became more complex and less direct. He tried to write lyrics that were "not so observational" with The Last Shadow Puppets. He feels the lyrics on Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino are more direct again.
Turner says his songs often deal with romance, loneliness, and longing. Critics have noted his ability to show different sides of romantic relationships. His lyrics also touch on modern topics like consumerism and technology.
Turner says his songwriting is "absolutely not" poetry. He feels writing lyrics is harder than writing melodies. He often keeps adding or changing words until someone stops him. He believes writing melodies is the more difficult part for him.
He also says he has images in his head when he writes. He wanted The Car to be their "most cinematic sounding record." He imagined characters present while a "production is going on."
Voice and Stage Presence
In his early career, Turner sang with a strong Sheffield accent. Critics noted that his regional identity was clear in his singing. By 2018, he used his Yorkshire accent less often, as a special effect. His voice has also changed from a "fidgety whine" to a deeper "baritone croon." Turner believes the sound of his voice is as important as the lyrics.
In early shows, Turner seemed shy and uncomfortable with attention. He didn't interact much with the audience. Critics noted he was a "reserved" presence on stage. He seemed to "freeze like a rabbit in the spotlights" at times.
In late 2011, Turner started changing his stage persona. He changed his hairstyle to a "rockabilly-inspired quiff." He began to strut and dance more. He would drop to his knees for guitar solos. Critics noted his "newfound showmanship." He adopted a "tongue-in-cheek persona" like a 1950s rock star. He plays with the idea of being a rock star but is also a real one.
Turner says public speaking is almost his "worst nightmare." He doesn't see himself as a "born performer." He enjoys the studio side of music more than touring. He feels being a frontman is "awkward" and "strange." He doesn't take it too seriously. He feels his stage presence is a mix of different artists he admires. In 2022, Turner talked about using different "personas" on stage for each album. He named one of his past personas "Mr. Snarl" because of his singing style.
Personal Life
Turner keeps his personal life private. He dated British musician Johanna Bennett from 2005 to 2007. She helped write "Fluorescent Adolescent." He then dated British TV presenter and model Alexa Chung from 2007 to 2011. They lived in New York and London. He later dated American actress and model Arielle Vandenberg and American model Taylor Bagley. He began dating French singer Louise Verneuil in 2018.
He loves to read and enjoys authors like Joseph Conrad and Ernest Hemingway. He is a fan of science fiction, which has inspired his writing. He also loves movies and photography. He is a supporter of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. (a football team). He also practices Muay Thai (a type of boxing).
Views on Society
Turner used to be quiet about his political opinions. He felt he wasn't ready to write protest songs. After Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, he felt more confident expressing himself. He said he didn't want politics in his music because he didn't know how to do it.
He criticized the media's lack of understanding about the causes of the 2011 England riots. In 2016, he voted for the UK to remain in the European Union (Brexit). He was disappointed when the UK voted to leave. He felt it made him want to live in England again to help.
In 2014, it was revealed that Turner and Arctic Monkeys were involved in a tax advice scheme. Turner said they were given "poor advice" and made a "poor decision." He stated he always paid his taxes fully and on time. He said they pulled out of the scheme when they realized it was not right.
Discography
Solo
Extended plays
- Submarine (2011)
Collaborations
- 2007 – Reverend and the Makers – The State of Things (writer and vocalist on "The Machine", co-writer of "He Said He Loved Me" and "Armchair Detective")
- 2007 – Dizzee Rascal – Maths + English ("Temptation")
- 2008 – Matt Helders – Late Night Tales: Matt Helders ("A Choice of Three")
- 2011 – Miles Kane – Colour of the Trap (co-writer of "Rearrange", "Counting Down the Days", "Happenstance", "Telepathy", "Better Left Invisible" and "Colour of the Trap")
- 2012 – Miles Kane – First of My Kind EP (co-writer of "First of My Kind")
- 2013 – Miles Kane – Don't Forget Who You Are (co-writer and bassist on B-side "Get Right")
- 2013 – Queens of the Stone Age – ...Like Clockwork (guest vocalist on "If I Had a Tail")
- 2015 – Mini Mansions – The Great Pretenders (co-writer and guest vocalist on "Vertigo", co-writer on "Valet")
- 2015 – Alexandra Savior – True Detective season 2 original soundtrack (co-composed song "Risk" on guitar, keyboard, drums)
- 2017 – Alexandra Savior – Belladonna of Sadness (co-writer, co-producer, bass, guitar, keyboards, and synthesizers)
Bands
With Arctic Monkeys
- Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)
- Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
- Humbug (2009)
- 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)
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See also
In Spanish: Alex Turner para niños
