Brendon Urie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brendon Urie
Urie performing in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Brendon Boyd Urie
Born	(1987-04-12) April 12, 1987 (age 38) St. George, Utah, U.S.
Origin	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres	Pop rock pop punk alternative rock baroque pop pop emo electropop
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano keyboards bass drums percussion
Years active	2004–present
Labels	DCD2 Fueled by Ramen
Signature

Brendon Boyd Urie (born April 12, 1987) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is most famous as the former lead singer of the band Panic! at the Disco. He was the only original member who stayed with the band for its entire 19-year history.

Many of his songs became very popular. They reached high spots on music charts and sold millions of copies. On January 24, 2023, Urie announced that Panic! at the Disco would stop making music. He made this decision because he and his wife were expecting a child. He now plays drums in a band led by Mike Viola, who used to be a touring guitarist for Panic! at the Disco.

Early Life

Brendon Urie was born in St. George, Utah. His family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, when he was two years old. He is the youngest of five children.

Urie went to Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas. There, he met Brent Wilson, who would later become the bassist for Panic! at the Disco. Wilson asked Urie to try out for his band. Urie worked at a Tropical Smoothie Cafe to help pay for his band's practice space. He often sang for customers at the cafe. Urie finished high school in 2005.

Career in Music

Panic! at the Disco

Urie performing with Panic! at the Disco in 2006

Urie met Brent Wilson in a guitar class at high school. Wilson invited Urie to audition as the lead guitarist for Panic! at the Disco. At first, Ryan Ross was the lead singer. But when Urie sang during a rehearsal, the band was very impressed. They chose him to be their new lead singer. He officially joined the band in 2004.

Panic! at the Disco released seven studio albums with Urie as the lead singer. Their first album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, came out in 2005. It included the hit song "I Write Sins Not Tragedies". This song helped the album sell 1.8 million copies. For their second album, Pretty. Odd. (2008), Urie also wrote some of the songs himself. He wrote "I Have Friends in Holy Spaces" and "Folkin' Around". He also wrote "New Perspective" for the movie Jennifer's Body.

Urie in 2007

On March 22, 2011, the band released their third album, Vices & Virtues. This was after Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the band. Their fourth album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!, was released on October 8, 2013. It reached number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2014, Urie won "Best Vocalist" at the Alternative Press Music Awards. By 2015, Urie became the only official member of Panic! at the Disco.

On January 15, 2016, Panic! at the Disco released their fifth album, Death of a Bachelor. This album became their first to reach number one on the charts. They also announced a tour and a new album called Pray for the Wicked. On June 6, 2022, Panic! at the Disco announced their seventh album, Viva Las Vengeance. They released the main song and announced a tour for it.

On January 24, 2023, Urie announced that Panic! at the Disco would be ending. He wanted to focus on his family after the Viva Las Vengeance Tour finished.

Other Music Projects

Urie performing with Panic! at the Disco in 2009

Urie has sung on songs for other artists. He provided vocals for The Cab's song "One Of THOSE Nights". He also sang on several songs by Fall Out Boy, like "What a Catch, Donnie" and "20 Dollar Nose Bleed".

In 2008, Urie was part of a song for the Coca-Cola Company called "Open Happiness". He sang the chorus with other artists like Patrick Stump and Janelle Monáe. Urie also appeared in the music video for the song.

Urie has appeared in several music videos for other bands. He was in Fall Out Boy's videos for "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More Touch Me" and "What A Catch, Donnie". He also appeared in Gym Class Heroes' video for "Clothes Off!!" and The Cab's "One of THOSE Nights". In 2010, Urie appeared in Butch Walker's music video "Pretty Melody".

In 2011, Urie co-wrote a song with Rivers Cuomo from the band Weezer. In 2013, Urie sang "Big Shot" in front of Billy Joel and President Obama.

On March 24, 2014, Brendon Urie was featured on Travie McCoy's song "Keep On Keeping On". He also sang on "Love in the Middle of a Firefight" for Dillon Francis's album. Urie was also featured on the Lil Dicky song "Molly". In 2016, Urie sang on the song "It Remembers" by the band Every Time I Die.

On April 11, 2017, Urie announced he would star in the Broadway musical Kinky Boots. He played the main role of Charlie Price from May 26 to August 6, 2017.

In 2015, Urie wrote the song "Not A Simple Sponge" for the SpongeBob SquarePants musical. The musical first opened in Chicago in 2016 and later on Broadway in 2017. Urie was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score for his work on the musical.

On April 26, 2019, Urie worked with singer Taylor Swift and Joel Little on "Me!". This song was the first single from Swift's album, Lover. The song became very popular, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also charted well in many other countries.

In 2022, Urie joined the band of his friend Mike Viola. Urie plays drums and percussion on their album Paul McCarthy, released in 2023. He also appears in music videos for Viola's songs. In 2022, he worked with the Japanese rock band One Ok Rock on the song "Neon". Urie also worked on Viola's album Rock of Boston, set to be released in 2024.

Influences

Urie has said that Frank Sinatra, Queen, David Bowie, and Tom DeLonge are his biggest musical influences. He also mentioned Taylor Swift as an influence for his songwriting.

Personal Life

Urie in 2013

Brendon Urie was diagnosed with ADHD when he was young. He is open about his mental health with his fans. In 2016, he shared that he has synesthesia, which means his senses mix, like seeing colors when he hears music.

Urie met his wife, Sarah Orzechowski, at one of his shows. They started dating in 2009. The song "Sarah Smiles" from the album Vices & Virtues was inspired by her. They announced their engagement in September 2011 and got married on April 27, 2013.

Urie joined Twitch, a live streaming platform, in 2015. He often streams there and has gained over 4 million views.

In 2017, Urie moved from Los Angeles to a new location. He said that fans visiting his house made him feel unsafe.

In 2022, Urie got a tattoo of Queen singer Freddie Mercury. He also has a tattoo of Frank Sinatra.

On January 24, 2023, Urie announced that he and his wife were expecting their first child. Their child was born in February 2023.

Helping Others

Urie has done a lot to help others, including starting his own Highest Hopes Foundation. This foundation supports various charities.

In June 2018, Urie promised $1 million to partner with GLSEN. This money helps create clubs in high schools across the United States that support all students, including those in the LGBT community. In November 2019, he raised over $134,000 during a 24-hour charity stream on Twitch. In early 2020, Urie helped fund a recording studio for the Boys & Girls Club in Henderson.

Discography

Singles

As featured artist

Promotional singles

Guest appearances

With Mike Viola

See also

In Spanish: Brendon Urie para niños