Lenny Kravitz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lenny Kravitz
Kravitz in 2024
Born	Leonard Albert Kravitz (1964-05-26) May 26, 1964 (age 61) New York City, U.S.
Other names	Romeo Blue
Occupation	Singer songwriter multi-instrumentalist record producer actor
Years active	1981–present
Works	Discography filmography
Spouse(s)	Lisa Bonet ​ ​ (m. 1987; div. 1993)​
Children	Zoë Kravitz
Parent(s)	Roxie Roker (mother)
Relatives	Leonard M. Kravitz (uncle) Al Roker (first cousin twice removed)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Rock funk Soul
Instruments	Vocals guitar bass drums keyboards piano
Labels	Virgin EMI Roadrunner Kobalt Loud & Proud BMG

Lenny Kravitz, born on May 26, 1964, is a famous American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He is known for his unique music style, which mixes rock, funk, soul, and other genres. His first album, Let Love Rule, came out in 1989.

Lenny has created many popular songs like "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" and "Again." Other well-known songs include "Are You Gonna Go My Way" and "Fly Away." He has won several important awards, including four Grammy Awards in a row for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. This set a record! He has sold more than 40 million albums around the world.

Beyond music, Lenny Kravitz is also an actor. He appeared in movies like Precious and played Cinna in The Hunger Games films. He also started his own design company, Kravitz Design Inc. Lenny has a daughter named Zoë Kravitz, who is also an actress and singer.

Lenny Kravitz's Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Lenny Kravitz was born in New York City on May 26, 1964. His mother, Roxie Roker, was an actress, and his father, Sy Kravitz, was a TV producer. Lenny's family background is a mix of African American, Bahamian, and Russian-Jewish heritage. He was named after his uncle, Leonard M. Kravitz, a brave soldier who died in the Korean War.

Lenny grew up in New York City, spending weekdays in Manhattan and weekends in Brooklyn with his grandmother. When he was 13, he had a special spiritual experience. This led him to explore his faith more deeply.

Lenny loved music from a very young age. At three, he was already drumming on pots and pans! By five, he knew he wanted to be a musician. He learned to play drums and then guitar. His parents encouraged his love for music, taking him to many concerts. He listened to many types of music, including R&B, jazz, and gospel. When he was seven, he saw the Jackson 5 perform, which inspired him greatly. His father knew many famous jazz musicians, like Duke Ellington, who even played "Happy Birthday" for Lenny when he was five.

When Lenny was ten, his family moved to Los Angeles because his mother got a role on the TV show The Jeffersons. There, he joined the California Boys Choir and sang classical music. In Los Angeles, he discovered rock music and loved bands like the Beatles and Led Zeppelin. He also learned to play piano and bass guitar. He went to Beverly Hills High School, where some of his classmates became famous too. His parents separated in 1985.

Lenny Kravitz's Music Career Highlights

Starting His Music Journey (1985–1990)

Lenny faced challenges when trying to get a record deal. Some labels felt his music didn't fit into one specific style. So, he decided to record his first album on his own. He worked with engineer Henry Hirsch, who shared his love for real instruments and different music styles. Lenny's father helped pay for the studio time. He also invited saxophonist Karl Denson to play on his song "Let Love Rule," and Denson ended up playing on much of the album.

After recording his music, Lenny asked his friend Stephen Smith to help him find a record deal. Many record labels were interested in his unique sound. In 1989, he signed with Virgin Records. The label was excited about his music, which was inspired by his life and his new daughter, Zoë. Lenny decided to use his real name, Lenny Kravitz, for his music career.

His first album, Let Love Rule, came out in 1989. It blended rock and funk with a cool 1960s feel. The album became very popular, especially in Europe. Lenny's then-wife, Lisa Bonet, even directed the music video for the title song. He soon started touring, opening for famous artists like Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and David Bowie.

Becoming a Global Star (1991–2001)

In 1990, Lenny worked with pop superstar Madonna, producing and co-writing her song "Justify My Love."

Lenny and Lisa Bonet separated in 1991 and later divorced in 1993. He also produced an album for French singer Vanessa Paradis, playing many instruments and writing songs for it.

His second album, Mama Said, was released in 1991. It featured hit songs like "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over," which became a top hit. Another popular song, "Always on the Run," was a tribute to his mother and included guitar by Slash from Guns N' Roses.

Lenny's third album, Are You Gonna Go My Way, came out in 1993. This album made him even more famous worldwide. The title song was a huge success, and its music video won an MTV Video Music Award.

In 1998, with his album 5, Lenny won the first of his four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. His cover of the Guess Who's song "American Woman" won him another Grammy in 2000.

Lenny released a Greatest Hits album in 2000. The new single "Again" from this album earned him his third Grammy in a row.

Charity Work and New Albums (2006–2011)

Kravitz performing in 2012

In 2007, Lenny performed at the Live Earth concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He also contributed to a charity CD called Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur with a cover of John Lennon's "Cold Turkey."

Lenny released his album It Is Time for a Love Revolution in 2008. He also made his acting debut in the film Precious in 2009.

In 2011, Lenny Kravitz received a high cultural award in France, becoming an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He also performed at the Daytona 500 race in 2012.

Film Roles and Recent Music (2012–Present)

Kravitz performing with Katy Perry at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show

Lenny Kravitz played the role of Cinna, Katniss's stylist, in the first two Hunger Games movies, released in 2012 and 2013.

In 2014, Lenny released his tenth studio album, Strut. In 2015, he performed alongside Katy Perry at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, which was a huge event!

Kravitz performing at the 2016 Democratic National Convention

His 11th studio album, Raise Vibration, was released in 2018, followed by a world tour.

In 2023, Lenny wrote and performed the song "Road to Freedom" for the film Rustin. This song was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was considered for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. He won Music Icon of the Year at the 49th People's Choice Awards. In March 2024, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On May 24, 2024, he released his 12th album, Blue Electric Light, which was supported by a world tour.

Other Creative Work

Photography and Design

Kravitz performing at Untold Festival in 2024

Lenny Kravitz has a passion for photography. He has even partnered with Leica on special camera editions and had his own photography work displayed in a gallery.

He also founded Kravitz Design Inc. in 2003. This company focuses on designing commercial spaces, homes, and products. They have worked with clients like the Morgans Hotel Group and Swarovski Crystal. Kravitz Design also created a luxury recording studio for The Setai Resort. In 2015, Lenny launched a furniture collection in partnership with CB2, inspired by the 1970s.

Lenny Kravitz's Personal Life

Kravitz with his daughter Zoë in March 2010

In 1985, Lenny met actress Lisa Bonet. They became close friends and later married in 1987. Their daughter, Zoë Kravitz, was born in 1988 and grew up to be an actress, singer, and model. Lenny and Lisa Bonet separated in 1991 and divorced in 1993.

Lenny identifies as a Christian but also acknowledges his Jewish heritage, stating that spirituality is very important to him. He follows a mostly raw vegan diet and grows his own food at his homes in Brazil and The Bahamas. PETA named him one of the Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2022.

Legacy and Recognition

A street has been named after Lenny Kravitz in Saint-Jean-d'Heurs, a town in France, honoring his contributions to music and culture.

Discography

Studio albums

• Let Love Rule (1989)
• Mama Said (1991)
• Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993)
• Circus (1995)
• 5 (1998)
• Lenny (2001)
• Baptism (2004)
• It Is Time for a Love Revolution (2008)
• Black and White America (2011)
• Strut (2014)
• Raise Vibration (2018)
• Blue Electric Light (2024)

Filmography

Film

Television

Videogames

Tours

• Let Love Rule Tour (1990)
• There Is Only One Truth Tour (1991)
• Universal Love Tour (1993)
• Are You Gonna Go My Way Tour (1994) (opening for The Rolling Stones)
• Circus Tour (1995–96)
• The Freedom Tour (1998–99)
• Lenny Tour (2002)
• The Baptism Tour (2004)
• Celebration Tour (2005)
• Electric Church Tour: One Night Only (2005)
• Get on the Bus Mini-Tour (2008)
• Love Revolution Tour (2008)
• LLR 20(09) Tour (2009)
• Black and White Tour (2011)
• Strut Tour (2014–15)
• Raise Vibration Tour (2018–19)
• Here to Love Tour (2020)
• Blue Electric Light Tour (2024–25)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

Billboard Music Awards

Other Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Lenny Kravitz para niños