Ross MacDonald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ross MacDonald
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MacDonald performing in Argentina in 2019
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Ross Stewart MacDonald
6 June 1989 England, United Kingdom
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| Occupation | Musician |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Cheshire, England |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Bass |
Ross Stewart MacDonald (born June 6, 1989) is an English musician. He is best known as a founding member and bassist of the popular band The 1975.
Contents
Early Life and Music Start
Ross MacDonald grew up in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. He went to Wilmslow High School. Ross started playing the bass guitar when he was 12 years old. He learned using his brother's friend's bass.
Building a Band: The 1975
In 2002, while at Wilmslow High School, Ross was asked by Adam Hann to join a new band. Ross plays the bass guitar. Soon after, Matty Healy and George Daniel also joined the group.
At first, the band played cover songs. They practiced punk and emo songs at school and at Matty's house. Later, they started writing their own music. Their very first show was for about 200 people. It was part of a local youth bands event.
Ross, Adam, and George went to universities in Manchester. They did this to keep the band together. While working as delivery drivers for a Chinese restaurant, they played many shows. They performed around Greater Manchester. The band used different names over time. Some names were Me and You Versus Them, Those 1975s, and Bigsleep.
The band eventually chose the name The 1975. This name came from something Matty Healy found. He saw some notes on the back of a book. The notes were dated "1 June, The 1975." The book was On the Road by Jack Kerouac.
Music Success and Albums
Many big record labels did not want to sign The 1975. They were confused by the band's mix of music styles. After managing the band for years, Jamie Oborne started his own record label. It was called Dirty Hit. He signed the band for a small amount of money.
The band quickly released four short albums, called extended plays (EPs). These came out in 2012 and 2013. After that, they released their first full album in 2013. It was called The 1975. They then released more successful albums:
- I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016)
- A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships (2018)
- Notes on a Conditional Form (2020)
- Being Funny in a Foreign Language (2022)
Each of their studio albums reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. They also received great reviews from music critics.
Ross's work with The 1975 has earned him many awards. These include four Brit Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards. He has also been nominated for the Mercury Prize twice. He was also nominated once for the Grammy Awards.
In May 2023, Ross helped write a song called "Colours." He wrote it with VC Pines and Ed Thomas.
Ross's Musical Style
Bass Influences
Ross MacDonald has shared who inspires his bass playing. He said that Pino Palladino is one of his favorite bass players. Pino had a big impact on how Ross plays. Ross also really admires Nathan Watts and calls him a hero. Ross is also influenced by soul and R&B music.
In 2021, he had bass lessons with Chris Chaney in Los Angeles. Ross said it was a "great experience."
Personal Life
Ross MacDonald is a big fan of his hometown football team. This team is Macclesfield Town F.C..
Music Releases
The 1975 Albums
Extended Plays (EPs)
- Facedown (2012)
- Music for Cars (2013)
- IV (2013)
Studio Albums
- The 1975 (2013)
- I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016)
- A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships (2018)
- Notes on a Conditional Form (2020)
- Being Funny in a Foreign Language (2022)
Solo Work
- 2023 – VC Pines – "Colours" (co-composer)
Concert Tours
- The 1975 Tour (2013)
- I Like It When You Sleep Tour (2016–2017)
- Music for Cars Tour (2018–2020)
- At Their Very Best (2022–2023)
- Still... At Their Very Best (2023)
