Rufus Wainwright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rufus Wainwright
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Portrait of Wainwright by Oliver Mark, Berlin 2010
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Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright
July 22, 1973 Rhinebeck, New York, U.S.
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| Spouse(s) |
Jörn Weisbrodt
(m. 2012) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Loudon Wainwright III Kate McGarrigle |
| Relatives | Martha Wainwright (sister) Lucy Wainwright Roche (half-sister) |
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| Years active | 1988–present |
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Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright (born July 22, 1973) is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter, and composer. He has released eleven studio albums. He has also created music for movies and written two classical operas. He even set Shakespeare's sonnets to music for a play.
Wainwright's first album, Rufus Wainwright, came out in 1998. His second album, Poses, was released in 2001. His albums Want One (2003) and Want Two (2004) were later combined into one album called Want in 2005. In 2007, he released his fifth album, Release the Stars, and his first live album, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall.
His second live album, Milwaukee at Last!!!, was released in 2009. This was followed by studio albums All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu (2010) and Out of the Game (2012). The album Prima Donna (2015) was a recording of his opera. His ninth album, Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets (2016), featured music for nine of Shakespeare's sonnets. Rufus' 10th album, Unfollow the Rules, was released in 2020. His 11th album, Folkocracy, came out in 2023.
Wainwright is the son of musicians Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle. He is also the older brother of singer Martha Wainwright.
Contents
Life and Music Career
Early Life and First Songs
Wainwright was born in Rhinebeck, New York. His parents were folk singers Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III. They divorced when he was three. He grew up mostly in Montreal, Canada, with his mother. Rufus has citizenship in both the U.S. and Canada. He went to high school at the Millbrook School in New York. This school later inspired his song "Millbrook." He also studied piano briefly at McGill University in Montreal.
He started playing piano at age six. By age 13, he was touring with his family's folk group. This group included Rufus, his sister Martha, his mother Kate, and his aunt Anna. At 14, he performed his song "I'm a-Runnin'" in the movie Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller. This song earned him a nomination for a Genie Award in 1989. He was also nominated for a Juno Award in 1990 as a promising male singer.
Wainwright became very interested in opera when he was a teenager. This type of music greatly influences his own songs. For example, his song "Barcelona" uses words from the opera Macbeth. He also enjoyed music by Édith Piaf, Al Jolson, and Judy Garland. As a young person, he studied classical music at Interlochen Arts Camp.
Starting His Music Career
In the summer of 1995, Wainwright performed weekly shows in Montreal. He made some demo tapes that impressed his father. His father shared them with musician Van Dyke Parks. Parks then sent the recordings to DreamWorks Records, who signed Wainwright in 1996.
He moved to New York City in 1996 and performed often. Later that year, he moved to Los Angeles to start his first album. He worked with producer Jon Brion on his 1998 album, Rufus Wainwright. They recorded 56 songs for the album.
His first album received good reviews. Rolling Stone magazine called it one of the best albums of the year. They also named him Best New Artist. The album won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Album. It also won a Juno Award for Best Alternative Album. However, the album did not sell widely.
Wainwright toured with Sean Lennon in 1998. He started his own headline tour later that year. In 1998, he appeared in a Gap commercial. He sang "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" in the ad.
Poses and Later Albums
Wainwright wrote most of his second album while living in the Chelsea Hotel in New York City. On June 5, 2001, his second album, Poses, was released. It also received good reviews but had limited sales. Poses won a GLAAD Media Award and a Juno Award for Best Alternative Album. He toured to support the album from 2001 to 2004. He performed with artists like Tori Amos and Sting.
In 2003, Rufus released the album Want One. His album Want Two was released in 2004. Four songs from Want Two were also released as an EP called Waiting for a Want. A live EP called Alright, Already: Live in Montréal came out in 2005. A DVD called All I Want was also released in 2005. It included a documentary, music videos, and live performances. In 2005, Wainwright sang on albums by Antony and the Johnsons and Burt Bacharach.
Want One and Want Two were combined into one album called Want in November 2005. This was released to go along with a tour in Britain. This version of Want One included two extra songs.
Release the Stars and Live Performances
Wainwright's fifth studio album, Release the Stars, was released in 2007. Wainwright produced the album himself. It featured other musicians like Richard Thompson and his sister Martha Wainwright. The album reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart. It also debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. The first song released from the album was "Going to a Town".
Two music videos were made for the album: "Going to a Town" and "Rules and Regulations". Release the Stars was certified gold in the UK, meaning it sold many copies. Wainwright toured around the world for this album. The tour ended in 2008 at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
In 2006, Wainwright performed two sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall. He sang the entire Judy Garland concert album that was recorded there in 1961. He later performed this show in London, Paris, and Los Angeles. Live CD and DVD recordings of these concerts were released in 2007. The CD album, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2009.
Prima Donna and All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu
In 2008, Wainwright created the idea of Blackoutsabbath. This encourages people to use less energy on a special day. People are asked to unplug appliances, walk or bike, and turn off lights. The goal is to help the environment. Benefit concerts are held to raise awareness for this cause.
In December 2008, Rufus performed with his sister, Martha Wainwright, and mother, Kate McGarrigle. Many other family members and artists joined them. They sang original and traditional Christmas songs. This concert was released on DVD in 2009.
After his 2007–2008 tour, Wainwright started writing his first opera, Prima Donna. It is about an opera singer preparing for a comeback. The opera was first performed in Manchester, England, in 2009. Prima Donna won an award in 2011 for Outstanding New Musical/Opera.
In November 2009, Wainwright announced his sixth studio album, All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu. It was released in 2010. In December 2009, Wainwright performed with his sister and mother in London. This concert raised money for the Kate McGarrigle Fund. This fund helps raise awareness for sarcoma, a rare cancer. This was his mother's last performance before she passed away in 2010.
In 2010, Wainwright became engaged to his partner Jörn Weisbrodt. They moved to Toronto, Canada, in 2012. In 2011, Wainwright announced the birth of his daughter, Viva Katherine Wainwright Cohen. Her mother is Lorca Cohen, daughter of Leonard Cohen. In 2011, a 19-disc box set of his music called House of Rufus was released.
Out of the Game and Second Opera
Wainwright recorded his seventh studio album, Out of the Game, with producer Mark Ronson. He described the new songs as more "danceable." The album was released in 2012. On August 23, 2012, Wainwright and Jörn Weisbrodt were married in Montauk, New York.
His second opera, Hadrian, premiered in 2018. It was performed by the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto. In 2015, a new version of his first opera, Prima Donna, was launched. It included a film directed by Francesco Vezzoli.
Recent Albums and Projects
In 2018, Rufus released the song "Sword of Damocles". He then signed a new record deal. In 2020, his new album, Unfollow the Rules, was announced. It included songs like "Trouble in Paradise" and "Damsel in Distress". The album's release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfollow the Rules was released in July 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics.
In March 2023, Wainwright announced his eleventh studio album, Folkocracy. It was released in June 2023. He said he invited many singers he admired to sing on the album. He released the songs "Down in the Willow Garden" and "Dear World" from the album. In September 2023, Wainwright performed songs from his albums Want One and Want Two with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall.
Wainwright's opera, Dream Requiem, premiered in 2024. An album of the soundtrack is expected in 2025. Actress Meryl Streep is featured on it.
Artistry and Themes
Wainwright has a tenor singing voice. He plays piano and guitar, often switching between them during live shows. Some of his songs feature just him and his piano. His later music often includes rock instruments or a symphony orchestra. His music has been called "popera" (pop opera) or "baroque pop." He loves opera and classical music. His songs often have many layers of sound, including strings, horns, and choirs.
He often performs with his sister, Martha Wainwright, who sings backup. While critics praise his music, he has had limited commercial success in the United States. However, his album Release the Stars brought him more attention there.
Song Themes
Wainwright's songs often explore several themes. These include opera, books, pop culture, and love. Some songs are about crushes he had. Other songs talk about deep love or falling out of love. Wainwright also sings about his family. Songs like "Beauty Mark" and "Dinner at Eight" are about his mother, sisters, and father.
The song "Matinee Idol" is about actor River Phoenix. "Memphis Skyline" is a tribute to singer Jeff Buckley. Wainwright met Buckley briefly in the 1990s. The song mentions "Hallelujah", a song by Leonard Cohen that Buckley covered. "Nobody's Off the Hook" is written for his friend and musician Teddy Thompson.
Influence on Other Artists
Rufus Wainwright and his music have influenced many other artists. These include Katy Perry, Olly Alexander of Years & Years, and Kimbra. In Nick Hornby's 2007 book Slam, a character is named "Rufus" because his mother listened to Rufus Wainwright's music.
Personal Life
Rufus Wainwright is married to German art administrator Jörn Weisbrodt. They married on August 23, 2012. Wainwright has a daughter, Viva Katherine Wainwright Cohen. She was born on February 2, 2011. She lives with her mother, Lorca Cohen, who is the daughter of Leonard Cohen.
Views on Society
Wainwright has shared his views on society and politics. He has stated his support for equal rights for all people. In 2010, he publicly supported legalizing marriage for all couples in the United States. He said he wanted to marry his partner, Jörn Weisbrodt.
Wainwright has also spoken out against former U.S. President Donald Trump. In 2018, he addressed Trump in the music video for his song "Sword of Damocles". In 2024, he spoke about his cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" being used at a Trump rally. He said it was "the height of blasphemy." He also supported Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.
Work in Film, Television, and Theatre
Wainwright has appeared in several films. These include The Aviator (2004), Silver Bullets (2011), and Heights (2005). He also had a role in Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller. He has recorded songs specifically for movies. These include Brokeback Mountain, I Am Sam, Moulin Rouge!, and Shrek. His song "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" plays at the end of the film The History Boys. He also performs two songs in the film Days of Darkness.
The All I Want DVD, released in 2005, includes a documentary about him. It also features live performances and music videos. In 2005, the Pennsylvania Ballet performed a ballet set to Wainwright's music. It was called 11:11.
In 2006, Stephen Petronio asked Wainwright to write music for his dance show BLOOM. Wainwright used poems by Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson for the lyrics. In May 2006, Wainwright performed with the Pet Shop Boys at a concert in London. He sang their song "Casanova in Hell." This show was released as a CD called Concrete.
In June 2007, Wainwright was part of the True Colors Tour. This tour traveled through 15 cities in the U.S. and Canada. It was hosted by Margaret Cho and headlined by Cyndi Lauper. The tour raised money for the Human Rights Campaign. Wainwright said it was an "great honor" to perform on the tour.
Wainwright continued to tour in 2007. He often dressed in unique ways, like red lipstick and high heels. He also shared his concerns about political issues. His performances were highly praised. In 2009, Wainwright worked with director Robert Wilson. Wainwright provided music for a play based on Shakespeare's sonnets.
In 2012, Wainwright released a funny video online. He gave his own versions of chewing gum jingles. Also in 2012, he wrote and sang "Metaphorical Blanket" for the film Any Day Now. In December 2023, Wainwright performed "Hushabye Mountain" from the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on a TV special. In March 2024, a new play called Opening Night opened in London. Wainwright wrote the music and lyrics for it. In 2024, Wainwright was featured in a song by Bear McCreary for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. He also appeared on McCreary's album "The Singularity".
Music Albums
- Studio albums
- Rufus Wainwright (1998)
- Poses (2001)
- Want One (2003)
- Want Two (2004)
- Release the Stars (2007)
- All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu (2010)
- Out of the Game (2012)
- Prima Donna (2015)
- Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets (2016)
- Unfollow the Rules (2020)
- Folkocracy (2023)
- Dream Requiem (2025)
Tours
Headlining Tours
- 1999: 1999 Tour
- 2001: Poses Tour
- 2003–04: Rufus Wainwright: Live in Concert
- 2007–08: Release the Stars Tour
- 2011: An Evening with Rufus Wainwright
- 2012–13: Out of the Game Tour
- 2014: The Best of Rufus Wainwright
- 2016–17: Rufus in Concert
- 2018–19: All These Poses: Anniversary Tour
- 2019: Oh Solo Wainwright Tour
- 2021–23: Unfollow the Rules Tour
Co-headlining Tours
- 2004: Triple-Headliner Tour (with Ben Folds and Guster)
- 2005: Odd Man Out Tour (with Ben Folds and Ben Lee)
Opening Act Tours
- 1998: Navy Blues Tour (Sloan)
- 2001: Roxy Music World Tour (Roxy Music)
- 2001: Strange Little Tour (Tori Amos)
- 2004: Sacred Love Tour (Sting)
- 2005: Hopes and Fears Tour (Keane)
- 2007: True Colors (Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry and Erasure)
Awards and Nominations
Rufus Wainwright has won two Juno Awards for Best Alternative Album. He won in 1999 for Rufus Wainwright and in 2002 for Poses. At age 15, in 1989, he was nominated for a Genie Award for Best Original Song. A year later, he was nominated for a Juno Award for Most Promising Male Vocalist. He was also nominated for a BRIT Award in 2008. He received Grammy Award nominations in 2009 and 2020.
See also
In Spanish: Rufus Wainwright para niños
