Tori Amos facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Tori Amos
Amos in concert at the theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles, 2017
Background information
Birth name	Myra Ellen Amos
Also known as	Ellen Amos Tess Makes Good
Born	(1963-08-22) August 22, 1963 (age 61) Newton, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock chamber pop pop rock electronic
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals piano keyboards
Years active	1979–present
Labels	Atlantic Epic Universal Republic Deutsche Grammophon Mercury Classics Decca

Signature

Tori Amos (born Myra Ellen Amos; August 22, 1963) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. She is a talented musician who trained in classical music. Tori started composing piano pieces at a very young age. She even won a full scholarship to the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University when she was just five years old. This made her the youngest person ever accepted there!

However, she had to leave at age eleven. Her scholarship was stopped because she was more interested in rock and pop music than classical. Before becoming a solo star, Tori was the lead singer of a pop-rock band called Y Kant Tori Read in the 1980s. She became famous as a solo artist in the early 1990s. Her songs often explore many different topics, including politics and religion.

Some of her popular songs include "Crucify", "Silent All These Years", and "Cornflake Girl". Her song "A Sorta Fairytale" is her most successful single in the U.S. Tori Amos has been nominated for many awards, including five MTV VMAs and eight Grammy Awards. She won an Echo Klassik award for her album Night of Hunters, which mixes classical and modern music. In 1999, VH1 listed her as number 71 on their "100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll" list.

Tori Amos's Early Life and Learning

Tori Amos was born Myra Ellen Amos on August 22, 1963. Her parents were Mary Ellen and Edison McKinley Amos. She was born in Newton, North Carolina, during a trip her family took from their home in Washington, D.C.

When Tori was two years old, her family moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Her father was a Methodist minister. Tori's older brother and sister took piano lessons, but Tori didn't need them. She taught herself to play as soon as she could reach the piano keys. By age two, she could play back songs she had only heard once. By age three, she was already writing her own music.

At five, she became the youngest student ever accepted into the Peabody Institute. She studied classical piano there from 1968 to 1974. In 1974, when she was eleven, her scholarship was stopped. She was asked to leave because she preferred rock and pop music and didn't like reading sheet music.

In 1972, her family moved to Silver Spring, Maryland. Her father became a pastor there. When she was thirteen, Tori started playing piano at gay bars and piano bars. Her father would go with her to these places.

In 1977, Tori won a local teen talent contest. She sang a song she wrote called "More Than Just a Friend". As a high school senior, she wrote "Baltimore" with her brother, Mike Amos. They wrote it for a competition about the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. The song didn't win, but it became her first single in 1980. She used to perform as "Ellen" but later chose "Tori" as her stage name.

Tori's Music Career Begins

Starting Out: 1979–1989

By the time Tori was 17, she had made many demo tapes. Her father often sent these tapes to record companies. Atlantic Records was interested and signed her to a contract.

In 1984, Tori moved to Los Angeles to focus on her music. She had spent several years playing in piano bars in the Washington, D.C. area.

In 1986, Tori started a band called Y Kant Tori Read. The name came from her struggle with sight-reading music. The band included Steve Caton on guitar, Matt Sorum on drums, and Brad Cobb on bass. Tori felt that record company executives interfered too much with the band's music. In July 1988, their album Y Kant Tori Read was released. It was not a commercial success. Tori later said, "The only good thing about that album is my ankle high boots."

After the band broke up, Tori sang backup for other artists. She also recorded a song for a film under the name Tess Makes Good.

Breaking Through: 1990–1995

Amos in 1993 Alexandra Palace, London

Even though Y Kant Tori Read didn't do well, Tori still had a contract with Atlantic Records. They wanted a new album by March 1990. The first songs she recorded were rejected by the label. Tori then reworked the album with help from other musicians. This led to Little Earthquakes, an album about her religious background and finding her own identity. This album was her big breakthrough. It entered the British charts at Number 15 in January 1992. Little Earthquakes was released in the U.S. in February 1992 and slowly became popular. The music video for "Silent All These Years" helped it gain more attention.

In 1993, Tori went to New Mexico with her partner Eric Rosse. There, she wrote and recorded most of her second solo album, Under the Pink. The album received good reviews and sold well. It reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S. It was even more successful in the UK, where it debuted at number one in February 1994.

More Albums: 1996–2000

Her third solo album, Boys for Pele, came out in January 1996. Before it was officially released, the first single, "Caught a Lite Sneeze", was the first full song ever streamed online.

The album was recorded in a church in Delgany, County Wicklow, Ireland. Tori used the church's natural sound. For this album, she played the harpsichord, harmonium, and clavichord, as well as the piano. Boys for Pele received mixed reviews. Some critics loved its unique style, while others found it difficult to understand. Despite its unusual sound, it was very successful, reaching No. 2 on both the UK Top 40 and the Billboard 200 charts.

Tori wanted her own recording studio to avoid interference from record companies. So, she turned the barn at her home in Cornwall, UK, into a modern recording studio called Martian Engineering Studios.

From the Choirgirl Hotel and To Venus and Back were released in May 1998 and September 1999. These albums sounded different from her earlier work. They used more electronic and dance music elements. The songs on these albums explored themes of womanhood and Tori's personal experiences. From the Choirgirl Hotel received mostly positive reviews. It sold 153,000 copies in its first week, which was Tori's best debut sales at the time. To Venus and Back was a two-disc album with new studio songs and live recordings. It also received good reviews and was one of the first major-label singles available for digital download.

New Labels and Concepts: 2001–2004

After having her daughter, Tori decided to record an album of cover songs. She chose songs written by men about women. She then changed the words to show a woman's point of view. This album was called Strange Little Girls, released in September 2001. It was Tori's first concept album. The album artwork showed Tori dressed as the different women in each song. Tori later said she made this album to finish her contract with Atlantic Records. She felt they were not promoting her music well.

After 15 years with Atlantic, Tori signed with Epic in late 2001. In October 2002, she released Scarlet's Walk, another concept album. It was like a "sonic novel" that followed Tori's alter ego, Scarlet. The album explored American history, people, and Native American stories. It debuted strongly at No. 7 on the Billboard 200. Scarlet's Walk is Tori's last album to be certified gold by the RIAA.

Tori faced challenges when the president of Epic Records, Polly Anthony, left in 2003. Tori had signed with Epic mainly because of Anthony. Later, in 2004, Epic/Sony Music Entertainment merged with BMG Entertainment.

More Albums and Tours: 2005–2008

Amos in concert in October 2007

Tori released two more albums with Epic: The Beekeeper (2005) and American Doll Posse (2007). Both albums received good reviews. The Beekeeper was inspired by the ancient practice of beekeeping. Tori saw it as a source of female strength. She also included ideas from ancient gospels and the history of women in the Christian church. The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. This made her one of the few women to have five or more albums debut in the top 10 in the U.S.

American Doll Posse was another concept album. It featured different characters, or "dolls," who were like alter-egos of Tori. Musically, this album was more direct and strong. Like The Beekeeper, American Doll Posse also debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

During her time with Epic Records, Tori also released several other projects. These included a collection of her best songs called Tales of a Librarian (2003). She also released a DVD set of her music videos, Fade to Red (2006). A five-disc box set, A Piano: The Collection (2006), celebrated her 15-year solo career. It included remastered songs, remixes, and unreleased tracks. She also released many official live recordings from her tours.

New Beginnings: 2008–2011

Amos in 2010

In May 2008, Tori Amos announced that she was leaving Epic Records. She wanted more creative freedom and control over her music. In September of that year, she released a live album and DVD, Live at Montreux 1991/1992. This featured two early performances from the Montreux Jazz Festival. Later, Tori signed a deal with Universal Republic Records.

Abnormally Attracted to Sin, Tori's tenth solo album, was released in May 2009. It received mostly positive reviews and debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200. Tori said this album was "personal" and explored ideas of power and sin. In November 2009, Tori released Midwinter Graces, her first holiday-themed album. It included new versions of traditional carols and original songs.

Tori also sang on two songs for David Byrne's album Here Lies Love in 2010. In July of that year, a live DVD called Tori Amos- Live from the Artists Den was released.

After a short tour in 2010, Tori released a live album called From Russia With Love in December. This special edition set included a unique camera and photos. Only 2000 copies were made.

Exploring New Sounds: 2011–2015

In September 2011, Tori released Night of Hunters. This was her first classical-style music album. It featured new versions of pieces by famous composers like Bach and Chopin. She recorded it with a string quartet.

To celebrate 20 years since her first album, Little Earthquakes, Tori released Gold Dust in October 2012. This album featured her old songs reworked with the Metropole Orchestra.

On May 1, 2012, Tori announced she was starting her own record label, Transmission Galactic. She planned to help new artists with her label.

In 2013, Tori worked with the Bullitts on their album. She also mentioned that a new album and tour would come in 2014. She said it would be a "return to contemporary music."

September 2013 saw the start of Tori's musical project based on George MacDonald's The Light Princess. It premiered at London's Royal National Theatre. The musical and its lead actress, Rosalie Craig, were nominated for awards.

Tori's 14th studio album, Unrepentant Geraldines, was released on May 13, 2014. Its first single was "Trouble's Lament". She supported the album with the Unrepentant Geraldines Tour, which traveled across Europe, Africa, North America, and Australia. In Sydney, Tori performed two orchestral concerts with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

A press release said Unrepentant Geraldines was a "return to her core identity." It was about her creating beautiful contemporary songs again. A 2-CD set of The Light Princess (Original Cast Recording) was released in October 2015. It included songs from the musical, with two performed by Tori herself.

Recent Work: 2016–Present

Amos on stage in 2017

On November 18, 2016, Tori released a special deluxe version of Boys for Pele. This was to celebrate its 20th anniversary. She had also released deluxe versions of her first two albums in 2015.

On September 8, 2017, Tori released Native Invader, followed by a world tour. This album explored topics like American politics and environmental issues. It also mixed in ideas from mythology. Critics generally gave Native Invader good reviews.

On November 9, 2020, Tori announced a holiday-themed album called Christmastide. It was released on December 4. This album had four new songs and featured her working with bandmates Matt Chamberlain and Jon Evans again. Tori recorded the album remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On September 20, 2021, Tori announced her sixteenth studio album, Ocean to Ocean. It was released on October 29. She wrote and recorded the album in Cornwall during the pandemic lockdown. The album tells a story of hitting rock bottom and finding renewal. Tori went on tours in Europe and the United States in 2022 and 2023 to support the album.

In 2023, Tori Amos and Trevor Horn covered Kendrick Lamar's "Swimming Pools (Drank)". She also released a dance remix single called "Tequila."

On November 1, 2024, Tori announced a live album, Diving Deep Live, to be released on December 6, 2024. It will feature recordings from her 2022-23 tour.

Tori's Books and Comics

Tori Amos and her music have been the subject of many books. These include Tori Amos: Lyrics (2001) and an earlier biography, Tori Amos: All These Years (1996).

Tori also co-wrote her own autobiography called Piece by Piece (2005) with music journalist Ann Powers. The book talks about Tori's interest in mythology and religion. It also covers her songwriting process and her journey to fame.

Image Comics released Comic Book Tattoo (2008). This book is a collection of comic stories inspired by Tori's songs. Editor Rantz Hoseley worked with Tori to bring together 80 different artists for the book.

Tori Amos: In the Studio (2011) by Jake Brown looks closely at Tori's career and how she records music. Sing Us a Song, Piano Woman: Female Fans and the Music of Tori Amos (2013) explores how women connect with Tori's music.

Tori Amos' Boys for Pele (2018) by Amy Gentry discusses the album and women's experiences with art. Tori released her second memoir, Resistance: A Songwriter's Story of Hope, Change, and Courage, on May 5, 2020.

Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes (2022) is an official graphic novel. It celebrates 30 years of Tori Amos's breakthrough album.

Tori also wrote a children's book called Tori and the Muses. It will be released on March 4, 2025.

Tori's Personal Life

Tori Amos married English sound engineer Mark Hawley on February 22, 1998. They have one daughter, Natashya Lórien Hawley, who was born on September 5, 2000. The family lives in Bude, UK.

Tori's mother, Mary Ellen, passed away on May 11, 2019.

Early in her career, Tori became friends with author Neil Gaiman. He became a fan after she mentioned him in her song "Tear in Your Hand." The character Delirium from Gaiman's The Sandman comic series was inspired by Tori. Neil Gaiman is also the godfather to Tori's daughter. He wrote a poem for her birth, "Blueberry Girl," which became a children's book of the same name in 2009.

Connecting with Cherokee Culture

Tori Amos has often included Native American culture, history, and spirituality in her music and art. She has spoken about her mother's ancestors, who she said were of Cherokee descent.

Her maternal grandfather, Calvin Clinton Copeland, was very important to her as a child. She said he inspired her and offered a different spiritual path than her father's traditional Christianity. Tori has mentioned that her great-grandmother avoided the Trail of Tears by hiding in the Great Smoky Mountains. A trip Tori took through the Smokies inspired her album Native Invader.

Tori's Influence on Other Artists

Many artists have been influenced by Tori Amos's work. These include Alanis Morissette, Amy Lee from Evanescence, Olly Alexander from Years & Years, Justin Timberlake, Olivia Rodrigo, and Leighton Meester.

Tori's Albums

Studio albums

Little Earthquakes (1992)
Under the Pink (1994)
Boys for Pele (1996)
From the Choirgirl Hotel (1998)
To Venus and Back (1999)
Strange Little Girls (2001)
Scarlet's Walk (2002)
The Beekeeper (2005)
American Doll Posse (2007)
Abnormally Attracted to Sin (2009)
Midwinter Graces (2009)
Night of Hunters (2011)
Gold Dust (2012)
Unrepentant Geraldines (2014)
Native Invader (2017)
Ocean to Ocean (2021)

Tori's Concert Tours

Tori Amos has been performing since 1976. She has played over 1,000 shows since her first world tour in 1992. In 2003, readers of Rolling Stone magazine voted her the fifth best touring act. Her concerts are known for having different songs each night.

Little Earthquakes Tour (1992): This was Tori's first world tour. She performed solo, often with a Yamaha CP-70 or a piano. She played 142 concerts around the world.

Under the Pink Tour (1994): Tori's second world tour. She performed solo on her famous Bösendorfer piano. She played 181 concerts.

Dew Drop Inn Tour (1996): For this tour, Tori played piano, harpsichord, and harmonium. Steve Caton joined her on guitar for some songs. She performed 187 concerts.

Plugged '98 Tour (1998): This was Tori's first tour with a full band. She played piano and keyboard, joined by Steve Caton on guitar, Matt Chamberlain on drums, and Jon Evans on bass. They played 137 concerts.

5 ½ Weeks Tour / To Dallas and Back (1999): This tour was only in North America. Tori co-headlined some shows with Alanis Morissette. She also did a series of solo shows. The tour included 46 concerts.

Strange Little Tour (2001): This was Tori's first tour after becoming a mother. She performed solo on piano, Rhodes piano, and Wurlitzer electric piano. It was a shorter tour, lasting three months, with 55 concerts.

On Scarlet's Walk / Lottapianos Tour (2002-2003): Tori was joined by Matt Chamberlain and Jon Evans again. She played various keyboards. The tour had 124 concerts. The final show was filmed and released as a DVD/CD set.

Original Sinsuality Tour / Summer of Sin (2005): Tori played piano, two Hammond B-3 organs, and Rhodes. She also toured Australia for the first time in many years. This tour featured "Tori's Piano Bar," where fans could suggest cover songs for her to play. She played songs by artists like Kylie Minogue, the Doors, and Joni Mitchell. The tour had 82 concerts.

American Doll Posse World Tour (2007): This was Tori's first full band tour since 1999. She was joined by Jon Evans, Matt Chamberlain, and guitarist Dan Phelps. Tori often opened shows dressed as one of her alter-ego characters from the album. The tour included 93 concerts.

Sinful Attraction Tour (2009): Tori returned to a trio format with Jon Evans and Matt Chamberlain. She also added more keyboards. The tour had 63 concerts, including a solo leg in Australia. This was the last tour to feature Matt Chamberlain on drums for a while.

Night of Hunters Tour (2011): This was Tori's first tour with a string quartet. She also toured in South Africa for the first time. The tour started in Finland and ended in Texas.

Gold Dust Orchestral Tour (2012): Tori began this tour in Rotterdam.

Unrepentant Geraldines Tour (2014): Tori's 2014 world tour started in Ireland and ended in Australia. She played 73 concerts.

Native Invader Tour (2017): This tour supported her Native Invader album. It started in Europe and then moved to North America.

Ocean to Ocean Tour (2022-2023): Tori toured in 2022 and 2023 to support her Ocean to Ocean album. She was joined by bassist John Evans and drummer Ash Soan. The tour included shows in the UK, Ireland, and North America.

Awards and Nominations

Tori Amos has received many awards and nominations throughout her career.

She has been nominated for three Brit Awards.
She won an ECHO Klassik Award in 2012 for her album Night of Hunters.
She has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards for her albums and songs.
She won a George Peabody Medal in 2019 for her amazing contributions to music.
She won a Glamour Award for Woman of the Year in 1998.
She has been nominated for four MTV Video Music Awards for her video "Silent All These Years".
In 2012, she was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
She won a Q Award for Best New Act in 1992.
In 1999, she won a Spin Readers' Poll Award.

In May 2020, Tori Amos gave a special speech at her old university, Johns Hopkins University's graduation ceremony.

Tori in Movies and TV

Tori Amos appeared as a wedding singer in the movie Mona Lisa Smile.

Her songs have also been featured in many movies and TV shows:

"Losing My Religion" (a cover of R.E.M.) and "Butterfly" were in the film Higher Learning (1995).
"Talula" was in the disaster film Twister (1996).
"Professional Widow" was in the action film Escape from L.A. (1996).
"Siren" was in the romantic drama Great Expectations (1998).
"Flicker" was in the film Audrie & Daisy (2016).
Her songs "Crucify" and "God" were in the animated series Beavis and Butt-Head.
"Northern Lad" was in the teen drama Dawson's Creek (1998).
"A Sorta Fairytale" was in the drama series Everwood (2002).
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was in Bones (2005) and Roswell (1999).
"A Nightingale Song in Berkeley Square" was in the TV series Good Omens (2019).
"Professional Widow (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' Mix)" was in White Lines (2020), Derry Girls (2018), and Love Island (2015).
"Cornflake Girl" was in Conversations with Friends (2022), Yellowjackets (2023), and Beef (2023).
"Bells for Her" was also in Yellowjackets (2023).