Tori Amos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tori Amos
Amos performing in 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 on August 22, 1963) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. She is known for her unique piano-based music. Tori was trained in classical music from a young age. She started composing her own music very early.

Amos received a special scholarship to the Peabody Institute at just five years old. She was the youngest person ever accepted there. However, she left at age eleven. This was because she preferred rock and pop music over classical. Before becoming a solo star, Tori was the lead singer of a pop-rock band called Y Kant Tori Read in the 1980s. Her songs often explore themes like identity, personal growth, and faith.

Some of her well-known songs include "Crucify", "Silent All These Years", and "Cornflake Girl". Tori Amos has been nominated for many awards. These include five MTV VMA nominations and eight Grammy Award nominations. She also won an Echo Klassik award for her classical album, Night of Hunters. In 1999, VH1 listed her as number 71 on their "100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll" list.

Early Life and Musical Training

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. Her family lived in Washington, D.C.

When Tori was two, her family moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Her father was a Methodist minister. Tori's older brother and sister took piano lessons. But Tori taught herself to play. By age two, she could play songs she heard just once. By age three, she was writing her own music. She has described seeing music as colorful lights. This is a special way of experiencing sound.

At five, she became the youngest student at the Peabody Institute. She studied classical piano there from 1968 to 1974. When she was eleven, her scholarship ended. She was asked to leave. Tori said this happened because she loved rock and pop music. She also disliked reading music notes.

In 1972, her family moved to Silver Spring, Maryland. Her father became a pastor there. At thirteen, Tori started playing piano in gay bars and piano bars. Her father went with her to these places.

In 1977, Tori won a local teen talent contest. She sang a song called "More Than Just a Friend". Later, she co-wrote "Baltimore" with her brother, Mike Amos. This song was for a competition. It became her first single in 1980. Before this, she used her middle name, Ellen. A friend's boyfriend told her she looked like a Torrey pine tree. After that, she started using the name "Tori".

Music Career Highlights

1979–1989: Early Music Journey

By age 17, Tori Amos had many demo tapes. Her father sent them to record companies. Atlantic Records liked her music and signed her.

In 1984, Tori moved to Los Angeles. She wanted to focus on her music career. She had spent several years playing in piano bars.

In 1986, Amos formed a band called Y Kant Tori Read. The name came from her difficulty with reading music notes quickly. The band included Steve Caton on guitar, Matt Sorum on drums, and Brad Cobb on bass. Their first album, Y Kant Tori Read, came out in 1988. Tori later said she wasn't happy with the album. The band broke up after it didn't sell well.

After the band, Tori worked as a backup singer for other artists. She also recorded a song called "Distant Storm". This song was used in the film China O'Brien.

1990–1995: Breakthrough Albums

Amos in 1993 Alexandra Palace, London

Even after Y Kant Tori Read didn't succeed, Tori still had a contract with Atlantic Records. They wanted a new album by 1990. Her first recordings were not accepted by the label. She reworked the album with help from others. This led to Little Earthquakes. The album talked about her childhood, finding her identity, and overcoming challenges. It became her big breakthrough. It entered the British charts at Number 15 in 1992. The album slowly gained fans in the U.S. with the video for "Silent All These Years".

In 1993, Tori went to New Mexico to write and record her second solo album. This album was Under the Pink. It received good reviews. It reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S. In the UK, it was even more successful, debuting at number one in 1994.

1996–2000: Exploring New Sounds

Her third solo album, Boys for Pele, was released in 1996. Before it came out, the song "Caught a Lite Sneeze" was the first full song ever streamed online before an album's release.

The album was recorded in a church in Delgany, County Wicklow, Ireland. Tori used the church's natural sound. For this album, she played instruments like the harpsichord and harmonium. Boys for Pele reached No. 2 on both the UK Top 40 and the Billboard 200.

Tori wanted her own recording studio. So, she turned a barn at her home in Cornwall, UK, into Martian Engineering Studios.

From the Choirgirl Hotel (1998) and To Venus and Back (1999) were different from her earlier albums. They included electronic and dance music sounds. These albums explored themes of womanhood and marriage. From the Choirgirl Hotel had her best first-week sales. To Venus and Back was one of the first major-label singles available as a digital download.

2001–2004: New Labels and Concepts

After having her daughter, Tori recorded a cover album called Strange Little Girls (2001). She took songs written by men about women. She then sang them from a woman's point of view. The album artwork showed Tori dressed as the women in each song. This album helped her finish her contract with Atlantic Records.

In late 2001, Tori signed with Epic. In 2002, she released Scarlet's Walk. This was a "sonic novel" album. It followed a character named Scarlet on a cross-country journey. The songs explored American history and people. The album debuted strongly at No. 7 on the Billboard 200. It is her last album to reach gold status in the U.S.

Later, there were changes at Epic Records. This led Tori to form her own company, Bridge Entertainment Group.

2005–2008: More Albums and Collections

Amos in concert in 2007

Tori released two more albums with Epic: The Beekeeper (2005) and American Doll Posse (2007). Both albums were well-received. The Beekeeper was inspired by ancient beekeeping and women's strength. It debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. This made her one of the few women with five or more US Top 10 album debuts.

American Doll Posse was another concept album. It featured different characters who were like alter-egos of Tori. This album also debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

During this time, Tori also released several collections. These included Tales of a Librarian (2003), a DVD set Fade to Red (2006), and a five-disc box set A Piano: The Collection (2006). She also released live recordings from her tours.

2008–2011: Independent Work and New Directions

Amos in 2010

In 2008, Tori Amos decided to leave Epic Records. She wanted to work independently. Later that year, she released a live album and DVD, Live at Montreux 1991/1992. This featured early performances. In late 2008, she signed a deal with Universal Republic Records.

Her tenth solo album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin, came out in 2009. It was her first with Universal Republic. It debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200. Tori said it was a "personal album" about power and boundaries. Later that year, she released Midwinter Graces, her first holiday album. It included new songs and reworked traditional carols.

Tori also sang on two songs for David Byrne's album Here Lies Love in 2010. She released a live album, From Russia With Love, in 2010.

2011–2015: Classical and Musical Projects

In 2011, Tori released Night of Hunters. This was her first classical-style album. It featured variations on themes by famous composers like Bach and Chopin. It was released on the Deutsche Grammophon label.

To celebrate 20 years of her debut album, Little Earthquakes, Tori released Gold Dust in 2012. This album featured her older songs re-recorded with the Metropole Orchestra.

In 2012, Tori started her own record label, Transmission Galactic. She planned to help new artists.

In 2013, Tori worked on a musical based on The Light Princess. It opened at London's Royal National Theatre. The musical and its lead actress received nominations for awards.

Tori's 14th studio album, Unrepentant Geraldines, was released in 2014. It was a return to her usual style of contemporary songs. She supported the album with a world tour.

2016–Present: Recent Works and Tours

Amos on stage in 2017

In 2016, a special deluxe version of Boys for Pele was released. This celebrated its 20th anniversary.

On September 8, 2017, Tori released Native Invader. This album explored American politics and environmental topics. It received good reviews.

In November 2020, Tori announced a holiday-themed EP called Christmastide. It was released in December 2020. It featured four new songs.

Her sixteenth studio album, Ocean to Ocean, was released on October 29, 2021. She wrote and recorded it during the lockdown. The album is about overcoming challenges. Tori toured 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 (...)". She also released a dance single called "Tequila".

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

On February 28, 2025, Tori released The Music of Tori and the Muses. This was a companion to her children's book, Tori and the Muses. The album has nine new songs.

Books and Comics

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

In 2005, Tori co-wrote an autobiography called Piece by Piece with journalist Ann Powers. The book talks about her songwriting and her journey to fame.

Image Comics released Comic Book Tattoo (2008). This book is a collection of comic stories. Each story is based on a song by Tori Amos. Editor Rantz Hoseley worked with Tori to gather many artists for the book.

Other books about Tori include Tori Amos: In the Studio (2011) and Sing Us a Song, Piano Woman (2013). Her second memoir, Resistance: A Songwriter's Story of Hope, Change, and Courage, was released in 2020.

Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes (2022) is a graphic novel. It celebrates 30 years of her album Little Earthquakes. It was written by Tori Amos and Neil Gaiman.

Tori also wrote a children's book called Tori and the Muses. It was illustrated by Demelsa Haughton. The book was released on March 4, 2025.

Personal Life and Connections

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

Tori became friends with author Neil Gaiman. He was a fan of her music. The character Delirium in Gaiman's The Sandman comic series is inspired by Tori. Neil Gaiman is the godfather to Tori's daughter. He wrote a poem for her birth, which became a children's book called Blueberry Girl (2009). In 2019, Tori sang "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" for the TV series Good Omens.

Cherokee Heritage Connection

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

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

Influence on Other Artists

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

Discography

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)
• The Music of Tori and the Muses (2025)

Concert Tours

Tori Amos has performed over 1,000 shows since her first world tour in 1992. Her concerts are known for having different songs each night.

• Little Earthquakes Tour (1992): Her first world tour. She performed solo on piano.
• Under the Pink Tour (1994): Tori performed solo on her Bösendorfer piano.
• Dew Drop Inn Tour (1996): She played piano, harpsichord, and harmonium.
• Plugged '98 Tour (1998): Her first tour with a full band.
• 5 ½ Weeks Tour / To Dallas and Back (1999): A North American tour, partly with Alanis Morissette.
• Strange Little Tour (2001): Her first solo tour since becoming a mother.
• On Scarlet's Walk / Lottapianos Tour (2002-2003): She reunited with her bandmates Matt Chamberlain and Jon Evans.
• Original Sinsuality Tour / Summer of Sin (2005): Tori played piano and organs. Fans could request cover songs.
• American Doll Posse World Tour (2007): Her first full band tour since 1999.
• Sinful Attraction Tour (2009): Tori returned to a trio format with her band.
• Night of Hunters Tour (2011): Her first tour with a string quartet.
• Gold Dust Orchestral Tour (2012): Performed with an orchestra.
• Unrepentant Geraldines Tour (2014): A world tour supporting her album.
• Native Invader Tour (2017): Supported her Native Invader album.
• Ocean to Ocean Tour (2022-2023): Supported her Ocean to Ocean album.

Awards and Recognitions

• 1999: Spin Readers' Poll Awards (Won)

On May 21, 2020, Tori Amos spoke at her alma mater, Johns Hopkins University's Commencement ceremony. Other speakers included Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Film and TV Appearances

Tori Amos appeared as a wedding singer in the film Mona Lisa Smile. She had also auditioned for a role in the 1986 film Howard the Duck.

Her songs have been featured in many films and TV shows, including:

• "Losing My Religion" (cover) and "Butterfly" in Higher Learning (1995).
• "Talula" in Twister (1996).
• "... Widow" in Escape from L.A. (1996).
• "Siren" in Great Expectations (1998).
• "Flicker" in Audrie & Daisy (2016).
• "Crucify" in Beavis and Butt-Head (1994) and High Maintenance (2016).
• "God" in Beavis and Butt-Head (1994).
• "Northern Lad" in Dawson's Creek (1998).
• "A Sorta Fairytale" in Everwood (2002).
• "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in Bones (2005) and Roswell (1999).
• "Precious Things" in Hindsight (2015).
• "Pretty Good Year" in Casual (2015).
• "A Nightingale Song in Berkeley Square" in Good Omens (2019).
• "... Widow (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' Mix)" in White Lines (2020), Derry Girls (2018), and Love Island (2015).
• "Raspberry Swirl" in The End (2020).
• "1000 Oceans" in Pretty Little Liars (2022).
• "Cornflake Girl" in Conversations with Friends (2022), YellowJackets (2023), and Beef (2023).
• "Bells for Her" in Yellowjackets (2023).
• “Little Earthquakes” in Rick & Morty (2025).

See also

In Spanish: Tori Amos para niños