Gwen Stefani Biography

Gwen Stefani was born and raised in Fullterton, California, and grew up with dreams of a traditional life, with home and family. That changed quickly when her brother Eric introduced her to new wave music at the age of seventeen. Becoming enamored with the music of Selecter, Madness, the Untouchables, and Fishbone, Gwen Stefani was drawn to the Los Angeles music scene, particularly ska, and so when her brother invited her to join his band, she accepted with enthusiasm.

No Doubt signed to Interscope Records in 1991, and despite a disappointing debut album, Gwen Stefani encouraged her fellow band members to stick with it. No Doubt self-financed their next album, Beacon Street Collection, which was released in 1994. Eric Stefani left No Doubt to begin a career in animation, but Gwen continued with No Doubt. The band’s third album, Tragic Kingdom, was released in 1995, and the band found themselves rocketed to stardom, largely based on the strength of the singles that Gwen Stefani herself had written. Tragic Kingdom garnered two Grammies and landed on the charts at number one, and the singles "Spiderwebs," "Just a Girl," and "Don't Speak," all charted. Return of Saturn followed in 2000, and Rock Steady in 2001. During this time, Gwen Stefani began to dabble in some solo and collaborative work, singing on Moby’s “Southside” and Eve’s “Let Me Blow Your Mind.”  No Doubt took a break, and Gwen Stefani began a genuine solo career.

Gwen Stefani released her solo debut, Love.Angel.Music.Baby, in 2004, and the single “Rich Girl” rocketed to the charts. Gwen Stefani expanded her contributions to art with a clothing line (named L.A.M.B.) and she even released a line of Gwen Stefani fashion dolls, all complete with attire from her tours and videos. Since that time, she has released the additional albums The Sweet Escape (2006), Push and Shove (2012), and This is What the Truth Feels Like (2014.) The albums spawned the additional singles “Settle Down” and “Make Me Like You.”

Gwen Stefani continues her work in fashion and music, both as a solo artist and with No Doubt. Stefani is currently working on her next solo album, and in the meantime, she can be seen on the reality competition series The Voice as one of the show’s coaches.