Tori Amos

Tori Amos
Justin Higuchi from Los Angeles, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Tori Amos
Birth name	Myra Ellen Amos
Birth date	August 22, 1963
Birth place	Newton, North Carolina
Genre	Alternative rock, Piano rock, Electronic music

Tori Amos is a renowned American singer-songwriter and musician, known for her emotionally charged and poetic songwriting style, which has been influenced by Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell, and David Bowie. Born in Newton, North Carolina, Amos began playing the piano at a young age and was classically trained at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. She has released several critically acclaimed albums, including Little Earthquakes and Under the Pink, which have been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and have featured collaborations with Trent Reznor and Maynard James Keenan. Amos has been nominated for several awards, including the Grammy Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards, and has performed at various music festivals, such as Lollapalooza and Glastonbury Festival.

Early Life and Education

Tori Amos was born Myra Ellen Amos on August 22, 1963, in Newton, North Carolina, to Mary Ellen Amos and Reverend Edison Amos. She began playing the piano at the age of two and was classically trained at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, where she studied under Leon Fleisher and Rosalyn Tureck. Amos's early life was marked by a strong musical influence, with her mother introducing her to the music of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell. She attended Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland, and later enrolled in the Peabody Institute, where she was the youngest student to be accepted at the time, alongside other notable alumni such as Dominick Argento and Philip Glass.

Music Career

Tori Amos's music career began in the 1980s, when she formed the band Y Kant Tori Read with Matt Sorum and Brad Cobb. The band released one album, Y Kant Tori Read (album), in 1988, but it was not commercially successful. Amos then embarked on a solo career, releasing her debut album Little Earthquakes in 1992, which featured the hit single Silent All These Years and was produced by Ian Stanley and David Leonard. The album was a critical and commercial success, and Amos went on to release several more albums, including Under the Pink and Boys for Pele, which featured collaborations with George Porter Jr. and Mavis Staples. Amos has worked with various record labels, including Atlantic Records and Epic Records, and has toured with artists such as Alanis Morissette and Sarah McLachlan.

Artistic Style and Influences

Tori Amos's artistic style is characterized by her poetic and emotionally charged songwriting, which often explores themes of Feminism, Politics, and Personal relationships. Her music is influenced by a wide range of artists, including Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell, and David Bowie, as well as classical composers such as Chopin and Debussy. Amos has also cited Literary fiction authors such as Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson as influences on her songwriting style, and has referenced the works of William Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot in her lyrics. Her music often features complex Piano arrangements and Vocal melodies, and she has been praised for her unique and expressive singing style, which has been compared to that of Bjork and Stevie Nicks.

Discography

Tori Amos has released 15 studio albums, including Little Earthquakes, Under the Pink, and American Doll Posse. Her albums have been certified Platinum and Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and have featured collaborations with Trent Reznor and Maynard James Keenan. Amos has also released several live albums, including To Venus and Back and The Original Bootlegs, which feature performances from her tours with The Dew Drop Inn and The Plugged '98 tours. Her discography includes albums such as From the Choirgirl Hotel, To Venus and Back, and Scarlet's Walk, which have been praised by critics and fans alike, and have featured songs such as Cornflake Girl and A Sorta Fairytale, which have been covered by artists such as Sarah McLachlan and Annie Lennox.

Personal Life and Activism

Tori Amos is married to Mark Hawley, a British Sound engineer, and the couple has one daughter, Natashya Hawley. Amos is a strong supporter of Feminist and LGBTQ+ rights organizations, including RAINN and The Trevor Project, and has performed at various benefit concerts, including the Bridge School Benefit and the Rainbow Room. She has also been involved in various charitable initiatives, including the American Cancer Society and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and has worked with artists such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry to raise awareness and funds for social justice causes. Amos has been recognized for her philanthropic work, including being named a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations and receiving the National Organization for Women's Woman of Courage Award.