Gwen Stefani
Schottenstein Center
Columbus, Ohio
December 17, 2005
Live
Photos
Christmas came a week early at the Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio for
the fans of Pop Princess, Gwen Stefani as she proved why she’s been nominated
for five Grammy’s, including Album of the Year. Touring in support of
her multi-platinum solo debut, Love.Angel.Music.Baby., Stefani leaves no doubt
that she is a woman with talent, energy, creativity, and flare for fashion.
Stefani's show features an entourage of four Harajuku Girls named Love, Angel,
Music, and Baby by Stefani, the Harajuku girls, named for the area around the
Harajuku Station of Tokyo, Japan, known as a popular shopping destination and
fashion center for teenagers. The Harajuku girls have been featured in her music
videos and on the album cover for Love Angel.Music.Baby., and have a song dedicated
to them on the album.
36 year old Gwendolyn Renee Stefani was born in Orange County, California. One
of Gwen's brothers, Eric, started the band No Doubt with his friend John Spence
in 1987 and asked Gwen to join in as co-vocalist with Spence. Tony Kanal joined
the group and the trio began to gain popularity by playing locally. Gwen took
over lead vocals when Spence committed suicide in 1987. Gwen graduated high school
and attended Cal State Fullerton College and managed the band, school, as well
as what turned out to be a long-term romance with fellow band member, Tony Kanal.
In 1989, two new members joined the No Doubt team: guitarist Tom Dumont and drummer
Adrian Young. Flea, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist, recorded a demo for the
band in 1990, which led to a deal with Interscope Records.
In 1992, the band released their self-titled debut but it was far from a commercial
success. To give their label some extra confidence, No Doubt went back into
the studio with their own money and recorded a collection of songs they had
written. Their sophomore effort, Beacon Street Collection was released in 1995.
But it was their third release, Tragic Kingdom, that skyrocketed their career
with smash hits, ‘Just A Girl’ and ‘Don’t Speak.’
The album went on to become a Billboard No. 1 and garnered two Grammy nominations
for the group.
Gwen
Stefani Live Concert Photos
Return of Saturn, released in 2000 spawned the hits Ex-Girlfriend and Simple
Kind of Life. In 2001, No Doubt released Rock Steady and hit the charts with
"Hey Baby" and ‘Hella Good.’ No Doubt picked up two Grammy
Awards- both in the category of "Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group
With Vocal," for ‘Hey Baby’ and ‘Underneath It All.’
After the "best of" compilation The Singles 1992-2003 was released
in 2003, Gwen struck out on her own with her solo debut, Love. Angel. Music.
Baby. which has received five Grammy nominations with hits like ‘What
You Waiting For?’, ‘Rich Girl,’ and ‘Hollaback Girl.’
. The nominations include Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance,
Album Of The Year, Record Of The Year & Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Gwen also gets style points as she’s no stranger to the world of fashion.
Stefani has launched her own clothing and accessory line called L.A.M.B., which
showcases clothing that she often wears. The line also includes handbags and
purses.
Celebrities such as Nicky Hilton, Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Alicia Keys
and Halle Berry have been seen sporting her fashion line and LeSportsac bags.
Stefani has also been noticed by Hollywood with a small part in 2004's The Aviator.
Riding her huge wave of popularity, industry insiders suggest that we’ll
be seeing a lot more of Ms. Stefani on the big screen. What’s left? Gwen
does appear to have it have it all as love co-mingles with her mega-successful
career as she’s married to her long-time boyfriend of more than five years,
Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale.
By
Gwyn Tyme
