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Ben Moody

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Ben Moody
Moody performing in 2003
Moody performing in 2003
Background information
Birth nameBenjamin Robert Moody II
Born(1981-01-22)January 22, 1981(age 43)
Little Rock, Arkansas,U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instrument(s)Guitar
Years active1994–present
Labels
Websitewww.benmoody.com

Benjamin Robert Moody II[1](born January 22, 1981) is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as co-founder, former lead guitarist and co-songwriter of rock bandEvanescenceuntil his departure in 2003 after the band's debut album,Fallen.After leaving Evanescence, Moody co-wrote and co-produced songs forKelly Clarkson,Avril Lavigne,Anastacia,Lindsay Lohan,Bo Bice,Daughtry,andCeline Dion.

Early life[edit]

Moody was born on January 22, 1981 inLittle Rock, Arkansas.[2][3]He described his youth in Little Rock as being lax, stating that "everybody has their fun. In Little Rock, I'm an infamous thief - it was all there was to do."[3]He began playing drums, but switched to guitar after experiencingcarpal tunnelissues.[4]He did not take guitar lessons, and took influence from 1980s artists likeMetallica,Ozzy OsbourneandMötley Crüe.[4]Commenting on his favorite era of music, Moody said: "Honestly, I think I was born about 10 years too late. I listen toThe Final CountdownbyEuropeonce a week just for the hell of it ".[4]He called Metallica guitaristKirk Hammetthis "hero" and the reason he played guitar.[5]

Career[edit]

Evanescence[edit]

Main article:Evanescence

In 1994, Moody metAmy Leein Little Rock, Arkansas while at a youth camp. The two became musical collaborators and co-foundedEvanescence.[6][4]They soon began playing music at local shops.[7]Within a few years, the duo began sellingEPsat local shows, culminating in their discovery byWind-up Recordsand the release of their debut studio album,Fallen,in 2003. Moody abruptly left Evanescence in October 2003 during their European tour, citing creative differences.[8][9]

In 2006, Moody signed with former Evanescence management Rider Management, which sued him in 2013 for $500,000 in unpaid commissions.[10]

In August 2010, Moody released a statement on his history with Lee and Evanescence, where he said that he was a different person at the time, his friendship with Lee had deteriorated, and they had conflicting opinions, personalities, and desires with the band. Moody apologized to Lee for comments he made to her in anger. He said he realized the band would end if he stayed and believes he made the right choice. He added, "Evanescence has progressed a great distance from the original sound, and made it clear that they intended to expand much further. Amy is very artistic and never has had a problem thinking outside of the box and defying expectations."[11]

Solo projects[edit]

Beginning in 2004, Moody began collaborating with several artists, co-writing the track "Nobody's Home"forAvril Lavigne's second album,Under My Skin,and co-writing the track "The End Has Come" withJason C. MillerandJason "Gong" JonesforThe Punishersoundtrack.He then wrote withDavid Hodges,Kelly Clarkson,and others for Clarkson's second album,Breakaway,working on the songs "Because of You"and" Addicted ".[12]

In early 2005, Moody played lead guitar for the song "Forever in Our Hearts", the 'song fortsunamirelief' made exclusively foriTunes.[13]He collaborated with singerAnastaciaon the song "Everything Burns",which is featured on her albumPieces of a Dreamand theFantastic Foursoundtrack.Moody then assistedLindsay Lohanon her albumA Little More Personal (Raw)and worked withBo Biceon the song "My World" (a cover fromSR-71) for his debut albumThe Real Thing.Moody's debut solo album,You Can't Regret What You Don't Remember,was scheduled to be released in late 2005, and would feature bassist Marty O'Brien on bass, drummer Lance Garvin, guitarist Michael "Fish" Herring, and co-vocals from Jason Miller.[14]

In April 2006, Moody began working on the debut album of singer-songwriterHana Pestle,co-producing and co-writing with Michael "Fish" Herring, as well as performing on the album.[15]He later produced theGodheadalbumThe Shadow Linewith Julian Beeston, and played a clown in their music video for the song "Push". He collaborated with Hodges again onAmerican IdolChris Daughtry's debut album,Daughtry(2006), for the song "What About Now".

In 2007, Moody worked withCeline Dionon her albumTaking Chances.[15]It was reported that his solo album was still in the works.[15]

In December 2008, he released theMutiny Bootleg E.P.and announced that his solo album would be released on March 3, 2009. This release would be delayed, however, as was hinted at in February 2009, when Moody's official website displayed the release as "available 2009" instead of the March 3 release date. On June 9, 2009, Moody's debut solo album, entitledAll for This,was released digitally viaAmazon.com,iTunes, andAmie Streetthrough Moody's label, FNR Records. His second album,You Can't Regret What You Don't Remember,was released on November 11, 2011.

Other bands[edit]

In June 2009, it was announced that Moody had formed the rock band calledWe Are the Fallen,recruitingAmerican Idol 7finalistCarly Smithsonas the lead singer, and his friends former Evanescence drummerRocky Gray,guitaristJohn LeCompt,and Marty O'Brien on bass.[16][17]We Are the Fallen made their first public appearance together for a press conference at SIR Studios in Los Angeles, CA, on June 22, 2009. Their debut album,Tear the World Downwas released in May 2010. The band toured for most of the year in support of the album, and filmed their first live DVD, Cirque Des Damnés, at the Avalon Theatre. The DVD was scheduled for release in late 2011.

In 2012, Moody teamed up with formerPapa Roachdrummer Dave Buckner, and formerRock Star SupernovafrontmanLukas Rossi,to form a new band calledThe Halo Method.Before their debut show on the Shiprocked cruise in November 2012, formerIn This Momentbassist and studio engineer Josh Newell became their bassist.

Acting roles[edit]

Moody started a television and film production company, Makeshift Films.[14]He made acameoas azombiein the 2004 horror filmResident Evil: Apocalypse.[18]He also appeared in the 2007 release of the low-budget filmDead and Gone.

Personal life[edit]

Moody identified as Christian and promoted his religious beliefs in interviews in the early 2000s.[19][6][20]In 2005, he was diagnosed withbipolar disorder.[21]He struggled with substance abuse during his time in Evanescence,[23]and enteredrehabafter leaving the band.[12]

Moody dated singerHana Pestle.[24][25]As of June 2022, he is now divorced.[1]

Discography[edit]

Evanescence[edit]

Main article:Evanescence discography

Solo[edit]

  • "Everything Burns"(2005) - Single/Music video
  • Mutiny Bootleg E.P.(2008)
  • All for This(2009)
  • You Can't Regret What You Don't Remember(2011)

We Are the Fallen[edit]

Other appearances[edit]

Year Artist Song Release and/or explanation Notes
2004 Avril Lavigne "Nobody's Home" Under My Skin Writing credits
Ben Moody feat.Jason MillerandJason "Gong" Jones "The End Has Come" The Punisher: The Album Main performer; writing credits
Kelly Clarkson
(with Ben Moody,David Hodges,Marty O'Brien, and Mark Colbert)		 "Because of You" Breakaway Writing credits, producer, and guitar
"Addicted"
2005 Ben Moody "Forever in Our Hearts" Song for tsunami relief made exclusively for iTunes Lead guitar
Ben Moody feat.Anastacia "Everything Burns" Fantastic 4: The Album
Pieces of a Dream		 Main performer; writing credits and producer
Lindsay Lohan "Fastlane" A Little More Personal (Raw) Arranger,programming,producer
"Edge of Seventeen" Programming and producer
Bo Bice "My World" The Real Thing Producer
2006 Godhead "Push" feat. Jeffree Starr and Ben Moody The Shadow Line Producer
2007 Daughtry "What About Now" Daughtry Writing credits
Celine Dion "Alone" Taking Chances Producer
"This Time" Writing credits and producer
"The Reason I Go On" Producer
2009 Daughtry "Open Up Your Eyes" Leave This Town Writing credits
Halestorm "Innocence" Halestorm Writing credits
2010 Flyleaf "Arise" (Ben Moody Mix) Remember to Live Remixer

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"Docket Report Results".Arkansas Supreme Court.RetrievedJanuary 21,2022.
  2. ^Rose, Mike (January 22, 2023)."Today's famous birthdays list for January 22, 2023 includes celebrities Diane Lane, Guy Fieri".Cleveland.com.RetrievedJanuary 21,2023.
  3. ^abLanger, Andy (September 2003). "Evanescence".Revolver.No. 19. p. 72.
  4. ^abcdMueller, Michael (June 2003). "Breakthrough Artist: Evanescence".Guitar One.p. 84.
  5. ^Stojanovic, Sasha (August 10, 2003)."Dark Splendour".deo2.com(Interview). UK.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2005.RetrievedApril 27,2023.
  6. ^ab"Evanescence lands someplace special".USA Today.May 8, 2003. Archived fromthe originalon October 26, 2012.
  7. ^Bakker, Tiffany (January 9, 2004)."Moody blues".Sydney Morning Herald.RetrievedNovember 7,2006.
  8. ^"Evanescence Co-Founder Ben Moody Leaves Band During Tour".VH1.November 3, 2003. Archived fromthe originalon February 6, 2008.RetrievedDecember 5,2022.
  9. ^abReesman, Bryan (November 2006). "The Essence of Evanescence".Metal Edge.Vol. 52, no. 11. pp. 5–10.ISSN1068-2872.
  10. ^"Former Evanescence Guitarist Ben Moody Reportedly Being Sued for $500,000".Loudwire.January 28, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 28,2024.
  11. ^"Ben Moody: The Truth About Why I Left Evanescence And Formed We Are the Fallen".Blabbermouth.net.August 26, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 28,2022.
  12. ^abc"Ben Moody Gets Life After Amy Lee".Rolling Stone.July 12, 2005.RetrievedOctober 7,2022.
  13. ^Rashbaum, Alyssa (January 26, 2005)."Mya, Brian McKnight, Ben Moody On Tsunami Benefit Song".MTV News. Archived fromthe originalon July 18, 2007.RetrievedJuly 24,2007.
  14. ^ab"Ben Moody".MTV. Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2007.RetrievedJuly 24,2007.
  15. ^abc"Former Evanescence Guitarist/Songwriter Produces CD For Hana Pestle".Blabbermouth.net.May 10, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2007.RetrievedJuly 24,2007.
  16. ^"Carly Smithson to join forces with ex-Evanescence musicians to become the Fallen".LA Times.June 18, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on June 20, 2009.RetrievedJune 18,2009.
  17. ^Oei, Roland (August 2003). "Evanescence".PowerPlay.No. 47. pp. 9–11.
  18. ^Milla Jovovich,Oded Fehr,Sienna Guillory(2004).Resident Evil: ApocalypseCast Commentary(DVD). Sony Entertainment. Event occurs at 28:26.
  19. ^D'Angelo, Joe (April 16, 2003)."Evanescence's Label Tells Christian Outlets To Yank Fallen".MTV News.Archived fromthe originalon November 7, 2012.RetrievedAugust 1,2011.
  20. ^Perrone, Pierre (2003). "Vanishing Point".Rock Sound.p. 38.ISSN1465-0185.
  21. ^ab"Ben Moody – No Regrets".MTV.July 6, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon February 21, 2007.RetrievedOctober 7,2022.
  22. ^"The End of Heartache".Kerrang!.September 30, 2006.ISSN0262-6624.
  23. ^[21][22][9][12]
  24. ^"Hana Pestle rings in early new year with family and friends".Billings Gazette.December 31, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on August 20, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 25,2024.
  25. ^"HANA: The Best of What's Next".Paste.May 12, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon May 13, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 25,2024.

External links[edit]

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