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Beth Hart

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For those of a similar name, seeElizabeth Hart (disambiguation).

Beth Hart
Hart in 2022
Hart in 2022
Background information
Born(1972-01-24)January 24, 1972(age 52)
Los Angeles, California, US
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • composer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
  • bass guitar
  • cello
  • percussion
Labels
Websitebethhart

Beth Hart(born January 24, 1972)[1]is an American musician from Los Angeles, California. She rose to fame with the release of her 1999 single "LA Song (Out of This Town)"from her second albumScreamin' for My Supper.The single was a number one hit in New Zealand, as well as reaching the top 5 of the USAdult Contemporaryand Top 10 on theBillboardAdult Top 40charts.

Hart has had several well received collaborations with guitaristJoe Bonamassa,beginning in 2011 withDon't Explain,followed with theGrammy-nominatedSeesaw(2013) andLive in Amsterdam(2014), the latter of which topped the Billboard Blues Album Chart, a chart that she has topped six times. Her latest work with Bonamassa was the 2018 albumBlack Coffee.Hart has had two number 1 singles in Denmark, "As Good as It Gets" and "Learning to Live", as well a double platinum-selling album,Leave the Light On.

Hart's most recent album, released in 2022, isA Tribute to Led Zeppelin,a collection of covers ofLed Zeppelinsongs.

Early life

[edit]

Hart was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. As a 4-year-old, she began to play piano. At first, she concentrated on classical works byBachandBeethoven,but as she grew older, she also began to play pieces by artists such asEtta James,Otis ReddingandLed Zeppelin.[2]

Regarding her childhood in an interview with Don Wilcock, Hart stated, "When I was a kid, my dad left me in a bad way, and what fucked me up the most was that he would be in the lives of my other sisters and brothers, but he wouldn't be in mine." At the age of 22, Hart lost her sister from complications ofAIDS.[3]

Career

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1987–1998: Career beginnings

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Hart entered Los Angeles'High School for the Performing Artsin 10th grade as a vocal and cello major. At the prompting of a classmate, she soon began singing during open mic nights in the Belly Room of theComedy Store.[4]

Hart started playing clubs in Hollywood at the age of 15, and eventually enlisted bassist Tal Herzberg and guitarist Jimmy Khoury forBeth Hart and the Ocean of Souls,which was recorded in 1993. It includes "Am I the One" (which later appeared on her first official recordImmortal) and a pop-rock cover of the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".The first released album with the Beth Hart Band,[5]Immortal,was released in 1996 through Atlantic, scanning 13,000 copies[6]and featured the single "God Bless You". It also included "Am I the One", a fan favorite that ended up on her first DVD that was released in 2005. After touring the record, including atLollapaloozain 1996,[7]the Beth Hart Band disbanded due to infighting.[8]

In 1993, Hart appeared onEd McMahon'sStar Search,ultimately winning the Female Vocalist competition. Hart has stated that winning the show did not land her a record deal due to the stigma associated with performing on the show, and that she had burned through the prize money she received by the time she struck a deal withAtlantic Records.[9]

1999–2009: Commercial breakthrough

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Hart's second solo album,Screamin' for My Supperwas released in 1999, and featured "LA Song (Out of This Town)",a No. 1 hit in New Zealand, as well as a Top 10Adult Contemporarychart hit in the US. The song also aired during Episode 17 of the 10th and final season ofBeverly Hills, 90210.[10]At the same time, Hart was singing the lead role inLove, Janis,anoff-Broadwaymusical based on Joplin's letters home to her mother.

Hart's follow-up album,Leave the Light On,was released in 2003 via Koch Records, after being dropped by Atlantic presumably due to Hart's drug addiction.[11]While still successful in New Zealand, the album saw her breakthrough in the European market, with the single "Learning to Live" reaching number 1 in Denmark, while the album achieved a 2× Platinum certification.[12]"Learning to Live" was also used as the theme song toLosing It with Jillianon NBC. In 2003, she became the first and only musician to feature as backing vocalist for a Deep Purple song ( "Haunted", released on theBananasalbum).

Two years later in 2005, Hart released her first live album,Live at Paradiso,which was recorded at a former church in Amsterdam, and released both as a CD and a DVD. It featured a variety of Hart's self written songs and a cover of "Whole Lotta Love"byLed Zeppelin.[13]Hart appears onToots Thielemans' albumOne More For the Roadon the track "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues", which was released in 2006.

Hart's fourth solo studio album37 Dayswas released in Europe in July 2007, and eventually as a DVD as well. The album debuted at No. 1 in Denmark and spent two weeks at the top, her first album to top a national chart,[14]and additionally reached a Gold certification in the country.[15]The record was her last on a major label (Universal), though it solidified her European commercial success.

2010–2014: Independent career, collaborations with Joe Bonamassa

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Her fifth solo studio albumMy Californiawas released in 2010, and was her first onProvogue Records.Hart delivered music for the final scene of the last episode of season 6 ofCalifornication,with the title song of the record. On August 23, 2012, her song "Take It Easy on Me" fromMy Californiawas used in the first episode of the eighth series of the BBC TV dramaWaterloo Road.On July 31, 2012, the album was released in the United States. On the same date, she released an EP titledIntroducing Beth Hart.

During this time, Hart collaborated withSlashon "Mother Maria", released on theiTunesversion of Slash's 2010 solo album,Slash,[16]and additionally collaborated with rapper Born on his single "It Hurts", released in February 2012.[17]Following her tour withJeff Beckin 2006 through the United States, she appeared with him again in December 2012, at the Kennedy Center Opera House, along with a group of blues/rock musicians, performing "I'd Rather Go Blind"in tribute toBuddy Guy,who received a 2012Kennedy Center Honorfor his lifetime of contributions to American culture. The performance received a standing ovation fromPresident Obamaand First LadyMichelle Obama,[18]and led to the collaboration with Buddy Guy, where he recorded the song "What You Gonna Do About Me" with Hart for his albumRhythm & Blues.

In 2011, Hart collaborated with blues guitaristJoe Bonamassaon their first co-releaseDon't Explain,an album of blues and soul classics. The album reached number 3 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart and also went gold in the Netherlands.[19]She additionally provided vocals for the track "No Love on the Street" on Bonamassa'sDust Bowl,which was released the same year.

The following year, Hart's releaseBang Bang Boom Boombecame one of her biggest commercial successes, appearing on the charts of at least 10 countries, as well as becoming her first to chart on theBillboardBlues Album Chart, climbing to Number 3.[20]She worked with producerKevin Shirley,whom she collaborated with for the first time on the albumDon't Explain.The album was released the following year in the United States.

In 2013, Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa releasedSeesaw,again produced byKevin Shirley.The album rose to number 8 on the Billboard Top Independent Album Chart. In 2014 Hart was nominated for aGrammy AwardforSeesawand was also nominated for aBlues Music Awardin the category Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist.[21]The album additionally holds her highest peak position on theBillboard 200,reaching the Top 50.

Hart's second live album/DVD,Live in Amsterdam,was also recorded in Amsterdam, this time at the Royal Carré Theatre. Hart and Bonamassa went on a mini European tour of five shows (Bergen, Norway – London, UK – Antwerp, Belgium – Amsterdam, Netherlands), of which two were at the Carré Theatre.

In 2014, she performed once again with Jeff Beck, this time during his Australian tour as a supporting act, in addition to joining him on stage during his set.[22]

2015–2019:Better Than Home,Fire on the Floor,Black Coffee,andWar in My Mind

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Hart's seventh solo studio albumBetter Than Home,was released on April 13, 2015, in Europe and on the following day in the US. The recording process was "painful" for Hart: the album was produced byMichael Stevens,whose cancer diagnosis pressured Hart into completing the recording of the album in just five days. In addition to this, she entered a psych ward twice while making the album.[3]Nevertheless, the lead single "Mechanical Heart" charted at number 1 in the "iTunes Blues" song list,[23]and the album entered the album charts in the Netherlands at number 1. In the US the album entered both the Billboard Blues Charts and iTunes Blues Charts at number 1. The album also charted in other countries: number 11 in Germany and 33 in the UK. On January 29, 2016, Hart and Jeff Beck released the single "Tell Her You Belong To Me" worldwide on iTunes,[24]after performing the song live onJools' Annual Hootenannyin 2015/2016 onBBC Two.They also performed "Nutbush City Limits"on the show as well. At the end of 2015,Mojomagazine ranked the album as the fourth best blues album of the year, while Hart appeared as one of the narrators for the documentary filmUnity.[25]

Hart released her eighth studio album,Fire on the Floor,on October 14, 2016, in Europe, New Zealand and Australia. For the rest of the world it was released on February 3, 2017, to coincide with her tour. Hart wrote all songs herself, except for "Let's Get Together" (with Rune Westberg) and "Fat Man" (withGlen Burtnik).[26]The title track was released first followed by "Love Is a Lie", which is the official first single off the album.

On January 26, 2018, Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa releasedBlack Coffee,again produced by Kevin Shirley.[27][28]The album debuted at number 1 on the US Blues Chart,[29]and also in the Dutch album top 100.[30]

On November 30, 2018, Hart released a live concert recording,Live at the Royal Albert Hall,as a video release and a live album on Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group. The recordings were captured in May 2018 when she performed at theRoyal Albert Hall.[31]

Hart released her ninth solo studio album,War in My Mind,on September 27, 2019, through Provogue/Mascot Label Group.[32]The album became her highest-charting solo album in a number of European markets, including the UK where it reached the Top 20, as well as Germany, where it hit the Top 10.[citation needed]

2020–2022:A Tribute to Led Zeppelin

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In 2021, Hart began teasing new music by hiding hints in herSpotifycanvas videos.[33]On November 12, she announced her tenth solo studio album,A Tribute to Led Zeppelin,alongside the first single, a cover of "Good Times Bad Times."The album was released on February 25, 2022,[34]debuting at No. 1 in the Netherlands and became her highest charting solo album in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.[35]

Artistry

[edit]

Hart is known for her "visceral", "gritty", "soaring" and "dynamic"contraltovocals.[2][18]Hart also plays piano, guitar, cello, bass guitar and percussion.[36]

Describing his collaborator's performance at Blue Balls Festival in Switzerland, Joe Bonamassa told Music Radar: "I was totally knocked out by Beth. Here's this lady who's acting like I'm the cool one, and meanwhile I'm thinking, Man, she's got it all. She's the newJanis Joplin,Tina Turner- the real deal, you know? "[37]

American pop singerMiley Cyruslists Hart amongst her favorite singers of all time. In 2013, she toldBillboard,"she's got one of the best voices, I feel like, of all time."[38]

Personal life

[edit]

Hart resides in the Silver Lake District of Los Angeles and has been married to her road manager Scott Guetzkow since March 15, 2001.[39]David Wolff has been her manager since 1994.[40]Hart has struggled with drug addiction andbipolar disorder,[41]but has been sober for a number of years finding religion and practicingtranscendental meditation.[42]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

At the56th Annual Grammy Awards,Hart received a nomination forBest Blues AlbumwithSeesaw,ultimately losing toBen HarperandCharlie Musselwhite'sGet Up!.Hart has been nominated at theBlues Music Awardsfor six consecutive years, ultimately winning the "Instrumentalist - Vocals" category in 2018.[43]

Year Ceremony Award Nominated work Result Ref.
2012 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Album Don't Explain Nominated [44]
2014 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [45]
Grammy Awards Best Blues Album Seesaw Nominated [46]
Blues Blast Awards Female Blues Artist Herself Won [47]
2015 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [48]
2016 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [49]
European Blues Awards Best Album Fire on the Floor Won [50]
2017 Blues Blast Awards Female Blues Artist Herself Won [51]
European Blues Awards Best Female Vocalist Herself Won [52]
2018 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [53]
Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Album of the Year Fire on the Floor Nominated [53]
Blues Music Awards Instrumentalist – Vocals Herself Won [54]
Blues Blast Awards Female Blues Artist Herself Won [55]
European Blues Awards Best Female Vocalist Herself Won [56]
2019 Blues Blast Awards Best Live Recording Live At Royal Albert Hall Nominated [57]
Blues Music Awards Instrumentalist – Vocals Herself Nominated [58]
Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist Herself Nominated [58]
Blues Music Awards B.B King Entertainer of the Year Herself Nominated [58]
2020 Blues Blast Awards Female Blues Artist Herself Won [59]
2022 Blues Blast Awards Blues Rock Album Herself Nominated [60]
Blues Blast Awards Vocalist Herself Won [61]
Blues Blast Awards Female Blues Artist Herself Won [61]
Planet Rock Awards 2022 Blues Power Award A Tribute to Led Zeppelin Nominated [62]
2023 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist Herself Nominated [63]
2024 Blues Music Awards B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Herself Nominated [64]

Discography

[edit]
Main article:Beth Hart discography

References

[edit]
  1. ^Rose, Mike (January 24, 2023)."Today's famous birthdays list for January 24, 2023 includes celebrities Neil Diamond, Aaron Neville".Cleveland.RetrievedJanuary 24,2023.
  2. ^ab"Beth Hart brings raw and powerful blues-rock sound to The Brook in Southampton".Chichester Observer.October 31, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon August 10, 2018.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  3. ^abWilcock, Don (March 4, 2016)."Featured Interview – Beth Hart".RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  4. ^"Beth Hart Biography".Broadway World.Wisdom Digital Media.RetrievedAugust 8,2018.
  5. ^Ankeny, Jason."Biography: Beth Hart".AllMusic.RetrievedApril 26,2010.
  6. ^Billboard.Billboard Magazine. July 3, 1999. p.15.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  7. ^Billboard Magazine.Billboard. May 25, 1996. p. 22.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  8. ^Billboard Magazine.Billboard. October 2, 1999. p. 108.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  9. ^Greenblatt, Mike (September 26, 2013)."For Beth Hart, success is sweeter the second time around".F+W Media.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  10. ^"Beverly Hills 90210 - Season 10, Episode 17: Doc Martin".TV.Archived fromthe originalon July 29, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 6,2015.
  11. ^Houk, Steve (February 25, 2015)."Beth Hart: Surviving to Sing".Mid Life Rocker.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.They said, you know what, buh bye, you're outta here, we're letting you go, you're gonna die and we're not gonna stand by. And maybe the honest to God reason is 'cuz I didn't sell enough records and they thought, [screw] this girl we've had for two records. But I think there was a bit of real compassion there, I really do.
  12. ^"Beth Hart - Leave the Light On".IFPI Denmark.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  13. ^Keefe, Jonathan (September 12, 2015)."Beth Hart Live At Paradiso".Slant.RetrievedOctober 24,2016.
  14. ^"BETH HART - 37 DAYS (ALBUM)".Danish Charts.Hung Medien.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  15. ^"Gold and Platinum in August".IFPI Denmark. Archived fromthe originalon January 17, 2015.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  16. ^"Slash by Slash".iTunes Store.Archived fromthe originalon January 18, 2014.RetrievedMarch 23,2010.
  17. ^"It Hurts (feat. Beth Hart) - Single".iTunes.February 25, 2012.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  18. ^ab"The Drop: Beth Hart".The Grammy Organization. The Grammys. June 3, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon October 29, 2019.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.Hart's Buddy Guy tribute alongside Beck at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony received a standing ovation from President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
  19. ^"Don't Explain Gold".Living By Camera.Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2014.RetrievedJuly 29,2014.
  20. ^"Blues Music: Top Blues Albums Chart".Billboard.June 22, 2013.RetrievedOctober 24,2016.
  21. ^"2016 Blues Music Awards | 37th Blues Music Award Nominees".The Blues Foundation.December 15, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon February 6, 2016.RetrievedApril 19,2016.
  22. ^Bylok-Collard, Avrille."Jeff Beck Announces 2014 Bluesfest Sideshow".Beat. Archived fromthe originalon August 10, 2018.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  23. ^""Mechanical Heart" #1 on iTunes ".Beth Hart.June 3, 2015.RetrievedJuly 6,2017.
  24. ^"Beth Hart - Posts - January 29, 2016".Facebook.January 29, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon February 26, 2022.RetrievedJuly 6,2017.
  25. ^Dave McNary (April 22, 2015)."Documentary 'Unity' Set for Aug. 12 Release with 100 Star Narrators".Variety.RetrievedMay 1,2015.
  26. ^Pilato, Giovanni (October 20, 2016)."Beth Hart - Fire On The Floor".Bluebird Reviews.RetrievedOctober 24,2016.
  27. ^"Hart/Bonamassa announce" Black Coffee "".Blues Rock Review.December 6, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 12,2018.
  28. ^Maxwell, Jackson (December 6, 2017)."Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa Announce New Album, 'Black Coffee'".Guitar World.RetrievedJanuary 12,2018.
  29. ^"Blues Music: Top Blues Albums Chart".Billboard.February 10, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 10,2018.
  30. ^"Hart helpt Bonamassa aan eerste plaats in album top 100".Album Top 100(in Dutch). February 2, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 2,2018.
  31. ^Munro, Scott (October 3, 2018)."Watch Beth Hart perform Good As It Gets at the Royal Albert Hall".Classic Rock.RetrievedOctober 5,2018.
  32. ^Munro, Scott (July 19, 2019)."Beth Hart is back with new album War In My Mind - listen to the title track".Louder.RetrievedJuly 20,2019.
  33. ^"Beth Hart on Facebook".Archived fromthe originalon February 26, 2022.RetrievedNovember 15,2021– via Facebook.
  34. ^Austin, Jen (November 15, 2021)."Listen To The First Single From Beth Hart's Led Zeppelin Tribute LP".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedNovember 15,2021.
  35. ^"Dutch Charts".dutchcharts.nl.Archived fromthe originalon February 4, 2016.RetrievedMarch 10,2015.
  36. ^"Beth Hart rocks the Birchmere".Women in Rock.October 26, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon October 25, 2016.RetrievedOctober 26,2014.
  37. ^Bosso, Joe (November 7, 2011)."Interview: Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart on their new album, Don't Explain".Music Radar.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  38. ^Lipshutz, Jason."Gimme Five: Miley Cyrus' Favorite Female Singers (Video)".Billboard.Billboard Magazine.RetrievedOctober 7,2021.
  39. ^"Beth Hart".July 24, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 25,2023.
  40. ^Dickinson, Chrissie (November 14, 2019)."Beth Hart is living the bliss of a life that contains everything in a blizzard of extremes from no label to a Grammy nomination".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedJanuary 25,2023.
  41. ^Dearmore, Kelly (January 4, 2012)."Beth Hart Talks Redemption, Addiction and Star Search".Dallas Observer.Archived fromthe originalon April 9, 2012.RetrievedJune 26,2012.But the visions of gold records were clouded by addiction and recklessness. Having used drugs in one form or another since her teenage years
  42. ^Criblez, David J. (February 7, 2017)."Singer-songwriter Beth Hart to play at The Space at Westbury".Newsday.Archived fromthe originalon April 14, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 7,2017.
  43. ^"2018 Blues Music Awards Nominees and Winners".Blues.about.January 9, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 9,2018.
  44. ^"2012 Blues Music Awards".About.May 10, 2012.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  45. ^"2014 Blues Music Awards".BLues.about.Archived fromthe originalon December 22, 2013.RetrievedMay 16,2014.
  46. ^"Grammy Awards 2014: Full Nominations List".Billboard.December 6, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  47. ^"2014 Blues Blast Awards Winners".Blues Blast Magazine.June 21, 2014.RetrievedAugust 10,2018.
  48. ^"2015 Blues Music Awards Winners".American Blues Scene.May 7, 2015.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  49. ^"2016 Blues Music Awards"(Press release). PR Newswire.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  50. ^"Beth Hart and Ribs en Blues become latest additions to European Blues Awards Hall of Fame".European Blues Awards.RetrievedJuly 6,2021.
  51. ^"2017 Blues Blast Awards Nominees".Blues Blast Magazine.August 26, 2017.RetrievedAugust 10,2018.
  52. ^"European Blues Awards Winners Announced at Manchester Blues Festival UK 2017".European Blues Awards.November 30, 2017.RetrievedJuly 6,2021.
  53. ^ab"2018 Blues Music Awards".The Blues Foundation.January 9, 2018.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
  54. ^"2018 Blues Music Awards Winners Announced".The Blues Foundation.May 11, 2018.RetrievedAugust 10,2018.
  55. ^"2018 Blues Blast Awards Nominees".Blues Blast Magazine.September 30, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 25,2019.
  56. ^"European Blues Awards Winners 2018".European Blues Awards.November 28, 2018.RetrievedJuly 6,2021.
  57. ^"2019 Blues Blast Awards Nominees".Blues Blast Magazine.June 30, 2019.RetrievedJune 28,2021.
  58. ^abc"40th Blues Music Awards Winners".The Blues Foundation.May 10, 2019.RetrievedJune 28,2021.
  59. ^"2020 Blues Blast Awards Winners".Blues Blast Magazine.September 15, 2020.RetrievedJune 28,2021.
  60. ^"2022 Blues Blast Music Award Nominees".Blues Blast Magazine.June 30, 2022. Archived fromthe originalon November 9, 2022.RetrievedNovember 9,2022.
  61. ^ab"15th Blues Blast Music Award Winners".Blues Blast Magazine.September 14, 2022.RetrievedNovember 9,2022.
  62. ^"The Rocks 2022 Winners Revealed".Planet Rock Radio.April 28, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 1,2023.
  63. ^"2023 Blues Music Awards Nominees".The Blues Foundation.January 10, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 25,2023.
  64. ^"2024 Blues Music Awards nominees announced".Blues Rock Review.January 25, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 27,2024.
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