Gwen Stefani

October 3, 1969 - Fullerton, California

Gwen Stefani had plans to get married, have children and lead a happy, unassuming family life until the age of 17. At that point her older brother Eric introduced her to the music of classic ska bands and the Los Angeles ska revival. She eagerly joined when he asked her to be part of a band he was forming with friend John Spence. When Spence committed suicide Gwen was suddenly thrust into the role of lead vocalist.

The new band was named No Doubt. With Gwen Stefani as lead vocalist the group secured a number of well-received local performance gigs that eventually led to a recording deal with Interscope in 1991. Their first album in 1992 was a flop and they were dropped by Interscope. The band persevered, self-financing 1994's Beacon Street Collection, and the album did well enough to convince Interscope to try again with the band.

Shortly after the release of Beacon Street Collection Eric Stefani left the group to become an animator for the Simpsons television show. The group, armed with their new recording contract, soldiered on, despite a breakup in the 7 year romantic relationship between Gwen and bassist Tony Kanal. The resulting album Tragic Kingdom, released in 1995, was a smash hit.

With her distinctive good looks and quirky personality, Gwen Stefani became a focal point for the group's success. People magazine named her one of the world's "50 Most Beautiful People." Some members of the band grumbled about being overshadowed, but they held together rising to even greater success with the album Rock Steady. Gwen garnered more media spotlight when she married Gavin Rossdale from the rock group Bush September 14, 2002.

No Doubt decided to take a break as a band after the success of Rock Steady and a greatest hits collection. Gwen Stefani began appearing in outside projects. She scored hits with two duets in 2001, appearing with Moby on "Southside" and rapper Eve on "Let Me Blow Ya Mind." Encouraged by these successes, Gwen decided to record a solo album.

Initially Gwen Stefani stated that she wanted her solo album to be a "fast and easy" project. However, with a string of top level producers, performers and songwriters involved, it became a much more elaborate collection of recordings. Songwriter Linda Perry, producers Dr. Dre, the Neptunes, Nellee Hooper, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Outkast vocalist Andre 3000 all contributed signficantly to the album titled Love, Angel, Music, Baby.

The first single "What You Waiting For" appeared in September 2004. It was followed by the album in November. "What You Waiting For" ultimately reached the top of the Billboard dance chart but failed to reach the pop top 40. That was rectified when the next single "Rich Girl," featuring Gwen's old collaborator Eve, landed in the pop top 10. The next single "Hollaback Girl" became Gwen Stefani's first #1 pop hit.

In addition to her music chart success, Gwen's solo album also introduced much of the world to the fashion sense of Japan's Harajuku girls, often late teen young women who hang out in a particular district of Tokyo, Japan known for distinctive and cutting edge fashion. They are mentioned throughout a number of songs on the album and were the inspiration for a line of products designed by Gwen Stefani called Harajuku Lovers. Stefani also has another successful fashion line called L.A.M.B.

As Gwen Stefani's first solo tour came to a close in late 2005, she confirmed that she was pregnant with the first child for her and husband Gavin Rossdale.