Bio: 1986 – present: No Doubt
When her brother, Eric Stefani, asked her to join his band No Doubt, she was more than ready. The band’s lead singer was John Spence, who Stefani shared vocals with. In 1987, however, Spence committed suicide. Stefani kept No Doubt together, encouraging them to continue pushing through the difficult times. Finally, in 1991, the band was signed to Interscope. Eric introduced Gwen to 2 Tone music by Madness and The Selecter, and in 1986 he invited her to provide vocals for No Doubt, a ska band he was forming. The band released its self-titled debut album in 1992, but its ska-pop sound was unsuccessful due to the popularity of grunge. Stefani rejected the aggressiveness of female grunge artists and cited Blondie singer Debbie Harry’s combination of power and sex appeal as a major influence. No Doubt’s third album Tragic Kingdom (1995), which followed the self-released The Beacon Street Collection (1995), took more than three years to make. During this time, the band almost split up because of the failed romantic relationship between Stefani and bandmate Tony Kanal. Their break-up inspired Stefani lyrically, and many of the album’s songs, such as “Don’t Speak”, “Sunday Morning”, and “Hey You”, chronicle their relationship and her happiness. Five singles were released from Tragic Kingdom and “Don’t Speak” led 1996’s U.S. year-end airplay chart. Stefani left college for one semester to tour for Tragic Kingdom but did not return when touring lasted two and a half years. The album sold more than sixteen million copies worldwide, and received several Grammy Award nominations.
Stefani performing with No Doubt in 2002.No Doubt released the less popular Return of Saturn in 2000, which expands upon the New Wave influences of Tragic Kingdom.[24] Most of the lyrical content focuses on Stefani’s often rocky relationship with then-Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale and her overall insecurities, including indecision on settling down and having a child.[25] The band’s 2001 album Rock Steady explores more reggae and dancehall sounds while maintaining the band’s New Wave influences, generally receiving positive reviews from music critics.[26] The album generated career-highest singles chart positions in the United States,[27] and “Hey Baby” and “Underneath It All” received Grammy Awards. A greatest hits collection, The Singles 1992-2003, which includes a cover of Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life”, was released in 2003 to moderate sales. The other members of No Doubt have begun work on a new album[28] and plan to complete it after Stefani’s tour is finished.[29]
Outside No Doubt, Stefani has collaborated on the singles “South Side” and “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” with Moby and Eve, respectively. In 2002 Eve and Stefani won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Let Me Blow Ya Mind”.[30] She also collaborated with The Brian Setzer Orchestra on a cover of “You’re the Boss”, originally performed by Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, for its 1998 album The Dirty Boogie.
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