Aaron Lewis
{{short description|American musician (born 1972)}}
{{about|the musician|the Welsh footballer|Aaron Lewis (footballer)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Aaron Lewis
| image = Aaron Lewis performing with Staind 2021 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Lewis performing with Staind in 2021
| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|4|13}}
| birth_place = Rutland, Vermont, U.S.
| origin = Massachusetts, U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Singer
- musician
- songwriter
}}
| instrument = {{flatlist|
- Vocals
- guitar
}}
| years_active = 1990–present
| label = {{flatlist|
}}
| current_member_of = Staind
}}
Aaron Francis Lewis (born April 13, 1972) is an American musician who is best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and founding member of the alternative metal band Staind, with whom he released eight studio albums. Since 2010, he has pursued a solo career in country music with his debut EP, Town Line, which was released in 2011. Lewis' first full-length solo release, The Road, was released by Blaster Records in 2012.{{cite news|last=Wyland|first=Sarah|title=Aaron Lewis Plans an 'Endless Summer'|url=http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2012/08/29/aaron-lewis-plans-an-endless-summer/|access-date=August 30, 2012|newspaper=Great American Country|date=August 29, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013319/http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2012/08/29/aaron-lewis-plans-an-endless-summer/|archive-date=December 3, 2013}}
In 2006, Lewis was ranked at number 49 in the "Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists" by Hit Parader.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=63106 |title=Blabbermouth.net Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists – Dec. 1, 2006 |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=October 31, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606073153/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=63106 |archive-date=June 6, 2011 }}
Early life
Lewis was born in Rutland, Vermont, to a Jewish mother and a Catholic father of Italian, English and Welsh descent. At the time of his birth, his parents were living in a log cabin. Lewis moved to New Hampshire when he was 8, and lived there until he was 12. When his parents split up, he moved with his father to Longmeadow, Massachusetts, where he attended Longmeadow High School. He also lived in Forest Park, Springfield, Massachusetts.{{cite web | url=https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2011/08/aaron_lewis_and_friends_raise.html | title=Aaron Lewis and friends raise money for education at Northampton concert | date=August 21, 2011 }}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/staind-dark-stars-48045/|title=Staind: Dark Stars|first1=Jenny|last1=Eliscu|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 19, 2001}}{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/staind-s-aaron-lewis-playing-benefit-for-alma-mater | title=STAIND's AARON LEWIS Playing Benefit for Alma Mater | date=October 20, 2006 }}
Career
=Staind=
{{main|Staind}}
{{missing information|section|his work with Staind|date=August 2023}}
= Solo career =
In July 2010, Lewis finished recording a country music EP entitled Town Line that was released on March 1, 2011, via Stroudavarious Records. It features seven tracks including three versions of the first single "Country Boy" featuring George Jones, Charlie Daniels, and Chris Young, as well as the songs "Massachusetts", "Vicious Circles", "The Story Never Ends", and a re-recording of "Tangled Up in You" originally from The Illusion of Progress.{{cite web |url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/aaron-lewis-talks-town-line-alice-in-chains-christmas-and-george-jones/8195933 |title=Aaron Lewis Talks "Town Line," Alice in Chains, Christmas and George Jones – ARTISTdirect News |publisher=Artistdirect.com |access-date=November 8, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224235259/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/aaron-lewis-talks-town-line-alice-in-chains-christmas-and-george-jones/8195933 |archive-date=December 24, 2010}} Lewis said in a July 2011 interview that he was introduced to country music as a child by his grandfather, but his interest was recently rekindled when he toured with fellow rock turned occasional country singer Kid Rock.{{cite web |url=http://www.revuewm.com/sounds/on-tour/item/1163-aaron-lewis-drastic-genre-crossover |title=Aaron Lewis: Drastic Genre Crossover |publisher=Revuewm.com |access-date=November 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315015838/http://www.revuewm.com/sounds/on-tour/item/1163-aaron-lewis-drastic-genre-crossover |archive-date=March 15, 2012 }} File:Aaron Lewis 2013.jpg in Cleveland in 2013]]
Lewis released his first full solo album, The Road, in November 2012. Its debut single, "Endless Summer", has also made the country charts. Lewis wrote every song on the ten track collection, except for "Granddaddy's Gun" which was penned by Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Bobby Pinson, marking the first time Lewis has recorded outside material for an album.{{cite web|title=Aaron Lewis Reveals Album Details|date=March 27, 2012|url=http://www.musicrow.com/2012/03/aaron-lewis-reveals-album-details/|publisher=Musicrow.com|access-date=August 10, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225046/http://www.musicrow.com/2012/03/aaron-lewis-reveals-album-details/|archive-date=March 3, 2016}} In an interview with Broadway's Electric Barnyard, Lewis said he recorded "Granddaddy's Gun" as both a compliment to a friend, and because he was pressed for time.{{cite web|title=Broadway's Electric Barnyard|url=http://broadwayselectricbarnyard.com/2012/11/17/aaron-lewis-smoked-with-cheech/|publisher=Broadwayselectricbarnyard.com|access-date=August 10, 2015|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210023037/http://broadwayselectricbarnyard.com/2012/11/17/aaron-lewis-smoked-with-cheech|archive-date=February 10, 2014}}
Lewis wrote songs for his second solo album whilst touring in support of The Road, often performing with Katz Von Brunenburg in his live sets.{{cite news|title=Aaron Lewis stays true to traditional country roots|url=http://www.kansas.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article12868616.html|newspaper=Kansas.com|access-date=August 10, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153416/http://www.kansas.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article12868616.html|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Staind singer's shift to country is all about outlook|date=March 19, 2015|url=http://www.mrt.com/entertainment/article_49ba236a-cdbf-11e4-ac3e-3b188ad95d7b.html|publisher=Mrt.com|access-date=August 10, 2015}} The album, dubbed Sinner, was mostly recorded in a single 18 hour session, with many tracks done in one take. Aaron's daughter Zoe also provides guest vocals on one song.{{cite magazine|title=Aaron Lewis on committing to country music, status of Staind & why he'd 'certainly vote for' Donald Trump|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6898284/staind-aaron-lewis-country-donald-trump-interview|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 16, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611022738/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6898284/staind-aaron-lewis-country-donald-trump-interview|archive-date=June 11, 2016}}
On April 12, 2019, Lewis released his third solo album, State I'm In.{{cite magazine |last1=Freeman |first1=Jon |title=Aaron Lewis Details New Solo Album 'State I'm In' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/aaron-lewis-new-album-state-im-in-2019-tour-786185/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=February 26, 2019}}
On July 4, 2021, he released "Am I the Only One", a song protesting America's leadership and left-wing activists.{{cite news |url= https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/country-singer-disses-leftists-bruce-springsteen |title= Country singer Aaron Lewis disses libs, Bruce Springsteen in new patriotic song |website=Fox News |date=July 4, 2021 |accessdate= July 4, 2021}}
On October 21, 2021, Lewis released "Goodbye Town" and also announced that he would release his fourth solo album Frayed at Both Ends on January 28, 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://outsider.com/news/country-music/aaron-lewis-gives-fans-first-sample-upcoming-album-frayed-at-both-ends-release-goodbye-town/amp/|title = Aaron Lewis Gives Fans First Sample of Upcoming Album, 'Frayed at Both Ends,' with Release of 'Goodbye Town'|date = October 22, 2021}}
On March 29, 2024 Lewis released his country album, The Hill.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-23 |title=Aaron Lewis Drops "Made in China" |url=https://hookandbarrel.com/aaron-lewis-drops-made-in-china/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=Hook & Barrel Magazine |language=en-US}}
= Collaborations =
Lewis was featured on the song "No Sex" by Limp Bizkit on their album Significant Other. He was also featured on a remix of the song "Crawling" on Linkin Park's first remix album Reanimation (titled as "Krwlng" on the remix album). He contributed vocals to the song "Follow" by Sevendust from Animosity, and to the songs "Bleed" and "Send in the Clowns" by the band Cold from 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage. He's also featured on Jimmie's Chicken Shack's song "Falling Out", the only single off their 2004 album re.present. In December 2010, while promoting his Town Line album, Lewis collaborated with Corey Taylor for a one-night-only acoustic duet show covering songs such as Pearl Jam's "Black", Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb", and Alice in Chains' "Down in a Hole".
Personal life
Lewis resides in Worthington, Massachusetts, with his wife Vanessa, whom he married in 2002; they have three daughters.{{cite web|url=https://loveohlust.com/aaron-lewis-wife-age-career-net-worth-children-vanessa-lewis/|title=Who Is Aaron Lewis Wife? Age, Career, Net Worth, Children, Other Facts About Vanessa Lewis|date=February 22, 2022 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/real-estate/home-buying/2020/08/24/aaron-lewis-staind-lists-western-mass-estate/|title=Aaron Lewis, lead singer of Staind, has put his Western Mass. estate on the market}} Regarding the commercial success of Staind's albums in the early 2000s, Lewis reflected, "A lot of other people made a shit load of money but we're the same as any of you. I have to work to pay my bills."{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/aaron-lewis-staind-couldnt-see-how-good-new-album-was/ |title=Aaron Lewis: Staind Couldn't See How Good New Album Was While Recording |website=Loudwire |date=September 16, 2011 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427101219/http://loudwire.com/aaron-lewis-staind-couldnt-see-how-good-new-album-was/ |archive-date=April 27, 2017 }}
In a five-minute interview with Outdoor Life magazine, Lewis said that he has been hunting whitetail deer since he was old enough to keep up in the "good old woods", around age four or five. He prefers to hunt deer with a compound or recurve bow, and he occasionally utilizes a muzzleloader.{{cite web |url=http://www.outdoorlife.com/ |title=5 Minutes with Aaron Lewis, Outdoor Life, June/July 2011, Page 124 |publisher=Outdoorlife.com |access-date=November 8, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026100838/http://www.outdoorlife.com/ |archive-date=October 26, 2011 }}
Lewis has been open about his struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues, writing about his problems in Staind songs and his country music.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rehabs.com/pro-talk/five-best-addiction-and-recovery-songs/|title=Five Best Addiction and Recovery Songs|website=Drug Rehab Options}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.morningsiderecovery.com/addiction-blog/5-rock-songs-tackle-drug-use/|title=5 Rock Songs That Tackle Drug Use|date=October 31, 2017}}
Lewis is a fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/aaronlewismusic/status/326786101996032000|title=Aaron Lewis on Twitter: @Aaronlewismusic: "I wear my Red Sox hat around the world with pride". Watch Aaron perform "Massachusetts" from his Townline EP.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/165791-aaron-lewis-the-road-2495795013.html|title=AARON LEWIS: THE ROAD|date=December 12, 2012 }} Lewis is an avid baseball fan; he famously sang the national anthem prior to game 1 of the 2014 World Series, though received backlash due to him forgetting the words. He had previously criticized pop singer Christina Aguilera for the same offense.{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/jgy4w5/aaron-lewis-national-anthem-world-series-lyrics-mistake|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327035957/https://www.mtv.com/news/jgy4w5/aaron-lewis-national-anthem-world-series-lyrics-mistake|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 27, 2023|title=The Staind Singer Who Made Fun Of Christina Aguilera's National Anthem Screwed Up The National Anthem|website=MTV }}
Lewis is a vocal supporter of the Republican Party,{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2022-03-22/aaron-lewis-ukraine-putin-staind-county-singer|title=Aaron Lewis on Tucker Carlson, 'idiotic' Biden and 'all this racism that appeared out of nowhere'|website=Los Angeles Times |date=March 22, 2022 }} known for expressing his conservative views often; Lewis supported Donald Trump before the 2016 election, although he said he was disappointed with his "bickering and name-calling".{{cite magazine|date=March 5, 2016|title=Aaron Lewis on Committing to Country Music, Status of Staind & Why He'd 'Certainly Vote For' Donald Trump|magazine=Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6898284/staind-aaron-lewis-country-donald-trump-interview|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611022738/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6898284/staind-aaron-lewis-country-donald-trump-interview|archive-date=June 11, 2016}} His last tours, from 2019 and 2020, featured him wearing a Make America Great Again cap.{{cite web|title=Massachusetts Republican Aaron Lewis of Staind shares his political beliefs with paper|url=http://redmassgroup.com/diary/11414/massachusetts-republican-aaron-lewis-of-staind-shares-his-political-beliefs-with-paper|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825205859/http://redmassgroup.com/diary/11414/massachusetts-republican-aaron-lewis-of-staind-shares-his-political-beliefs-with-paper|archive-date=August 25, 2011|access-date=November 8, 2011|publisher=Red Mass Group}}{{cite web|date=February 25, 2011|title=Aaron Lewis of Staind talks about solo country CD, politics, and why the folks at MTV should be burned at the stake|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/aaron_lewis_of_staind_talks_ab.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029103640/http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/aaron_lewis_of_staind_talks_ab.html|archive-date=October 29, 2011|access-date=November 8, 2011|publisher=masslive.com}}
Lewis has been outspoken in his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates.{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=March 21, 2022 |title=Aaron Lewis Tells Crowd 'Maybe We Should Listen' to Vladimir Putin, Questions Reality of Ukrainian War |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/aaron-lewis-listen-vladimir-putin-questions-ukraine-war-1235046490/ |access-date=March 21, 2022 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
Philanthropy
On November 4, 2006, Lewis performed at his old high school in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and gave all the proceeds to the music department to fund the department's expenses to buy new equipment and supplies.{{Cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/staind-s-aaron-lewis-playing-benefit-for-alma-mater/|title=STAIND's AARON LEWIS Playing Benefit For Alma Mater|date=October 20, 2006|website=Blabbermouth.net|language=en-US|access-date=January 26, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202034127/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/staind-s-aaron-lewis-playing-benefit-for-alma-mater/|archive-date=February 2, 2017}} Lewis's main focus, however, is the non-profit organization It Takes a Community, where he and his wife have started to reopen their daughters' elementary school in Worthington, Massachusetts.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957505/stainds-aaron-lewis-starts-new-charity-discusses-solo-debut |title=Staind's Aaron Lewis Starts New Charity, Discusses Solo Debut |magazine=Billboard.com |date=September 14, 2009 |access-date=November 8, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701005911/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957505/stainds-aaron-lewis-starts-new-charity-discusses-solo-debut |archive-date=July 1, 2013 }}
Discography
{{See also|Staind discography}}
= Studio albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:9em;" | Sales |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/aaron-lewis/chart-history/tlp/|title=Aaron Lewis Chart History: Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 9, 2024}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US |
|---|
| scope="row" | The Road
|
| 30 || 7 | |
| scope="row" | Sinner
|
| 4 || 1 | |
| scope="row" | State I'm In
|
| 18 || 2 | |
| scope="row" | Frayed at Both Ends
|
| 39 || 5 | |
| scope="row" | The Hill{{cite web | url=https://musicrow.com/2024/01/aaron-lewis-readies-new-album-the-hill/ | title=Aaron Lewis Readies New Album 'The Hill' | date=January 12, 2024 }}
|
| 175 || 33 |
| colspan="14" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of extended plays, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" | Extended play details ! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US |
|---|
| scope="row"| Town Line
|
| 7 || 1 || 3 |
= Singles =
= Music videos =
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Association ! Category ! Result |
|---|
| rowspan="2"| 2011
| rowspan="2"| CMT Music Awards | USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year – "Country Boy"{{cite web|url=http://www.roughstock.com/blog/it-s-jason-aldean-s-kinda-party-leads-cmt-music-awards-nominations |title=It's Jason Aldean's Kinda Party: Leads CMT Music Awards Nominations |publisher=Roughstock |access-date=May 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929204258/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/it-s-jason-aldean-s-kinda-party-leads-cmt-music-awards-nominations |archive-date=September 29, 2012 }} | {{nom}} |
| Collaborative Video of the Year – "Country Boy" (with George Jones and Charlie Daniels)
| {{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071001045015/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/staind/articles/story/5938516/the_darkness_within The Darkness Within] by Jenny Eliscu, Rolling Stone, July 19, 2001 (In depth interview, includes birthplace)
- [http://lyricsmusic.name/aaron-lewis-lyrics/ Aaron Lewis lyrics]
{{Aaron Lewis|state=expanded}}
{{Staind}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lewis, Aaron}}
Category:Alternative metal musicians
Category:American country rock singers
Category:American country singer-songwriters
Category:American heavy metal guitarists
Category:American heavy metal singers
Category:American libertarians
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:American people of English descent
Category:American people of Italian descent
Category:American people of Welsh descent
Category:American rock songwriters
Category:Jewish American musicians
Category:Jewish country singers
Category:Jewish heavy metal musicians
Category:Massachusetts Republicans
Category:Musicians from Springfield, Massachusetts
Category:Outlaw country singers
Category:People from Rutland (city), Vermont
Category:Singer-songwriters from Massachusetts
Category:Songwriters from Vermont
Category:Guitarists from Vermont
Category:Guitarists from Massachusetts
Category:American male guitarists
Category:20th-century American singer-songwriters
Category:20th-century American guitarists
Category:20th-century American male singers
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century American guitarists
Category:Country musicians from Massachusetts