Official Biography

One of the finest and most outstanding musical voices of our time, Annie Lennox is celebrated as an innovator, an iconoclast, and a symbol of enduring excellence. Her songs, both with Eurythmics and as a solo artist, are part of the soundtrack to our collective lives.

In 1971, at the age of 17, Lennox left her native Scotland after gaining a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Soon realizing however that the world of classical music would never suit her, one day she intuited that she might be destined to become a singer/songwriter.

From a fortuitous chance encounter with Dave Stewart in the early seventies, the pair went on to form The Tourists, who ultimately achieved significant success in the UK, Europe and Australia, as well as recording three albums and touring extensively, including many dates across the USA.

It was not until the break up of the band in '79 however, that Annie and Dave decided to form a duo, calling themselves "Eurythmics".

They released their first album, "In the Garden" in 1981, but it was not until the world-wide success of their second album, (Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This) in 1983, that Eurythmics became the musical phenomenon we know today.

During a decade of recording, touring and creating ground breaking videos, they sold over 75 million albums, and achieved over 20 international hits across the world.

In 1989, after many years of a highly successful and intensely creative partnership, Dave and Annie felt it was time to pursue separate ventures.

Two years after the birth of her first daughter in 1990, Annie released her debut solo album entitled "Diva". Entering the charts at number 1 in the UK, the album sold around six million copies world wide, (including two and a half million in the USA). "Diva" included the Top 10 singles "Why", "Walking On Broken Glass" and "Little Bird".

In 1995, her second album was released, entitled "Medusa". An album of lovingly crafted reinterpretations of some of Lennox's favorite songs. It also debuted at number one, and included the massive single "No More "I Love You's"". Medusa sold around 5 million copies.

Several years later, in June 2003 Annie released her third solo album "Bare" to much critical acclaim. Achieving the position of number four in the US Billboard Charts, it went on to sell approximately two million copies worldwide. This launched her first solo tour across Europe, the USA and Canada, which was ecstatically received by audiences and reviewers alike.

Throughout June to October the following year, Annie joined Sting on the "Sacred Love Tour" performing 52 dates across America and Canada.

Over the years Annie Lennox has received numerous prestigious awards, including..

Ivor Novello Award: Songwriters of the Year (Eurythmics) 1983

BRIT Award: Best British Female Solo Artist 1984

MTV Award: Best New Video for "Sweet Dreams" (Eurythmics) 1984

Grammy Award: Best Rock Performance by a Duo for "Missionary Man" (Eurythmics) 1986

Ivor Novello Award: Best Contemporary Song "It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)" (Eurythmics) 1986

Brit Award: Best British Female Solo Artist 1986

Brit Award: Best British Female Solo Artist 1989

Brit Award: Best Female Solo Artist 1990

Grammy: Best Music Video Long Form for "Diva" 1992

Ivor Novello Award: Best Song Musically and Lyrically for "Why" 1992

MTV Video Music Award: Best Female Video for "Why" 1992

Brit Award: Best Female Solo Artist 1994

Brit Award: Best British Album for "Diva" 1993

Grammy: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "No More "I Love You's" 1995

World Music Award: Best Selling British Female Recording Artist 1995

BRIT Award: Best British Female Solo Artist 1996

Capital London Radio Award: Best Female Vocalist 1996

BRIT Award: Outstanding Contribution to Music (Eurythmics) 1999

ASCAP Award: Most Performed Song for "Sweet Dreams" (Eurythmics) 2002

The Silver Clef Award: Outstanding Contribution to Music (Eurythmics) 2002

In December 2002 Annie was given a Billboard Century Award (Billboard magazine's highest honour for distinguished creative achievement). Billboard editor-in-chief, Timothy White said, "As a vocalist, a live performer, and then a solo singer/songwriter of astounding eloquence and power, Annie Lennox has shown herself to be one of the most original and unforgettably affecting artists in the modern annals of popular music."

This was followed by another Grammy in 2004 for Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media "Into The West" (From The Lord Of The Rings - The Return Of The King). The song also won Annie a Golden Globe and her very first Oscar.

Eurythmics were inducted into the British Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005

In 2006 Annie was awarded three Honorary Fellowships from the Royal Academy of Music,the Glasgow Royal Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and Edinburgh Royal College of Art.

From official website