Ben Moody
Ben Moody | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Benjamin Robert Moody II |
Born | Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. | January 22, 1981
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) | Guitar |
Years active | 1994–present |
Labels |
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Website | www |
Benjamin Robert Moody II[1] (born January 22, 1981) is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as co-founder, former lead guitarist and co-songwriter of rock band Evanescence until his departure in 2003 after the band's debut album, Fallen. After leaving Evanescence, Moody co-wrote and co-produced songs for Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, Anastacia, Lindsay Lohan, Bo Bice, Daughtry, and Celine Dion.
Early life
Moody was born on January 22, 1981 in Little Rock, Arkansas.[2][3] He described his youth in Little Rock as being lax, stating that "everybody has their fun. In Little Rock, I'm an infamous thief - it was all there was to do."[3] He began playing drums, but switched to guitar after experiencing carpal tunnel issues.[4] He did not take guitar lessons, and took influence from 1980s artists like Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Crüe.[4] Commenting on his favorite era of music, Moody said: "Honestly, I think I was born about 10 years too late. I listen to The Final Countdown by Europe once a week just for the hell of it".[4] He called Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett his "hero" and the reason he played guitar.[5]
Career
This section of a poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. )Find sources: "Ben Moody" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2022) |
Evanescence
In 1994, Moody met Amy Lee in Little Rock, Arkansas while at a youth camp. The two became musical collaborators and co-founded Evanescence.[6][4] They soon began playing music at local shops.[7] Within a few years, the duo began selling EPs at local shows, culminating in their discovery by Wind-up Records and the release of their debut studio album, Fallen, in 2003. Moody abruptly left Evanescence in October 2003 during their European tour, citing creative differences.[8][9]
In 2006, Moody signed with former Evanescence management Rider Management, which sued him in 2013 for $500,000 in unpaid commissions.[10]
In August 2010, Moody released a statement on his history with Lee and Evanescence, where he said that he was a different person at the time, his friendship with Lee had deteriorated, and they had conflicting opinions, personalities, and desires with the band. Moody apologized to Lee for comments he made to her in anger. He said he realized the band would end if he stayed and believes he made the right choice. He added, "Evanescence has progressed a great distance from the original sound, and made it clear that they intended to expand much further. Amy is very artistic and never has had a problem thinking outside of the box and defying expectations."[11]
Solo projects
Beginning in 2004, Moody began collaborating with several artists, co-writing the track "
In early 2005, Moody played lead guitar for the song "Forever in Our Hearts", the 'song for
In April 2006, Moody began working on the debut album of singer-songwriter
In 2007, Moody worked with Celine Dion on her album Taking Chances.[15] It was reported that his solo album was still in the works.[15]
In December 2008, he released the
Other bands
In June 2009, it was announced that Moody had formed the rock band called
In 2012, Moody teamed up with former Papa Roach drummer Dave Buckner, and former Rock Star Supernova frontman Lukas Rossi, to form a new band called The Halo Method. Before their debut show on the Shiprocked cruise in November 2012, former In This Moment bassist and studio engineer Josh Newell became their bassist.
Acting roles
Moody started a television and film production company, Makeshift Films. He also appeared in the 2007 release of the low-budget film Dead and Gone.
Personal life
Moody identified as Christian and promoted his religious beliefs in interviews in the early 2000s.[19][6][20] In 2005, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.[21] He struggled with substance abuse during his time in Evanescence,[23] and entered rehab after leaving the band.[12]
Moody dated singer
Discography
Evanescence
- Fallen (2003)
Solo
- "Everything Burns" (2005) - Single/Music video
- Mutiny Bootleg E.P. (2008)
- All for This (2009)
- You Can't Regret What You Don't Remember (2011)
We Are the Fallen
- Tear the World Down (2010)
Other appearances
Year | Artist | Song | Release and/or explanation | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Avril Lavigne | "Nobody's Home" | Under My Skin | Writing credits |
Ben Moody feat. Jason "Gong" Jones |
"The End Has Come" | The Punisher: The Album | Main performer; writing credits | |
Kelly Clarkson (with Ben Moody, David Hodges, Marty O'Brien, and Mark Colbert) |
"Because of You" | Breakaway | Writing credits, producer, and guitar | |
"Addicted" | ||||
2005 | Ben Moody | "Forever in Our Hearts" | Song for tsunami relief made exclusively for iTunes | Lead guitar |
Ben Moody feat. Anastacia | "Everything Burns" | Fantastic 4: The Album Pieces of a Dream |
Main performer; writing credits and producer | |
Lindsay Lohan | "Fastlane" | A Little More Personal (Raw) | Arranger, programming, producer | |
"Edge of Seventeen" | Programming and producer | |||
Bo Bice | "My World" | The Real Thing | Producer | |
2006 | Godhead | "Push" feat. Jeffree Starr and Ben Moody | The Shadow Line | Producer |
2007 | Daughtry | "What About Now" | Daughtry | Writing credits |
Celine Dion | " Alone " |
Taking Chances | Producer | |
"This Time" | Writing credits and producer | |||
"The Reason I Go On" | Producer | |||
2009 | Daughtry | "Open Up Your Eyes" | Leave This Town | Writing credits |
Halestorm | "Innocence" | Halestorm | Writing credits | |
2010 | Flyleaf | "Arise" (Ben Moody Mix) | Remember to Live | Remixer |
References
- ^ a b "Docket Report Results". Arkansas Supreme Court. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- Cleveland.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ a b Langer, Andy (September 2003). "Evanescence". Revolver. No. 19. p. 72.
- ^ a b c d Mueller, Michael (June 2003). "Breakthrough Artist: Evanescence". Guitar One. p. 84.
- ^ Stojanovic, Sasha (August 10, 2003). "Dark Splendour". deo2.com (Interview). UK. Archived from the original on September 24, 2005. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ a b "Evanescence lands someplace special". USA Today. May 8, 2003. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012.
- ^ Bakker, Tiffany (January 9, 2004). "Moody blues". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved November 7, 2006.
- ^ "Evanescence Co-Founder Ben Moody Leaves Band During Tour". VH1. November 3, 2003. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ ISSN 1068-2872.
- ^ "Former Evanescence Guitarist Ben Moody Reportedly Being Sued for $500,000". Loudwire. January 28, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "Ben Moody: The Truth About Why I Left Evanescence And Formed We Are the Fallen". Blabbermouth.net. August 26, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Ben Moody Gets Life After Amy Lee". Rolling Stone. July 12, 2005. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ Rashbaum, Alyssa (January 26, 2005). "Mya, Brian McKnight, Ben Moody On Tsunami Benefit Song". MTV News. Archived from the original on July 18, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
- ^ a b "Ben Moody". MTV. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Former Evanescence Guitarist/Songwriter Produces CD For Hana Pestle". Blabbermouth.net. May 10, 2007. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
- ^ "Carly Smithson to join forces with ex-Evanescence musicians to become the Fallen". LA Times. June 18, 2009. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2009.
- ^ Oei, Roland (August 2003). "Evanescence". PowerPlay. No. 47. pp. 9–11.
- ^ Milla Jovovich, Oded Fehr, Sienna Guillory (2004). Resident Evil: Apocalypse Cast Commentary (DVD). Sony Entertainment. Event occurs at 28:26.
- ^ D'Angelo, Joe (April 16, 2003). "Evanescence's Label Tells Christian Outlets To Yank Fallen". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
- ISSN 1465-0185.
- ^ a b "Ben Moody – No Regrets". MTV. July 6, 2005. Archived from the original on February 21, 2007. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ISSN 0262-6624.
- ^ [21][22][9][12]
- ^ "Hana Pestle rings in early new year with family and friends". Billings Gazette. December 31, 2009. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "HANA: The Best of What's Next". Paste. May 12, 2016. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
External links
- BenMoody.com - Official website