Gwen Stefani Biography

Gwen Stefani made her fame as the popular lead singer for the band No Doubt before going solo in 2004. The band, founded by Gwen's older brother Eric Stefani, broke through in 1995 with the hit album Tragic Kingdom, a heady mixture of rock, speedy reggae and playful pop hooks. The album also made a star of Stefani, who combined a belter's voice with brash blonde good looks and a dependably bare midriff. The band's later albums included Return Of Saturn (2000) and Rock Steady (2001). Stefani's first solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., was nominated for a Grammy award as album of the year and included the hit single "Hollaback Girl" (which was nominated for a Grammy as record of the year). A second solo album, The Sweet Escape, followed in 2006. Stefani also began began an acting career, playing actress Jean Harlow opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the Oscar-nominated 2004 film The Aviator. She married singer Gavin Rossdale (guitarist for the band Bush) in 2002 and started a family; together they have two sons, Kingston James McGregor Rossdale (b. 2006) and Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale (b. 2008). Stefani rejoined No Doubt for a tour in 2009, and in 2011 they released their first album in a decade.