Instead of dressing in flashy clothing, sporting expensive
jewelry, and driving cars most people only dream about,
some musicians let their work speak for itself. Ben
Folds is just such a musician. Blessed with an abundance
of creative talent, Folds has carved a spot for himself
in the music industry.
Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Ben Folds was
always a creative soul, learning the piano when he was
only nine. He would go on to learn how to play the bass
and the drums, all talents he would use in his stints
with bands throughout high school. In the latter part
of the 1980s, Folds joined the band Mojosha, playing
bass.
He also honed his talent when he moved to Nashville
where he worked as a session musician, often playing
the drums. But, it was Folds’ move to New York
City that would change his life. He took up acting in
New York City, a craft he dabbled in throughout his
high school years. And, he got his big break when he
was offered a contract with Sony Music.
Folds soon headed back to North Carolina and in 1994,
he started the band, The Ben Folds Five with Robert
Sledge and Darren Jessee. Ben Folds Five were quickly
signed to Carolina Records and set about recording their
debut album. “Ben Folds Five” was released
in 1995, and the trio followed their debut by touring
non-stop. By the time their sophomore offering, “Whatever
and Ever Amen,” was released in 1997, Ben Folds
Five had gained a loyal legion of fans. “Whatever
and Ever Amen” produced several hits: “Song
for the Dumped,” “Fair,” and “Battle
of Who Could Care Less.”
Their sophomore album quickly went platinum, solidifying
Ben Folds Five popularity, and Ben Folds concert tickets
were selling faster than hotcakes.
In 1998, Folds struck out on his own with his solo
debut album, “Volume 1.” But, fans looking
for a Ben Folds’ album would be hard pressed to
find one, as he recorded under the name Fear of Pop.
The following year Folds and his bandmates released
“The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner.”
The band went on to release several more albums, among
them “Speed Graphic” (2003), “The
Bens” (2004), and “Songs for Silverman”
(2005).
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