b. Avril Ramona Lavigne, 27 September 1984, Belleville, Ontario, Canada. One of the new breed of musically literate female singer-songwriters to emerge in the new millennium, Lavigne made her breakthrough at the age of 17 when her debut Let Go broached the US Top 10 in June 2002. Her guitar rock and angst-ridden lyrics bore obvious comparisons to her compatriot Alanis Morissette
Raised in the small Canadian town of Napanee, Lavigne began singing and writing her own songs at an early age. She began performing at festivals and fairs, but while on a writing trip to New York City was talent-spotted and signed to Arista Records by the label's new boss, L.A. Reid. She relocated to New York and then Los Angeles, completing work on her debut album with producer Cliff Magness and songwriting trio the Matrix. "Complicated" provided Lavigne with the breakthrough hit, staying in the upper regions of the US chart for several months. Her over-produced debut album failed to capture the raw energy of her live shows, which veered closer to skate punk than angst rock. Further hit singles followed with "Sk8er Boi" and "I'm With You", and Let Go belatedly topped the UK album charts in January 2003. It was also confirmed as the third bestselling album of 2002.
Lavigne's second album, the brooding Under My Skin, did little to endear the artist to her many detractors. Nevertheless, her substantial fanbase helped make the album another commercial success when it debuted at number 1 on the US charts in June 2004. Lavigne briefly detoured into acting with roles in Going The Distance (2004) and Fast Food Nation (2006). She resumed her recording career with 2007's The Best Damn Thing, which was co-produced by a team of experienced rock musicians including Butch Walker and Lavigne's husband Deryck Whibley (of Sum 41). The album marked a return to the sassy punk pop of her debut and featured her first US chart-topping single, "Girlfriend".
