Perry Farrell is an American singer-songwriter and musician best known as the frontman for the alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction. Farrell created the touring festival Lollapalooza as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction in 1991; it has since evolved into an annual destination festival produced by Farrell. He has also led the alternative groups Porno for Pyros and Satellite Party.
Born Peretz Bernstein in Queens, New York Farrell moved to North Miami Beach, Florida during his teens. His father was a jeweler and his mother an artist who committed suicide when Farrell was three, an event later noted in the Jane’s Addiction songs “Then She Did” and “Twisted Tales.” Following graduation from high school, Farrell moved to California in the early 1980s to live as a surfer.
Farrell cites The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, James Brown, David Bowie and Iggy Pop along with others as his influences.
In Los Angeles Ferrell became the frontman for the post-punk band Psi Com, and traveled in a larger community of musicians including the bands X, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Fishbone. Psi Com disbanded in 1985 and Farrell met future Jane’s Addiction bandmate bassist Eric Avery through mutual friends. The two began jam sessions which would become the initial foundation for Jane’s Addiction. It was during this period that Bernstein chose the pseudonym Perry Farrell for himself as a play on the word “peripheral.”
Jane’s Addiction made its name in the mid-1980s by building up a rabid fan base with legendary, high-energy shows in small LA rock clubs. Jane’s Addiction prior to their first break-up released three albums, Jane’s Addiction, Nothing’s Shocking and Ritual de lo Habitual. Jane’s Addiction disbanded initially in 1991 due to internal tensions over differing ideologies mostly centering on drug use, notably Farrell’s severe addiction to heroin.
Upon reforming in 2003 Jane’s Addiction released the album Strays, which became one of their best selling records certifying gold in America.
Following the break-up of Jane’s Addiction, Farrell formed Porno for Pyros. The band released two albums, Porno for Pyros and Good God’s Urge.
Farrell kicked off his solo career in 1999 with a compilation featuring songs from his previous two bands as well as two new solo songs. In 2001, he released his debut solo album, Song Yet to Be Sung, whose lyrics are inspired by Kabballah; a school of thought of Judaism.
In 2004, Farrell formed a new band/theatrical entity The Satellite Party. Farrell conceived the project with his wife Etty Lau Farrell who sings and plays on the record and live shows. The band released one album, 2007’s Ultra Payload with contributions from Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates Flea and John Frusciante before disbanding to reunite Jane’s Addiction.
In 1991 with Jane’s Addiction dissolving Farrell and partners created the Lollapooza festival as a farewell tour for the band. From its inception through 1997, and its revival in 2003, the festival toured North America. In 2004, the festival organizers decided to expand the dates to two days per city, but poor ticket sales forced the tour to be canceled. In 2005, Farrell and partners retooled it as a weekend destination festival held in Chicago’s Grant Park every summer.
In 2018 Farrell announced Kind Heaven opening in Las Vegas in 2019. Kind Heaven will combine leading-edge technology and Hollywood style storytelling. The groundbreaking entertainment attraction will take visitors on an exotic journey that offers the best of Southeast Asian culture, music, food, danger, fashion, exoticism, exploration, mystery, and spiritual enlightenment.
In 2019 Farrell will release his first solo album since 2001 Kind Heaven.
Farrell has also lined up a North American tour over the summer of 2019.
Reference – https://www.facebook.com/perryfarrell/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Farrell
Perry Farrell discography – Solo
Rev (1999 Compilation)
Song Yet to Be Sung (2001)
Kind Heaven (2019)
Sacramento’s K-ZAP 93.3 FM plays the Perry Farrell. All part of 50 years of Rock, Blues and More, 24-7 on our station’s stream at K-ZAP.ORG/LISTEN/
Check out the first single “Pirate Punk Politician” from Perry Farrell’s forthcoming album.