Beck Biography

Beck Hansen (born Bek David Campbell, July 8, 1970) is an American musician, songwriter, poet and multi-instrumentalist. Beck's music—with its pop-junk culture collage of musical styles, oblique, ironic lyrics, and post-modern arrangements incorporating samples, drum machines, live instrumentation and heady sound effects—was hailed by critics and the public as among the most idiosyncratic of '90s alternative rock. Although Beck's work defied easy description, his eclecticism and genre experiments sparked comparisons with Prince, though Beck was undoubtedly a less prolific artist and drew on an absurdist, free-flowing lyrical style that was totally original when first exposed to mainstream audiences. Indeed, some critics labeled him and his breakthrough single "Loser" as novelties. Despite this individualism, Beck's music was very much a product of the '90s and the media age in general, with hip hop, indie/underground rock, electronic music and genre-benders like the Beastie Boys as notable touchstones; in addition, some critics could not resist likening his head-spinning lyrical aesthetic to a post-modern Bob Dylan sensibility.

Beck was born in Los Angeles, California to David Campbell, a Canadian musician, and Bibbe Hansen, a visual artist. His paternal grandfather was a Presbyterian minister, while his maternal grandmother was Jewish; Beck says he was raised partially in the Jewish religion, although both of his parents are Scientologists. Beck's mother also has Norwegian and Swedish ancestry. When his parents separated, Beck stayed with his mother and brother in Los Angeles, where he was influenced by that city's diverse musical offerings—everything from hip hop to Latin music and his mother's art scene—all of which would later reappear in his recorded and published work. He did not have many friends in his childhood, which gave him time to develop his musical talent.

After dropping out of high school in the mid-1980s, Beck educated himself and traveled widely. During this period he learned and developed his talent through the art of busking. In Germany, he spent time with his maternal grandfather, Fluxus artist Al Hansen. The late-'80s found him in New York City as part of the punk-influenced anti-folk music movement.

Beck married Marissa Ribisi, the twin sister of actor Giovanni Ribisi, in April 2004, shortly before the birth of their son, Cosimo Henri Hansen.