4 Non Blondes

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4 Non Blondes
Origin San Francisco, California, United States
Genres Alternative rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock
Years active 1989–1994
Labels Interscope, Atlantic
Associated acts Malibu Barbi
Louis Metoyer Band
Past members Linda Perry
Christa Hillhouse
Shaunna Hall
Wanda Day
Dawn Richardson
Louis Metoyer
Roger Rocha

4 Non Blondes was an American rock band from San Francisco, California,[1] formed in 1989. The group was formed by bassist Christa Hillhouse, guitarist Shaunna Hall, drummer Wanda Day, and vocalist and guitarist Linda Perry. Prior to the release of their first album, Roger Rocha replaced Hall on guitar, and Dawn Richardson replaced Day on drums. They hit the charts in 1993 with "What's Up?", their only major hit single. Perry left the band in 1994 to begin a solo career, and the remaining members disbanded shortly after.[1]

Contents

Career [edit]

Bassist Christa Hillhouse and guitarist Shaunna Hall had been roommates and met drummer Wanda Day when they joined a band she was playing in. When the three left that band, they started playing as a trio. But after seeing Perry sing at a solo performance, Hillhouse and Hall asked her to join as vocalist. According to Perry, she and Hall were at Nightbreak, a San Francisco club, and when it was mentioned the trio was looking for a vocalist, Perry announced she was a singer to which Hall replied "I know". Their first rehearsal was supposed to be at 6 PM on October 17, 1989, but shortly after 5 PM the Loma Prieta earthquake hit the San Francisco area.[2][3]

The band was signed to Interscope in July 1991 following a performance at the Gavin Convention where the band opened for Primus on Valentine's Day of the same year. As they began pre-production for their debut album, Day was fired from 4 Non Blondes and was replaced by Richardson. In 1992 while recording Bigger Better Faster, More! the album's producer, David Tickle, felt that Hall's guitar playing was "not happening" so she was let go from the band as well.[4] Guitarist Louis Metoyer finished the record. Roger Rocha joined after completion of the album and would stay with the band until 1994. After 4 Non Blondes, Day went on to join Malibu Barbi.[5] Day died on July 10, 1997 from a drug overdose.[4][5].

Later work [edit]

4 Non Blondes contributed the song "Mary's House" to the film Wayne's World 2 in 1993. They also covered Van Halen's "I'm the One" on the soundtrack for the film Airheads. They later contributed "Bless the Beasts and Children" to a 1994 The Carpenters tribute album If I Were a Carpenter, and "Misty Mountain Hop" to the 1995 Encomium tribute album to Led Zeppelin.

The group disbanded in late 1994 during the recording of their second album. Lead vocalist Linda Perry went solo in 1995. Perry has since released solo work, produced and written songs on hit albums by Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Courtney Love and Kelly Osbourne. Hall has recorded, produced, composed for and performed with various artists, including vocalist Storm Large (1999-2001), guitarist Eric McFadden ( 1995-2001 ), and funk pioneer George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic (2002- ), and released "Electrofunkadelica: e3+FUNKnth = music for the body, mind & soul", a self produced project in 2006 on Make Music, Not War! Records.

Members [edit]

  • Linda Perry – vocals, guitar (1989–1994)
  • Christa Hillhouse – bass (1989–1994)
  • Shaunna Hall – guitar (1989–1992)
  • Wanda Day – drums (1989–1992)
  • Dawn Richardson – drums (1992–1994)
  • Louis Metoyer – guitar (1992)
  • Roger Rocha – guitar (1992–1994)

Discography [edit]

Studio album [edit]

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
US
[6]		 AUS
[7]		 AUT
[8]		 NLD
[9]		 NO
[10]
 NZ
[11]		 SWE
[12]		 CH
[13]		 UK
[6]
1992 Bigger, Better, Faster, More! 13 4 1 1 1 10 1 1 4

Live album [edit]

  • Hello Mr. President (Live in Italy 1993) (1994)

Singles [edit]

Year Name US UK AUT AUS NLD Album
1992 "Dear Mr. President" - - - - - Bigger, Better, Faster, More!
1993 "What's Up?" 14 2 1 2 1
1993 "Spaceman" 117 53 19 - 25
1993 "Mary's House" - - - - -
1994 "I'm the One" - - - - - Airheads soundtrack
1994 "Superfly" - - - - - Bigger, Better, Faster, More!

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 355. ISBN 1-84195-017-3. 
  2. ^ Indiana, Gary (July / August 1991). "4 Non Blondes Interview". Flipside Magazine. 
  3. ^ "Earthquake". Time Magazine (Time Inc). October 30, 1989. Archived from the original on 24 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  4. ^ a b Chun, Kimberly. "Noise: Miss understood". The San Francisco Bay Guardian (The San Francisco Bay Guardian). Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  5. ^ a b Hall, Shaunna. "Life and Times of Wanda Day". Loudith Faire. Retrieved 2008-11-24. 
  6. ^ a b "Chart Stats - 4 Non Blondes". billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-11-17. 
  7. ^ "Discography 4 Non Blondes". Australian-Charts.com. Retrieved 2011-11-17. 
  8. ^ "Discographie 4 Non Blondes". AustrianCharts.at. Retrieved 2011-11-17. 
  9. ^ "Discografie 4 Non Blondes". DutchCharts.nl. Retrieved 2011-11-17. 
  10. ^ "Discography 4 Non Blondes". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 17 November 2011. 
  11. ^ "Discography 4 Non Blondes". Charts.ord.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-17. 
  12. ^ "Discography 4 Non Blondes". SwedishCharts.com. Retrieved 2011-11-17. 
  13. ^ "Discography 4 Non Blondes". SwissCharts.com. Retrieved 2011-11-17. 
  14. ^ "Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2011-11-17.  Note: User must define 'Artist' search parameter as "4 Non Blondes".
  15. ^ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2011-11-17. Note: User needs to enter "4 Non Blondes" in the "Search" field, "Artist" in the "Search by" field and click the "Go" button. Select "More info" next to the relevant entry to see full certification history.

External links [edit]

4 Non Blonde Page on Founding Guitarist Shaunna Hall's Official Website

4 Non Blondes
Studio albums
Singles
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