Chad Kroeger

Chad Kroeger

Chad Kroeger (born November 15 1974) is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Nickelback. Born Chad Robert Turton, he later adopted the surname of his half-brother, Mike Kroeger.

Background

Chad Robert Turton was born in Hanna, Alberta, Canada, and some time later joined a cover band. Eventually they got tired of playing other people's songs, and singer/guitarist Chad Kroeger put together a collection of his own songs, borrowed money from his stepfather, and went to Vancouver to record the band in a friend's studio. Based on the results, Kroeger's bassist brother, Mike, along with friend and lead guitarist Ryan Peake all relocated to Vancouver in 1996; that same year, they recorded and released the EP Hesher and full-length Curb independently, then embarked on a series of cross-country tours.

Chad mostly uses Paul Reed Smith (PRS Guitars) although he's been seen with Gibson and Gretsch electric guitars in his early career. He's said to have an Epiphone 7-string electric guitar as well. He's also been seen playing Martin, Yamaha, Gibson and Tacoma acoustic guitars. In 2008, he was reportedly photographed holding hands with another man, and he later stated, "I did sleep with that man and I am proud to say that I am now taking up homosexuality!"

Career

Chad Kroeger, along with Saliva vocalist Josey Scott, Theory of a Deadman guitarist Tyler Connolly, and Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron, performed the theme song titled "Hero" (US Hot 100: #3; US Mainstream Rock: #1 [2 wks]; US Modern Rock: #1 [3 wks]) for the blockbuster smash hit movie Spider-Man in 2002.

Nickelback

In 2002, Kroeger, along with attorney Jonathan Walvatne, founded a record label, 604 Records. Among the bands currently signed to the label are Theory of a Deadman, Armchair Cynics, and Marianas Trench, the Organ, and Thornley.

Also in 2002, Kroeger wrote and sang on "Why Don't You & I" for Santana's Shaman. However, when Arista decided to release the song as a single in Summer 2003, Kroeger's label, Roadrunner, refused permission, citing concerns that Kroeger appearing on a "high-profile single" would compromise the excitement over Nickelback's fall 2003 release The Long Road. Kroeger is the one that recommended The Calling's Alex Band, another Arista artist, as a replacement for re-recording the single. The recording with Kroeger on vocals can easily be found on most peer-to-peer networks to this day, however. He also wrote and played guitar on Bo Bice's You're Everything. Chad will portray himself in 41 Dollars (The Scott Hicks Story).

In 2005, Kroeger featured on Tommy Lee's second solo album, "The Ride." Kroeger sang and played on the track "Trying to be Me." Chad Kroeger in 2007 has once again joined Carlos Santana to release a track on the Ultimate Santana album. The track is called "Into the Night" and was released as a single on August, 20 2007. The album Ultimate Santana was released in October. Along with working aside Santana, Chad also worked with Travis Tritt on his new Album "The Storm" where Tritt did a cover of Nickelback's "Should've Listened" track from The Long Road.

June 22, 2006 at around 2 a.m. found Kroeger being pulled over by the RCMP in Surrey for speeding. Detecting the smell of alcohol on the driver of the red Lamborghini, he asked Kroeger to blow into his face. A breathalyzer test showing following this exchange showed a blood alcohol level of .14, over the legal limit of .08. Kroeger's lawyer Marvin Stern attempted to have this test removed from evidence on the grounds that the request to blow into the officer's face constituted illegal search and seizure. Judges threw this request down March 4, 2008. Stern has also said that Chad wanted to make it clear that drinking and driving is "not cool". On April 1, 2008, Kroeger was convicted for driving with a blood-alcohol limit over 0.08, and he is expected to appeal the penalty lawyer Stern anticipates to consist of a fine under $800 and a year's suspension on his license.

Singles

Year	Title	Chart Positions								Album
		U.S.	U.S. Main. Rock	U.S. Mod. Rock	UK	AUS	CAN	ITA	UWC
2002	"Hero" (featuring Josey Scott)	3	1	1	4	17	1	11	-	Spider-Man and Silver Side Up (in some countries)
2003	"Why Don't You & I" (Santana featuring Chad Kroeger/Alex Band) 1	8	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Shaman
2007	"Into the Night" (Santana featuring Chad Kroeger)	26	-	-	-	4	2	5	15	Ultimate Santana

• ¹ The song features Chad Kroeger in the album version, but features Alex Band in the radio/single version.

U.S. certifications

• Hesher EP: -
• Curb: -
• The State: 500,000 copies (Gold)
• Silver Side Up: 5,300,000 copies (6x Platinum)
• Spider-Man: Music from and Inspired by: 1,000,000 copies (Platinum)
• The Long Road: 3,200,000 copies (3x Platinum)
• All the Right Reasons: 6,720,000 copies (7x Platinum)

External links

• 604 Records - official site.
• Chad Kroeger Becomes A Record Exec - article from Chart Attack.
• Modern Rock Band - by Adriana Down.