Alex Turner is a rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist from England. He is most known for being the lead singer, guitarist, and composer for the English indie band Arctic Monkeys, which he established with his pals in high school. He has collaborated with a number of well-known musicians in addition to composing and performing on the band’s singles and albums. He also collaborates with Miles Kane on his side project, ‘The Last Shadow Puppets.’ For the music for the film Submarine, he wrote and performed as a solo artist. Turner, a multiple award winner, rose to prominence as one of Europe’s most popular frontmen when Arctic Monkeys’ debut album became the fastest-selling UK album of all time. As his father was a part-time musician, he developed a liking for music as a child and grew up listening to many types of music at home. He was uninterested in studies and instead chose to pursue a career in music rather than attend university. Turner has always been praised for his powerful songwriting and thought-provoking lyrics, which frequently focus on Northern England’s nightlife. “One of the great lyricists,” according to “The Guardian.” Many people have commended his fascinating craft, including Sean Diddy, politician Gordon Brown, and poet Simon Armitage.
Childhood and Adolescence
Alexander David ‘Alex’ Turner was born in Sheffield, England, on January 6, 1986. Penny and David Turner have only one child. At Rawmarsh Community School, his mother taught German while his father taught physics and music.
He took piano instruction until he was eight years old. Turner was exposed to several types of music at home because his father was a member of huge bands. The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, The Carpenters, The Beach Boys, and The Eagles were among the artists he listened to.
Turner was a Stocksbridge High School student. He was a natural athlete, particularly in basketball. His teachers recall him as a calm, bright, and intelligent youngster who was “laid-back” in class.
He became pals with Matt Helders when he was in primary school. At secondary school, the two met Andy Nicholson, and the three teens listened to Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, Dr. Dre, Outkast, and Roots Manuva.
Turner’s parents got him a guitar in 2001, after which he began writing songs with a bass guitar and microphones. Soon, he was engrossed in music and became serious about pursuing a career in it.
Turner and his mates Andy Nicholson, Glyn Jones, and Matt Helders established the indie rock band Arctic Monkeys in 2002, while still in high school.
Jamie Cook, a classmate, was later added. Turner took over as frontman and lyricist after Glyn departed the band. They started practicing in their garages and then moved to an empty warehouse in Wath.
Turner enrolled in Barnsley College in 2002, where he majored in English, psychology, music technology, and media.
His parents reluctantly agreed to let him skip a year of university to follow his musical dreams after graduation. While investigating musical opportunities, he took up a bartending job at Sheffield music venue The Boardwalk.
Turner was intrigued by guitar bands like The Hives and The White Stripes around this period. Queens of the Stone Age and The Coral were also introduced to him.
In 2002, he saw The Vines in Manchester, which was his first live musical performance. He visited London in 2003 to see The Strokes perform.
The Career of Alex
Alex Turner played seven shows as a rhythm guitarist for Judan Suki in York and Liverpool in 2003; he knew the band’s main singer Jon McClure, who had given him the role.
He gained confidence as a result of the encounter. Turner recorded a demo with Judan Suki in August 2003.
Arctic Monkeys’ first EP, ‘Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys,’ was self-released in 2005. From then, everything moved quickly.
Domino Records signed them in June, and their debut album, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not,’ was released in January 2006.
Their debut record went on to become the best-selling album in British music history. On the first day, almost 118,000 copies were sold, and by the end of the week, 360,000 copies had been sold!
A five-track EP was published in 2006. Andy Nicholson quit the band the following year, and bassist Nick O’Malley took his place.
‘Favorite Worst Nightmare,’ their second album, was released in 2007. Alex Turner had begun collaborating with other musicians at this point, including Reverend and the Makers, Dizzee Rascal, and Tony Christie.
Turner and Miles Kane, a well-known musician, released an album called ‘The Age of the Understatement’ in 2008. In its first week, the album topped the charts.
Turner made his debut as a short story writer in October 2008, when he performed a spoken-word piece called “A Choice of Three” on Matt Helders’ compilation “Late Night Tales: Matt Helders.” On the song ‘Temptation Greets You Like Your Naughty Friend,’ he collaborated with Dizzee Rascal.
In 2009, Arctic Monkeys released their third album, ‘Humbug.’ In 2011, Turner composed and performed six songs for Richard Ayoade’s film ‘Submarine.’
The band’s fourth album, ‘Suck It and See,’ was released in June of that year. Turner also contributed six songs to Miles Kane’s debut album, “Color of the Trap,” in the same year.
In 2013, they released their fifth studio album, ‘AM.’ In the same year, Turner worked on Queens of the Stone Age’s sixth album, ‘…Like Clockwork.’
After an eight-year hiatus, Turner’s second band, The Last Shadow Puppets, released a song in January 2016. The song ‘Bad Habits’ was accompanied by a music video.
‘Everything You’ve Come to Expect,’ the title track from their new album, was released in March 2016, followed by ‘Aviation,’ and ‘Miracle Aligner.’ In December 2016, Turner and Miles Kane released the EP ‘The Dream Synopsis.’
Arctic Monkeys’ last album was published in 2013. Fans are anticipating the band’s return four years later, in 2017, although Turner stated in an interview that the band is in “no rush” to record their sixth album.
Turner, on the other hand, is working on a number of other projects, including an EP with Miles Kane.
Major Projects of Alex Turner
With their first single, ‘I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor,’ Alex Turner and the band had incredible success, reaching No. 1 on the UK singles chart.
The band’s debut album, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not,’ went on to sell over 360,000 copies in its first week, setting a new record in British music. It has since been awarded quintuple platinum status in the United Kingdom.
‘Favorite Worst Nightmare,’ the band’s second album, sold over 225,000 copies in its first week and was nominated for the 2007 Mercury Prize.
Achievements & Awards
Arctic Monkeys have received 92 award nominations, winning 38 of them. The band’s debut album, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not,’ won the Mercury Prize for Best British Album in 2006 and the BRIT Award for Best British Album in 2007.
In 2008, the band’s second album, ‘Favorite Worst Nightmare,’ won the BRIT Award for Best British Album.
The band won Best New Band and Best British Band at the NME Awards in 2006.
Personal Experiences of Alex Turner
Alex Turner had dated Johanna Bennett since his undergraduate days as a child. He went on to have a four-year romance with writer Alexa Chung after they broke up.
He was also once engaged to Arielle Vandenberg, an American actress, however, the relationship was later called off. He began dating model Taylor Bagley in 2015.
Estimated net worth
Alex Turner has a net worth of $25 million as a musician, vocalist, and composer. Alex Turner is best known as the frontman of Arctic Monkeys, an English rock band.
He also has a solo career as well as a side project called The Last Shadow Puppets. Turner’s musical achievements have earned him an Ivor Novello Award and multiple Brit Awards.