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53-436: Leonard Albert Kravitz (born May 26, 1964) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor. Kravitz released his debut album Let Love Rule in 1989. This marked the beginning of a music career characterized by a blend of rock , funk , reggae , hard rock , soul , and R&B . Kravitz has had hit singles, including " It Ain't Over 'til It's Over " (1991) and " Again " (2000), each of which reached

106-473: A Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and in 1983 was awarded the Order of Lincoln by the governor of Illinois (the state's highest honor) in the area of performing arts. Short adopted nephew Ronald Bell of San Francisco, the son of Short's older brother William. Although Short never publicly declared he was gay, it was well known among his friends, fellow musicians, and some of his fans. When asked by

159-587: A chandelier for the crystal company Swarovski , named "Casino Royale". On July 7, 2007, Kravitz performed at the Brazilian leg of Live Earth in Rio de Janeiro, making him one of three major international rock stars to perform two huge free concerts at the world-famous Copacabana Beach along with Macy Gray and the Rolling Stones. Kravitz had already played there on March 21, 2005, drawing 300,000 people on

212-530: A club tour, and then in opening slots for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers , Bob Dylan , and David Bowie. Having played essentially all of the instruments on the album, Kravitz had to quickly assemble a touring band to support the Let Love Rule release. In May 2009, a 20th-anniversary deluxe edition of Let Love Rule was released worldwide by Virgin. Kravitz launched a LLR(20) tour of Europe and

265-655: A combination of rock and funk with a 1960s vibe. Music critics were mixed: some felt Kravitz was a gifted new artist, others felt he was overpowered by his musical influences. The album was a moderate success in the United States, but became an instant hit outside of the US, especially in Europe. Lisa Bonet directed the debut music video for the title track, "Let Love Rule". Stephen Smith signed Kravitz with talent booking agency CAA, who soon were fielding offers for Kravitz, first on

318-463: A concert of his own. The Live Earth concert, with eight other acts on the bill, including Pharrell and Macy Gray had an audience of 400,000 on the beach. Also in 2007, Kravitz released a version of " Cold Turkey " by John Lennon on the charity CD Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur . Kravitz also spent time recording his latest album, It Is Time for a Love Revolution , released February 5, 2008. On September 25, 2007,

371-455: A demo at his Hoboken, New Jersey , recording studio. The two shared an interest in using real instruments and vintage recording equipment, as well as a love of R&B, jazz, and rock. Kravitz would go on to collaborate with Hirsch on most of his albums. Kravitz began working on his debut album with Hirsch over the next year and a half, with Kravitz's father paying for the studio time. Kravitz met saxophonist Karl Denson and invited him to play on

424-425: A designer, Kravitz launched a furniture collection in partnership with CB2 in 2015. In 2015 he became a furniture designer for the first time ever launching a collection of furniture products marketed under the label CB2 x Kravitz design through retailer CB2. The collection was apparently inspired by the 70s and by the work of Italian designer Gabriella Crespi . The Raise Vibration world tour (2018) coincided with

477-544: A funk-rock version of the song " Deuce " for the KISS cover album Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved . The track featured Stevie Wonder on harmonica and background vocals. With 5 (1998), Kravitz won the first of his four consecutive Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards of 1999 . In 1999 he produced and sang with Cree Summer on her solo album Street Faërie . His cover version of

530-899: A house in Paris , a farm compound in Brazil , and a trailer with the surrounding land in The Bahamas . He follows veganism with a primarily raw vegan diet, and uses his land in Brazil and The Bahamas to grow his own food. PETA named Kravitz one of the Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2022. Studio albums Let Love Rule (Lenny Kravitz album) Let Love Rule is the debut studio album of American rock musician Lenny Kravitz , released on September 6, 1989, by Virgin Records . Then-wife Lisa Bonet wrote

583-580: A line inspired by Brazil's Tropicalia art movement of the late 1960s. In 1985, Kravitz met Cosby Show actress Lisa Bonet backstage at a New Edition concert in California. They were close friends for two years before beginning a relationship. In 1987 Kravitz moved back to New York City, where The Cosby Show was produced, to move in with Bonet. They eloped in Las Vegas on November 16, 1987, her 20th birthday. Kravitz, still known as Romeo Blue at

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636-413: A polemical way, but as simply the obvious equal of that of their white contemporaries. Short's dedication to his great love – what he called the "Great American Song" – left him equally adept at performing the witty lyrics of Bessie Smith 's " Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer) " or Gershwin and Duke's " I Can't Get Started ". Short stated his favorite songwriters were Ellington, Arlen and Kern, and he

689-568: A religious environment. After a spiritual experience when he was 13, he started attending church and later became a non-denominational Christian . Kravitz grew up spending weekdays on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with his parents, attending P.S. 6 for elementary school, and spending weekends at his grandmother Bessie's house in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn . Kravitz began banging on pots and pans in

742-474: A row from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record for most wins in that category, and setting the record for most consecutive wins in one category by a male performer. Kravitz has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and was ranked 93 on VH1 's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock". Aside from his music career, Kravitz has acted in films including Precious (2009) and the first two installments of The Hunger Games film series (2012–13). In addition, he also founded

795-535: A two-part episode. In 1985, he sang part of the opening theme for the NBC television show Misfits of Science . Short continued working in films when, in 1986, he appeared in the Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters . Allen used Short's recording of " I Happen to Like New York " for the opening title of Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993). In 1991, Short made a guest appearance as blues musician Ches Collins on

848-471: Is prominently featured in many of his songs, such as the lyrics on his album Baptism , and a tattoo on his back which is inscribed with "My Heart Belongs to Jesus Christ". In 2011, he stated that his 2005 religious commitment to remain celibate until remarriage was unchanged. In a 2014 interview with Men's Health , however, he reconsidered his previous stance. In 2024, Kravitz reaffirmed his desire to remain celibate once again, stating to The Guardian that it

901-694: The Fats Domino tribute album Goin' Home; A Tribute To Fats Domino was released. Kravitz was on the song "Whole Lotta Lovin'" along with Rebirth Brass Band , Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews , Fred Wesley , Pee Wee Ellis , and Maceo Parker . Kravitz made his feature film acting debut in Precious which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2009. In June 2010 it was announced that Kravitz would guest star on an episode of

954-526: The Library of Congress designated Short a Living Legend , a recognition established as part of its bicentennial celebration. The next year, his voice was featured in the 200th episode of the sitcom Frasier . In 2004, Short announced plans to end his regular appearances at the Café Carlyle by the end of the year. He continued to tour and travel until the end of his life. Bobby Short was inducted as

1007-624: The Morgans Hotel Group , Swarovski Crystal , and The Setai Group. Swarovski selected Kravitz Design Inc. in 2005 and 2006 to participate in their Crystal Palace Collection. Kravitz Design also envisioned a luxury recording studio for The Setai Resort and Residences in Miami Beach , New York, Paris, and New Orleans . In 2010, Kravitz Design collaborated with Flavor Paper wallpaper on the Tropicalismo Collection,

1060-497: The 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Short continued his career in the 1970s and 1980s singing for films and television. In 1972, he performed the theme song to James Ivory 's film Savages . In 1976, Short sang and appeared in a commercial for Revlon's perfume " Charlie ". In 1979 he performed a 25-song set that was released on DVD in 2004 as Bobby Short at the Cafe Carlyle . In 1981, he made a cameo appearance on The Love Boat in

1113-599: The 1940s. In 1968 he was offered a two-week stint at the Café Carlyle in New York City, to fill in for George Feyer . Short (accompanied by Beverly Peer on bass and Dick Sheridan on drums) became an institution at the Carlyle, as Feyer had been before him, and remained there as a featured performer for more than 35 years. He often performed impromptu all-night sets at his various favorite cafes and restaurants. He

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1166-883: The California Boys Choir for three years, where he performed a classical repertoire, and sang with the Metropolitan Opera . He took part in Mahler 's Third Symphony at the Hollywood Bowl . It was in Los Angeles that Kravitz was introduced to rock music, listening to the Beatles , the Rolling Stones , Led Zeppelin , Jimi Hendrix , the Grateful Dead , Aerosmith , Black Sabbath , Creedence Clearwater Revival , Kiss , Pink Floyd , and

1219-567: The Guess Who 's hit " American Woman " won him another Grammy at the Grammy Awards of 2000 and helped the Guess Who's song reach a new audience. Kravitz's version of the song originally came from the soundtrack of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and was added to 5 as a bonus track in 1999. Kravitz worked on two songs for Michael Jackson 's Invincible album released in 2001; a snippet of " Another Day "

1272-509: The Run ", a tribute to his mother, featured Slash on guitar. "Stand by My Woman" and "What Goes Around Comes Around" followed. Sean Lennon co-wrote and played piano on the song "All I Ever Wanted". In 1994, Kravitz recorded "Main Squeeze" with Teena Marie from her Passion Play CD. Kravitz also made a video to pay tribute to Teena Marie when she suddenly died on December 26, 2010. He recorded

1325-771: The TV series In the Heat of the Night in the episode " Sweet, Sweet Blues ". He also performed the episode's theme song. He reprised the role in the 1994 episode "Ches and the Grand Lady". In 1993, he made an appearance in the Michael J. Fox comedy film For Love or Money , performing Marc Shaiman 's song "In Your Eyes". Short's final film role was in Man of the Century (1999). In 2000,

1378-418: The United States in support of the re-release. In 1990, Kravitz produced the song " Justify My Love " for Madonna , which he co-wrote with Ingrid Chavez . The song appeared on her greatest hits album The Immaculate Collection . Kravitz separated from Lisa Bonet in 1991, amid rumors of an affair between him and Madonna. Kravitz has denied any infidelity. Kravitz and Bonet divorced in 1993. Kravitz produced

1431-585: The Who , and he said he was "attracted to the cool style, the girls, the rock 'n' roll lifestyle." During his junior high school years, he was also introduced to marijuana; he has stated that he was a "pothead" during his youth. His other musical influences at the time included Fela Kuti , Bill Withers , Marvin Gaye , Pharoah Sanders , and Miles Davis . Later influences came in the form of John Lennon and Bob Marley . Kravitz attended Beverly Hills High School , where he

1484-591: The age of seven, he saw the Jackson 5 perform at Madison Square Garden , and they became his favorite performers. His father, who was also a jazz promoter, was friends with Duke Ellington , Sarah Vaughan , Count Basie , Ella Fitzgerald , Bobby Short , Miles Davis , and other jazz greats; Ellington even played "Happy Birthday" for him on his fifth birthday. In 1974, at the age of 10, Kravitz relocated to Los Angeles with his parents when his mother landed her role on The Jeffersons . At his mother's urging, he joined

1537-471: The album's liner notes from the 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition. Musicians Production Let Love Rule Live Sales figures based on certification alone. Shipments figures based on certification alone. Bobby Short Short also championed African-American composers of the same period such as Eubie Blake , James P. Johnson , Andy Razaf , Fats Waller , Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn , presenting their work not in

1590-682: The country today. Kravitz joined other American recipients such as Martin Scorsese , George Clooney , and Bob Dylan. On February 26, 2012, he performed at the Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500, the opening race of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. A sample of "Are You Gonna Go My Way" was used in American singer Chris Willis 's single "Too Much In Love", released on August 16, 2011. Lenny Kravitz played

1643-464: The creative studio Kravitz Design Inc. Kravitz was previously married to Lisa Bonet , with whom he has a daughter, Zoë Kravitz . Kravitz was born on May 26, 1964, in New York City , the only child of NBC television news producer Sy Kravitz (1924–2005) and actress Roxie Roker (1929–1995). His mother came from a Christian family that was of African-American and Bahamian descent. His father

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1696-466: The hit sitcom The Jeffersons . Kravitz urged Smith to manage his career and assist him in finding a record deal. In less than a month of shopping the recordings, five labels (Warner Bros, Elektra, Geffen, Capitol, and Virgin) were in a bidding war for Kravitz. Eventually, a deal was made with Virgin Records in January 1989, and signed by Virgin A&;R executive Nancy Jeffries. The label was "excited" about

1749-448: The internet. Kravitz appeared in the audience of Madonna's Confessions Tour (2006) during numerous shows. He later joined Madonna live on stage to play guitar on the song, "I Love New York", at the last of four Paris shows. Kravitz founded a design firm named Kravitz Design, stating if he hadn't been a musician he would have been a designer. Kravitz Design, focused on interior and furniture design, has designed residential spaces, as well as

1802-418: The kitchen, playing them as drums at the age of three. He decided that he wanted to be a musician at the age of five. He began playing the drums and soon added guitar. He grew up listening to the music his parents listened to: R&B , jazz , classical , opera , gospel , and blues . He said, "My parents were very supportive of the fact that I loved music early on, and they took me to a lot of shows." Around

1855-685: The lead single " Let Love Rule " was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist. The Globe and Mail concluded that Kravitz is "still a little raw and the lyrics ... are forgettable, but there are enough good ideas here—even if a few of them were borrowed wholesale from the Beatles—to make Let Love Rule a satisfying debut." All tracks written by Lenny Kravitz , except "Fear" lyrics by Lisa Bonet , and "Rosemary" lyrics by Kravitz and Bonet. CD bonus tracks American version All tracks written by Lenny Kravitz, except where noted. Disc 2 ( Let Love Rule Live ) Credits adapted from

1908-546: The lyrics to "Fear" and co-wrote the lyrics on the song "Rosemary"; other than that the album is virtually a one-man Kravitz show, as he wrote and produced all the songs and played nearly all the instruments. Let Love Rule reached number 61 on the Billboard 200 , while it peaked at number 56 on the UK Albums Chart . The album is also featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die . The video for

1961-491: The music he was making, music inspired by his relationship with wife Bonet and their new daughter, Zoe. On Smith's urging, Kravitz dropped the name Romeo Blue and reclaimed the Lenny Kravitz moniker. About his time as Romeo Blue, Kravitz said, "Ultimately, it got me back to myself. And when I finally did accept myself for myself, music started flowing out of me." Kravitz released his debut album Let Love Rule in 1989,

2014-482: The part of Katniss' creative stylist, Cinna, in the first two Hunger Games films, The Hunger Games released on March 23, 2012 and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire released on November 22, 2013. In 2014 Lenny Kravitz released his tenth studio album Strut on his own Roxie Records via Kobalt Label Services . In 2015, Kravitz performed alongside Katy Perry at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show . As

2067-543: The release of his 11th studio album. In April 2018, Kravitz signed with BMG Rights Management for a new worldwide publishing music deal to go with his new album Raise Vibration , released in September 2018. BMG had acquired Kravitz's music publishing rights in 2013, as part of Virgin Music Publishing . In 2023, Kravitz wrote and performed a song for the film Rustin entitled "Road to Freedom". The song

2120-509: The self-titled album Vanessa Paradis (1991) for French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis . He played most of the instruments and co-wrote most of the songs on the album. In 1991, Kravitz released his second album, Mama Said . The songs on the album were about Bonet and documented his depression over their breakup. The single, " It Ain't Over 'til It's Over ", went to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 . A second single " Always on

2173-443: The song " Let Love Rule ". Kravitz was so impressed with his playing that Denson played on much of the album. Beginning in the late 1980s, Denson toured with Kravitz for five years. In October 1988, after completing most of the recording, Kravitz approached friend Stephen Elvis Smith, who had served as the music supervisor on Lisa Bonet 's The Cosby Show spin-off A Different World . Smith had also worked with Kravitz's mother on

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2226-451: The time, suddenly found himself in the headlines of tabloids. He and Bonet had a daughter, Zoë Isabella Kravitz , on December 1, 1988, who became an actress, singer and model. Kravitz and Bonet separated in 1991. They divorced amicably in 1993. Kravitz dated French singer and model Vanessa Paradis from 1991 to 1996. He began dating Brazilian model Adriana Lima in 2001, and they lived together before becoming engaged in 2002. The engagement

2279-600: The top 10 on the Billboard Top 100 chart; other hits include " Let Love Rule " (1989), " Always on the Run " (1991), " Are You Gonna Go My Way " (1993), " Fly Away " (1998), and " American Woman " (1999), each of which reached the top 10 on the Alternative Airplay chart. Kravitz has won several awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance , which he received four years in

2332-586: The upcoming season of Entourage . In 2011 Kravitz was honored with one of the highest cultural awards in France when he was made an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by French cultural minister Frederic Mitterrand in Paris. Kravitz stated he was "particularly touched" to receive the award in France as his success in the country pre-dated his success in the United States and still enjoys great record sales in

2385-411: Was a regular patron at Ted Hook's Backstage, at Eighth Avenue and 45th Street. In 1971 Short published Black and White Baby , a brilliant description of his childhood upbringing in the dance halls and saloons of Chicago and New York, and his family's fight for survival after the death of his father. He followed with Bobby Short: The Life and Times of a Saloon Singer in 1995, chronicling his career into

2438-661: Was called off in August 2003. Lima was featured in the music video for Kravitz's 2002 single " Yesterday Is Gone (My Dear Kay) ". He then briefly dated and was engaged to Australian actress Nicole Kidman from 2003 to 2004. Kravitz identifies himself as a Christian in a religious sense "through choice" but states, "I'm also a Jew . It's all the same to me." During another interview, he stated, "I'm half Jewish, I'm half black, I look in-between." He also notes that spirituality "has been an important issue in [his] growth", citing his upbringing by parents of different faiths. Such spirituality

2491-480: Was classmates with Maria McKee , Nicolas Cage , and Slash . He taught himself to play piano and bass and made friends with Zoro , who would later become his long-time collaborator. His parents divorced in 1985. With record labels still telling him his music was not "black enough" or "white enough", Kravitz decided to record an album on his own under the name Romeo Blue. Kravitz had met the recording engineer, keyboardist, and bassist Henry Hirsch in 1985 when recording

2544-466: Was his father's infidelity that inspired him to make a change. "After the marriage, [to ex-wife Lisa Bonet] I became more like him. I was becoming a player....I didn't like it. I didn't want to be that guy. So I had to tackle that and it took years....by taking responsibility. Discipline. Not letting my own desires take over." Kravitz also stated in the same interview that he had not been in a romantic relationship for 9 years at that point. He currently owns

2597-631: Was instrumental in spearheading the construction of the Ellington Memorial in New York City. He was a friend of Tom Jobim and was present during the composer's final days in New York City. Short was born in Danville, Illinois , where two of his school classmates were Dick Van Dyke and Donald O'Connor . He began performing piano in dance halls and saloons, and as a busker, after leaving home at age 11 for Chicago with his mother's permission. Short began his adult musical career in clubs in

2650-513: Was leaked, and the full version was officially released on the album Michael in 2010. Kravitz released a Greatest Hits album in 2000. The single " Again " earned him his third consecutive Grammy for the Best Male Rock Vocal in the Grammy Awards of 2001 . In January 2006, Kravitz contributed "Breathe" to absoluttracks, a project sponsored by Absolut Vodka . This song was re-mixed by ten musical producers and distributed via

2703-712: Was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song . In December 2023, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlists for the 96th Oscars ceremony , and "Road to Freedom" was included in the Best Original Song category. Kravitz won Music Icon of the Year at the 49th People's Choice Awards . In March 2024, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . On May 24, 2024, he released his 12th album, Blue Electric Light , which

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2756-506: Was of Russian-Jewish origin. Through his mother, Kravitz is a second cousin of television weather presenter Al Roker , as their grandfathers were brothers. Kravitz was named after his uncle, Leonard M. Kravitz , a private first class who was killed in action in the Korean War at the age of 20, while single-handedly holding off a Chinese attack, enabling most of his platoon to escape. During his early years, Kravitz did not grow up in

2809-423: Was supported by a world tour with the same name. Kravitz has partnered with Leica on two occasions. In 2015 a Leica M-P edition titled "The Correspondent", and again in 2019 with a Monochrom edition titled "Drifter". Kravitz Design Inc. is a New York City–based company founded by Kravitz in 2003. Kravitz Design focuses on commercial, residential and product creative direction and design. Among its clients are

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