Music
Five of the Best – Lenny Kravitz
American superstar Lenny Kravitz is the latest big name to be added to the already incredible Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015 line-up.
Lenny Kravitz has been announced as the opening night headliner and will join the already enormous list of must-see acts including the Black Keys, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, the Gipsy Kings, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Paolo Nutini and Train at the five-day event, which will be held at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm over the Easter long weekend. Lenny Kravitz will be joined on stage by his full 16-piece band in what is sure to be a fantastic opening night for Bluesfest 2015. It will be the first time Lenny Kravitz has performed at Bluesfest and just his third time touring Australia in 20 years. To celebrate the incredible announcement, Ticketmaster has compiled a list of Lenny Kravitz’s top five songs – we hope you enjoy it!
5. Fly Away
Fly Away was the fourth, but most successful, single from Kravitz’s 1998 album 5. It reached number 1 on the UK singles charts and number 8 in Australia and also charted well on the US rock charts, while only reaching 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single is credited with helping Kravitz expand his success and popularity in Europe and also earned him the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1999 – an amazing feat given he beat nominees John Mellencamp, Jeff Buckley, John Fogerty and John Hiatt. Amazingly, the Grammy Award in that category was Kravitz’s first – three more in consecutive years were to follow. Fly Away is an upbeat, fun song and a very deserving inclusion on our list.
4. Again
Lenny Kravitz included Again as the only new song on his Greatest Hits album, which was released in 2000. Kravitz wrote, arranged and produced the single with the intention of including it on his 6th studio album, but he felt it didn’t fit the tone so released it on the Greatest Hits compilation instead. The single was a chart success around the world reaching the top 10 in seven countries including the US Billboard Hot 100 (#4), Italy (#1), Belgium (#3), New Zealand (#5), Austria (#6) and Switzerland (#9). The single earned Kravitz his third straight Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 2001 and saw him beat nominees David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Don Henley and Nine Inch Nails – pretty esteemed company. The accompanying music video features Kravitz and actress Gina Gershon in a love triangle – check it out below.
3. American Woman
American Woman was originally recorded by Canadian band The Guess Who in 1970 and was covered by Lenny Kravitz for the soundtrack of the 1999 film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. Kravitz’s version could not match the chart success of the original, which was number 1 in both Canada and the USA, but the song did earn Kravitz his second of four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. Kravitz’s version of American Woman is well known for the distinctive guitar solo – you can listen to the song in full below.
2. It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over
Lenny Kravitz’s rock ballad It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over was released in 1991 on his second studio album Mama Said. The single is Kravitz’s highest charting song in the USA, reaching number 2 behind Bryan Adams’ hit (Everything I Do) I Do It For You. It also reached number 2 in Canada and was a top 10 hit in Australia. Heavily influenced by Motown and Philly Soul, It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over features a horn line at the end which is performed by the Phenix Horns from Earth, Wind & Fire. This single is a great example of Kravitz’s soulful sound, which makes him a perfect candidate for Byron Bay Bluesfest. It is no surprise that Kravitz exudes a funky, soulful sound given he grew up with family friends including Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Bobby Short and Miles Davis. Fun fact, Miles Davis once sang Happy Birthday to a young Kravitz!
1. Are You Gonna Go My Way
Are You Gonna Go My Way is the first single off the 1993 album of the same name and is in our opinion the finest example of Lenny Kravitz’s work. The song was a number 1 hit in Australia and was nominated for two Grammy Awards. Interestingly, the song has been covered by many big names in the music industry including Metallica, Tom Jones, Robbie Williams and Mel Brown (Scary Spice). While it is flattering to produce a song that grabs the attention of so many, we think the original Kravitz version is the best and very deserving number 1 on the list of Lenny Kravitz’s top 5 songs.
Lenny Kravitz will perform at Byron Bay Bluesfest, which takes place at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm from April 2-6, 2015. Kravitz has been confirmed as the headliner for the opening night, April 2. Click here to purchase tickets now.
