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Elliott Smith

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Artist info:
Also known as
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GenreIndie, Rock
Rank
Albums9
Songs150
AboutElliott Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska on August 6th 1969. His real name was Steven Paul Smith. Around the time he turned 5 years old, Elliott's parents divorced, and both parents remarried. His dad and stepmom moved to Portland, Oregon. From age five to thirteen, Elliott lived with his mom, stepdad and two half siblings. When he was fourteen he moved to Portland with his dad, stepmom and two half sisters.

He started writing and recording songs at home on a four track recorder. He went to Lincoln high school and graduated in 1987. He was a national merit finalist. In high school he changed his name to Elliott. He also started his first band "Stranger then Fiction".

He went to Hampshire State College and graduated in 1991 with a major in politicial science and philosophy. He moved back to Portland and formed a new band called "Heatmiser", along with Neil Gust (a close friend from college). Elliott released his first solo album "Roman Candle" in 1994. Then shortly after "Elliott Smith" in 1995 and "Either/Or" in 1997, both were issued on the influential independent label Kill Rock Stars. He also recorded three albums with Heatmiser in the early 90's.

Throughout his life, Elliott struggled with depression, drug abuse (including heroin and crack cocaine), alcohol abuse, and paranoia.

In 1997 Elliott's music was used in the movie "Good Will Hunting." Elliott wrote a few new songs for the picture. The song "Miss Misery" earned an Academy Award nomination for best song. He performed it on the Academy Awards telecast on March 23, 1998. Also in 1998, Elliott signed a solo deal with Dreamworks records and quickly released "XO," his fourth solo album. In 2000 he released "Figure 8", to much critical success and he toured the world as a solo artist.

In 2002, after various attempts to stop his drug abuse, Elliott checked himself into the Neurotransmitter Restoration Center in Beverly Hills. Although the Center's treatments were reputed to have questionable healing effects, Elliott emerged from the center a new man. After declaring a lifestyle free of drugs, alcohol, caffeine, red meat, and even refined sugar, Elliott resumed writing and recording songs. Since the release of "Figure 8", he had started writing and reworking the songs that make up "From a Basement on the Hill", and he continued his work with a passion.

In 2003 he died from two apparently self-inflicted stab wounds to his chest. While much controversy surrounds his death, the official conclusion is that Elliott took his own life, although homicide was considered a definite option. His Album, "From a Basement on the Hill", was released posthumously by his family in 2004.

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