History of Annie Lennox in Timeline
Annie Lennox is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist, and philanthropist. She rose to fame in the 1980s as one half of the duo Eurythmics, alongside Dave Stewart, after initial success with the band the Tourists. Eurythmics achieved international recognition with hits like "Sweet Dreams," "There Must Be an Angel," "Love Is a Stranger," and "Here Comes the Rain Again." Lennox's androgynous style, showcased notably in the "Sweet Dreams" music video, challenged gender norms and contributed to her iconic status.
December 1954: Annie Lennox Born
In December 1954, Annie Lennox was born in Scotland.
1954: Annie Lennox's Birth Year
In 1954, Annie Lennox was born on Christmas Day in Torry, Aberdeen, Scotland.
1971: Studies at Royal Academy of Music
In 1971, Annie Lennox began studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London, pursuing a Music Performance degree, studying flute, piano, and harpsichord. She didn't finish the course.
1974: Attends Dalcroze Eurhythmics Spring Course
In 1974, Annie Lennox attended the Dalcroze Eurhythmics Spring Course, and also played and sang with a few bands, such as Windsong.
1976: Plays Flute with Dragon's Playground
In 1976, Annie Lennox played the flute with a band called Dragon's Playground.
1977: Lead Singer of The Tourists
From 1977, Annie Lennox was the lead singer of The Tourists, a British pop band and her first collaboration with Dave Stewart.
1980: End of The Tourists
In 1980, Annie Lennox ceased to be the lead singer of The Tourists.
December 1983: Appeared on the cover of Smash Hits
In December 1983, Annie Lennox and Boy George appeared together on the front cover of the British music magazine Smash Hits.
January 1984: Featured on Newsweek Cover
On January 23, 1984, Annie Lennox and George appeared on the cover of Newsweek magazine in the US with the caption Britain Rocks America – Again, marking the Second British Invasion.
1984: First Marriage
In 1984, Annie Lennox married German Hare Krishna devotee Radha Raman. The marriage lasted until 1985.
1984: MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist
In 1984, as a member of Eurthymics, Annie Lennox won the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist.
1985: Divorced Radha Raman
From 1984 to 1985, Annie Lennox was married to German Hare Krishna devotee Radha Raman.
1985: Forced to Pull Out of Live Aid Performance
In 1985, Annie Lennox was forced to pull out of performing at Live Aid held at Wembley Stadium due to a serious throat infection.
1987: Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance
In 1987, as a member of Eurythmics, Annie Lennox won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
1987: Eurythmics Album Savage
In 1987, the Eurythmics album Savage was released accompanied by a video album, both directed by Sophie Muller. The music video for "Missionary Man" also received five nominations at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards.
1988: Married Uri Fruchtmann
From 1988 to 2000, Annie Lennox was married to Israeli film and record producer Uri Fruchtmann and they lived in The Grove, Highgate.
1988: Appearance at Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Concert
In 1988, Annie Lennox appeared on stage at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Concert and started activist work with the Sing Foundation after this performance.
1988: Records Duet with Al Green
In 1988, Annie Lennox recorded "Put a Little Love in Your Heart", a duet with Al Green, for the movie 'Scrooged'. She also performed "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" for the film 'Edward II'.
1989: Last Writing/Recording Session (Prior to Reunion)
Annie Lennox last had a writing/recording session with Dave Stewart in 1989, prior to their 1998 reunion.
1990: Break from Dave Stewart/Start of Solo Career
In 1990, Annie Lennox made a break from Dave Stewart of Eurythmics and started her solo career.
1990: Recording of "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" for AIDS Awareness
In 1990, Annie Lennox recorded a version of Cole Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" for the Cole Porter tribute album Red Hot + Blue, a benefit for AIDS awareness, and a video was also produced.
June 1992: Rolling Stone Review of Diva
In June 1992, Rolling Stone Magazine described Annie Lennox's album Diva as "...state-of-the-art soul pop..."
1992: Solo videos DVD Compilation
A limited 3-disc edition of the album included a DVD compilation featuring most of Lennox's solo videos since 1992
1992: Works with Stephen Lipson/Solo Album
In 1992, Annie Lennox began working with Stephen Lipson and debated whether to write a solo album, which affirmed her identity as a songwriter. She also stated she did not miss Dave Stewart during the songwriting process, but wished him well.
1992: Performs at Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert
In 1992, Annie Lennox performed "Under Pressure" with David Bowie and the surviving members of Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.
1992: Solo Debut with 'Diva'
In 1992, Annie Lennox started her solo career by releasing her debut album 'Diva', which featured hit singles like "Why" and "Walking on Broken Glass". She also performed "Love Song for a Vampire" for Bram Stoker's Dracula that year.
1992: Release of 'Diva' Singles
In 1992, Annie Lennox's album 'Diva' spawned hit singles like "Why" (which won an MTV Award) and "Walking on Broken Glass" (whose video featured Hugh Laurie and John Malkovich).
1993: Wins Brit Award for Best British Album
In 1993, Annie Lennox's album "Diva" won Best British Album at the Brit Awards.
March 1995: Release of Medusa
In March 1995, Annie Lennox released her album "Medusa", which consisted solely of cover songs by male artists. She also provided solo vocals for the film Apollo 13.
1995: Release of 'Medusa'
In 1995, Annie Lennox released 'Medusa', a studio album featuring cover versions of songs.
1996: Wins Grammy Award
In 1996, Annie Lennox won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the single "No More 'I Love You's'" from the album "Medusa".
1997: Records "Angel" for Tribute Album
In 1997, Annie Lennox recorded the Eurythmics track "Angel" for the Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute album, and also recorded "Mama" for The Avengers soundtrack album.
1998: Re-Unites With Dave Stewart
In 1998, Annie Lennox reunited with Dave Stewart after the death of a mutual friend and began writing and recording together for the first time since 1989, resulting in the album 'Peace'.
May 1999: Diva included in Rolling Stone's Essential Recording
In May 1999, Annie Lennox's album Diva was included in Rolling Stone's list of "Essential Recordings of the 90's".
1999: Eurythmics Peacetour Benefits Amnesty International and Greenpeace
In 1999, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart donated all of the profits from Eurythmics' Peacetour to Amnesty International and Greenpeace.
1999: Eurythmics Release 'Peace'
In 1999, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart reconvened Eurythmics and released "Peace", their first album of new material in ten years.
1999: Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music
In 1999, as a member of Eurythmics, Annie Lennox won the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
2000: Cover of Keane's "Closer Now"
Annie Lennox covered a song by Keane, originally the B-side of their first single in 2000. Lennox renamed the song from its original title "Closer Now" to "Pattern of My Life".
2000: "17 Again" tops US Dance Chart
At the beginning of 2000, Annie Lennox's song, "17 Again" made the UK top 40, and topped the US dance chart.
2000: Divorced Uri Fruchtmann
From 1988 to 2000, Annie Lennox was married to Israeli film and record producer Uri Fruchtmann and they lived in The Grove, Highgate.
2002: Receives Billboard Century Award
In 2002, Annie Lennox received a Billboard Century Award; the highest accolade from Billboard magazine.
2003: Release of "Bare" album
In 2003, Annie Lennox released her third solo album, "Bare", which achieved significant chart success, peaking at No. 3 in the UK and No. 4 in the US. She also embarked on her first solo tour to promote the album.
2003: Signatory to "No war on Iraq" campaign
In 2003, Annie Lennox was a signatory to the "No war on Iraq" campaign.
2004: Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song
In 2004, Annie Lennox received the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Into the West", written for the soundtrack to the feature film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
2004: Academy Award for Best Song
In 2004, Annie Lennox won the Academy Award for Best Song for "Into the West" from "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," which she co-wrote. She also embarked on a North American tour with Sting.
2004: Wins Golden Globe and Academy Award
In 2004, Annie Lennox won the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Into the West" from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
July 2005: Performance at Live 8 in Hyde Park
In July 2005, Annie Lennox performed at Live 8 in Hyde Park, London, alongside Madonna, Sting, and other popular musicians, contributing to the global event aimed at combating poverty.
August 2005: Collaboration with Herbie Hancock
In August 2005, Annie Lennox collaborated with Herbie Hancock on the song "Hush, Hush, Hush" for his collaboration album, Possibilities.
October 2005: Release of "I've Got a Life" Single
In October 2005, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart collaborated on two new songs for their Eurythmics compilation album, Ultimate Collection, of which "I've Got a Life" was released as a single.
November 2005: Release of Eurythmics' Back Catalogue Deluxe Edition Reissues
On 14 November 2005, Sony BMG repackaged and released Eurythmics' back catalogue as 2005 Deluxe Edition Reissues.
2005: Appearance at Live 8
In 2005, Annie Lennox appeared at Live 8 held in Hyde Park, London.
2005: Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame
In 2005, as a member of Eurythmics, Annie Lennox was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame.
October 2006: Patron of Oxford Brookes University Humanitarian Course
In October 2006, Annie Lennox became patron of the Master's Course in Humanitarian and Development Practice for Oxford Brookes University.
2006: Criticism of UK's Misleading over Iraq War
In 2006, Annie Lennox expressed her anger at how the UK was misled over Iraq's alleged 'weapons of mass destruction' in conversation with Melvyn Bragg.
April 2007: Performance on American Idol "Idol Gives Back"
On 25 April 2007, Annie Lennox performed "Bridge over Troubled Water" during the American Idol "Idol Gives Back" fundraising drive.
September 2007: Release of "Dark Road" Single
On 24 September 2007, Annie Lennox released "Dark Road", the first single from her album "Songs of Mass Destruction".
October 2007: Release of "Songs of Mass Destruction"
On 1 October 2007, Annie Lennox released her fourth solo album, "Songs of Mass Destruction", which peaked at No. 7 in the UK and No. 9 in the US. This was the last studio album of Lennox's contract with BMG.
November 2007: Annie Lennox Sings North American Tour
Throughout October and November 2007, Annie Lennox embarked on the Annie Lennox Sings North American tour to promote her album Songs of Mass Destruction.
December 2007: Establishment of The SING Campaign
In December 2007, Annie Lennox established The SING Campaign, an organisation dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women and children affected by HIV and AIDS.
December 2007: South Africa 46664 campaign appearance
In December 2007, Annie Lennox went to South Africa to appear at the 46664 campaign in Johannesburg, during which she experienced issues with Sony BMG's regional office.
December 2007: Nobel Peace Prize Concert Performance
On 11 December 2007, Annie Lennox performed in the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway.
2007: Founds the Sing Campaign
In 2007, Annie Lennox founded the Sing campaign, which raises money and awareness for HIV/AIDS affecting women and children in Africa.
June 2008: Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute Appearance
In June 2008, Annie Lennox appeared at the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute.
June 2008: Record Sales
As of June 2008, including her work with Eurythmics, Annie Lennox had sold over 80 million records worldwide.
September 2008: Intended Release of The Annie Lennox Collection
In September 2008, Annie Lennox intended to release the compilation album "The Annie Lennox Collection", but the release date was delayed due to a back injury.
2008: Backing of Independent Scotland
Also in 2008, Annie Lennox backed the principle of an independent Scotland.
2008: Founding of The Circle of Women
In 2008, Annie Lennox founded The Circle of Women, also known as The Circle, a private charitable organisation to network and fund-raise for women's projects around the world.
2008: Founds The Circle
In 2008, Annie Lennox founded The Circle, a women's empowerment charity.
2008: Press coverage of animosity with Sony BMG
In late 2007 and early 2008, there was press coverage about the apparent animosity between Annie Lennox and Sony BMG, after the release of Songs of Mass Destruction and The Collection. Lennox's contract with Sony BMG concluded.
January 2009: Rally Against Gaza War in London
On 3 January 2009, Annie Lennox led a rally against the Gaza War in London.
February 2009: US Release of "The Annie Lennox Collection"
On 17 February 2009, Annie Lennox's compilation album "The Annie Lennox Collection" was released in the US.
March 2009: UK and Europe Release of "The Annie Lennox Collection"
On 9 March 2009, Annie Lennox's compilation album "The Annie Lennox Collection" was released in the UK and Europe, featuring songs from her solo albums and two new covers.
October 2009: T-shirt Message at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert
On 30 October 2009, Annie Lennox wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "HIV positive" at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert at Madison Square Garden.
November 2009: Peace Summit Award 2009
In November 2009, Annie Lennox was awarded the Peace Summit Award 2009 by the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates for her engagement in the fight against the HIV pandemic in South Africa.
November 2009: Appearance on The Graham Norton Show
On 30 November 2009, Annie Lennox appeared on The Graham Norton Show, performing the new song "Full Steam", a duet with singer David Gray, while wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "HIV positive".
2009: Release of 'The Annie Lennox Collection'
In 2009, Annie Lennox released 'The Annie Lennox Collection', a compilation album.
2009: Met Mitch Besser
While fundraising in 2009, Annie Lennox met Mitch Besser, who had started an AIDS charity in Africa.
April 2010: "Universal Child" Showcase on American Idol Gives Back
In April 2010, Annie Lennox showcased the song "Universal Child" on the American Idol Gives Back TV show.
April 2010: T-shirt Message during Idol Gives Back Performance
On 21 April 2010, Annie Lennox wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "HIV positive" during a recorded performance for American Idol during a fundraiser, entitled Idol Gives Back.
June 2010: UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for AIDS
In June 2010, Annie Lennox was named as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for AIDS, a role she continued to hold as of August 2013.
August 2010: Signing with Island Records and Decca Records
In August 2010, Annie Lennox signed a new contract with Island Records in the UK and Decca Records in the U.S., both part of the Universal Music Group.
October 2010: Release of "Universal Child" as a download-only single
On 13 October 2010, Annie Lennox released "Universal Child" as a download-only single.
November 2010: Release of "A Christmas Cornucopia"
On 15 November 2010, Annie Lennox released a Christmas album entitled "A Christmas Cornucopia", featuring interpretations of traditional festive songs and one new composition.
December 2010: Promotion of "A Christmas Cornucopia"
In December 2010, Annie Lennox performed "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" on the UK chat show Loose Women and was also interviewed, promoting her album "A Christmas Cornucopia".
December 2010: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
In December 2010, it was confirmed that Annie Lennox was in the New Years Honours List and would become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of her humanitarian work.
2010: Sunday Times Rich List
In the 2010 Sunday Times Rich List of British millionaires from the world of music, Annie Lennox was estimated to have a fortune of £30 million.
March 2011: T-shirt Message during Comic Relief Show
On 18 March 2011, Annie Lennox wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "HIV positive" during a performance on the live Comic Relief show.
June 2011: Received OBE from Queen Elizabeth II
On 28 June 2011, Annie Lennox received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
September 2011: The House of Annie Lennox at the Victoria and Albert Museum
From 15 September 2011 to 26 February 2012, Annie Lennox displayed many items from her collection at The House of Annie Lennox exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
2011: Appointed OBE
In 2011, Annie Lennox was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her charity work and humanitarian efforts.
February 2012: The House of Annie Lennox at the Victoria and Albert Museum
From 15 September 2011 to 26 February 2012, Annie Lennox displayed many items from her collection at The House of Annie Lennox exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
March 2012: The House of Annie Lennox at The Lowry in Salford
From 17 March 2012 to 17 June, an expanded version of The House of Annie Lennox exhibit was installed at The Lowry in Salford, England.
April 2012: Besser Divorce Proceedings
In April 2012, Mitch Besser had divorce proceedings brought against him.
June 2012: Performance at Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert
On 4 June 2012, Annie Lennox performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert in front of Buckingham Palace in London.
September 2012: Who Do You Think You Are?
In September 2012, Annie Lennox featured in Series 9 of the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are?, in which she discovered details about her ancestors.
September 2012: Married Mitch Besser
On 15 September 2012 Annie Lennox married Mitch Besser at a private ceremony in London.
2012: Summer Olympics closing ceremony
Annie Lennox performed "Little Bird" during the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in London.
June 2013: Most successful female British artist in UK music history
In June 2013 the Official Charts Company called Annie Lennox "the most successful female British artist in UK music history".
June 2013: Most Successful Female British Artist
In June 2013, the Official Charts Company declared Annie Lennox "the most successful female British artist in UK music history".
November 2013: Music Industry Trusts Award
In November 2013, Annie Lennox received the Music Industry Trusts Award for her career achievements in music and her charity commitments.
March 2014: Marks & Spencer 'Leading Ladies' Campaign
On 31 March 2014, British retailer Marks & Spencer launched the new iteration of its 'Leading Ladies' marketing campaign featuring influential British women, which included Annie Lennox.
September 2014: First Radio Play of "I Put a Spell on You"
On 15 September 2014, Annie Lennox's lead single "I Put a Spell on You" from her upcoming album Nostalgia received its first radio play on BBC Radio 2.
October 2014: Release of "Nostalgia" Album
In October 2014, Annie Lennox released her sixth solo album, "Nostalgia," a collection of her childhood favorite soul, jazz, and blues songs.
January 2015: An Evening of Nostalgia Live Concert
On 28 January 2015, Annie Lennox performed a live concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles entitled An Evening of Nostalgia with Annie Lennox.
April 2015: An Evening of Nostalgia Aired on PBS
In April 2015, the live concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles entitled An Evening of Nostalgia with Annie Lennox aired on PBS in the US.
May 2015: Release of An Evening of Nostalgia on DVD and Blu-ray
In May 2015, the live concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles entitled An Evening of Nostalgia with Annie Lennox was released on DVD and Blu-ray internationally.
2015: Fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors
At the 2015 Ivor Novello Awards Annie Lennox was made a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (The Ivors Academy), the first woman to receive the honour.
2015: Charitable Events
In 2015, Annie Lennox attended, performed at and hosted several charitable events including: the 50th Amnesty International Annual Conference where she was a guest speaker, Elton John and David Furnish's at home Gala in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation where she performed, held a screening of He Named Me Malala, and hosted a Mothers2mothers 15th Anniversary gala.
2015: Fellowship at The Ivors Academy
In 2015, Annie Lennox was made a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (The Ivors Academy), the first woman to receive this honor.
2016: Elle Style Awards 'Outstanding Achievement' award and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society Livingstone Medal
In 2016, Annie Lennox was awarded the Elle Style Awards 'Outstanding Achievement' award, and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society award, the Livingstone Medal, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the fight against AIDS and support of women's rights.
2017: Awarded Honorary Doctorate
In 2017, Annie Lennox received an honorary degree of Doctorate from the Royal Academy of Music.
2017: Appointed Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University
In 2017, Annie Lennox was appointed as the first female chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University.
May 2019: Release of Lepidoptera EP
In May 2019, Annie Lennox released Lepidoptera, an EP containing four extemporised piano songs and serving as a companion piece to her art installation "Now I Let You Go..." at MASS moca.
2020: Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Annie Lennox and her Eurythmics partner Dave Stewart were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
2022: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Annie Lennox and her Eurythmics partner Dave Stewart were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
October 2023: Artists4Ceasefire open letter
In October 2023, Annie Lennox signed the Artists4Ceasefire open letter calling for a ceasefire during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
2023: Patron of Dalcroze UK
In 2023, Annie Lennox became the Patron of Dalcroze UK, a charitable organisation that promotes Dalcroze Eurhythmics, the approach to music education that inspired the band name, Eurythmics.
February 2024: 66th Annual Grammy Awards
In February 2024, at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, during an in memoriam segment where she performed late singer Sinéad O'Connor's song Nothing Compares 2 U, Annie Lennox repeated her call for a ceasefire and "peace in the world".
