Fiona Apple McAfee-Maggart is a celebrated American singer-songwriter known for her exceptional songwriting talent. Her five albums, released between 1996 and 2020, all achieved significant commercial success, reaching the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. With over 15 million records sold globally as of 2021, Apple has garnered widespread recognition and critical acclaim. Her impressive career has been marked by numerous awards and nominations, including three Grammy Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and a Billboard Music Award, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the music industry.
1971: Original Release of "Pure Imagination"
The song "Pure Imagination", which Fiona Apple covered, was originally released in the film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" in 1971.
September 13, 1977: Birth of Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple McAfee-Maggart was born on September 13, 1977.
1994: Introduction to the Music Industry
Fiona Apple was introduced to the music industry in 1994 through a demo tape given to a music publicist, leading to a record deal.
1996: Fiona Apple's Debut Album Release
Fiona Apple released her debut album, Tidal, in 1996, which reached the top 20 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
1996: Tidal Release and Success
Fiona Apple's debut album, Tidal, was released in 1996 and achieved commercial success, selling 2.7 million copies.
1996: Tidal Release and Grammy Win
Fiona Apple's debut album, Tidal, was released in 1996 and won a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the single "Criminal".
1997: Meeting Paul Thomas Anderson and Tour Cancellation
Fiona Apple met director Paul Thomas Anderson and began a relationship that lasted several years. She also canceled the last 21 dates of her tour due to personal reasons.
January 1998: Response to Criticism and Meeting Paul Thomas Anderson
In January 1998, Fiona Apple addressed criticisms of her MTV acceptance speech. She also met director Paul Thomas Anderson in 1997, beginning a multi-year relationship.
1999: Original Release of "I Know"
Fiona Apple originally released the song "I Know", which she later re-recorded with King Princess, in 1999.
1999: When the Pawn... Release
Fiona Apple released her second album, When the Pawn..., produced by Jon Brion, in 1999, achieving critical and commercial success.
1999: When the Pawn... Release and Production Details
Fiona Apple's second album, When the Pawn..., was released in 1999. It was produced by Jon Brion and featured experimental lyrics and instrumentation.
February 2000: Frustrated Stage Exit
In February 2000, Fiona Apple left the stage at a concert due to frustration with sound quality issues.
2000: Fiona Apple Addresses Trauma in Interview
In a 2000 interview, Fiona Apple clarified that her songwriting wasn't about her past trauma.
2001: Guinness World Record for Longest Album Title
Fiona Apple's When the Pawn... earned a Guinness World Record for the longest album title in 2001.
2002: Start of Extraordinary Machine Recording
Fiona Apple began recording Extraordinary Machine with Jon Brion in 2002.
2002: Start of Extraordinary Machine Recording
Fiona Apple and Jon Brion began recording Extraordinary Machine under strict conditions agreed upon with Epic Records in 2002.
2003: Collaborations with Johnny Cash
Fiona Apple collaborated with Johnny Cash on covers of "Bridge over Troubled Water" and "Father and Son" in 2003.
2003: Extraordinary Machine Submitted to Sony
Work on Extraordinary Machine continued until 2003, when it was submitted to Sony executives.
2004: Leaked Tracks and Fan Campaign
In 2004 and 2005, tracks from Extraordinary Machine were leaked online, leading to a fan campaign for its official release.
August 2005: Extraordinary Machine Re-Production and Release
In August 2005, Fiona Apple's album, Extraordinary Machine, was scheduled for an October release. After initial dissatisfaction with the production by Jon Brion, Apple decided to mostly re-record the album with Mike Elizondo and Brian Kehew. Despite rumors of a rift between Apple and Brion, they continued to perform together.
October 2005: Extraordinary Machine Release
Fiona Apple's third album, Extraordinary Machine, was released in October 2005 after initial production issues and fan protests.
2005: Online Leaks and Fan Campaign
Tracks from Extraordinary Machine leaked online and a fan campaign pushed for the album's release in 2004 and 2005.
May 2006: Elvis Costello Tribute Performance
In May 2006, Fiona Apple performed Elvis Costello's "I Want You" on VH1's Decades Rock Live, later releasing it as a digital single.
August 2007: East Coast Tour with Nickel Creek
Fiona Apple toured the East Coast with Nickel Creek in August 2007.
October 2007: Loss of Guinness World Record
As of October 2007, Fiona Apple's second album no longer held the Guinness World Record for the longest album title.
2008: Duet with Christophe Deluy
Fiona Apple recorded a duet, "Still I", with Christophe Deluy in 2008.
2009: Cy Coleman Covers
In 2009, Fiona Apple covered two Cy Coleman songs, "Why Try to Change Me Now" and "I Walk A Little Faster", for a tribute album.
June 2010: "So Sleepy" Release for 826LA
Fiona Apple released "So Sleepy", a song written by children involved with 826LA and produced by Jon Brion, in June 2010.
August 24, 2010: Collaboration with Margaret Cho
Fiona Apple collaborated with Margaret Cho on her album, Cho Dependent, released on August 24, 2010.
2010: Initial New Album Reports
Reports surfaced in late 2010 suggesting a new Fiona Apple album in spring 2011, with Michelle Branch and Charley Drayton mentioning involvement.
2011: Album Delay and Label Changes
Fiona Apple's new album, initially planned for 2011, was delayed to 2012 due to label changes at Epic Records and Apple's desire for stable leadership.
January 2012: New Album Announcement and Tour
In January 2012, Epic Records announced a new Fiona Apple album after hints from LA Reid. Apple also announced performances at South by Southwest and a spring tour.
June 2012: Marriage and Personal Revelations
In June 2012, Fiona Apple revealed a brief marriage to a French photographer and discussed her OCD and decision to quit drinking.
June 19, 2012: "The Idler Wheel..." Release and Success
Fiona Apple released her fourth studio album, The Idler Wheel..., on June 19, 2012. It achieved critical acclaim and became her highest-charting album.
November 2012: South American Tour Postponement
Fiona Apple postponed her South American tour in November 2012 due to her dog's health issues.
2012: The Idler Wheel... Release
Fiona Apple released her fourth studio album, The Idler Wheel..., in 2012.
September 2013: Chipotle "Pure Imagination" Cover
In September 2013, Fiona Apple covered "Pure Imagination" for a Chipotle advertisement that highlighted factory farming.
2013: First Public Collaboration with Blake Mills
Fiona Apple and Blake Mills first collaborated publicly on an acoustic version of "I Know" in 2013.
2014: "The Affair" Theme and Blake Mills Collaboration
In 2014, Fiona Apple composed "Container" for the TV show The Affair and performed with Blake Mills.
2016: Collaboration with Andrew Bird
Fiona Apple collaborated with Andrew Bird on "Left Handed Kisses" for his album Are You Serious in 2016.
September 2017: Ohana Festival Performance and "Tiny Hands" Release
In September 2017, Fiona Apple performed rarities at the Ohana Festival and released "Tiny Hands" for the Women's March.
2018: Performance with Shirley Manson and Grammy Protest
In 2018, Fiona Apple and Shirley Manson covered "You Don't Own Me" at the Girl School Festival, with Apple protesting Grammy president Neil Portnow's comments.
January 2019: Collaboration with King Princess and "Echo in the Canyon"
In January 2019, Fiona Apple collaborated with King Princess on "I Know" and appeared in the documentary and soundtrack for Echo in the Canyon.
June 30, 2019: Donation Pledge for "Criminal" Royalties
On June 30, 2019, Fiona Apple pledged two years of royalties from her song "Criminal" to the While They Wait fund, supporting refugees.
September 2019: Confirmation and Final Stages of Album
During a September 2019 interview, Fiona Apple confirmed that her fifth album was nearing completion, recorded with a band, and slated for an early 2020 release.
January 2020: Expected Release Date
In January 2020, Fiona Apple stated her new album would likely be released "in a few months."
March 8, 2020: Completion of Fifth Album Recording
On March 8, 2020, Fiona Apple signaled the completion of her fifth studio album recording via a fingerspelled video message.
April 17, 2020: Release of Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple's fifth studio album, "Fetch the Bolt Cutters," was digitally released on April 17, 2020. The self-produced 13-track album was met with widespread critical acclaim.
June 2020: Donation Pledge for "Shameika" Royalties
In June 2020, Fiona Apple pledged two years of royalties earned from her song "Shameika" to the Harlem Children's Zone.
2020: Unused Song Release
A song recorded for the film This is 40, but not used, was later released on Apple's 2020 album Fetch the Bolt Cutters.
2020: Relocation to Los Angeles
As of 2020, Fiona Apple resided in Los Angeles, where she had moved after a concert tour in 2000.
2020: Fifth Album Release
Fiona Apple released her fifth studio album, Fetch the Bolt Cutters, in 2020.
2020: Fetch the Bolt Cutters Release and Grammy Wins
Fiona Apple's fifth album, Fetch the Bolt Cutters, was released in 2020 and won two Grammy Awards.
April 15, 2021: Cover of Sharon Van Etten's "Love More"
Fiona Apple released a cover of Sharon Van Etten's "Love More" on April 15, 2021, as part of the 10th anniversary of Van Etten's album "Epic."
2021: Sales Milestone
As of 2021, Fiona Apple had sold over 15 million records worldwide.
2021: Courtwatching Volunteer Work
Starting in 2021, Fiona Apple volunteered as a court watcher with Courtwatch PG.