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The Los Angeles , California , USA-based
outfit Five For Fighting (an alias used by multi-instrumentalist
singer-songwriter John Ondrasik) has gained comparisons
to artists such as Elton John, Satchel, and Ben
Folds Five, owing to its penchant for specializing
in gentle and introspective lovelorn compositions.
Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley section
of Los Angeles , Ondrasik began piano lessons
at the age of two, and picked up the guitar from
his older sister just as he became a teenager.
He put music on hold to attend UCLA, where he
earned a Bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics.
Shortly after graduating, Ondrasik had a change
of heart, and secured a recording contract with
Capitol Records in the late 90s. Five For Fighting's
tenure with the label only lasted for a single
release, 1997's Message For Albert, before Capitol
and Ondrasik parted company. By 2000, Ondrasik
had once again landed on his feet, signing a
recording contract with Sony Records and issuing
Five For Fighting's second effort, America Town
. The album achieved platinum status, buoyed
by the radio success of the track "Superman
(It's Not Easy)". |
