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Brendon Boyd Urie (born April 12, 1987) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is best known as the former lead vocalist and frontman of
Panic! at the Disco Panic! at the Disco was an American pop rock band formed in Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2004 by high school friends Ryan Ross (guitar) and Spencer Smith (musician), Spencer Smith (drums), who recruited classmates Brendon Urie (vocals and ...
, the only constant member throughout the band's 19-year run. Many of his songs have achieved commercial success, reaching high spots on ''Billboard'' charts and millions of sales. On January 24, 2023, Urie announced that he would be discontinuing Panic! at the Disco, since he and his wife are having a child. He currently plays drums in a band led by former Panic! At the Disco touring guitarist, Mike Viola.


Early life

Urie was born in St. George, Utah, and his family moved to
Las Vegas Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...
, Nevada, when he was two years old. He is the fifth and youngest child born to Boyd and Grace Urie. He is of about one quarter Polynesian descent from Hawaii, through his mother's side. He was raised in an LDS family but renounced his faith around 17 due to displeasure with the church and not believing in its ideology. Urie attended Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas; he described himself as a " spaz in high school," and explained that one student would always bully him. He worked at Tropical Smoothie Cafe to pay his band's rent for their practice space. At the café, Urie often sang for customers. Urie graduated high school in 2005.


Career


Panic! at the Disco

In 2004, Urie and Palo Verde High School classmate Brent Wilson were recruited into Panic! at the Disco by high school friends Ryan Ross and Spencer Smith as guitarist/vocalist and bassist respectively. Originally, Ross was their lead singer. When Urie filled in for Ross during a band rehearsal, they were impressed with Urie's vocal abilities and he was chosen as their lead singer. He officially joined the band in 2004. From then on, Panic! at the Disco released seven studio albums with Urie as lead vocalist. '' A Fever You Can't Sweat Out'' was released in 2005 with the hit lead single " I Write Sins Not Tragedies" propelling it to 1.8 million sales. For their second album, '' Pretty. Odd.'' (2008), Urie also took lyrical responsibility and wrote two of the tracks on the record by himself: "I Have Friends in Holy Spaces" and "Folkin' Around". He also wrote " New Perspective" for the soundtrack to the motion picture '' Jennifer's Body''. On March 22, 2011, the band released their third album '' Vices & Virtues'' following the departure of Ross and Walker. On October 8, 2013, the fourth album, '' Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!'' was released. It debuted at No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' 200. On July 21, 2014, Urie won "Best Vocalist" at the
Alternative Press Music Awards The Alternative Press Music Awards was an annual music awards show in the United States, founded by the music magazine ''Alternative Press''. History On April 24, 2014, ''Alternative Press'' announced they were organizing an award show to be h ...
. In 2015, founding drummer Spencer Smith left the band and bassist Dallon Weekes departed from the official lineup, being downgraded to a touring member, leaving Urie as the only member of the official lineup. On January 15, 2016, Panic! at the Disco released their fifth studio album, '' Death of a Bachelor'', eventually earning the band its best sales week and first number one album. On March 21, 2018, the band released two new songs " Say Amen (Saturday Night)" and "(Fuck A) Silver Lining". At the same time, the band also announced a tour, and a new album called '' Pray for the Wicked''. On June 6, 2022, Panic! at the Disco announced their seventh studio album '' Viva Las Vengeance'' and released the title single along with announcing a tour. On January 24, 2023, Urie announced that he would be discontinuing Panic! at the Disco to focus on his family following the conclusion of the Viva Las Vengeance Tour.


Other musical projects

Urie provided guest vocals alongside
Patrick Stump Patrick Martin Stumph (born April 27, 1984), known professionally as Patrick Vaughn Stump, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Rock music, rock band Fall Out Boy ...
on The Cab's song "One Of THOSE Nights" from their debut album, '' Whisper War''. Urie has also been involved with several songs and other projects by former labelmates
Fall Out Boy Fall Out Boy is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz, lead guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer A ...
. He provided vocals on the songs " What a Catch, Donnie" and "20 Dollar Nose Bleed" from Fall Out Boy's 2008 album, '' Folie à Deux''. Urie also sang back vocals on the track "7 Minutes In Heaven" off of Fall Out Boy's ''
From Under The Cork Tree ''From Under the Cork Tree'' is the second studio album by the American Rock music, rock band Fall Out Boy, released on May 3, 2005, by Island Records as the band's major label debut. The music was composed by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist P ...
''. In 2008, Urie became involved with a song for the Coca-Cola Company, called " Open Happiness". Urie sings the chorus of the song, which also features labelmate
Patrick Stump Patrick Martin Stumph (born April 27, 1984), known professionally as Patrick Vaughn Stump, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Rock music, rock band Fall Out Boy ...
of Fall Out Boy, labelmate Travis McCoy of
Gym Class Heroes Gym Class Heroes was an American rap rock band from Geneva, New York. The group formed in 1997 when Travie McCoy met drummer Matt McGinley during their high school gym class. The band's music displays a wide variety of influences, including h ...
, Cee-Lo Green, and
Janelle Monáe Janelle Monáe Robinson ( ; born December 1, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper and actress. She has received ten Grammy Award nominations, and is the recipient of a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Children's and Family Emmy Award. ...
. The song was written and produced by Butch Walker, co-written by Cee-Lo Green and remixed by Polow Da Don. Urie was also featured as an elated news reporter in the music video for the song, which was released on July 16, 2009. Urie appeared in the music videos " A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More Touch Me," " What A Catch, Donnie" and " Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet" by
Fall Out Boy Fall Out Boy is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz, lead guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer A ...
. Urie appears in the
Gym Class Heroes Gym Class Heroes was an American rap rock band from Geneva, New York. The group formed in 1997 when Travie McCoy met drummer Matt McGinley during their high school gym class. The band's music displays a wide variety of influences, including h ...
video for the song " Clothes Off!!" alongside former Panic! at the Disco band members Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith and Jon Walker. The members are seen dancing in animal costumes, Urie being in a dog suit. Urie also appears in "One of THOSE Nights" by The Cab, which also features Ryan Ross, Jon Walker,
Pete Wentz Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz III (born June 5, 1979) is an American musician who is the bassist and lyricist for the rock band Fall Out Boy. Before the band's formation in 2001, Wentz was a fixture of the Chicago hardcore scene and was the lead si ...
,
Patrick Stump Patrick Martin Stumph (born April 27, 1984), known professionally as Patrick Vaughn Stump, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Rock music, rock band Fall Out Boy ...
and Spencer Smith. In 2010 Urie and bandmate Spencer Smith appeared in Butch Walker's music video "Pretty Melody", appearing as ninjas. Urie and Smith also appeared in Butch Walker's ''Panic! at Butch Walker's'', a parody in which Urie discovers Walker is a psychotic homicidal cannibal. In 2011, Urie co-wrote a song with
Rivers Cuomo Rivers Cuomo ( ; born June 13, 1970) is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Weezer. Cuomo was born in New York City and raised in several Buddhist communities in the northeaste ...
of the band
Weezer Weezer is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1992. Since 2001, the band has consisted of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Patrick Wilson (drums, backing vocals), Brian Bell (guitar, keyboards, backing ...
. Rivers has said that "If Panic! wants it, they have first dibs, but if not, it could work for Weezer." In December 2013, Urie sang "Big Shot" in front of
Billy Joel William Martin Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Piano Man" after his Signature song, signature 1973 song Piano Man (song), of the same name, Joel has ha ...
, President Obama, and an audience, when Billy Joel received the
Kennedy Center Honors The Kennedy Center Honors are annual honors given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to Culture of the United States, American culture. They have been presented annually since 1978, culminating each December in ...
. On March 24, 2014, Brendon Urie was featured on Travie McCoy's single "Keep On Keeping On" off his upcoming album ''Rough Waters.'' Urie featured on the entirety of the song "Love in the Middle of a Firefight" for
Dillon Francis Dillon Hart Francis (born October 5, 1987), also known as DJ Hanzel, is an American electronic music producer and DJ. He played a key role in popularizing moombahton and later developed its heavier variants, moombahcore and EDM trap. Earl ...
's album '' Money Sucks, Friends Rule''. Francis called it his favorite track on the album. Urie also was featured on the
Lil Dicky David Andrew Burd (born March 15, 1988), better known by his stage name Lil Dicky, is an American rapper, singer, comedian, and actor. He first received recognition after the music video for his 2013 song, "Ex-Boyfriend" became a viral video, v ...
track "Molly" on his debut studio album '' Professional Rapper''. In 2016, Urie was featured on the song "It Remembers" by the band Every Time I Die, from their album '' Low Teens.'' On April 11, 2017, Urie announced that he would star in Cyndi Lauper's
Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...
-winning Broadway musical, '' Kinky Boots'', in which he played one of the lead roles, Charlie Price. He played the role from May 26, 2017, to August 6, 2017. In 2015, Urie wrote the song "Not A Simple Sponge" for the ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' musical. The musical made its debut in Chicago in the summer of 2016 and returned to the Palace Theater on Broadway in the winter of 2017.
Nickelodeon Nickelodeon (nicknamed Nick) is an American pay television channel and the flagship property of the Nickelodeon Group, a sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on April 1, 1979, as the first ca ...
released a video in the spring of 2016 that includes details about the artists that they worked with to bring the score to life. For his contributions, Urie was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Original Score. On April 26, 2019, Urie collaborated with singer
Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her autobiographical songwriting, artistic versatility, and Cultural impact of Taylor Swift, cultural impact, Swift is one of the Best selling artists, w ...
and Joel Little on " Me!" which is the lead single of her seventh studio album, ''Lover''. The song obtained commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the
Billboard Hot 100 The ''Billboard'' Hot 100, also known as simply the Hot 100, is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), ...
, and it also charted in many other countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In 2022, Urie joined the band of friend and '' Viva Las Vengeance'' collaborator Mike Viola alongside Jake Sinclair, making the act a three-piece. Viola and Urie wrote the song "Diamonds of New York" about
Adam Schlesinger Adam Lyons Schlesinger (October 31, 1967 – April 1, 2020) was an American musician, songwriter, composer, and record producer. He was a founding member of the bands Fountains of Wayne, Ivy, and Tinted Windows, and was also a member of the ban ...
, performing it on April 19, 2022. Over the summer, the band recorded together, in February 2023, the band performed in
Hamburg Hamburg (, ; ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,. is the List of cities in Germany by population, second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits, 7th-lar ...
, Germany, and on April 23, 2023, their album ''Paul McCarthy'' was released. Urie performed drums and percussion on every track of the project and is pictured in the album's cover artwork. Urie served as inspiration for the song "I Think I Thought Forever Proof." Urie appears in the music videos for Viola's songs "Scientist Alexis" and "Water Makes Me Sick", playing the drums. In 2022, he also worked with Japanese rock band One Ok Rock on the song "
Neon Neon is a chemical element; it has symbol Ne and atomic number 10. It is the second noble gas in the periodic table. Neon is a colorless, odorless, inert monatomic gas under standard conditions, with approximately two-thirds the density of ...
". Over the winter of 2023, Urie worked with Viola and Sinclair again on Viola's album, ''Rock of Boston'', which is set to be released on September 20, 2024. Their song "Diamonds of New York" will appear on the album.


Influences

Urie has cited
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Honorific nicknames in popular music, Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the Time 100: The Most I ...
,
Queen Queen most commonly refers to: * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a kingdom * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen (band), a British rock band Queen or QUEEN may also refer to: Monarchy * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Q ...
,
David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...
, and Tom DeLonge as his biggest influences. He also cited
Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her autobiographical songwriting, artistic versatility, and Cultural impact of Taylor Swift, cultural impact, Swift is one of the Best selling artists, w ...
as his influence as a songwriter.


Personal life

Urie was diagnosed with
ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple ...
at a young age and has since been prescribed medication for the condition. He says that he likes to be open about his mental health to his fans. In a 2016 interview with ''
Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...
'', Urie stated that he has
synesthesia Synesthesia (American English) or synaesthesia (British English) is a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. People with sy ...
. Urie met his wife Sarah Orzechowski at one of his shows, albeit while she was in a relationship. Eight months later, Hayley Williams from
Paramore Paramore is an American rock band formed in Franklin, Tennessee, in 2004. Since 2017, the band's lineup includes lead vocalist Hayley Williams, lead guitarist Taylor York, and drummer Zac Farro. Williams and Farro are founding members of ...
brought Sarah to another of Urie's shows and reintroduced them, and they began dating in 2009. The song "Sarah Smiles" from the album '' Vices & Virtues'' was inspired by Orzechowski. After announcing their engagement in September 2011, the two married on April 27, 2013. In 2013, Urie said that he had "experimented" with men but stated, "I guess if I had to classify myself, I'd say I'm
straight Straight may refer to: Slang * Straight, slang for heterosexual ** Straight-acting, normal person * Straight, a member of the straight edge subculture Sport and games * Straight, an alternative name for the cross, a type of punch in boxing * Str ...
." In July 2018, Urie described himself as pansexual and stated, "I'm married to a woman and I'm very much in love with her but I'm not opposed to a man because to me, I like a person. If a person is great, then a person is great." Urie has been recognized for his vocal & charitable support of the
LGBT community The LGBTQ community (also known as the LGBT, LGBT+, LGBTQ+, LGBTQIA, LGBTQIA+, or queer community) comprises LGBTQ people, LGBTQ individuals united by LGBTQ culture, a common culture and LGBTQ movements, social movements. These Community, comm ...
. Urie joined Twitch on September 30, 2015, and regularly livestreamed thereafter. As of January 2023, his streams had accrued more than 4 million views. In February 2017, Urie moved from Los Angeles to an undisclosed location, stating that "visits and constant harassment" from fans at his house led him to feel unsafe. In August 2022, Urie got a tattoo depicting deceased
Queen Queen most commonly refers to: * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a kingdom * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen (band), a British rock band Queen or QUEEN may also refer to: Monarchy * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Q ...
singer
Freddie Mercury Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara; 5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991) was a British singer and songwriter who achieved global fame as the lead vocalist and pianist of the rock band Queen (band), Queen. Regarded as one of the gre ...
. He also has a tattoo depicting
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Honorific nicknames in popular music, Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the Time 100: The Most I ...
. On January 24, 2023, Urie revealed that he and his wife were expecting a child, and that he would be discontinuing Panic! at the Disco to focus on his family. Their child was born in February 2023.


Activism and philanthropy

Urie has been recognized for various philanthropic efforts, including his own Highest Hopes Foundation. He has campaigned and donated to several organizations and causes, including
Planned Parenthood The Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (PPFA), or simply Planned Parenthood, is an American nonprofit organization
, the
Human Rights Campaign The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is an American LGBTQ advocacy group. It is the largest LGBTQ political lobbying organization within the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., the organization focuses on protecting and expanding rights for L ...
, SisterSong and
Everytown for Gun Safety Everytown for Gun Safety is an American non-profit organization which advocates for gun control and against gun violence. Everytown was formed in 2013 due to a merger between ''Mayors Against Illegal Guns'' and ''Moms Demand Action for Gun Sens ...
, and several youth group organizations. In 2020, during the aftermath of the
Murder of George Floyd On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black American man, was murdered in Minneapolis by Derek Chauvin, a 44-year-old White police officer. Floyd had been arrested after a store clerk reported that he made a purchase using a c ...
, Urie directed funds to several anti-racist organizations such as the Black Visions Collective and the Minnesota Freedom Fund. In June 2018, Urie pledged $1 million in partnership with GLSEN to create gay–straight alliance clubs in high schools across the United States. In November 2019, he raised over $134,000 during a 24-hour charity Twitch stream. In early 2020, Urie funded the construction of a recording studio for the Henderson Boys & Girls Club.


Misconduct allegations

In 2020, Urie was accused by two anonymous Twitter users of having inappropriately touched, groped, or otherwise sexually harassed them when they were underage between the years 2009 and 2011. Later that summer, the Twitter
hashtag A hashtag is a metadata tag operator that is prefaced by the hash symbol, ''#''. On social media, hashtags are used on microblogging and photo-sharing services–especially Twitter and Tumblr–as a form of user-generated tagging that enable ...
#BrendonUrieSpeakUp trended as a result of those accusations and
Panic! at the Disco Panic! at the Disco was an American pop rock band formed in Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2004 by high school friends Ryan Ross (guitar) and Spencer Smith (musician), Spencer Smith (drums), who recruited classmates Brendon Urie (vocals and ...
's security manager Zack Hall being accused of sexual misconduct and physical abuse. Urie was also criticized on Twitter for past remarks that have been perceived as racist or transphobic, including a joke about rape—which, made during a live performance over 10 years ago, initially received positive reception. After several months, Urie appeared on a livestream to announce that Hall was no longer working with the band, though he received criticism for stating he would remain close friends with him. Urie apologized and announced that all of his crew members will receive anti-harassment training. Urie stated "I can't tell you how sorry I am to those that have been hurt and to those who have had to wait while I took the time I needed to listen and just learn" while also denouncing the allegations against himself as "entirely untrue".


Discography


Singles


As featured artist


Promotional singles


Guest appearances


With Mike Viola


Notes


References


External links

*
Official Panic! at the Disco web site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Urie, Brendon 1987 births 21st-century American LGBTQ people 21st-century American singer-songwriters American atheists American LGBTQ singers American male guitarists American male singer-songwriters 21st-century American multi-instrumentalists American musicians with disabilities American pansexual people American rock guitarists American rock singers American rock songwriters American tenors American Twitch (service) streamers Former Latter Day Saints Guitarists from Nevada LGBTQ Latter Day Saints LGBTQ musicians with disabilities LGBTQ people from Nevada LGBTQ people from Utah Living people MTV Video Music Award winners Musicians from the Las Vegas Valley Native Hawaiian musicians Palo Verde High School alumni Panic! at the Disco members Pansexual men Pansexual musicians People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Singer-songwriters from Hawaii Singer-songwriters from Nevada Singers with disabilities