Bradley Nowell is a talented and influential musician best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the ska-punk band Sublime.
He is known for his eclectic and innovative fusion of musical genres including reggae, rock, hip-hop and folk.
His music reflects his personal experiences, struggles, passions, and social and political views. He was one of the most prominent figures in the alternative music scene of the 1990s, and his musical legacy continues to inspire artists and listeners today.
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- Full name: Bradley James Norwell
- Date of Birth: February 22, 1968
- Age: 28 (at time of death)
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Long Beach, California, USA
- Country: United States
- Occupation: Musician, singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm)
- Parents: Jim Norwell (father), Nancy Norwell (mother)
- Siblings: Kelly Norwell (sister)
- Spouse: Troy Dandek (m. 1996)
- Children: Jacob James Nowell (son)
- Relationship status: Married (at time of death)
- Net worth: $1.5 million
Early life and education
Bradley Nowell was born on February 22, 1968, in Long Beach, California, to Jim and Nancy Nowell, and will be 56 years old in 2024.
His father was a construction worker and his mother was a singer and piano teacher. He also has a younger sister, Kelly, who was born in 1971.
He grew up in the suburbs and attended Wilson High School. He was influenced by a variety of bands from an early age, such as The Beatles, Bob Marley, The Grateful Dead, and The Beach Boys.
He began playing guitar at age 10 and began writing songs at 13. He also enjoyed surfing, skateboarding and fishing, which became recurring themes in his music.
In 1986, he graduated from high school and entered California State University, Long Beach, majoring in finance.
He also joined the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon, where he met Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, who would later become his bandmates in the band Sublime.
In 1988, he dropped out of school after inheriting $12,000 from his grandfather. He used the money to travel the Caribbean, where he immersed himself in the local culture and music. He also experimented with various drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, which later became a serious addiction.
Personal life
Bradley Norvell had a turbulent and complicated personal life filled with drug abuse, legal troubles and romantic relationships.
He had several girlfriends in his life, some of whom he wrote songs for, e.g. “Carress Me Down,” “Mary” and “Santeria”.
He also has a dog named Louie, a Dalmatian mix who serves as his loyal companion and mascot, and he often brings Louie to concerts and features him on album covers.
In 1995, he met waitress and model Troy Dendekker, who became his girlfriend and later his wife. She accompanied him on tour with the band Sublime and became pregnant with their son, Jakob, that same year. They were married in a spontaneous ceremony in Las Vegas on May 18, 1996.
However, their marriage was short-lived, as Norville died of a heroin overdose a week after their wedding. Dendecker was devastated by Norville’s death and had trouble coming to terms with the loss.
In 2002, she remarried Kiki Holmes, but the two separated in 2017. She has remained close to Norville’s family and friends and raised Jakob to become a musician, following in his father’s footsteps.
Profession
Bradley Nowell’s music career began in 1988 when he formed the band Sublime with college friends Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh.
They began playing local clubs and parties and became known for their energetic and unpredictable live shows.
They also recorded music using four-track recorders and mixing boards, and distributed the tapes to fans and radio stations.
In 1992, they released their first album, 40 Oz. to Freedom, which included original songs and covers by artists such as Bob Marley, Bad Religion and Descendents.
The album was a huge success, selling over 2 million copies and spawning the hit single “Date rape” The song received a lot of airplay on KROQ, a well-known Los Angeles radio station.
In 1994, they released their second album, Robbin’ the Hood, which was more experimental and lo-fi, reflecting Norville’s struggles with addiction and depression.
The album was less commercially successful, but still achieved critical acclaim and cult status. It also included the song “Seeing red,” guest is No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani, who is Norville’s friend and partner.
In 1996, Sublime signed a major record deal with MCA Records and began work on their third and final album, Sublime. Produced by Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers, the album showcased Nowell’s maturity and versatility as a songwriter and musician.
It also features some of his most popular and memorable songs, such as “What I Got,” “The Wrong Way,” “Santeria” and “Time served.”
The album was released on July 30, 1996, two months after Norville’s death, and was a huge success, selling over 6 million copies and peaking at number 13 on the Billboard 200. It also received positive reviews from critics and fans and is widely considered one of the best albums of the 1990s.
In addition to Sublime, Norville has been involved in other musical projects, such as the reggae and dub band Long Beach Dub Allstars, which he formed with Sublime members and other local musicians.
He also produces and collaborates with other artists such as Slightly Stoopid, Bargain Music, and Ziggens.
die
Bradley Norvell died of a heroin overdose in San Francisco, California, on May 25, 1996. He was 28 years old.
He was staying at the Seaview Motel with his bandmates and his wife Troy, who was staying with him for the weekend. He had been sober for several weeks but relapsed after buying some heroin from a dealer the night before his death.
He injected himself with drugs in his hotel room and fell asleep in his bed. The next morning, his bandmates found him lying on the floor with a syringe and a spoon next to him. They tried to revive him, but it was too late. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
His death shocked and saddened his family, friends and fans, who mourned his loss and celebrated his life.
On May 30, 1996, his funeral was held at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, with more than 2,000 people in attendance. He was cremated and his ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean near his favorite surfing spot.
dispute
Bradley Norville’s life and career have not been without controversy, as he has faced several legal and ethical issues, mostly related to his drug use, lyrics, and sampling. He has been arrested numerous times for drug possession, DUI, and vandalism.
He was also sued by the estate of George Gershwin, who wassummer” He is in the song “Do time”
The lawsuit was settled out of court, with Norville agreeing to remove the lyrics from the From “Summer” to “Playtime” In the chorus.
He has also been criticized by some who have accused him of cultural appropriation, racism and sexism for his use of Jamaican patois, references to black culture and depictions of women in some of his songs.
However, he also has many supporters and defenders who believe that he respects and appreciates other cultures, that his music is honest and authentic, and that he is a feminist and anti-racist.
Social Media
- Instagram account: N/A
- Twitter account: N/A
Discography
- 40 oz. Path to Freedom
- robbery
- Secondhand smoke
- Waiting for your truck
- Original soundtrack: Bradley Nowell & Friends
- Bradley Nowell and Friends
net worth
Bradley Nowell’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be approximately $1.5 million. Most of his income came from music sales, royalties, and touring with Sublime.
He also owns a record studio, Skunk Records, which he co-founded with his friend and mentor Miguel Happoldt.
