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Collective Soul is an alternative rock or post-grunge band from Stockbridge,
Georgia, USA. Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, they enjoyed moderate
popularity on alternative and mainstream rock radio, as they created hook-laden
melodies on top of crunchy guitar riffs reminiscent of classic rock bands
from the '70s and '80s. Lead singer Ed Roland cites Elton John, The Cars,
The Beatles as the band's main influences.
Collective Soul was one of the most successful bands among the mid-1990s
rock scene. They had 19 different singles appear on the Billboard Charts
between 1994-2001 along with multi-platinum sales, though they were labeled
as a 1 or 2 hit wonder after their initial success in 1994.
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Collective Soul broke through in 1994 after being signed to Atlantic Records
after years of trial and error. They struck it big with their #1 rock hit "Shine"
from Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid. The album climbed all way
to #15 on Billboard 200, eventually going double platinum in 1996. "Shine"
became the #1 Album Rock Song of 1994 and won a Billboard award for the Top
Rock Track that year. The subsequent single "Breathe" also did well on the
rock charts. The band performed at Woodstock 1994 to over 150,000 people.
In 1995 they returned to the studio to record their highest-selling album to
date, the self-titled Collective Soul. It was certified triple-platinum in
1996 and spent 76 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at #23. The album
showcased heavy riffs and grunge and classic rock influences while
showcasing the band's own originality. The album had 3 singles peak at #1 on
the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart ("December," "The World I Know" and "Where
The River Flows"), and "Gel" and "Smashing Young Man" both made appearances
in the top 10. "December" won the Billboard award for the top rock song of
1995. Their singles continued to get tons of airplay over the two years
after the albums release. MTV and Much Music regularly showed their videos.
They went on tour after releasing the album and spent part of the tour
supporting rock legends Van Halen.
The band's third studio effort, Disciplined Breakdown, did not sell as well
as the previous two albums. However, it did have two #1 rock hits with "Precious
Declaration" and "Listen" and the Top 15 hit "Blame." It was their highest
debuting album ever at #16. Prior to the album's release, the band had gone
through a long lawsuit with former management (which inspired the cutting
lyrics on the aforementioned "Smashing Young Man") and were left with little
money, forcing the album to be recorded in a cabin-like studio. Critics did
not favor the album as much as the fans.
In 1999, Collective Soul released Dosage, peaking at #21. It saw the band
experiment with pop sounds, effects and loops going for a more polished
pop/rock sound. Two tracks, "Heavy" and "Run," were simultaneously released
to radio. "Heavy" became a huge hit on Rock radio staying at #1 for a then-record-breaking
14 weeks. "Run," a softer ballad, found success on Pop and Hot AC. "No More,
No Less" and "Tremble For My Beloved" both received moderate airplay. At the
end of 1999, "Heavy" was the #2 rock song of the year. The album eventually
went platinum.
Collective Soul was one of the five most-played bands on the Mainstream Rock
format during the 1990s, scoring seven #1 hits and two #2 hits on the
Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and many more charting singles. In 2000,
Collective Soul released its fifth studio album, Blender, which had a more
pop-friendly feel. They also used more modern recording techniques. However,
the album achieved only moderate success. It entered the Billboard 200 at
#22 and eventually went gold, but produced only one bona fide hit with "Why,
Pt. 2", though "Perfect Day" (a duet with Elton John) and "Vent" were
moderate radio hits. Their reputation as an impressive live act continued to
grow.
In 2001, they went to Morocco to do acoustic/jam performances of some of
their hits/favorites at various cultural settings. This was later packaged
into a DVD/Video release. Music in High Places: Live from Morocco. They did
this in the midst of locals, markets and desert areas of the beautiful lands.
The DVD showscases them interacting and perfoming with the citizens and
children in a laid back vibe.
Longtime lead guitarist Ross Childress left the band in late 2001 after the
release of 7EVEN Year Itch which was a Greatest Hits retrospective spanning
their time with Atlantic Records. Replacing Ross was guitar tech Joel Kosche.
In November 2004, Collective Soul released their long awaited sixth studio
album, Youth, under their own label, El Music Group. The album debuted at
#66 on the Billboard 200, after a string of promotional club and radio
appearances. The band scored a Top 10 Rock smash with "Counting The Days."
The album was seen as a success based on the circumstances. The second
single, "Better Now," fared moderately well on rock radio but garnered more
airplay on Hot AC and Pop formats.
Collective Soul performed two shows with the Atlanta Symphony Youth
Orchestra April 23 and 24, 2005, to highly favorable reviews and a DVD
release of the performance set to release in February 2006. On May 24, 2005,
they released an acoustic EP of past hits/favorites titled "From the Ground
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COLLECTIVE SOUL PICTURES |
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MOST POPULAR
Angelina Jolie
Jessica Alba
Paris Hilton
Scarlett Johansson
Jessica Simpson
Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Lindsay Lohan
Shakira
Beyonce
Hilary Duff
ADDITIONS
Miley Cyrus
Rihanna
Hayden Panettiere
Miranda Cosgrove
Selena Gomez
Demi Lovato
Vanessa Hudgens
Ashley Tisdale
Jonas Brothers
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