9781422271247

Adele

Adele

Billie Eilish

Harry Styles

Lady Gaga

Lil Nas X

Adele

Greg Bach

Mason Crest Miami

Mason Crest PO Box 221876 Hollywood, FL 33022 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2023 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4691-7 ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4683-2 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7124-7 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Bach, Greg, author. Title: Adele / Greg Bach. Description: Hollywood, FL : Mason Crest, 2023. | Series: Pop music stars | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2022002782 | ISBN 9781422246917 (hardback) | ISBN 9781422271247 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Adele, 1988—Juvenile literature. | Singers–England–Biography–Juvenile literature. Classification: LCC ML3930.A165 B33 2023 | DDC 782.42164092 [B]–dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022002782 Developed and Produced by National Highlights Inc. Editor: Andrew Luke Production: Crafted Content LLC (www.craftedcontentllc.com)

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WORDS TO UNDERSTAND: These words, with their easy-to-understand definitions, will increase readers’ understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills. SIDEBARS: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing themwith additional educational content to supplement the text. TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. RESEARCH PROJECTS: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. SERIES GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS: This back-of-the-book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series.Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field. Contents BREAKTHROUGH ������������������������������������������������������������������ 6 CHAPTER 1: A STAR IS BORN �����������������������������������������������������11 CHAPTER 2: GREATEST MOMENTS ������������������������������������������������25 CHAPTER 3: BEHIND THE CURTAIN ���������������������������������������������39 CHAPTER 4: BRAND ADELE ������������������������������������������������������ 51 CHAPTER 5: MODERN MEGASTAR ������������������������������������������������65 SERIES GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS ���������������������������������������������76 FURTHER READING ����������������������������������������������������������������77 INTERNET RESOURCES ������������������������������������������������������������77 INDEX �������������������������������������������������������������������������������78 AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY & CREDITS ������������������������������������������������80 Key Icons to Look For

Breakthrough There were hints that a star was in the making when Adele took home a pair of Grammy Awards in 2009, and when the British-born, Beverly Hills-based marvel followed with her brilliant breakup ballad “Rolling in the Deep” a year later – blowing past already sky-high expectations – she rocketed into that rare air of global superstardom, where she remains to this day. Adele’s vibrant voice and vengeance-laced lyrics fired up a cauldron of emotions that drove fans crazy while spinning the 3-minute and 48-second track into a global sensation. “Rolling in the Deep” shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list and then went on an unprecedented record-setting spree by landing on a dozen charts, leading Billboard to proclaim it the biggest crossover hit of the last quarter-century. From rock and pop/adult to rhythm and blues, hip hop, and Latin, it was savored and devoured across all genres. Only five other artists had ever made their imprint on such diverse lists – Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Eminem,

Katy Perry, and SuzanneVega – but the catch is that all of them needed multiple songs to do it.

Fueled by the sting of a recent breakup and encouraged by a producer to latch onto those emotions rather than composing weepy-filled lines that muddle many country tunes, Adele strung together the now-famous lyrics during a three-hour haze of dazzling songwriting. The song’s title relates to the British slang term of being with someone who has your back all day, every day. And Adele had

done just that for her fans, stepping up and providing an uplifting dose of marvelous messaging for anyone who has

ever had their heart broken.

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Adele

“Rolling in the Deep” was the lead single on 21 , Adele’s second studio album, and it dominated when it came time to gather in LosAngeles for the annual Grammy Awards. It won Song of theYear, Record of theYear, and Best Short FormMusicVideo, which accounted for half of the six awards Adele carried home that evening. It was also just the second song in the rich history of theGrammyAwards to win that trifecta of honors after “WeAre the World” in 1986. There was also a world tour, where fans could feel the energy and embrace the vocals of “Rolling in the Deep,” which pushed her to the front of the line as one of the world’s premier entertainers. Mystery Mansion The music video for “Rolling in the Deep” was shot in one day in an abandoned mansion on the outskirts of London. There was no rehearsed choreography for the dancer who appeared in the video. She improvised all her moves on the spot, reacting to the moment.

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breakthrough

Dynamic Director Adele reached out to award-winning director Sam Brown to put together the music video for “Rolling in the Deep.” The video won Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing at the 2011 MTVVideo Music Awards. Brown’s fingerprints can be found on many great music videos, including Jay-Z’s “On to the Next One” and “PutYour Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae. Adele’s video also won Best PopVideo at the UK Music Video Awards.

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Adele

Gossip Girl “Rolling in the Deep” was featured on several television shows, including the 2011 season finale of Gossip Girl when Chuck and Blair danced to the hit. The show aired from 2007 to 2012 and centered on privileged teens living in NewYork.

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breakthrough

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND estranged —no longer close or affectionate with someone; alienated gravitated —to be drawn or attracted, especially by natural inclination sultry —attractive in a way that suggests a passionate nature

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Adele

CHAPTER 1

A STAR

IS BORN

Musical Marvel Ever since the release of “Rolling in the Deep,” Adele has arguably become the world’s greatest entertainer, a musical marvel with no equal. Already the owner of a mind-boggling 15 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a bundle of Billboard Music Awards, among many others, she continues to roll out breath-taking, soul-touching work that is embraced and listened to over and over again by millions of fans worldwide. Her four studio albums— 19 , 21 , 25, and 30 —have been widely acclaimed, applauded, and consumed globally. Adele has sold more than 120 million records, and that was before the release of 30 in the fall of 2021, which became the top-selling album of the year, a feat accomplished less than 72 hours after the album dropped. A Mother’s Love Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born on May 5, 1988, to Mark Evans and Penny Susan Adkins inTottenham, a large town in Northern England. Her parents’ relationship was rocky from the beginning, and they split up when Adele was three years old. She lived with her mom, who took on an assortment of jobs—making furniture being one of them—to support the pair. Meanwhile, her father struggled with alcohol addiction and wasn’t around much for

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a star is born

Adele grew up in theWest Norwood neighborhood of South London.

those all-important early years in a child’s life. His absence in her childhood— choosing binges with booze over being an influential role model and caring father—led to an estranged relationship that would stretch into Adele’s adult years. When he chose to sell a story about her to a tabloid newspaper in 2011, she publicly expressed sheer anger and hurt and vowed never to speak to him again (she did speak to him years later as he dealt with serious health issues, passing away of cancer at the age of 57 in 2021). Adele and her mom bounced around to several different homes during those early years, eventually winding up in the town ofWest Norwood in South London, where they lived above a discount store. While the outside surroundings were adequate at best, inside those apartment walls were filled with love, and a special mother-daughter bond was forged during those years that is stronger than steel (Adele has a tattoo on her wrist in recognition of her mom). Musical Memories Adele’s mom pried open the doors to the world of music for her, and it forever shaped the arc of her life. One of her mom’s favorites was Jeff Buckley, a US-based singer and guitarist, who died tragically in a drowning incident in the Mississippi River in 1997. One of the first concerts she attended as a young child was The Cure, an English rock band still

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Adele

90’s pop superstars The Spice Girls were an inspiration to an eight year-old Adele.

performing today. However, it was a unique group of five women who seized her attention, inspired her, and fueled her dreams.

The Power of Spice The Spice Girls—Posh, Ginger, Scary, Baby, and Sporty—charged onto the music scene in the mid-1990s, and Adele felt a connection to this all-girl British pop group from the moment their debut single “Wannabe” hit the airwaves and topped the Billboard charts. She loved everything about them:

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a star is born

their music, their lyrics, their wardrobe, their non-stop energy, and especially their overflowing confidence on stage. They sang the songs they wanted to, and they did so with a bold, fun, carefree attitude that Adele found invigorating and inspiring. There weren’t a lot of female role models that she felt a bond with during her childhood years, but this fivesome had flair, and their music was life-changing for her.

“It was a huge moment in my life when they came out. It was girl power. It was five ordinary girls who did so well and just got out. I was like, ‘I want to get out.’”

Changing Course Her early middle school years provided little enjoyment, and her enthusiasm for getting up for school every day and being an engaged and devoted student was fading fast. Between being around many students who didn’t care about their futures to a slate of unfulfilling classes on her schedule that Adele found incredibly boring and uninteresting every day, her path to a brighter future had stalled. Luckily, her mom, while juggling jobs, paying bills, and handling all of the challenges that accompany raising a child as a single mother, wasn’t too busy or too tired to recognize the problems that had surfaced in Adele’s life. She knew that a new course had to be plotted— and fast—before her child’s life took a wrong turn that would forever sabotage her future. Understanding her love for music, she encouraged her to apply to the prestigious BRIT School, the leading performing and creative arts school in the United Kingdom. The 13-year-old listened to her mom and submitted a terrific application to the school that showcased her passion for music. As someone who would go on to craft mesmerizing lyrics years later, it was no surprise that the words she strung together on her application grabbed the faculty’s attention and earned her an audition.

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Adele

Predictor of Promise When the BBC Music’s Sound of 2008 poll was revealed, Adele resided in the top spot. The poll, put together by music critics, editors, and broadcasters, was based on who they thought was the most promising new musical artist most likely to emerge in the coming year. It turns out they couldn’t have been more accurate with their selection. Past top selections include 50 Cent, Ellie Goulding, Ray BLK, Pa Salieu, Celeste and Pink Pantherness.

At 13, Adele auditioned for and gained admittance to the BRIT School in Croydon.

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a star is born

Perfect Path With her mom along for support, Adele took the stage in front of the school’s leaders and renowned teachers. Shoving aside the nerves that simmered inside of her, ignoring the racing heartbeat, and not fully grasping how pivotal a moment this was in her young life, she was marvelous amid the suffocating pressure. She sang the StevieWonder ballad “Free” and played “Tumbledown Blues” on the clarinet, impressing the faculty who recognized her unique talents immediately and were thrilled to welcome her to their school. Soon, Adele was walking through the front doors as a student, and her learning and development accelerated. Surrounded by like-minded students with big dreams and immense talent, she quickly established herself as one of the best of the bunch. There were classes devoted to learning how to use a recording studio, legal contracts, budgets, and more. She loved all of them, and suddenly, she had a spring in her step, a smile on her face, and a warm feeling in her heart that she had found the perfect path for her life. While most teens love Fridays because it marks the weekend’s arrival with no school, Adele was different. She cherishedThursdays because that’s when the school devoted five straight hours to music. Even after school, music consumed her life. During a visit to a record store, she picked up a couple of albums by jazz singers Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James, well known for their vocal versatility. She listened, learned, and loved their music. Their sultry sounds cast a spell on the music-loving teenager, who was happy to find more amazing female voices that would help shape, mold, and define her upcoming music career. “There was no musical heritage in our family. Chart music was all I ever knew. So when I listened to the Etta James and the Ella Fitzgerald, it sounds so cheesy, but it was like an awakening. I was like, oh, right, some people have proper longevity and are legends. I was so inspired that as a 15-year-old, I was listening to music that had been made in the ‘40s.”

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