Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt turns 58
The Extreme guitarist scored a major hit in the 90’s with “More Than Words”
Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt turns 58
Nuno Bettencourt was born Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt on September 20th, 1966, in Praia Da Vitoria, Portugal. When he was four years old, his family, including brothers Luís and Roberto, moved to Hudson, Massachusetts. Initially, Bettencourt had little interest in music, preferring to spend his time playing hockey and soccer. His first instrument was the drums, and he played them exclusively until his brother, Luís, started teaching him the guitar. Bettencourt rose to international prominence as a guitar player after he joined the Boston-area group Extreme in 1985. Signed to A&M Records shortly after Bettencourt joined the group, the band released its debut record, “Extreme,” in 1989. He then provided rhythm guitar on the single version of Janet Jackson’s “Black Cat,” which became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.In 1990, Extreme released their most critically acclaimed album, “Pornograffitti,” that included the hits “More Than Words” and “Hole Hearted.” The album also has one of Bettencourt’s most impressive guitar solos to date. The band followed up with “III Sides to Every Story” in 1992 and toured with Nirvana. Bettencourt composed and arranged the brass and string sections for this album and the full orchestra on the album. In 1997, Bettencourt released his first solo effort, “Schizophonic,” which he had been working on for five years. The album was well-received critically but was not a commercial success. Nuno Bettencourt has a very active solo career, he was part of The Satellite Party is Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell’s project which featured him as lead guitarist (Nuno left the band in July 2007, citing disagreements about the direction of the live show), and he has collaborated with several artists over the years, from Robert Palmer to Rhianna. Recently Extreme released a new album “Six,” with Nuno’s guitar playing being widely praised by Rock press.
Watch the 1990 music video for Extreme’s signature song and hit “More Than Words”
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