The Canadian singer-songwriter k.d lang celebrates 63 today
In the early 1990s, Lang made a bold transition from traditional country to pop and adult contemporary with her landmark album Ingenue, featuring the hit single “Constant Craving”
The Canadian singer-songwriter k.d lang celebrates 63 today
k.d Lang was born Kathryn Dawn Lang on November 2, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and raised in Consort, a small town in Alberta. Growing up in a musically inclined family, Lang was influenced by country music legends like Patsy Cline, which greatly shaped her unique sound.
Lang started her music career in the early 1980s with her first band, the Reclines, which paid tribute to Cline. Her energetic performances and distinctive voice quickly caught attention, and in 1984, she released her debut album A Truly Western Experience. The album was well-received in Canada and introduced her playful, genre-defying approach to country music.
Her major breakthrough came with her 1987 album Angel with a Lariat, produced by country rock icon Dave Edmunds. In 1988, she released Shadowland, produced by legendary Nashville producer Owen Bradley, which firmly established her reputation in the country music world. However, it was her 1989 album Absolute Torch and Twang that propelled her to international fame, earning her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
In the early 1990s, Lang made a bold transition from traditional country to pop and adult contemporary with her landmark album Ingenue (1992). Featuring the hit single “Constant Craving,” the album showcased her lush, soulful sound and became a commercial success, earning her another Grammy and making her a household name.
Lang continued to explore different musical styles with albums like All You Can Eat (1995), Drag (1997), and Invincible Summer (2000). In 2004, she released Hymns of the 49th Parallel, a collection of covers by Canadian songwriters. She also collaborated with Tony Bennett on their 2002 duet album, A Wonderful World, winning a Grammy for their rendition of jazz standards.
Lang’s more recent work has included collaborations and tributes. In 2016, she joined forces with Neko Case and Laura Veirs for the critically acclaimed album case/lang/veirs, blending folk, pop, and rock elements. She continues to tour occasionally and has taken on more projects that reflect her love of collaboration and exploration within music.
Lang has consistently advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, coming out as a lesbian in 1992 at a time when few public figures were doing so. Her openness inspired many and brought attention to LGBTQ+ issues within the music industry. A dedicated Buddhist and vegetarian, Lang is also an advocate for animal rights.
She currently resides in Canada, where she leads a quieter life, though she occasionally makes public appearances and remains involved in music.
Look back at the 1992 music video for k.d lang’s hit song “Constant Craving”
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