- Orianthi
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Orianthi 
Background information Birth name Orianthi Panagaris Also known as Orianthi Born 22 January 1985 Origin Adelaide, Australia Genres Rock, pop rock, blues rock, glam metal[1] Occupations Musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter Instruments Guitar, bass, drums, piano, vocals Years active 2005–present Labels Geffen, 19 Entertainment[2] Associated acts Michael Jackson, A.R.Rahman, Alice Cooper, Carrie Underwood Website orianthi.com Notable instruments PRS Custom 22 (Named Manos)
PRS Custom 24 (Named Pepper)
Jackson KV2 & KV5 Models (Discontinued Models)
Ibanez RG Models (Discontinued Models) SE signature model (SE Orianthi)Orianthi Panagaris (born 22 January 1985), better known simply as Orianthi, is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter and guitarist. She is perhaps best known for being Michael Jackson's lead guitarist for his ill-fated This Is It concert series. Her debut single "According to You" has peaked at No. 3 in Japan, No. 8 in Australia and No. 17 in the US; her second album, Believe, received a worldwide release in late 2009. In 2009, Orianthi was named one of 12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists by Elle magazine.[3] She also won the award as "Breakthrough Guitarist of the Year" 2010 by Guitar International magazine.[4]
Contents
Life and career
Early life
Orianthi Panagaris was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and is of Greek and Australian descent. Orianthi first started learning piano and playing at the age of three and moving to acoustic guitar at the age of six. She learned to play the acoustic guitar at six at the encouragement of her father, started electric when she was eleven and left her school, Mercedes College, enrolling at Cabra Dominican College. At the age of 15, she turned her focus to writing songs and so began her professional career.[5] She has been playing in bands since the age of 14 in England and in France, and performed in her first stage show for Steve Vai at the age of 15. Orianthi met and jammed with Carlos Santana when she was 18.[6] He invited Orianthi to get up and jam with him at soundcheck then later asked if she would join him on stage that night to jam at his Adelaide concert, Memorial Drive on 30 March 2003.[7]
Orianthi independently released her debut studio album, Violet Journey in 2005, composing all the material, contributing guitar, vocals and drums on most cuts. She produced and mixed the final product at her home studio. Carlos Santana brought Orianthi to Paul Reed Smith's attention which led to her endorsement. Orianthi relocated to Los Angeles, signed with Geffen Records in late 2006 and struck a management deal with 19 Entertainment.[5][8]
Orianthi has played with Prince, made a commercial for Panasonic HD, featured in the song Now or Never for Bratz: The Movie, played at the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival, appeared in The New York Times business section promoting eco-friendly acoustic guitars,[5][9] and opened for Steve Vai in the US.
Breakthrough
Orianthi appeared at the 51st annual Grammy Awards as Carrie Underwood's lead guitarist,[7][10][11][12] with Underwood inviting Orianthi to become a member of her band.[8] Following that performance in addition to recommendations from industry professionals Michael Jackson's management reached out to Orianthi for an audition for This Is It. Orianthi was hence Michael Jackson's lead guitarist and was present on all rehearsals for his This Is It concerts before his death.[7][8][13] In regard to being handpicked by Jackson, she stated:
I don’t know exactly why he picked me, but he watched my YouTube videos and loved them. He had his choice of guitar players, but I came in and played the ‘Beat It’ solo for him. Afterward he was so happy he got up and grabbed my arm and started walking up and down the stage area with me. He said, ‘Can you play once for me?’ and hired me that night. I wish he was still around. He made me believe in myself more, and I learned so much. Going into it, I thought it would be all about playing guitar solos. But the majority of it was playing chords and funky rhythms.[14]She played and sang at Jackson's memorial, globally televised live on 7 July 2009. She appears in the film Michael Jackson's This Is It, which chronicles the rehearsals for the tour and shows her and Michael on stage. She presented an award at the 2009 American Music Awards, which Jackson won posthumously. Orianthi also appears on "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti" – with the original co-written and partly performed by Jackson.[15]
Orianthi started working on her major label debut Believe in 2007 which was released in October 2009. The album produced the worldwide hit "According to You", which was the Single of the Week on iTunes on 27 October 2009, reached number 2 on US radio airplay and charted to number eight in Australia, three in Japan, and achieved platinum status in the US and Australia. The charismatic rock instrumental Highly Strung featuring Steve Vai became a popular YouTube video with millions of views and climbing, and her song Suffocated was featured on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock as a playable song. Orianthi followed up with a four song EP including two singles Shut Up and Kiss Me and Courage.
Orianthi appeared on several late night shows most notably on American Idol results show 26 March 2010. In 2010 she toured extensively with headlining shows in the US, Japan, Australia and Malaysia. She also opened for other artists including: John Mayer,[16] Mika, Kid Rock, Daughtry and over 30 dates for Adam Lambert’s Glam Nation Tour with former Idol contestant Allison Iraheta.[17] Orianthi performed at various music festivals and charity functions most notably at the Stand Up to Cancer telethon.
She is featured on Iraheta's third single "Don't Waste The Pretty".[18] and on Fefe Dobson's song "Can't Breathe"[19] which appears on Dobson's album Joy released in November 2010. She has stated that the people she has collaborated with (i.e. Allison Iraheta and Lacey Mosley) are some of her best friends.
Collaborations
A.R.Rahman with Orianthi during the recording of Saadda Haq
On 29 August 2011, Orianthi was announced as Alice Cooper's new guitarist. She replaces Damon Johnson, who is now a member of Thin Lizzy.[20] She is the first female member of the Alice Cooper band. She recorded for the song Saadda Haq composed by Academy award winning composer A.R.Rahman's for a Bollywood film soundtrack Rockstar. The song became very popular and lot of media coverage in India came for Orianthi being cited for her time as Michael Jackson's lead guitarist.[21][22]
On 12 October 2011, the 5 track EP "Fire", produced by Dave Stewart was released as an iTunes download.
Discography
Studio albums
Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)AUS
[23]JPN US
[24]US
Rock
[25]US
Heat
[26]2007 Violet Journey - Released: 4 June 2007
- Label: Self-released
— — — — — 2009 Believe - Released: 29 October 2009
- Label: Geffen
88 4 77 19 1 - JPN: Gold
2011 Fire - EP - Released: 12 October 2011
- Label: Self-released
— — — — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications Album AUS
[23]JPN
[27]NZL
[28]UK US
[29]US
Adult
[30]CAN
[31]2009 "According to You" 8 3 39 159[32] 17 6 22 Believe
(and Believe (II))2010 "Shut Up and Kiss Me" 85 11 — — — — — "Courage" (with Lacey Sturm) — — — — — 37 — "—" denotes releases that did not chart Featured songs
Year Single Artist Peak chart Album CAN 2009 "Les Paul Tribute"[33] Brian Ray — Non-album single 2010 "Don't Waste the Pretty" Allison Iraheta — Just Like You "Walk This Way" David Garrett — Rock Symphonies 2011 "Can't Breathe" Fefe Dobson 19[34] Joy "Steel Bars" Michael Bolton — Gems "Little Sister" Tokyo Police Club — 10x10x10 "Saadda Haq" A. R. Rahman — Rockstar "—" denotes releases that did not chart Studio work
Year Single Artist Peak chart Album UK CAN 2010 "Stairway to Heaven" Mary J. Blige — — Stronger with Each Tear "Set It on Fire" My Darkest Days — — My Darkest Days "Monster" (feat. 50 Cent) Michael Jackson 197[35] — Michael "Sleepwalker" Adam Lambert — 90 For Your Entertainment "—" denotes releases that did not chart Songs in other media
Year Single Title Type 2007 "Now or Never" Bratz: The Movie Motion Picture Soundtrack 2010 "According to You" Rock Band 2[36] Music game iPhone Six String App[37] Mobile game Dance Dance Revolution[38] Music game Kinect Dance Paradise[39] Music game CSI: Crime Scene Investigation TV series episode: Lost and Found and World's End Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 11) TV series episode: Week 6 Disney Sing It: Party Hits[40] Music game U-Sing 2 Wii Australian Edition Music game "Suffocated" Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock[41] Music game "Sunshine of Your Love" Nissan Juke TV Commercial 2011 "Believe" American Idol Season 10 TV series episode: Hollywood Week round 2 Music videos
Year Song Director 2007 "Now or Never" (promotional video) Unknown 2009 "According to You" Marc Klasfeld 2010 "Highly Strung" (with Steve Vai) "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" (with Artists for Haiti) Paul Haggis "Shut Up and Kiss Me" Ray Kay "Courage" (with Lacey Sturm) Scott Speer Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2009 Rock Prophecies Herself Brief Appearance 2009 Michael Jackson's This Is It Herself Jackson's guitarist Awards and nominations
Year Type Award Result 2009 Elle Magazine 12 Best Female Electric Guitar Players[42] Won 2010 Nickelodeon Australian Kids Choice Awards 2010 Fresh Aussie Musos[43] Nominated Billboard Japan Music Awards 2010 Top Pop Artist 2010 Nominated Guitar International Magazine Breakthrough Guitarist of the Year 2010[4] Won 2011 25th Japan Gold Disc Award 2010 The Best 3 New Artists (International)[44] Won Tokio Hot 100 Awards 2010 Best New Artist[45] Nominated 2011 BMI Pop Music Awards Award-Winning Songs - According to You[46] Won Gibson Guitars Guitar Gals: The Top 10 Female Guitar Players of All Time[47] Won Equipment
Guitars
- PRS Custom 22
- PRS Custom 24
- PRS SE Custom 24
- PRS SE Singlecut
- Jackson KV2& KV5 (Discontinued)
- Jackson DX10 (Discontinued)
- Ibanez RG Series (Discontinued)
- Gibson Les Paul (Early)
- Gibson SG (Early)
- Garrison & Taylor Acoustics
- PRS SE Orianthi (her own signature SE model)
She also has a special private stock PRS Custom 24 guitar, nicknamed "MJ", made for the "This Is It" concerts. This one of a kind guitar is decorated with Swarovski crystals.[48]
Amps
- EVH 5150III
- Engl (This Is It)
- Mesa Boogie
- Marshall Amplifiers
References
- ^ Believe. Orianthi. Review, allmusic.com
- ^ 19 Entertainment. "Orianthi at 19 Entertainment". 19 Entertainment. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
- ^ "12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists". 21 AUGUST 2009. Elle magazine. http://www.elle.com/Pop-Culture/Movies-TV-Music-Books/12-Greatest-Female-Electric-Guitarists. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Guitar Awards 2010 : Guitar News". Guitarinternational.com. 10 October 2011. http://guitarinternational.com/2010/12/29/1st-annual-guitar-international-awards/. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
- ^ a b c The Age Article: "Lady plays the blues: Santana among fans" Patrick Donovan 7 July 2007"
- ^ Crawford, Carly; Kyriacou, Kate (5 July 2009). "Adelaide musician Orianthi was Michael Jackson's guitarist". Sunday Mail (SA). http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,25735484-2,00.html?from=public_rss. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
- ^ a b c "Blog Archive - Michael Jackson and that blond guitarist". Anderson Cooper 360. CNN.com Blogs. http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/07/03/michael-jackson-danced-with-her/. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
- ^ a b c "Jackson rehearsal video guitarist discovered by LI's Vai"]. Newsday.com. 10 July 2009. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-etoria0312940847jul02,0,1224372.story?track=rss. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "CarrieNEWS: Carrie Underwood's Grammys guitarist: Who was that?". Newsfeed.carrienews.com. 8 February 2009. http://newsfeed.carrienews.com/2009/02/10/carrie-underwoods-grammys-guitarist-who-was-that.aspx. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
- ^ "News : Rating the Grammys: Alison Krauss and Robert Plant Rule". CMT. 9 February 2009. http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1604641/rating-the-grammys-alison-krauss-and-robert-plant-rule.jhtml. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Who's Michael Jackson's guitarist? Meet Orianthi Panagaris". MusicRadar.com. 3 July 2009. http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/whos-michael-jacksons-guitarist-meet-orianthi-211781. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
- ^ Guitarist Orianthi Panagaris gets screen time in ‘This is It’ Boston Herald article by Jed Gottlieb Friday, 23 October 2009
- ^ "Orianthi gets We Are The World call-up". Herald Sun. 2 February 2010. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/orianthi-gets-we-are-the-world-call-up/story-e6frf7jx-1225825921748. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
- ^ "Undercover News". http://www.undercover.fm/news/10268-orianthi-to-support-john-mayer. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- ^ "'American Idol': Allison Iraheta, Orianthi join Adam Lambert tour". zap2it.com. 27 April 2010. http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/04/american-idol-allison-iraheta-orianthi-join-adam-lambert-tour.html. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
- ^ "Allison Iraheta "Don't Waste the Pretty" Feat. Orianthi – New Song"". aolradioblog.com. 4 June 2010. http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/06/04/allison-iraheta-dont-waste-the-pretty-orianthi/. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
- ^ BestFan.com "BestFan.com". http://www.bestfan.com/viewnews.php?id=208 BestFan.com. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
- ^ "Orianthi Joins Alice Cooper’s Band". Gibson.com. http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/orianthi-joins-alice-0829-2011/. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
- ^ "MJ's lead guitarist plays for Ranbir!". The Times of India. 30 September 2011. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-30/news-and-interviews/30229999_1_orianthi-rahman-imtiaz. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ "MJ's female guitarist strums for Rockstar". Hindustan Times. 30 September 2011. http://www.hindustantimes.com/MJ-s-female-guitarist-strums-for-Rockstar/Article1-751952.aspx. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Orianthi discography". Hung Medien. http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Orianthi. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
- ^ "Orianthi Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/orianthi/chart-history/869904?f=305&g=Albums. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ "Orianthi Album & Song Chart History: Rock Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/orianthi/chart-history/869904?f=408&g=Albums. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ "Orianthi Album & Song Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/orianthi/chart-history/869904?f=324&g=Albums. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ "Orianthi Album & Song Chart History: Japan Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/orianthi/chart-history/869904?f=848&g=Singles. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ "Orianthi discography". Hung Medien. http://charts.org.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Orianthi. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ "Orianthi Album & Song Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/orianthi/chart-history/869904?f=379&g=Singles. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ "Orianthi Album & Song Chart History: Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/orianthi/chart-history/869904?f=793&g=Singles. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ "Orianthi Album & Song Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/orianthi/chart-history/869904?f=793&g=Singles. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK – Update 18.09.2010". Zobbel. http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/100918cluk.tx. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
- ^ "Les Paul Tribute". Gibson. http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/ArtistsAndEvents/Stories/les-paul-tribute-in-miami-1229/#. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ "Fefe Dobson Music News & Info". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/artist/fefe-dobson/531653#/artist/fefe-dobson/531653. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK – Update 25.12.2010". Zobbel. http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/101225cluk.txt. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
- ^ "Rock Band 2 DLC". http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/rockband2/show_msgs.php?topic_id=m-1-54568763&pid=949926. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
- ^ "iPhone Six String App". http://popdirt.com/six-string-iphone-app-demo-ft-according-to-you-by-orianthi/78274/. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
- ^ "Dance Dance Revolution". http://www.konami.com/ddr/. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
- ^ "Kinect Dance Paradise". http://123kinect.com/kinect-dance-paradise-screenshots/#. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
- ^ "Disney Sing It: Party Hits DLC". http://disneyinteractivestudios.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3465/~/disney-sing-it%3A-party-hits---song-list-(playstation%E2%AE3,-wii%E2%84%A2). Retrieved 24 February 2011.
- ^ "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock". http://hub.guitarhero.com/games/ghwor. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
- ^ "Elle". http://www.elle.com/Pop-Culture/Movies-TV-Music-Books/12-Greatest-Female-Electric-Guitarists. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
- ^ Knox, David (16 August 2010).Kids’ Choice Awards: 2010 Nominees. tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ^ "25th Japan Gold Disc Award 2010". Tokyo Hive. http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/01/25th-japan-gold-disc-award-names-arashi-as-the-artist-of-the-year/#. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
- ^ "Tokio Hot 100 Awards 2010". Tokyo Hive. http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/01/nominees-announced-for-mcdonalds-tokio-hot-100-award/#. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
- ^ "2011 BMI Pop Music Awards Award-Winning Songs". BMI. http://www.bmi.com/press/entry/551489. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- ^ "Gibson Guitars". http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/guitar-gals-0601-2011/. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ www.prsguitars.com Quote: "Orianthi posed for the cover of “Believe” holding a whale blue Custom 24 completely covered in Swarovski crystals. The guitar was custom made for the Michael Jackson tour and was nicknamed “MJ” by Orianthi.
External links
- Official website
- Orianthi's channel on YouTube
- Orianthi on Myspace
- Orianthi at the Internet Movie Database
- Orianthi's page at 19 Entertainment
- Orianthi's Twitter page
Singles "According to You" • "Shut Up and Kiss Me" • "Courage"Featured singles "Don't Waste the Pretty" • "Can't Breathe"Related articles Geffen Records • "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" • Michael Jackson's This Is ItAlice Cooper Alice Cooper • Steve Hunter • Chuck Garric • Orianthi • Tommy Henriksen • Glen Sobel
See: Former members listStudio albums Pretties for You • Easy Action • Love It to Death • Killer • School's Out • Billion Dollar Babies • Muscle of Love • Welcome to My Nightmare • Alice Cooper Goes to Hell • Lace and Whiskey • From the Inside • Flush the Fashion • Special Forces • Zipper Catches Skin • DaDa • Constrictor • Raise Your Fist and Yell • Trash • Hey Stoopid • The Last Temptation • Brutal Planet • Dragontown • The Eyes of Alice Cooper • Dirty Diamonds • Along Came a Spider • Welcome 2 My NightmareLive albums The Alice Cooper Show • A Fistful of Alice • Brutally Live • Live at Montreux 2005 • Theatre of Death: Live at Hammersmith 2009Singles "Reflected" • "Eighteen" • "Caught In A Dream" • "Under My Wheels" • "Be My Lover" • "School's Out" • "Elected" • "Hello, Hooray" • "No More Mr. Nice Guy" • "Billion Dollar Babies" • "Halo of Flies" • "Teenage Lament '74" • "Muscle of Love" • "Only Women Bleed" • "Department of Youth" • "Welcome to My Nightmare" • "I Never Cry" • "You and Me" • "(No More) Love At Your Convenience" • "School's Out (live)" • "How You Gonna See Me Now" • "From The Inside" • "Clones (We're All)" • "Talk Talk" • "You Want It, You Got It" • "Seven and Seven Is" • "For Britain Only" • "I Am the Future" • "I Love America" • "He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)" • "Teenage Frankenstein" • "Freedom" • "Poison" • "Bed of Nails" • "House of Fire" • "Only My Heart Talkin'" • "Hey Stoopid" • "Love's a Loaded Gun" • "Feed My Frankenstein" • "The Garden" (w/ Guns N' Roses) • "Lost in America" • "It's Me" • "Gimme" • "Keepin' Halloween Alive"Compilations
and box setsSchool Days: The Early Recordings • Greatest Hits • Prince of Darkness • The Beast of Alice Cooper • Science Fiction • Classicks • Super Hits • The Life and Crimes of Alice Cooper • Mascara and Monsters: The Best of Alice Cooper • The Definitive Alice Cooper • The Essentials: Alice Cooper • Hell Is • School's Out and Other Hits • Old School: 1964-1974Videography Good to See You Again, Alice Cooper • The Nightmare • Welcome to My Nightmare • Alice Cooper and Friends • The Strange Case of Alice Cooper • Alice Cooper a Paris • The Nightmare Returns • Trashes the World • Brutally Live • Live at Montreux 2005 • Theatre of Death: Live at Hammersmith 2009Tours Psycho Drama (2007-2009) • Theatre of Death Tour (2009-2010) • No More Mr. Nice Guy Tour (2011)Related articles Categories:- 1985 births
- Living people
- Australian female guitarists
- Australian female singers
- Australian guitarists
- Australian rock musicians
- Australian singers
- Australian people of Greek descent
- Alice Cooper members
- Geffen Records artists
- People from Adelaide
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