Generation X influencer, Tori Amos was born on August 22, 1963, in Newton, North Carolina. She is a singer-songwriter, author, and pianist known for her classically influenced piano compositions and exploration of controversial themes such as religion, sexuality, and personal trauma in her music. Her fusion of classical piano with rock and alternative elements became a hallmark of Amos’ distinctive sound.
Amos displayed musical talent from an early age. She was accepted into the prestigious Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University at just five years old—the youngest person ever admitted at the time. Amos’s early musical influences included classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Debussy, but she was equally inspired by Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, and David Bowie.
In the 1980s, she moved to Los Angeles and fronted the synth-pop band Y Kant Tori Read, which released a self-titled album in 1988. The album was a commercial failure, but Amos rebounded with a solo career that would define her as one of the most influential artists of the 1990s.
Her breakthrough came with “Little Earthquakes” (1992), an album praised for its raw emotion and fearless storytelling, featuring iconic songs like Silent All These Years and Crucify. Amos has released over a dozen albums since 1992. (full discography below)
Tori Amos has received eight Grammy nominations, a BRIT Award nomination, and an Ivor Novello Award for songwriting. Her impact on Generation X was profound—her music resonated with young adults navigating identity, trauma, and societal expectations in the ‘90s. She inspired future artists like Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor, and Florence Welch, shaping the landscape of alternative and singer-songwriter music well beyond her era.
A vocal advocate for survivors of sexual assault, Amos co-founded RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) in 1994, further cementing her legacy as both an artist and activist.
Discography
Little Earthquakes (1992) – Amos’ debut solo album released January 6, 1992 in the UK and a few months later in the US. Referred to as an artful paradox leading to a gripping debut by Rolling Stone, Little Earthquakes went to 14 on the UK album chart and 56 in the U.S. Notable singles include: Me and a Gun; Silent All These Years; China; Winter; and Crucify with Silent All These Years breaking the top 30 on the UK & US Singles, US Alternative, and US Popular Airplay Billboard charts.
Little Earthquakes is available to purchase: Vinyl | CD | Digital (mp3)
Under the Pink (1994) – Released several weeks after the single Cornflake Girl, the album Under the Pink went straight to number one on the UK album chart when it released January 31, 1994. Although it received highly mixed reviews from music critics, the album sold over two million copies. Notable singles include: Cornflake Girl; God; Pretty Good Year; and Past the Mission. The single Cornflake Girl broke into the top 40 on charts across the world including Australia, Canada, & the US and went all the way to number four in the UK. The single God was released before Cornflake Girl in the US and went to number one on the US Alternative chart.
Under the Pink is available on: Vinyl | CD | Digital (mp3)
Boys for Pele (1996) – Released January 22, 1996 in the UK and a day later in the US, the album Boys for Pele debuted at number two on both the US and UK Album charts. This was likely helped by the single Caught a Light Sneeze which released on January 1st and broke the top 20 on the US Alternative and Dance charts. This album, Amos was backed by a full orchestra – giving the album a different feel from her first two albums. Professional Widow was the third single and the biggest hit reaching number one on the UK Singles and UK & US Dance charts. A note of interest – a mix of the song Talula (the album’s second single) was featured in the soundtrack of the hit movie Twister.
Boys for Pele is available to purchase: CD | Digital (mp3)
From the Choirgirl Hotel (1998) – This was the first self-produced album recorded in Tori Amos’ Martian Engineering Studio and released May 5, 1998. Spark, the first single of three, was the first Tori Amos song to break into the Hot 100, going all the way to 49! With the addition of drums, a band, and electronics (Music Week), this album again expanded Tori’s “sound”. This album earned Tori two Grammy nominations and mixes of the album’s third single Jackie’s Strength were VERY popular on US & Canadian dance floors.
From the Choirgirl Hotel is available on: Vinyl | CD | Digital (mp3)
To Venus and Back (1999) – A two-disc live album released on September 21, 1999. Continuing with the electronica feel from her last album, To Venus and Back features singles and live performances that seem to put less emphasis on Amos’ piano playing and more on the beats and lyrics. This album wasn’t as well-received as her others, but sales was boosted by a tour featuring Tori Amos and Alanis Morissette. Eventually the album would be certified platinum and would earn Amos two Grammy nominations. Notable tracks include: Bliss; 1000 Oceans; Glory of the 80’s; and Concertina.
To Venus and Back can be purchased as: CD | Digital (mp3)
Scarlet’s Walk (2000)
The Beekeeper (2000)
Strange Little Girls (2001)
Scarlet’s Hidden Treasures (2004)
American Doll Posse (2007)
Abnormally Attracted to Sin (2009)
Midwinter Graces (2009)Night of Hunters (2011)
Gold Dust (2012)
Unrepentant Geraldines (2014)
Hey Jupiter (2015)
Native Invader (2017)
Ocean to Ocean (2021)
Tour Dates
As of February 2025, there are no Tori Amos music tour dates posted. Tori has a U.S. book tour for her children’s book Tori and the Muses starting March 4, 2025.
Tori Amos’ Officials
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(last verified Feb 2025)