Today's birthday, August 6, 2008

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2008
Today's birthday, August 6, 2008
For pictures please call AAP Images on 9322 8708 or visit the website at www.aapimage.com
(trans reference number (PD101))



Today's birthday August 6: Elliott Smith (1969-2003), American musician.



Elliott Smith was a crooning singer and guitarist, prominent at the turn of the century,
but apparently committed suicide in the prime of his career.

Born on August 6, 1969 in Nebraska, Steven Paul Smith was raised in Texas with his
mother before moving during high school to live with his father in Oregon.

He learnt to play the piano and guitar as a youngster, and began calling himself Elliott,
as Steve was "too jockish".

In 1991, Smith graduated from Hampshire College in Massachusetts with a degree in philosophy
and political science.

He was part of punk band Heatmeiser, and recorded his first solo album, Roman Candle, in 1994.

Smith was still a small-time act when his self-titled second album was released in 1995.

His breakthrough came when director Gus Van Sant asked him to use his music in the
film Good Will Hunting.

Smith was nominated for an Academy Award in 1988 for his contribution to the film.

XO, his 1998 album, was received warmly in mainstream circles, and Smith followed it
up with Figure 8 in 2000.

He battled with depression, alcoholism and drug addiction throughout his career, and
he attempted to take his own life at least once and was admitted to rehab in early 2003.

Aged 34, he was found dead at his Los Angeles apartment on October 21, 2003 with stab
wounds to the chest in an apparent suicide, but an inquest into his death left the cause
of his death unresolved.

Two albums have been released since his death - From A Basement On A Hill in 2004 and
New Moon in 2007.

AAP pbc/jmc

KEYWORD: TODAY'S BIRTHDAY 6/8

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.