Lou Watts | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Louise Mary Watts |
Born |
Burnley, Lancashire, England |
June 4, 1962
Genres | Folk, pop, Anarcho-punk |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1982–present |
Associated acts | Chumbawamba |
Louise "Lou" Watts (born 4 June 1962) is a British musician, perhaps best known for her vocal work with anarcho-punk and later folk band, Chumbawamba.
Born in Burnley, Watts was member of Chumbawamba from their formation in 1982 until their disbandment in 2012, making her the second-longest serving band member behind Boff Whalley. She joined Whalley, Danbert Nobacon and Midge and Tomi in 1982 to form the original line-up, and the band made their live debut in January of that year.
The band gained a reputation for their anarchist views, and gained popularity for their opposition to homophobia and fascism and support of feminism and gay rights.
Watts provided lead vocals for the band's hit song Tubthumping, which gained them international recognition, and topped charts in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy and New Zealand as well as Tubthumping's follow-up song Amnesia, which reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. They were also nominated for a Brit Award for "Best British Single" at the 1998 Brit Awards, at which they also performed.