Amy Lee, born on December 13, 1981, in Riverside, California, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of the Grammy-winning rock band Evanescence. Her powerful and ethereal voice, combined with her ability to write deeply emotional and relatable songs, has earned her a place among the most influential female rock artists of her generation. With a net worth of $8 million as of 2024, Amy Lee has not only cemented her legacy in rock music but also explored new horizons with solo projects and film scoring.
Personal Info
- Full Name: Amy Lynn Lee
- Date of Birth: December 13, 1981
- Place of Birth: Riverside, California, USA
- Age: 42 years old (as of 2024)
- Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Composer
- Net Worth: $8 million (as of 2024)
- Famous For: Co-founding and leading the band Evanescence
- Notable Songs: Bring Me to Life, Going Under, My Immortal, Call Me When You’re Sober
- Spouse: Josh Hartzler (married in 2007)
- Children: One son (born in 2014)
- Education: Pulaski Academy; briefly attended Middle Tennessee State University
- Collaborations: Seether, Lindsey Stirling, Body Count, Bring Me the Horizon
- Solo Albums: Dream Too Much (2016)
- Film Scores: War Story (2014), Indigo Grey: The Passage (2015), Blind (2017)
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Amy Lee is the eldest of five children born to Sara and John Lee. When Amy was six years old, her sister passed away from an unidentified illness, which profoundly affected her and shaped much of her music and creativity. In an effort to cope with her grief, Amy began to channel her emotions into the arts, particularly through playing the piano and writing poetry. These formative experiences led her to develop a passion for music early in life.
During her pre-teen years, Lee and her family moved frequently across the United States before finally settling in Little Rock, Arkansas. She attended Pulaski Academy, where she not only joined the school choir but eventually became its president. Her love for both visual and performing arts grew stronger during this time. After a brief stint at Middle Tennessee State University, where she studied music theory and composition, Amy Lee dropped out to pursue her career full-time.
Evanescence: A Rock Sensation
Amy Lee’s life changed forever in 1994 when she met guitarist Ben Moody at a Christian youth camp. The two began collaborating, writing songs, and performing acoustic sets at local coffeehouses and bookstores in Little Rock. By 1995, they officially formed the band Evanescence, which would soon take the rock world by storm.
Their early efforts included the release of two EPs in 1998 and 1999, followed by the self-released demo album Origin in 2000. However, the band’s commercial breakthrough came in 2003 with the release of Fallen, their debut studio album. The album was a massive success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 and spawning hit singles such as Bring Me to Life, Going Under, and My Immortal. Bring Me to Life earned Evanescence two Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Hard Rock Performance.
Despite the departure of Ben Moody in the middle of the Fallen tour due to creative differences, Evanescence continued to thrive. Terry Balsamo joined as lead guitarist and co-lyricist, helping the band release their second studio album, The Open Door, in 2006. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and produced hit singles like Call Me When You’re Sober and Sweet Sacrifice, the latter earning a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance.
Evanescence went on hiatus after their self-titled third album was released in 2011, but they returned to the studio in 2017 with Synthesis, an album featuring orchestral-electronica reworkings of previous songs. Their most recent album, The Bitter Truth, was released in 2021 to critical and commercial success.
Solo Career and Other Musical Projects
While best known for her work with Evanescence, Amy Lee has an impressive solo career that spans various musical genres. She has lent her distinctive voice to numerous collaborations, including songs by Seether, Lindsey Stirling, and Bring Me the Horizon.
In 2008, Lee contributed to Nightmare Revisited, an album celebrating the music of The Nightmare Before Christmas. She also recorded songs for tribute albums like Muppets: The Green Album and We Walk the Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash.
In 2014, Amy Lee ventured into film scoring, partnering with composer Dave Eggar to create the soundtrack for the film War Story. This collaboration led to further projects, including the short film Indigo Grey: The Passage and the feature film Blind. Lee has continued to explore new musical territories, releasing her debut solo EP, Recover, Vol. 1, in 2016, which featured covers of songs by artists such as U2 and Led Zeppelin. Later that year, she released her first solo studio album, Dream Too Much, which was a departure from her rock roots and showcased a more introspective, experimental sound.
Personal Life
Amy Lee’s personal life has often been kept private, but certain aspects have been shared with her fans over the years. She was in a relationship with Seether frontman Shaun Morgan from 2003 to 2005, a relationship that influenced some of her songwriting.
In 2007, Amy married longtime friend Josh Hartzler, a therapist who had been a source of inspiration for many of her songs. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in 2014. Amy often speaks about how motherhood has influenced her life and career, adding new dimensions to her music.
Legacy and Net Worth
As of 2024, Amy Lee has a net worth of $8 million, reflecting her success as a musician, songwriter, and composer. Her ability to continuously evolve while staying true to her artistic vision has made her a beloved figure in the world of rock and beyond. With multiple Grammy Awards, chart-topping albums, and an enduring fan base, Lee’s impact on the music industry remains significant.
Her work with Evanescence, her solo projects, and her contributions to film soundtracks showcase her versatility and creativity. Even after decades in the spotlight, Amy Lee continues to push the boundaries of her artistry, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.
