KD Lang

November 2, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Kathryn Dawn Lang, popularly known as k.d. lang, was born on November 2, 1961. The Canadian artist fell in love with Patsy Cline’s music and began a tribute band that rose in popularity in Canada. The band went from performing locally to gaining global success. Lang went solo and her talent earned her numerous Grammy Awards. Lang was raised in the Canadian Prairie and dreamed of becoming a singer one day. She went from performing in local cafes to receiving the National Arts Centre Award and becoming one of the biggest Canadian artists.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Kathryn Dawn Lang

Birth date:

November 2, 1961

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 8.6"

Relationship Status:

In a relationship

Net Worth:

$20 million

Background

Kathryn Dawn Lang was born on November 2, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She has English, Irish, Scottish, German, Russian-Jewish, Icelandic, and Sioux ancestry. Her parents are Audrey Bebee and Adam Frederick Lang. They have three other children John, Jo Ann, and Keltie. Kathryn (who goes by K.D.) is the youngest. She was raised in Alberta on the Canadian prairie. Her father abandoned the family when she was 12 and Audrey raised the children as a single mother.

Lang’s interest in music began in secondary school. She began listening to Patsy Cline and dreamed of becoming a singer herself. To kick start her career, Lang formed a Patsy Cline tribute band in 1983 called the Recliners. They recorded several songs together and Lang acquired a personal manager, the label owner, Larry Wanagas. The band performed in their local cafe, Sidetrack Cafe. The band began writing music and released their debut album “A Truly Western Experience” in 1984, with Lang as the leading vocalist. The country album was released with Wanagas’ label, Bumstead Records. The band grew in popularity in Canada and was selected to perform at the World Science Fair in Japan. They released their second album, “Angel with a Lariat,” with the record label Sire, owned by Warner Bros.

Lang started her solo career in 1988 with her debut solo album “Shadowland.” Despite releasing a solo album, the band was still active and they released their third album together in 1989. This gained Lang mainstream success and she won her first Grammy the following year for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. The Recliner’s third album was their last album together. Lang released a few more solo albums and collaborated with artists like Tony Bennet.

Career timeline

1984

The Debut Album

The Recliners release their first album, “A Truly Western Experience.”

1988

Her Solo Career

Lang debuts her solo album, “Shadowland.”

1989

Grammy Awards

Lang wins her first Grammy.

1993

Film Soundtrack

Lang contributes to the soundtrack for the film “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.”

Why We Love KD Lang

Music is her passion
Lang began her career to honor Patsy Cline and appreciate her music. Today, she has grown to become one of the biggest Canadian singers.
She’s an activist
Lang supports L.G.B.T.Q. rights and H.I.V./AIDS. research. She is also a member of the charity Artists Against Racism.
She stuck to her roots
Lang writes country and folk music. Coming from the Canadian Prairie, her music is inspired by her upbringing and life in Canada.

5 Surprising Facts

She has appeared in movies
Lang appeared in a few movies, such as “Salmonberries,” “Teresa’s Tattoo,” and “Eye of the Beholder.”
She’s a Buddhist
Lang is a tantric practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism and has been practicing for over 15 years.
She has won many accolades
Lang’s list of accolades is endless, including four Grammys, a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, and the Alberta Order of Excellence.
She has collaborated with many artists
Lang has worked with major artists such as Roy Orbison, Tony Bennett, Elton John, The Killers, and Anne Murray.
She shared a producer with Patsy Cline
Owen Bradley, who produced Cline’s best work, also worked on Lang’s solo album.