Lajon Witherspoon
Encyclopedia
Lajon Witherspoon is the vocalist for the Atlanta-based alternative metal
band Sevendust
. Members from such bands as Staind, Seether, Alter Bridge, and Diecast have listed Lajon and Sevendust as musical influences. In March 2008, Lajon was recognized in Hit Parader's magazine as one of the "Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time". He was awarded number 35, placing over numerous famous rock vocalists such as Bret Michaels
, Scott Weiland
, Scott Stapp
, Rod Stewart
, and David Bowie
. Lajon Witherspoon has a wife Ashley Witherspoon and has 2 daughters named Maya Diane, and Jada Legend Witherspoon.
and wrestled for Norcross High School. He also practiced judo
for a number of years, but eventually chose music over sports as his primary passion. Before his days in Sevendust, Witherspoon was the frontman of a soul group by the name of Body & Soul. In 1994, his group supported Snake Nation, a local rock group, at a gig. Impressed by his vocal abilities, Vinnie Hornsby
and Morgan Rose
asked Witherspoon to sing for their band. Guitarist John Connolly
, the former drummer of the Piece Dogs, and Lee Banks joined them to form Rumblefish. The name was soon changed to Crawlspace. When the band's schedule proved too much for Banks, Clint Lowery
from North Carolina's Still Rain replaced him. The band had to change their name again when a group on the west coast claimed the rights to it. Struggling with a new moniker, the members settled on Sevendust after Hornsby found a can of "Sevin Dust" in his grandmother's garage.
On Sunday, November 9, 2002, Lajon's brother, Reginald Witherspoon, was killed. Lajon heard the news via a phone call from his father five minutes before the band's performance in St. Joseph, Minnesota. The singer was urged to go on with the show by his father, and those who attended the show appreciated the shaken Witherspoon going through with the scheduled performance. Afterwards, Witherspoon immediately left to attend to family matters.
Lajon Witherspoon has recorded a song titled "Ready to Go" for the NHRA's upcoming 10-song compilation released on June 1, 2010.
Other appearances
Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s. Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.-Origins:...
band Sevendust
Sevendust
Sevendust is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1994 by bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and guitarist Clint Lowery joined the group...
. Members from such bands as Staind, Seether, Alter Bridge, and Diecast have listed Lajon and Sevendust as musical influences. In March 2008, Lajon was recognized in Hit Parader's magazine as one of the "Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time". He was awarded number 35, placing over numerous famous rock vocalists such as Bret Michaels
Bret Michaels
Bret Michaels is an American musician, actor, director, screenwriter, producer and reality television personality. He first gained fame as the lead vocalist of the glam metal band Poison. Besides his career as lead singer, he has several solo albums to his credit, as well as one chart single...
, Scott Weiland
Scott Weiland
Scott Weiland is an American musician, lyricist, and vocalist, most notable for his work with Grammy Award-winning rock band Stone Temple Pilots. Weiland is also known for his five-year career with supergroup Velvet Revolver as well as his own solo career...
, Scott Stapp
Scott Stapp
Scott Alan Stapp is an American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Creed, of which he is a founding member. His debut solo album, The Great Divide, was released in 2005. A second album, Between Lust and Love, is currently in production...
, Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
, and David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
. Lajon Witherspoon has a wife Ashley Witherspoon and has 2 daughters named Maya Diane, and Jada Legend Witherspoon.
History
Lajon Witherspoon was born in Nashville, but grew up in Atlanta with his parents, along with his brother Reginald Ladon Witherspoon. Prior to getting into music, Witherspoon played footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
and wrestled for Norcross High School. He also practiced judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
for a number of years, but eventually chose music over sports as his primary passion. Before his days in Sevendust, Witherspoon was the frontman of a soul group by the name of Body & Soul. In 1994, his group supported Snake Nation, a local rock group, at a gig. Impressed by his vocal abilities, Vinnie Hornsby
Vinnie Hornsby
Vince Hornsby is the bassist for Alternative metal band Sevendust. He is known for his humorous demeanor and facial expressions during live shows...
and Morgan Rose
Morgan Rose
Morgan Jay Rose is an American drummer, record producer and founding member of the Atlanta-based alternative metal band Sevendust. He is also responsible for much of the background "screaming" vocals.-Career:...
asked Witherspoon to sing for their band. Guitarist John Connolly
John Connolly (musician)
John Connolly was born on October 21, 1967 in New Jersey. Connolly was a drummer for the band Piece Dogs. He then joined Sevendust for Rhythm Guitar and has recorded with them on all their releases to date. Connolly is also one of the primary songwriters for Sevendust...
, the former drummer of the Piece Dogs, and Lee Banks joined them to form Rumblefish. The name was soon changed to Crawlspace. When the band's schedule proved too much for Banks, Clint Lowery
Clint Lowery
Clint Lowery is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Sevendust. He has also played in Dark New Day and Still Rain and served as the touring guitarist for Korn through most of 2007....
from North Carolina's Still Rain replaced him. The band had to change their name again when a group on the west coast claimed the rights to it. Struggling with a new moniker, the members settled on Sevendust after Hornsby found a can of "Sevin Dust" in his grandmother's garage.
On Sunday, November 9, 2002, Lajon's brother, Reginald Witherspoon, was killed. Lajon heard the news via a phone call from his father five minutes before the band's performance in St. Joseph, Minnesota. The singer was urged to go on with the show by his father, and those who attended the show appreciated the shaken Witherspoon going through with the scheduled performance. Afterwards, Witherspoon immediately left to attend to family matters.
Lajon Witherspoon has recorded a song titled "Ready to Go" for the NHRA's upcoming 10-song compilation released on June 1, 2010.
Discography
Sevendust- SevendustSevendust (album)Definitive Edition Bonus Tracks Definitive Edition DVD #Live & Loud#Electronic Press Kit #Behind The Scenes & Live Footage-Personnel:*Lajon Witherspoon - lead vocals...
- HomeHome (Sevendust album)-Personnel:*Lajon Witherspoon - lead vocals*John Connolly - guitar, backing vocals*Clint Lowery - guitar, backing vocals*Vinnie Hornsby - bass guitar*Morgan Rose - drums, backing vocals*Deborah Anne "Skin" Dyer - additional vocals...
- AnimosityAnimosity (Sevendust album)Animosity is the third studio album by Sevendust, released on November 13, 2001 through TvT Records. The album appeared on the Billboard 200, remained there for thirteen weeks and peaked at 28 on December 1, 2001. Animosity was certified gold on March 11, 2002 through the Recording Industry...
- Seasons
- NextNext (Sevendust album)- Album :- Singles :- Personnel :* Lajon Witherspoon – lead vocals* John Connolly – guitar, backing vocals* Sonny Mayo – guitar* Vinnie Hornsby – bass guitar* Morgan Rose – drums, backing vocals...
- AlphaAlpha (Sevendust album)Target Exclusive Bonus TrackU.K. Import Bonus Tracks- Album :- Singles :- Personnel :* Lajon Witherspoon – lead vocals* John Connolly – guitar, backing vocals* Vinnie Hornsby – bass guitar* Morgan Rose – drums, backing vocals...
- Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow
- Cold Day MemoryCold Day MemoryCold Day Memory is the eighth studio album by American alternative metal band Sevendust released on April 20, 2010. This album marks the return of guitarist Clint Lowery who previously left Sevendust in 2004 to work with Dark New Day...
Other appearances
- NHRA Compilation 2010 - Various Artists - "Ready to Go" (2010)
- Moment of ImpactMoment of Impact (album)- Personnel :Eye Empire* Donald Carpenter - lead vocals* B.C. Kochmit - guitar, backing vocals* Corey Lowery - bass, backing vocalsAdditional Personnel* Morgan Rose - drums, percussion* Lajon Witherspoon - vocals on "Victim "...
- Eye EmpireEye EmpireEye Empire is an American rock supergroup, formed in 2009, consisting of former Dark New Day members Corey Lowery and B.C. Kochmit as well as Donald Carpenter formerly of Submersed. Garrett Whitlock, formerly of Submersed, and Dixie Duncan were Eye Empire's drummer and guitarist respectively from...
- "Victim" (2010) (Guest vocals) - Truth RisingTruth RisingTruth Rising is the eighth studio album by American rock band Hed PE. The album was released on October 26, 2010 to mixed reviews. Truth Rising debuted at #98 on the Billboard 200. The album also peaked #13 on the Top Independent albums charts....
- Hed PE - "Stand Up" (2010) - Fly 2 The SunFly 2 The SunFly 2 The Sun is the second album by American rock band Soulidium. It is the first release since their 2007 debut, Children of Chaos. A demo EP of Fly 2 the Sun was originally scheduled to be released on August 20, 2011, but was canceled upon the band entering discussions for a major label release...
- SoulidiumSoulidiumSoulidium is an American hard rock band formed in 2006. Formed in Tampa, Florida by frontman Michael McKnight, the band released their debut album, Children of Chaos in mid-2007. The band has toured & played with groups like Sevendust, Alice in Chains, Limp Bizkit, Alter Bridge, Puddle of Mudd ,...
- "Fly 2 The Sun" (2011)