Brittany Howard

Biography

Brittany Howard, born October 2, 1988, in Athens, Alabama, is an acclaimed American musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter for the Grammy-winning band Alabama Shakes. Raised in a working-class family, Howard faced significant adversity early in life, including the loss of her older sister Jaime to cancer and her own battle with partial blindness caused by the same illness. Inspired by her sister, she began writing poetry and playing piano before picking up the guitar at age 13. Her musical journey accelerated in high school, where she met bassist Zac Cockrell, leading to the formation of Alabama Shakes.

Alabama Shakes quickly rose to prominence with their 2012 debut album 'Boys & Girls,' which blended blues, rock, and soul influences and earned critical and commercial success. Their follow-up, 'Sound & Color' (2015), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and solidified their status as one of the decade’s most vital rock bands. Howard’s dynamic stage presence and powerful vocals drew widespread acclaim, and the band won four Grammy Awards. After Alabama Shakes went on hiatus in 2018, Howard launched a successful solo career, releasing the genre-defying album 'Jaime' in 2019, which garnered seven Grammy nominations and won Best Rock Song for 'Stay High.' Her second solo album, 'What Now,' was released in 2024, further showcasing her versatility and creative evolution.

Howard’s musical style is rooted in Southern rock, blues, and soul, but her solo work explores funk, R&B, and experimental sounds, reflecting a fearless approach to genre and identity. She has also led side projects such as Thunderbitch and Bermuda Triangle, and her influence as a trailblazing Black woman in rock has inspired a new generation of artists. Howard’s legacy is marked by her resilience, innovation, and commitment to authentic self-expression.

Fun Facts

• Brittany Howard worked for the United States Postal Service before becoming a full-time musician.
• Her family home burned down after being struck by lightning when she was a child.
• Howard is partially blind in one eye due to retinoblastoma, the same cancer that claimed her sister Jaime.
• She formed the garage rock side project Thunderbitch and the folk trio Bermuda Triangle in addition to her solo and Alabama Shakes work.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Jaime Howard - Older sister who taught Brittany poetry and piano, serving as her earliest creative influence. (Childhood poetry and music) [1988–1998]
• Dionne Warwick - Inspirational influence; Brittany listened to Warwick's albums as a child, shaping her vocal style. (General inspiration) [Childhood]
• Elvis Presley - Early musical inspiration from his albums, influencing her songwriting. (General inspiration) [Childhood]
• Pink Floyd - Major influence during high school; their sound expanded her musical horizons. (General inspiration) [High school]

Key Collaborators

• Zac Cockrell - Co-founder and bassist of Alabama Shakes; long-term musical partnership. (Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls, Sound & Color) [2009–present]
• Steve Johnson - Drummer for Alabama Shakes; key member in both studio and live performances. (Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls, Sound & Color) [2009–present]
• Heath Fogg - Guitarist for Alabama Shakes; contributed to the band's signature sound. (Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls, Sound & Color) [2009–present]
• Thunderbitch - Side project band led by Howard, showcasing her rock and punk influences. (Thunderbitch (self-titled album)) [2015]
• Bermuda Triangle - Trio with Jesse Lafser and Becca Mancari, exploring folk and Americana sounds. (Bermuda Triangle (EPs, live performances)) [2017–present]
• Paul McCartney - Live collaboration; Howard performed 'Get Back' with McCartney at Lollapalooza. (Lollapalooza 2015 performance) [2015]

Artists Influenced

• Adia Victoria - Cited Howard as a trailblazer for Black women in rock and roots music. (Silences, A Southern Gothic) [2019–present]
• Yola - Inspired by Howard's genre-blending approach and visibility in Americana and rock. (Walk Through Fire, Stand for Myself) [2019–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Walk of Fame (feat. Brittany Howard) - Edit
2. Stay High (Jaime)
3. Stay High (Jaime)
4. Stay High (Jaime (Reimagined))
5. I Don't (What Now)
6. What Now (What Now)
7. Stay High again.. (Fred again.. & Joy Anonymous Version) (Jaime (Reimagined))
8. Stay High (Childish Gambino Version) (Jaime (Reimagined))
9. Fire Inside - From the Netflix Film "Thelma the Unicorn"
10. Stay High again.. - Fred again.. & Joy Anonymous Version (Jaime (Reimagined))

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia