Ben Folds Biography

Benjamin Scott Folds, born on September 12, 1966, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a renowned American singer-songwriter. His musical journey began at the age of nine, when he started taking piano lessons, inspired by songs by Billy Joel. Over time, he expanded his instrumental skills to include bass and drums. In the 1980s, Folds formed his first band, Majosha, alongside Millard Powers, and they performed at various bars and college parties, self-producing and distributing their first EP, Party Night: Five Songs About Jesus.

Folds' early career was marked by collaborations with several musicians and bands, eventually leading to the formation of Ben Folds Five in 1994 with Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge. The band released several albums, including Ben Folds Five (1995), Whatever and Ever Amen (1997), and The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (1999), which spawned notable singles like "Battle of Who Could Care Less," "Song for the Dumped," and "Brick." Although the band initially struggled to achieve mainstream success, they eventually gained international recognition, particularly with the single "Underground."

In the early 2000s, Ben Folds embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut album Rockin' the Suburbs in 2001. This was followed by a string of successful albums, including Songs for Silverman (2005), Way to Normal (2008), and Lonely Avenue (2010). Folds has also explored other artistic ventures, such as writing and performing music for soundtracks, including Hoodwinked! (2006) and Over the Hedge (2006). His music has been featured in various television shows, including the sitcom Surviving Suburbia.

In addition to his solo work, Folds has collaborated with numerous musicians, including Regina Spektor, " Weird Al" Yankovic, and yMusic. He has also undertaken experimental songwriting projects with authors like Nick Hornby and Neil Gaiman. Folds has frequently performed his music with unconventional instrumentation, including symphony orchestras and a cappella groups. His commitment to innovative music has led to his involvement in various projects, such as producing albums for other artists, including Amanda Palmer's debut solo album Who Killed Amanda Palmer (2008).

Folds has also expanded his career beyond music, with a stint as a judge on the NBC a cappella singing contest The Sing-Off from 2009 to 2013. He has also published a memoir, A Dream About Lightning Bugs, in 2019. In recent years, Folds has continued to release new music, including his latest album, Sleigher (2024). He has also been involved in various other projects, including his role as the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. from 2019 to 2025.

Ben Folds Five has also reunited in recent years, with the band performing together in 2008 and releasing a new album, The Sound of The Life of The Mind, in 2012. Although the band's reunion was initially short-lived, Folds has continued to perform and record music with his former bandmates. As of 2025, Folds remains an active and innovative figure in the music industry, with a wide range of projects and collaborations in the works.