b. Alecia Beth Moore, 8 September 1979, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, USA. Pink is the recording name of crossover R&B/pop singer Moore that, although it initially referred to her distinctive dyed hair, is actually a childhood nickname. She allegedly had her pants pulled down as a schoolchild making her blush bright pink, although there are a number of other suggestions as to the name. She enjoyed a transatlantic Top 10 hit in early 2000 with "There You Go", a sassy kiss-off to an ex-boyfriend that gave Pink an important foothold in the older teenage market alongside acts such as TLC and Kelis.
Moore grew up in a small town just outside Philadelphia, making her singing debut at the age of 13 with a local rap crew. She was subsequently recruited by MCA Records to complete the line-up of vocal group Basic Instinct. After a short spell in this trio, Moore moved on to another R&B outfit, Choice, who were signed by LaFace Records. Her writing contributions came to the attention of L.A. Reid, who signed her as a solo artist and put her in the studio with the label's leading writer/producers, including Darryl Simmons and the label's co-founder, Babyface. Can't Take Me Home, released in April 2000, included several lame attempts to recapture the spirit of "There You Go", alongside the obligatory R&B diva ballad, "Let Me Let You Know". Nevertheless, "Most Girls' proved another enduringly popular hit single, breaking into the US Top 5 in October. The following spring she enjoyed a US chart-topper in collaboration with Lil" Kim, Mya and Christina Aguilera with a Grammy award-winning cover of LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade".
Pink moved away from her urban roots on the hugely successful M!ssundaztood, a harder-edged pop rock album which featured several tracks co-written and produced by her longtime idol, ex-4 Non Blondes leader Linda Perry. The album eclipsed the commercial success of her debut, and featured the US Top 5 singles, "Get The Party Started" and "Just Like A Pill". The latter provided Pink with her first UK chart-topper. The semi-autobiographical "Family Portrait" was also a notable hit. By the end of 2002, she was established as the new face of US pop with her tales of teen angst reflecting a cultural shift away from the wholesome image promoted by singers such as Britney Spears and Mandy Moore.
Pink's 2003 hit collaboration with producer William Orbit "Feel Good Time", taken from the soundtrack of Charlie's Angels Full Throttle, heavily sampled "Fresh Garbage", a lost 60s psychedelic classic from US band Spirit. Her new album Try This featured extensvie songwriting involvement from Tim Armstrong of punk band Rancid. The album and its attendant singles were a notable commercial failure in her native America, at least compared to the multi-platinum M!ssundaztood, although "Trouble" and "God Is A DJ" did well in Europe. The former earned the singer a Grammy award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. She married motorcycle racer Carey Hart in January 2006.
