Matthew James Bellamy, known as Matt Bellamy, is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Muse. Here are 20 facts about Matt Bellamy:
Matt Bellamy Facts
- Matt Bellamy was born on June 9, 1978, in Cambridge, England.
- He is the son of George Bellamy, the rhythm guitarist of the 1960s pop group The Tornados. The Tornados were the first British band to have a U.S. number one song with “Telstar.”
- Bellamy started playing the piano at the age of 6 and guitar when he was 11 years old. His early musical proficiency was largely due to his father’s influence and the jazz music he was exposed to.
- He formed Muse in 1994 with friends Chris Wolstenholme (bass) and Dominic Howard (drums) when they were studying at Teignmouth Community College in Devon.
- Bellamy is known for his eccentric stage presence and energetic performances. His unique style includes frequent use of arpeggiated chords and a distinct vibrato.
- He’s also known for his wide-ranging singing voice, which has a range spanning from G2 to A5.
- He is an accomplished pianist and often includes elaborate piano solos in Muse’s music.
- Bellamy is recognized for his use of a wide variety of effects on his guitar, including fuzz, delay, octave shifting, and looping, and is known for his creative incorporation of technology into live performances.
- In 2010, Bellamy was ranked number 19 in Total Guitar’s poll of the “Top 100 Guitarists of All Time.”
- He won the Grammy for Best Rock Album with Muse for “The Resistance” in 2011.
- Bellamy and Muse have won numerous awards including two Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards, five MTV Europe Music Awards and eight NME Awards.
- Bellamy has a keen interest in conspiracy theories, which is often reflected in his lyrics.
- He was engaged to actress Kate Hudson in 2011, and they have a son together, Bingham Hawn Bellamy, born in 2011. However, they called off the engagement in 2014.
- Bellamy married model Elle Evans in August 2019, and they have two daughters together.
- In addition to his work with Muse, Bellamy formed a supergroup called “The Jaded Hearts Club” in 2017, covering Beatles songs for charity events.
- He has cited diverse influences for his music, including Jimi Hendrix, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, and classical composer Sergei Rachmaninoff.
- Bellamy has written and produced all of Muse’s albums.
- His lyrics often incorporate scientific, political, and dystopian themes.
- He owns more than 200 guitars and has a signature guitar made by Manson Guitar Works.
- In 2020, Bellamy bought the Manson Guitar Works company, a business he had been involved with since the creation of his first signature guitar in 2001.