Gary Cherone

Quick Facts

Full Name Gary Cherone
Net Worth $5 Million
Date Of Birth July 26, 1961
Place Of Birth Malden, Massachusetts, USA
Occupation Singer, songwriter
Profession Singer-songwriter
Nationality American
Siblings Markus Cherone, Greg Cherone, More Than Words, Get The Funk Out, Hole Hearted
Nicknames Gary Cherone, Cherone, Gary
Music Groups Extreme, Van Halen, Hurtsmile, Tribe of Judah, More Than Words, Get The Funk Out, Hole Hearted
Movies Video Hits Volume I
Star Sign Leo
Updated on 2023

Gary Cherone is an American rock singer and songwriter who was born on July 26, 1961. Cherone is most recognized for his work as the lead singer of the Boston rock band Extreme, as well as a brief tenure as the lead vocalist of Van Halen. He has also recorded solo albums. He rejoined with Extreme in 2007.

What is the Net Worth of Gary Cherone?

Gary Cherone is an American singer and songwriter who has a net worth of $5 million. Gary Cherone was born in Malden, Massachusetts in July 1961. He is best known for being the lead vocalist of the rock band Extreme and for his brief stint as the lead vocalist for the rock band Van Halen.

Gary Cherone from Extreme Live 1990s Editorial Stock Photo - Image of band,  massachusetts: 214846433
Gary Cherone from Extreme Live 1990s. Via Dreamstime

Early Life

Cherone attended Malden High School in Malden, Massachusetts, where she grew up. He is Greg Cherone’s younger fraternal twin and the third of five brothers. Cherone began singing in local bands when he was a teenager, and he was highly influenced by the prominent rock frontmen of the day, including Roger Daltrey of The Who, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, and Queen’s Freddie Mercury.

Cherone and his drummer friend Paul Geary, as well as guitarist Matt McKay, created Adrenalin, a local hard-rock band, in 1979. They renamed the band The Dream and released a six-song independent vinyl EP in 1981.

Cherone and The Dream were featured in a music video produced by David Horgan on the early MTV show Basement Tapes, in which the viewing audience “voted” (through a toll-free phone number) for one of two competing amateur music videos submitted by unsigned musicians. The Dream’s video for “Mutha, Don’t Wanna Go to School Today” won the contest by just 1% of the overall vote, beating out an unknown Henry Lee Summer.

Education

He grew raised in Malden, Massachusetts, and attended Malden High School. He is the third of five brothers and the younger brother of fraternal twin Greg Cherone.

What is the Professional Career of Gary Cherone?

In a dispute over a dressing room in 1985, Cherone and Geary met guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and bassist Pat Badger, but the enemies quickly became collaborators, and the combined foursome immediately acquired the name Extreme and began writing their own songs. Extreme was inspired by a play on the words “Ex-Dream.”

The group gained a strong regional following by the late 1980s, and in 1987, they signed with A&M Records, which released their self-titled debut album in 1989. The band’s initial album, which sold over 250,000 copies, prompted a follow-up, and in 1990, they released the critically praised Extreme II: Pornograffiti, a mix of hard rock, funk, and pop powered by Bettencourt’s guitar playing.

Alice Cooper’s 18th Annual Christmas Pudding. (Source: Gettyimages)

The lyrical substance of the album was partly based on the concept of a fictional little child named “Francis” and his observations of a decadent, corrupt, and misogynistic society, and was mostly penned by Cherone. Despite positive reviews in the press, the album’s initial sales and chart success were slow until A&M released the acoustic ballad “More Than Words” in early spring 1991.

The song was picked up by mainstream radio and went on to become a massive hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 that summer. Extreme II: Pornograffiti eventually received a double platinum certification. Extreme also toured in support of David Lee Roth in 1991.

Cherone’s career came full circle in April 1992, when he sang “Hammer to Fall” onstage with Queen’s three remaining members at Wembley Stadium’s Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. During the first half of the show, Extreme also performed a medley of Queen tunes. Later that year, Extreme released the concept album III Sides To Every Story.

Waiting for the Punchline, Extreme’s 1995 album, was a stripped-down affair that was only moderately successful. Bettencourt felt disenchanted with the ensemble after the supporting tour and left to pursue a solo career. Extreme ceased operations soon after.

Gary’s Major Opera

The first studio album by the Boston metal band Extreme, titled “Extreme,” was made public on March 14 of that year. Four songs, including “Little Girls,” “Kid Ego,” “Mutha (Don’t Want to Go to School Today),” and “Play with Me,” were included on the CD. The songs included quick soloing and distinctive guitar riffs.

The album’s lyrics tackled topics related to childhood. Jury Duty and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure both featured “Play with Me.” Extreme’s second album, Extreme II: Pornograffiti, was released in 1990 and earned double platinum certification.

Gary Cherone Reflects on his Three-Year Stint In Van Halen – Rolling Stone
Gary Cherone Reflects on his Three-Year Stint In Van Halen Via Rolling Stone

More Than Words was a huge hit and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list. The majority of the lyrics on the album were written by Gary, and they were influenced by the idea of a fictional young child named Francis and his perceptions of a corrupt world.

Moreover, the only album Cherone collaborated on with the rock group Van Halen was released by Warner Bros. Records and received a gold certification from the RIAA in the US. It was released in 2011 and sold over 700,000 copies. It had a number of tracks that weren’t traditional arena rock.

Who is the Wife of Gary Cherone?

When a rock star was a part of a glam metal band in the 1980s, their love lives frequently suffered from on-and-off relationships and marriages that typically ended in divorce. Gary’s love life is different from that of other historical stars, though. When it comes to relationships, he has always been quite secretive.

Pin by Dawn Extremenunosgal on Gary cherone | Gary cherone, Singer, Latest  albums
Gary cherone with a lady. Via Pinterest

You’d assume the singer of “More than Words” would be close to someone significant. Also, he is openly unmarried, and there are no indications of his romantic relationships, so that doesn’t appear to be the case. Similarly, if he is attempting to conceal his special lady behind the spotlight, he is probably doing admirably.

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