Back in 1984, 27th of September to be exact, the second of three children was born and named Avril Ramona Lavigne in Napanee (Ontario, Canada). It's the classic story of interested in music before she could talk, writing songs by her teens and playing the guitar (Amy Studt sequel?).

Her break was when she was 16 and offered a deal by Antonia Reid of Arista Records. She headed off to Manhatten full of hope and musical dreams. Things didn't go to plan so she packed her bags once again and moved to Los Angeles where she was grabbed by Nettwerk where she recorded her debut album Let's Go. The album produced two top 10's, complicated and sk8er boi.

Then in 2002, the 17 year old broke into the pop world with her song, "Complicated" showing that perhaps people had finally got bored of the mushy manufactured pop styles we were then, and do an extend now are being bombarded with. In short, it was a refreshing change.

Then in May 2004, Avril moved on to her second album, Under My Skin. It lacked the energy and upbeat tempo of Let's Go but personally I thought her added maturity was for the better. Make up your own minds on what you thought of this one, All Music thought it sucked, Emo Today loved it.

Avril's success is hard to doubt, but she has kind of a Blair Witch Project thing going on. It's not so much that her music is awesome thought it is great music (as the BWP was a very good but no brilliant film) but what really sells it is the reputation and image around it. It doesn't really matter what makes Avril popular though as long as she continues to make more great music.