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{{short description|American guitarist}}
{{Short description|Portuguese guitarist (born 1966)}}


{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
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{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Nuno Bettencourt
| name = Nuno Bettencourt
| image = Extreme08_026.jpg
| image = Extreme, Tons of Rock, Oslo Norway (53843209558).jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| caption = Bettencourt performing in 2008
| caption = Bettencourt performing in 2024
| landscape = Yes
| birth_name = Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt
| birth_name = Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|9|20}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|9|20}}
| birth_place = [[Praia da Vitória]], [[Terceira]], [[Azores]], Portugal
| birth_place = [[Praia da Vitória]], [[Terceira]], [[Azores]], Portugal
| death_date =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Glam metal]]|[[hard rock]]|[[funk metal]]|[[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]|[[alternative rock]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Glam metal]]|[[hard rock]]|[[funk metal]]|[[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]|[[alternative rock]]}}
| occupation = Guitarist
| occupation = Musician
| instruments = {{hlist|Guitar|vocals}}<!-- only most commonly used instruments -->
| years_active = 1985–present
| years_active = 1985–present
| current_member_of = [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]]
| current_member_of = [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]]
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Mourning Widows]]|[[DramaGods]]|[[Satellite Party]]}}
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Mourning Widows]]|[[DramaGods]]|[[Satellite Party]]|[[Generation Axe]]}}
| associated_acts =
| associated_acts = * [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]]
* [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]]
* [[Generation Axe]]
* [[Generation Axe]]
* [[The Satellite Party]]
* [[The Satellite Party]]
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}}
}}


'''Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt''' (born September 20, 1966) is a Portuguese-American<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/meet-baby-animals-singer-suze-demarchis-daughter-bebe-bettencourt/news-story/567fde07b3cf4660f08c5909838706b8| title=Meet Baby Animals singer Suze DeMarchi's daughter BeBe Bettencourt| author=Kathy McCabe| date=May 15, 2021| work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> guitarist. He became known as the lead guitarist of the [[Boston]] rock band [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]]. He has also recorded a solo album as well as having founded bands including [[Mourning Widows]], [[DramaGods]], and [[Satellite Party]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/nuno-bettencourt-mn0000465261/biography|title=Nuno Bettencourt {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-07-25}}</ref>
'''Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt''' (born September 20, 1966) is a Portuguese-American<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/meet-baby-animals-singer-suze-demarchis-daughter-bebe-bettencourt/news-story/567fde07b3cf4660f08c5909838706b8| title=Meet Baby Animals singer Suze DeMarchi's daughter BeBe Bettencourt| author=Kathy McCabe| date=May 15, 2021| work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> guitarist. He became known as the lead guitarist of the [[Boston]] rock band [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]]. Bettencourt has recorded a solo album and has founded rock bands including [[Mourning Widows]], [[DramaGods]], and [[Satellite Party]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/nuno-bettencourt-mn0000465261/biography|title=Nuno Bettencourt {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-07-25}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Bettencourt was born on September 20, 1966, in [[Praia da Vitória]], [[Terceira Island|Terceira]], [[Azores]], [[Portugal]].<ref name="LarkinHR"/>
Bettencourt was born on September 20, 1966 in [[Praia da Vitória]], [[Terceira Island|Terceira]], [[Azores]], [[Portugal]],<ref name="LarkinHR"/> to Ezequiel Mendes Bettencourt and his wife Aureolina da Cunha Gil de Ávila. When he was four years old, his family, including brothers [[Luís Gil Bettencourt|Luís]] and Roberto, moved to [[Hudson, Massachusetts]]. Initially, Bettencourt had little interest in music, wanting to become an actor and preferring to spend his time playing [[ice hockey|hockey]] and [[association football|football]]. His first instrument was the drums, and he played them exclusively until his brother Luís started teaching him the guitar. While Bettencourt was slow to adopt the instrument under his brother's tutelage, his skills quickly developed when he began teaching himself, and he has mentioned in many interviews that he would skip many school days to practice upwards of seven hours a day. In his sophomore and junior years of high school, Bettencourt dropped out of sports so he could focus on playing guitar. He eventually dropped out of high school altogether, for the same reason.

As a guitarist, one of Bettencourt's earliest influences was [[Eddie Van Halen]]. However, as he developed his craft as a guitarist and a songwriter, his influences expanded to embrace [[the Beatles]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]] ([[Brian May]]), [[Ronni Le Tekrø]] [[TNT (Norwegian band)|(TNT)]], [[Pat Travers]], [[Paco de Lucía]], [[Al Di Meola]], and [[Kayak (band)|Kayak]].


==Career==
==Career==
===Extreme===
===Extreme===
{{Main|Extreme (band)}}
{{Main|Extreme (band)}}
After playing in the Boston-based [[glam metal|hair metal]] act Sinful,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/extremes-nuno-bettencourt-recalls-bonding-with-gary-cherone-over-queen/|title=Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt Recalls Bonding With Gary Cherone Over Queen|first=Elif|last=Ozden|date=May 9, 2023|website=Rock Celebrities}}</ref> Bettencourt rose to fame as a guitarist for the Boston-area group [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2022/07/nuno-bettencourt-extreme-interview/|website=Spin |title=Nuno Bettencourt: 'Everybody Said I Was Crazy'|last=Moayeri |first=Lily |date=July 21, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/nuno-bettencourt-extreme-cobain-1997|title=Nuno Bettencourt: "Kurt Cobain had more vibe, feel and atmosphere than half of the guitar players who were shredding"|last=Kleidermacher |first=Mordechai |date=September 20, 2022|website=guitarworld}}</ref> which he joined in 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://heavensmetalmagazine.com/index.php/2023/06/15/extreme-an-extremely-fascinating-worldview/|title=EXTREME: An Extremely Fascinating Worldview|website=heavensmetalmagazine.com |first=Brad|last=Bowman|date=June 15, 2023}}</ref> The band released its debut record, ''[[Extreme (Extreme album)|Extreme]]'', in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/guitarist-nuno-bettencourt-looks-back-on-extreme-s-discography|title=Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt looks back on Extreme's discography|date=May 25, 2018|website=Guitarist }}</ref> The final track on the album, "Play with Me", was used as the "mall chase" song in the film ''[[Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure]]''.<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|editor-first= Colin |editor-last= Larkin |editor-link= Colin Larkin (writer) |date= 1997 |title= [[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]] |publisher= [[Virgin Books]] |edition= Concise |pages= 444–445 |isbn= 1-85227-745-9}}</ref>
Unable to make a dent in the music world with his Boston-based [[glam metal]] act Sinful, Bettencourt rose to international prominence as a guitar player after he joined the Boston-area group [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]] in 1985. Signed to [[A&M Records]] shortly after Bettencourt joined the group, the band released its debut record, ''[[Extreme (album)|Extreme]]''. He then provided rhythm guitar on the single version of [[Janet Jackson]]'s "[[Black Cat (song)|Black Cat]]," which became a number one hit on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The Nuno Bettencourt Network|work=[[Rate Your Music]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/ny/av1/facts.html|title=NUNO FACTS and INFO.|work=Nuno Page|access-date=2014-04-20}}</ref>


In 1990, Extreme released their most critically acclaimed album, ''[[Pornograffitti]]'', which included the hits "[[More Than Words]]" and "Hole Hearted". ''Pornograffitti'' garnered admiration for Bettencourt from rock guitar enthusiasts. He was voted "Best New Talent" in a 1991 readers' poll by ''[[Guitar World]]'' magazine,<ref>{{cite journal | journal = Guitar World | date = April 1991 | volume = 12 | issue = 4 | title = Guitar World 1991 Readers' Poll | page = 41 | url = https://www.scribd.com/doc/297232312/Guitar-World-4-Apr-1991-pdf | format = PDF | access-date = February 24, 2017 | archive-date = March 27, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190327204203/https://www.scribd.com/doc/297232312/Guitar-World-4-Apr-1991-pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Guitar World April 1991 |url=https://pdfcoffee.com/guitar-world-april-1991-pdf-free.html |website=pdfcoffee.com |publisher=PDFCoffee |access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> and that magazine later named him "Most Valuable Player" of 1991.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Guitar World |date=January 1992|volume=13|issue=1 | title = The Year of Guitar: Nuno Bettencourt, M.V.P.}}</ref> [[Queen (band)|Queen]] guitarist [[Brian May]] has called Bettencourt's solo from the song "Get the Funk Out" "a landmark in rock history that I think should have its own little medal struck and awarded to Nuno Bettencourt and Extreme."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqkKFhFMaIw|website=YouTube.com|title=Brian May about Extreme's "Get The Funk Out"|access-date=2 November 2022}}</ref>
In 1990, Extreme released its next album, ''[[Pornograffitti]]'', which included the hits "[[More Than Words]]" and "Hole Hearted". The [[Steel-string acoustic guitar|acoustic]] [[ballad]] "[[More Than Words]]" entered the [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] on March 23, 1991, at No. 81. It later became a huge smash, hitting No. 1 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in the United States.<ref name="Larkin"/> "[[Hole Hearted]]" was also successful, rising to No. 4 on the same popular music chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kono1011.com/lsp/artist/bio/extreme/|title=Extreme|website=KONO 101.1}}</ref> ''Pornograffitti'' garnered admiration for Bettencourt from rock guitar enthusiasts. He was voted "Best New Talent" in a 1991 readers' poll by ''[[Guitar World]]'' magazine,<ref>{{cite journal | journal = Guitar World | date = April 1991 | volume = 12 | issue = 4 | title = Guitar World 1991 Readers' Poll | page = 41 | url = https://www.scribd.com/doc/297232312/Guitar-World-4-Apr-1991-pdf | format = PDF | access-date = February 24, 2017 | archive-date = March 27, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190327204203/https://www.scribd.com/doc/297232312/Guitar-World-4-Apr-1991-pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Guitar World April 1991 |url=https://pdfcoffee.com/guitar-world-april-1991-pdf-free.html |website=pdfcoffee.com |publisher=PDFCoffee |access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> and that magazine later named him "Most Valuable Player" of 1991.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Guitar World |date=January 1992|volume=13|issue=1 | title = The Year of Guitar: Nuno Bettencourt, M.V.P.}}</ref> [[Queen (band)|Queen]] guitarist [[Brian May]] has called Bettencourt's solo from the song "Get the Funk Out" "a landmark in rock history that I think should have its own little medal struck and awarded to Nuno Bettencourt and Extreme."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqkKFhFMaIw|website=YouTube.com|title=Brian May about Extreme's "Get The Funk Out"|date=May 6, 2017 |access-date=2 November 2022}}</ref>


The band followed up with ''[[III Sides to Every Story]]'' in 1992. The album featured brass and string sections, as well as a full orchestra, whose parts were composed and arranged by Bettencourt. In 1995, Extreme released the album ''[[Waiting for the Punchline]]'', but the band broke up in 1996 when Bettencourt decided to pursue a solo career.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Shortly afterward, singer [[Gary Cherone]] became the lead singer of [[Van Halen]].<ref name="LarkinHR"/>
The band followed up with ''[[III Sides to Every Story]]'' in 1992. The album featured brass and string sections, as well as a full orchestra, whose parts were composed and arranged by Bettencourt. In 1995, Extreme released the album ''[[Waiting for the Punchline]]'', but the band broke up in 1996 when Bettencourt decided to pursue a solo career.<ref name="LarkinHR"/>


⚫
In 2007, Extreme reformed with its original lineup (with the exception of [[Paul Geary]]) to begin work on a new album, ''[[Saudades de Rock]]''. The album was released on August 12, 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/extreme-is-working-on-17-songs-for-next-studio-album-says-nuno-bettencourt/|title=EXTREME Is Working On 17 Songs For Next Studio Album, Says NUNO BETTENCOURT|date=2016-09-11|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=2017-07-25|language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
===Hiatus and other projects===
⚫
In 1997, Bettencourt released his first solo effort, ''[[Schizophonic (Nuno Bettencourt album)|Schizophonic]]'',<ref name="LarkinHR"/> which he had been working on for five years. The album was well-received critically, but was not a commercial success.<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=55}}</ref>


⚫
===Other projects===
⚫
On December 16, 1997, Bettencourt's new band [[Mourning Widows]] (whose name was inspired by writing he had seen on a church wall in Portugal) released their [[Mourning Widows (album)|self-titled debut album]] in Japan on [[Polydor Records]]. It sold 45,000 in the first month. The band featured his nephew Donovan Bettencourt on bass and New York drummer Jeff Consi. In 2000, Mourning Widow's follow-up, ''[[Furnished Souls for Rent]]'' originally released in Japan, and then in the U.S. Both Mourning Widows releases cultivated a strong following in Japan and [[New England]].
{{BLP sources section|date=July 2023}}
Bettencourt provided rhythm guitar on the single version of [[Janet Jackson]]'s "[[Black Cat (song)|Black Cat]]" (1990)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2163987/the-number-ones-janet-jacksons-black-cat/columns/the-number-ones/|title=The Number Ones: Janet Jackson's "Black Cat"|date=October 18, 2021}}</ref> which became a number one hit on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/janet-jackson/|title=Janet Jackson - Biography, Music & News|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>


⚫
In 1991, Bettencourt produced [[Dweezil Zappa]]'s release on [[Barking Pumpkin Records]], ''[[Confessions (Dweezil Zappa album)|Confessions]]''. On this record Bettencourt also sings lead vocals for the first time, on a semi-ballad entitled "The Kiss". Extreme members [[Gary Cherone]] and [[Pat Badger]] also contributed.
⚫
Bettencourt formed the recording entity [[Population 1]] and released the self-titled and self-produced 2002 release, ''Population 1'', on Universal/Japan and YBM/Korea. In 2004, Population 1 released ''Sessions from Room Four''. Due to legal issues, the band was renamed to ''Near Death Experience'' in 2005. The band was then renamed [[DramaGods]]. DramaGods released its first album in December 2005 as an import; it was made available as a digital download in 2006.


⚫
In 1993, Bettencourt co-wrote and produced "Where Are You Going" for the ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' movie. He also joined [[Robert Palmer (singer)|Robert Palmer]] in the studio to record Palmer's album ''Honey''. According to former [[Journey (band)|Journey]] lead singer [[Steve Perry (musician)|Steve Perry]], Bettencourt has teamed with him to write and arrange songs.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} He also has written and recorded with [[Tantric (band)|Tantric]] (Bettencourt co-wrote Tantric's hit single "Hey Now"), [[BB Mak]], and [[Toni Braxton]].
⚫
Bettencourt's playing has been featured at 2004 on the Universal/Japan CD and DVD release of ''Guitar Wars'' featuring solo and collective performances of Bettencourt with many others, including [[Steve Hackett]] (Genesis, GTR), Led Zeppelin bassist [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] and [[Mr. Big (American band)|Mr. Big]]/[[Racer X (band)|Racer X]] guitarist [[Paul Gilbert]].


⚫
In 1997, Bettencourt released his first solo effort, ''[[Schizophonic (Nuno Bettencourt album)|Schizophonic]]'',<ref name="LarkinHR"/> which he had been working on for five years. The album was well-received critically, but was not a commercial success.<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=55}}</ref>
⚫
Bettencourt was the lead guitarist for [[Satellite Party]], which is a band formed by [[Jane's Addiction]] frontman [[Perry Farrell]]. Bettencourt played with the band at the 2005 [[Lollapalooza]] festival. Bettencourt helped produce ''[[Ultra Payloaded]]'', the debut album by Satellite Party released on May 29, 2007 on Columbia Records. In late July 2007, Bettencourt departed Satellite Party due to concerns about the direction of the band's live show.


⚫
On December 16, 1997, Bettencourt's new band [[Mourning Widows]] (whose name was inspired by writing he had seen on a church wall in Portugal) released their [[Mourning Widows (album)|self-titled debut album]] in Japan on [[Polydor Records]]. It sold 45,000 in the first month. The band featured his nephew Donovan Bettencourt on bass and New York drummer Jeff Consi. In 2000, Mourning Widow's follow-up, ''[[Furnished Souls for Rent]],'' originally released in Japan, and then in the U.S. Both Mourning Widows releases cultivated a strong following in Japan and [[New England]].
===Extreme reunion===
⚫
In 2007, Extreme reformed with its original lineup (with the exception of [[Paul Geary]]) to begin work on a new album, ''[[Saudades de Rock]]''. The album was released on August 12, 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/extreme-is-working-on-17-songs-for-next-studio-album-says-nuno-bettencourt/|title=EXTREME Is Working On 17 Songs For Next Studio Album, Says NUNO BETTENCOURT|date=2016-09-11|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=2017-07-25|language=en-US}}</ref>


⚫
Bettencourt has also collaborated with singer [[Suze DeMarchi]] and with all of her [[Baby Animals]] bandmates. On [[Baby Animals]]' second release, ''[[Shaved and Dangerous]]'', he produced a few songs and co-wrote "Because I Can". He also contributed to the writing, recording, and production of DeMarchi's solo debut from 1999, ''[[Telelove]]''. In 1999, Bettencourt produced the album ''Magnolia'', for the Portuguese singer and actress [[Lúcia Moniz]]. He also featured as singer and guitarist in the song "Try Again", which was included in ''Magnolia''.
⚫
In 2008, Bettencourt was featured on the soundtrack for the motion picture ''[[Smart People]]''. The soundtrack also features the Gary Cherone track, "Need I Say More", and [[Baby Animals]] selections. The following year, Bettencourt was featured in a song and video called "Best Night Ever"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itwasthebestnightever.com/ |title=Best Night Ever |publisher=Itwasthebestnightever.com |access-date=2012-02-28}}</ref> by Marshall Eriksen, a character on ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]''. The video was a parody of Extreme's "More Than Words" video, in which the entire main cast of ''How I Met Your Mother'' made appearances.


⚫
Bettencourt formed the recording entity [[Population 1]] and released the self-titled and self-produced 2002 release, ''Population 1'', on Universal/Japan and YBM/Korea. In 2004, Population 1 released ''Sessions from Room Four''. Due to legal issues, the band was renamed to Near Death Experience in 2005. The band was then renamed [[DramaGods]]. DramaGods released its first album in December 2005 as an import; it was made available as a digital download in 2006. In 2006, DramaGods contributed their song "S'OK" to the album project Artists for Charity—[[Guitarists 4 the Kids]], produced by Slang Productions to assist [[World Vision Canada]] in helping children in need.<ref name=AFCGFTK>{{cite web|title=Slang Productions – Guitarists 4 the Kids|url=http://slangproductions.com/artists-for-charity-guitarists-4-the-kids.html|publisher=Slang Productions|access-date=March 30, 2014|date=September 11, 2006}}</ref>
===Additional works===
⚫
In 1991, Bettencourt produced [[Dweezil Zappa]]'s release on [[Barking Pumpkin Records]], ''[[Confessions (Dweezil Zappa album)|Confessions]]''. On this record Bettencourt also sings lead vocals for the first time, on a semi-ballad entitled "The Kiss". Extreme members [[Gary Cherone]] and [[Pat Badger]] also contributed.


⚫
Bettencourt's playing has been featured at 2004 on the Universal/Japan CD and DVD release of ''Guitar Wars'' featuring solo and collective performances of Bettencourt with many others, including [[Steve Hackett]] (Genesis, GTR), Led Zeppelin bassist [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] and [[Mr. Big (American band)|Mr. Big]]/[[Racer X (band)|Racer X]] guitarist [[Paul Gilbert]].
⚫
In 1993, Bettencourt co-wrote and produced "Where Are You Going" for the ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' movie. He also joined [[Robert Palmer (singer)|Robert Palmer]] in the studio to record Palmer's album ''Honey''. According to former [[Journey (band)|Journey]] lead singer [[Steve Perry (musician)|Steve Perry]], Bettencourt has teamed with him to write and arrange songs.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} He also has written and recorded with [[Tantric (band)|Tantric]] (Bettencourt co-wrote Tantric's hit single "Hey Now"), [[BB Mak]], and [[Toni Braxton]].


⚫
Bettencourt was the lead guitarist for [[Satellite Party]], which is a band formed by [[Jane's Addiction]] frontman [[Perry Farrell]]. Bettencourt played with the band at the 2005 [[Lollapalooza]] festival. Bettencourt helped produce ''[[Ultra Payloaded]]'', the debut album by Satellite Party released on May 29, 2007, on Columbia Records. In late July 2007, Bettencourt departed Satellite Party due to concerns about the direction of the band's live show.
⚫
Bettencourt has also collaborated with singer [[Suze DeMarchi]] and with all of her [[Baby Animals]] bandmates. On [[Baby Animals]]' second release, ''[[Shaved and Dangerous]]'', he produced a few songs and co-wrote "Because I Can". He also contributed to the writing, recording, and production of DeMarchi's solo debut from 1999, ''[[Telelove]]''. In 1999, Bettencourt produced the album ''Magnolia'', for the Portuguese singer and actress [[Lúcia Moniz]]. He also featured as singer and guitarist in the song "Try Again", which was included in ''Magnolia''.


⚫
In 2008, Bettencourt was featured on the soundtrack for the motion picture ''[[Smart People]]''. The soundtrack also features the Gary Cherone track, "Need I Say More", and [[Baby Animals]] selections. The following year, Bettencourt was featured in a song and video called "Best Night Ever"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itwasthebestnightever.com/ |title=Best Night Ever |publisher=Itwasthebestnightever.com |access-date=2012-02-28}}</ref> by Marshall Eriksen, a character on ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]''. The video was a parody of Extreme's "More Than Words" video, in which the entire main cast of ''How I Met Your Mother'' made appearances.
In 2006, Bettencourt and his band [[DramaGods]] contributed their song "S'OK" to the album project Artists for Charity—[[Guitarists 4 the Kids]], produced by Slang Productions to assist [[World Vision Canada]] in helping children in need.<ref name=AFCGFTK>{{cite web|title=Slang Productions – Guitarists 4 the Kids|url=http://slangproductions.com/artists-for-charity-guitarists-4-the-kids.html|publisher=Slang Productions|access-date=March 30, 2014|date=September 11, 2006}}</ref>


[[File:Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt at South Park Festival in Tampere, Finland, June 2015 photo 05.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Bettencourt performing in 2015]]
In November 2009, Bettencourt toured with singer [[Rihanna]] on her ''[[Last Girl on Earth Tour]]'' as lead guitarist, having appeared alongside her in several TV shows and other performances. He has since performed as Rihanna's lead guitarist on every subsequent tour, including her ''[[Loud Tour|Loud]]'' (2010), ''[[List of Rihanna concert tours#Promotional tours|777]]'' (2012) and ''[[Diamonds World Tour|Diamonds World]]'' (2013) tours.
In November 2009, Bettencourt toured with singer [[Rihanna]] on her ''[[Last Girl on Earth Tour]]'' as lead guitarist, having appeared alongside her in several TV shows and other performances. He has since performed as Rihanna's lead guitarist on every subsequent tour, including her ''[[Loud Tour|Loud]]'' (2010), ''[[List of Rihanna concert tours#Promotional tours|777]]'' (2012) and ''[[Diamonds World Tour|Diamonds World]]'' (2013) tours.


Line 83: Line 80:
In April 2022, Bettencourt joined [[Julian Lennon]] on an acoustic cover of Julian's father [[John Lennon]]'s hit "[[Imagine (John Lennon song)|Imagine]]" to benefit Global Citizen's Stand Up For [[Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NicWjYMPDG0 |title=Julian Lennon Performs 'IMAGINE' for Global Citizen's Stand Up For Ukraine w/Nuno Bettencourt |publisher=YouTube.com |date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref>
In April 2022, Bettencourt joined [[Julian Lennon]] on an acoustic cover of Julian's father [[John Lennon]]'s hit "[[Imagine (John Lennon song)|Imagine]]" to benefit Global Citizen's Stand Up For [[Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NicWjYMPDG0 |title=Julian Lennon Performs 'IMAGINE' for Global Citizen's Stand Up For Ukraine w/Nuno Bettencourt |publisher=YouTube.com |date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref>


On February 12, 2023, Bettencourt performed at the [[Super Bowl LVII halftime show]] as part of Rihanna's backing band.
On February 12, 2023, Bettencourt performed at the [[Super Bowl LVII halftime show]] as part of Rihanna's backing band.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/nuno-bettencourt-rihanna-gig-challenges|title=Nuno Bettencourt on playing with Rihanna: "I'm sorry, most of the guitar players who I admire could not in their lifetime play that gig"|last=Maxwell|first=Jackson |date=July 19, 2023|website=guitarworld}}</ref>


==Atlantis Entertainment==
==Atlantis Entertainment==
{{main|Atlantis Entertainment}}
{{main|Atlantis Entertainment}}
In 2016, Bettencourt founded media production company Atlantis Entertainment (of which he is CEO) with Rene Rigal and [[Steven Schuurman]].
In 2016, Bettencourt founded media production company Atlantis Entertainment (of which he is CEO) with Rene Rigal and [[Steven Schuurman]].{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}


==Personal life==
==Personal life==

Bettencourt married Australian singer [[Suze DeMarchi]] in 1994. They have two children together, actress [[Bebe Bettencourt]] (born in 1996) and Lorenzo Aureolino Bettencourt (born in 2002). The couple divorced in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://themusic.com.au/sfg/interviews/1539/baby-animals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124014821/http://themusic.com.au/sfg/interviews/1539/baby-animals|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 24, 2011|title=Baby Animals|publisher=themusic.com.au|access-date=February 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/not-the-end-demarchi-rocks-up-with-the-band-20130520-2jwz0.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Not the end: DeMarchi rocks up with the band}}</ref>
Bettencourt married Australian singer [[Suze DeMarchi]] in 1994. They have two children together, actress Bebe Bettencourt (born in 1996) and Lorenzo Aureolino Bettencourt (born in 2002). The couple divorced in 2013. Bettencourt's long term girlfriend is dancer Christina Chandler, although there have been unsubstantiated rumors in September 2024 that they may have recently married privately.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://themusic.com.au/sfg/interviews/1539/baby-animals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124014821/http://themusic.com.au/sfg/interviews/1539/baby-animals|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 24, 2011|title=Baby Animals|publisher=themusic.com.au|access-date=February 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/not-the-end-demarchi-rocks-up-with-the-band-20130520-2jwz0.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Not the end: DeMarchi rocks up with the band}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
'''with Extreme'''
'''with Extreme'''
* ''[[Extreme (album)|Extreme]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Extreme (Extreme album)|Extreme]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Extreme II: Pornograffitti]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Extreme II: Pornograffitti]]'' (1990)
* ''[[III Sides to Every Story|III Sides to Every Story: Yours/Mine/The Truth]]'' (1992)
* ''[[III Sides to Every Story|III Sides to Every Story: Yours/Mine/The Truth]]'' (1992)
Line 100: Line 98:
* ''[[Saudades de Rock]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Saudades de Rock]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Take Us Alive]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Take Us Alive]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Six (Extreme album)|Six]]'' (June 9, 2023)
* ''[[Six (Extreme album)|Six]]'' (2023)


'''as Nuno'''
'''as Nuno'''
Line 136: Line 134:
* ''Come Over Here'' (2019), by [[Jaye Muller|Count Jaye & the Hard Beats]] ([[Jaye Muller]])
* ''Come Over Here'' (2019), by [[Jaye Muller|Count Jaye & the Hard Beats]] ([[Jaye Muller]])
* ''[[Shaved and Dangerous]]'' (1993), by [[Baby Animals]]
* ''[[Shaved and Dangerous]]'' (1993), by [[Baby Animals]]
* ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film) #Soundtrack|Super Mario Bros. Original Motion Pictures Soundtrack]]'' (1993), from [[Capitol Records]]
* ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)#Soundtrack|Super Mario Bros. Original Motion Pictures Soundtrack]]'' (1993), from [[Capitol Records]]
* ''[[Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved]]'' (1994), from [[Mercury Records]]
* ''[[Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved]]'' (1994), from [[Mercury Records]]
* ''[[Honey (Robert Palmer album)|Honey]]'' (1994), by [[Robert Palmer (singer)|Robert Palmer]]
* ''[[Honey (Robert Palmer album)|Honey]]'' (1994), by [[Robert Palmer (singer)|Robert Palmer]]
Line 160: Line 158:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://extreme-band.com/ Official site]
*[http://extreme-band.com/ Official website]
*{{IMDb name|79306|Nuno Bettencourt}}
*{{IMDb name|79306|Nuno Bettencourt}}
*[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p56447|pure_url=yes}} Nuno Bettencourt] at [[Allmusic]]
*[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p56447|pure_url=yes}} Nuno Bettencourt] at [[Allmusic]]
Line 176: Line 175:
[[Category:American heavy metal guitarists]]
[[Category:American heavy metal guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
⚫
[[Category:American lead guitarists]]
[[Category:American music arrangers]]
[[Category:American music arrangers]]
[[Category:American people of Azorean descent]]
[[Category:American people of Azorean descent]]
Line 185: Line 185:
[[Category:Generation Axe members]]
[[Category:Generation Axe members]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Massachusetts]]
⚫
[[Category:Lead guitarists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Hudson, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:People from Hudson, Massachusetts]]

Latest revision as of 20:16, 1 January 2025

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Mendes and the second or paternal family name is Bettencourt.
Nuno Bettencourt
Bettencourt performing in 2024
Bettencourt performing in 2024
Background information
Birth nameNuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt
Born (1966-09-20) September 20, 1966 (age 58)
Praia da Vitória, Terceira, Azores, Portugal
Genres
OccupationMusician
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1985–present
Member ofExtreme
Formerly of

Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt (born September 20, 1966) is a Portuguese-American[1] guitarist. He became known as the lead guitarist of the Boston rock band Extreme. Bettencourt has recorded a solo album and has founded rock bands including Mourning Widows, DramaGods, and Satellite Party.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Bettencourt was born on September 20, 1966, in Praia da Vitória, Terceira, Azores, Portugal.[3]

Career

[edit]

Extreme

[edit]
Main article: Extreme (band)

After playing in the Boston-based hair metal act Sinful,[4] Bettencourt rose to fame as a guitarist for the Boston-area group Extreme,[5][6] which he joined in 1985.[7] The band released its debut record, Extreme, in 1989.[8] The final track on the album, "Play with Me", was used as the "mall chase" song in the film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.[9]

In 1990, Extreme released its next album, Pornograffitti, which included the hits "More Than Words" and "Hole Hearted". The acoustic ballad "More Than Words" entered the Hot 100 on March 23, 1991, at No. 81. It later became a huge smash, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.[9] "Hole Hearted" was also successful, rising to No. 4 on the same popular music chart.[10] Pornograffitti garnered admiration for Bettencourt from rock guitar enthusiasts. He was voted "Best New Talent" in a 1991 readers' poll by Guitar World magazine,[11][12] and that magazine later named him "Most Valuable Player" of 1991.[13] Queen guitarist Brian May has called Bettencourt's solo from the song "Get the Funk Out" "a landmark in rock history that I think should have its own little medal struck and awarded to Nuno Bettencourt and Extreme."[14]

The band followed up with III Sides to Every Story in 1992. The album featured brass and string sections, as well as a full orchestra, whose parts were composed and arranged by Bettencourt. In 1995, Extreme released the album Waiting for the Punchline, but the band broke up in 1996 when Bettencourt decided to pursue a solo career.[3]

In 2007, Extreme reformed with its original lineup (with the exception of Paul Geary) to begin work on a new album, Saudades de Rock. The album was released on August 12, 2008.[15]

Other projects

[edit]

Bettencourt provided rhythm guitar on the single version of Janet Jackson's "Black Cat" (1990)[16] which became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.[17]

In 1991, Bettencourt produced Dweezil Zappa's release on Barking Pumpkin Records, Confessions. On this record Bettencourt also sings lead vocals for the first time, on a semi-ballad entitled "The Kiss". Extreme members Gary Cherone and Pat Badger also contributed.

In 1993, Bettencourt co-wrote and produced "Where Are You Going" for the Super Mario Bros. movie. He also joined Robert Palmer in the studio to record Palmer's album Honey. According to former Journey lead singer Steve Perry, Bettencourt has teamed with him to write and arrange songs.[citation needed] He also has written and recorded with Tantric (Bettencourt co-wrote Tantric's hit single "Hey Now"), BB Mak, and Toni Braxton.

In 1997, Bettencourt released his first solo effort, Schizophonic,[3] which he had been working on for five years. The album was well-received critically, but was not a commercial success.[3]

On December 16, 1997, Bettencourt's new band Mourning Widows (whose name was inspired by writing he had seen on a church wall in Portugal) released their self-titled debut album in Japan on Polydor Records. It sold 45,000 in the first month. The band featured his nephew Donovan Bettencourt on bass and New York drummer Jeff Consi. In 2000, Mourning Widow's follow-up, Furnished Souls for Rent, originally released in Japan, and then in the U.S. Both Mourning Widows releases cultivated a strong following in Japan and New England.

Bettencourt has also collaborated with singer Suze DeMarchi and with all of her Baby Animals bandmates. On Baby Animals' second release, Shaved and Dangerous, he produced a few songs and co-wrote "Because I Can". He also contributed to the writing, recording, and production of DeMarchi's solo debut from 1999, Telelove. In 1999, Bettencourt produced the album Magnolia, for the Portuguese singer and actress Lúcia Moniz. He also featured as singer and guitarist in the song "Try Again", which was included in Magnolia.

Bettencourt formed the recording entity Population 1 and released the self-titled and self-produced 2002 release, Population 1, on Universal/Japan and YBM/Korea. In 2004, Population 1 released Sessions from Room Four. Due to legal issues, the band was renamed to Near Death Experience in 2005. The band was then renamed DramaGods. DramaGods released its first album in December 2005 as an import; it was made available as a digital download in 2006. In 2006, DramaGods contributed their song "S'OK" to the album project Artists for Charity—Guitarists 4 the Kids, produced by Slang Productions to assist World Vision Canada in helping children in need.[18]

Bettencourt's playing has been featured at 2004 on the Universal/Japan CD and DVD release of Guitar Wars featuring solo and collective performances of Bettencourt with many others, including Steve Hackett (Genesis, GTR), Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones and Mr. Big/Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert.

Bettencourt was the lead guitarist for Satellite Party, which is a band formed by Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell. Bettencourt played with the band at the 2005 Lollapalooza festival. Bettencourt helped produce Ultra Payloaded, the debut album by Satellite Party released on May 29, 2007, on Columbia Records. In late July 2007, Bettencourt departed Satellite Party due to concerns about the direction of the band's live show.

In 2008, Bettencourt was featured on the soundtrack for the motion picture Smart People. The soundtrack also features the Gary Cherone track, "Need I Say More", and Baby Animals selections. The following year, Bettencourt was featured in a song and video called "Best Night Ever"[19] by Marshall Eriksen, a character on How I Met Your Mother. The video was a parody of Extreme's "More Than Words" video, in which the entire main cast of How I Met Your Mother made appearances.

Bettencourt performing in 2015

In November 2009, Bettencourt toured with singer Rihanna on her Last Girl on Earth Tour as lead guitarist, having appeared alongside her in several TV shows and other performances. He has since performed as Rihanna's lead guitarist on every subsequent tour, including her Loud (2010), 777 (2012) and Diamonds World (2013) tours.

In July 2011, Steel Panther reported to Loud magazine that Nuno would be "coming in to do something" on their then-upcoming release Balls Out.[20] The collaboration resulted in the track "It Won't Suck Itself", which also featured Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger.[21]

In April 2022, Bettencourt joined Julian Lennon on an acoustic cover of Julian's father John Lennon's hit "Imagine" to benefit Global Citizen's Stand Up For Ukraine.[22]

On February 12, 2023, Bettencourt performed at the Super Bowl LVII halftime show as part of Rihanna's backing band.[23]

Atlantis Entertainment

[edit]
Main article: Atlantis Entertainment

In 2016, Bettencourt founded media production company Atlantis Entertainment (of which he is CEO) with Rene Rigal and Steven Schuurman.[citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

Bettencourt married Australian singer Suze DeMarchi in 1994. They have two children together, actress Bebe Bettencourt (born in 1996) and Lorenzo Aureolino Bettencourt (born in 2002). The couple divorced in 2013. Bettencourt's long term girlfriend is dancer Christina Chandler, although there have been unsubstantiated rumors in September 2024 that they may have recently married privately.[24][25]

Discography

[edit]

with Extreme

as Nuno

with Mourning Widows

with Population 1

with DramaGods

with Satellite Party

with Generation Axe

  • The Guitars That Destroyed the World: Live in China (2019)

Solo career

as a guest musician

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kathy McCabe (May 15, 2021). "Meet Baby Animals singer Suze DeMarchi's daughter BeBe Bettencourt". The Daily Telegraph.
  2. ^ "Nuno Bettencourt | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 55. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  4. ^ Ozden, Elif (May 9, 2023). "Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt Recalls Bonding With Gary Cherone Over Queen". Rock Celebrities.
  5. ^ Moayeri, Lily (July 21, 2022). "Nuno Bettencourt: 'Everybody Said I Was Crazy'". Spin.
  6. ^ Kleidermacher, Mordechai (September 20, 2022). "Nuno Bettencourt: "Kurt Cobain had more vibe, feel and atmosphere than half of the guitar players who were shredding"". guitarworld.
  7. ^ Bowman, Brad (June 15, 2023). "EXTREME: An Extremely Fascinating Worldview". heavensmetalmagazine.com.
  8. ^ "Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt looks back on Extreme's discography". Guitarist. May 25, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Larkin, Colin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 444–445. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  10. ^ "Extreme". KONO 101.1.
  11. ^ "Guitar World 1991 Readers' Poll". Guitar World. 12 (4): 41. April 1991. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 27, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  12. ^ "Guitar World April 1991". pdfcoffee.com. PDFCoffee. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  13. ^ "The Year of Guitar: Nuno Bettencourt, M.V.P.". Guitar World. 13 (1). January 1992.
  14. ^ "Brian May about Extreme's "Get The Funk Out"". YouTube.com. May 6, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  15. ^ "EXTREME Is Working On 17 Songs For Next Studio Album, Says NUNO BETTENCOURT". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. September 11, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  16. ^ "The Number Ones: Janet Jackson's "Black Cat"". October 18, 2021.
  17. ^ "Janet Jackson - Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  18. ^ "Slang Productions – Guitarists 4 the Kids". Slang Productions. September 11, 2006. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  19. ^ "Best Night Ever". Itwasthebestnightever.com. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  20. ^ "Steel Panther: More Metal than Manowar". Loudmag.com.au. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  21. ^ "Nickelback's Chad Kroeger Guests on New Steel Panther Album". Loudwire.com. October 26, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  22. ^ "Julian Lennon Performs 'IMAGINE' for Global Citizen's Stand Up For Ukraine w/Nuno Bettencourt". YouTube.com. April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  23. ^ Maxwell, Jackson (July 19, 2023). "Nuno Bettencourt on playing with Rihanna: "I'm sorry, most of the guitar players who I admire could not in their lifetime play that gig"". guitarworld.
  24. ^ "Baby Animals". themusic.com.au. Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  25. ^ "Not the end: DeMarchi rocks up with the band". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  26. ^ "T.M. Stevens – Africans in the Snow (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  27. ^ Silva, Steve (June 25, 2007). "Music from the Mound". The Boston Globe.
[edit]
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