Paul Westerberg

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8 Feb 2024

Paul Westerberg

Paul Harold Westerberg, born on December 31, 1959, is a prominent American musician renowned as the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the influential alternative rock band The Replacements. Following the dissolution of The Replacements, Westerberg embarked on a solo career, during which he released three albums on major record labels.
After his initial solo endeavors, Westerberg transitioned to self-producing and recording music in his basement home studio. Additionally, he explored different musical avenues under the pseudonym Grandpaboy, releasing two albums and an EP.
In more recent years, Westerberg has continued to release music independently, utilizing platforms such as SoundCloud and Bandcamp. Under the moniker User 964848511, he shared songs on SoundCloud, while on Bandcamp, he released music as Dry Wood Garage. This shift towards self-releasing and using online platforms reflects Westerberg's continued creativity and adaptability in the ever-changing music industry landscape.

In the late 1970s, Paul Westerberg found himself working as a janitor for U.S. Senator David Durenberger. One day, on his walk home from work, he stumbled upon a band practicing Yes's "Roundabout" in a basement. Seizing the opportunity, Westerberg convinced the singer that the other band members—Bob Stinson, Chris Mars, and Tommy Stinson—were planning to oust him. Consequently, the singer quit, and Westerberg joined the group. Originally known as The Impediments, the band played their inaugural gig in the basement of a church, entertaining members of a nearby halfway house who were less than enthused by their rowdy antics. Following this, they changed their name to The Replacements after facing resistance from venues unwilling to promote them under their original name.

The Replacements quickly became a fixture in the Twin Cities punk scene, delivering Westerberg's compositions with a punk aesthetic infused with classic rock sensibilities. They released three albums and an EP on the local label Twin/Tone before catching the attention of Sire Records in 1985. Under Sire, they recorded four albums, each featuring a different lineup.
Despite garnering critical acclaim, The Replacements struggled to achieve commercial success. The band disbanded in 1991, with their final album, "All Shook Down," essentially serving as a Westerberg solo effort. Although well-received critically, the album featured minimal contributions from the other band members, with Chris Mars departing shortly after its release. Following the album's tour, during which Westerberg performed with replacement musicians, he and bassist Tommy Stinson pursued separate paths.

Paul Westerberg's solo career began with the release of two songs, "Waiting for Somebody" and "Dyslexic Heart," for the soundtrack to Cameron Crowe's film Singles in 1992. He also composed and performed the score for the film. The subsequent year, Reprise Records launched his first solo album, "14 Songs." Despite The Replacements being banned from Saturday Night Live following a tumultuous 1986 performance, Westerberg was invited back in 1993 as a solo artist. Interestingly, he performed one of The Replacements' songs, "Can't Hardly Wait," during his appearance.

Between his solo albums, Westerberg's music found its way onto television soundtracks, featuring on shows like Melrose Place and Friends in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Additionally, he collaborated with Joan Jett on the song "Backlash" for her 1991 album "Notorious" and recorded a duet with her, "Let's Do It," for the "Tank Girl" soundtrack in 1994.
In 1996, Westerberg released his second solo album, "Eventually," which received mixed reviews and modest sales. Despite parting ways with Reprise Records, he continued to produce music under the moniker Grandpaboy, releasing an EP and single in 1997. His third solo album, "Suicaine Gratifaction," debuted on Capitol Records in 1999 but received minimal promotion due to label reorganization.

In 2002, Westerberg staged a comeback with new management and an independent label, Vagrant Records, releasing two albums simultaneously, "Stereo" and "Mono." These albums, along with subsequent releases like "Dead Man Shake," "Come Feel Me Tremble," and "Folker," showcased his prolific output during this period.
Westerberg's music also appeared on various soundtracks and compilations, including covers of the Beatles' "Nowhere Man" and the folk standard "Streets of Laredo." Additionally, he collaborated with Tommy Stinson and Chris Mars to record new songs for The Replacements' compilation album "Don't You Know Who I Think I Was?" in 2006.

In 2006, Westerberg contributed eight original songs to the animated film Open Season, with two tracks covered by other artists. He continued to release new music through various channels, including a novel approach of selling an album for 49 cents online. His musical endeavors extended into the realm of guitar manufacturing, collaborating with First Act to create his signature edition PW580 guitar.
Throughout the years, Westerberg remained active in the music industry, making appearances, contributing to projects, and sharing his insights on songwriting and creativity.

Paul Westerberg was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Mary Louise and Harold ('Hal') Robert Westerberg. He has four siblings: Anne, Julie, Phil, and Mary. In 1987, he married Lori Bizer, and after their divorce, he married Laurie Lindeen, a former guitarist and author. They divorced in 2014 and have a son named Johnny, born in 1998. Westerberg's fretting hand was severely injured in 2006 in an accident while attempting to remove candle wax with a screwdriver, leaving his ring finger on his left hand numb.

Despite his injury, The Replacements reunited in 2012, playing at Riot Fest in 2013 and the Coachella Music Festival in 2014, before disbanding once again in 2015. Westerberg resides in Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. His younger sister, Mary Lucia, was a DJ at local radio station 89.3 The Current for many years. Raised Catholic, Westerberg has struggled with alcoholism but overcame his addiction in 1990. He has since resumed drinking occasionally in moderation.