k.d. lang (b.1961,) fully Kathryn Dawn Lang, is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for her androgynous “cowpunk” style, smooth mezzo-soprano voice, and genre-blending approach that fuses country, pop, and jazz.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, she grew up in Consort, Alberta, and played piano and guitar as a child. Her deep admiration for Patsy Cline shaped her early music. She later studied drama in Vancouver.
Lang formed the band The Reclines in the early 1980s, releasing A Truly Western Experience (1984,) which gained national attention. She followed with Angel with a Lariat (1987) and Shadowland (1988,) collaborating with country music legends. Her breakthrough came with Absolute Torch and Twang (1989,) which won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
In 1992, she shifted toward pop with Ingénue, featuring the hit Constant Craving, which earned a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance. She continued to experiment with All You Can Eat (1995,) Drag (1997,) and Invincible Summer (2000.) Her duet album with Tony Bennett, A Wonderful World (2002,) won another Grammy.
Lang has also been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and animal welfare. Her anti-meat campaign in 1990 led to a U.S. country radio ban.
Victoria Starr’s K.D. Lang: All You Get Is Me (1994) explores her life, career, and cultural impact.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by k.d. lang
If you knew how meat was made, you would probably lose your lunch.
—k.d. lang
Topics: Vegetarianism
We all love animals. Why do we call some pets and others dinner?
—k.d. lang
Topics: Vegetarianism
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