Weezer

by Amanda Flinner

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo was a bullied metalhead in high school who struggled to find a way to fit in. He sought the advice of a Zen master, who encouraged him to find something that excited him and carve out a path for himself. Cuomo recalled: "It took me about five seconds, and I was like, 'I want to be a rock star'."

A few years and a few bands later, Weezer was born on Valentine's Day in 1992. The alt-rock band's self-titled debut, dubbed the Blue Album, garnered commercial and critical success with singles like "Buddy Holly," "Undone - The Sweater Song" and "Say It Ain't So," paving the way for eight more albums as of 2014. It also gave them the rep as the cool nerds everyone wanted to hang with – with the thick-framed glasses and sweater-vest-wearing Cuomo as their leader.

How well do you know your Weezer?
Weezer Songs
More Fact or Fiction

Comments: 2

  • Marilyn from Colorado Facts are stranger than fiction
  • Jim from North Billerica, MaI rate an "F" on this one. shame on me.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Motley Crue

Motley CrueFact or Fiction

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.