Bush's gravelly voiced frontman Gavin Rossdale (vocals, guitar) received as much attention for his poster-boy looks as his vocal similarities to Nirvana's late Kurt Cobain. Rossdale was born in London, England, on October 30, 1967. Hurt by the divorce of his parents, Rossdale refused to speak to them as a child; he would only talk to his sister. As a teen, Rossdale shoplifted and hung out in gay clubs, becoming friends with celebrities such as Boy George and Marilyn. In 1992, Rossdale met King's Blank guitarist Nigel Pulsford at a bar. Realizing their tastes in music were alike, Rossdale and Pulsford began recording demos with Dave Parsons (ba**) and Robin Goodridge (drums). Naming themselves after the Shepherd's Bush area of London, Bush's grunge-influenced sound was greeted with indifference in England. However, after Bush's demo was sent to Los Angeles alternative radio station KROQ in 1994, the track "Everything Zen" roused the request lines. The band was quickly signed to a U.S. major label. Bush's first album Sixteen Stone earned multi-platinum sales in America, but hardly anybody in Britain knew who they were. Bush's derivative songs and Rossdale's pinup face were scoffed at by critics. Rossdale tried to defend himself from accusations of being a Nirvana wanna-be by expressing alternative credibility such as wearing a Sex Pistols T-shirt on MTV and hiring outspoken indie producer Steve Albini for Bush's second album Razorblade Suitcase. On New Year's Eve 2001, Rossdale and longtime girlfriend Gwen Stefani of No Doubt became engaged. ~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide