Black Francis, born Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV, is an American alternative rock musician, producer, and actor best known as the frontman of the influential indie rock band Pixies. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1965, Thompson was exposed to music from an early age, learning to play classical guitar from his father. After attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he formed the Pixies in 1986, and the group soon became an influential part of the alternative rock scene.
Thompson's stage name of Black Francis was chosen in 1986 as a tribute to his father, whose nickname was Black. His music has been described as a mix of punk, surf rock, and pop, and is often noted for its surreal and dark lyrical content. He is also known for his distinct gravelly singing voice, which has been described as sounding like a "feral cat".
Thompson has also released several solo albums, beginning with his 1993 debut, Teenager of the Year. His subsequent solo albums, such as The Golem (2004), Bluefinger (2007), and Nonstoperotik (2008), have all received critical acclaim. In addition to his solo work, Thompson has collaborated with numerous other musicians, including Frank Black and the Catholics, The Martinis, and Grand Duchy.
In addition to his music career, Thompson has also acted in several films, including the 2006 movie The Good Night, in which he starred alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, and the 2008 movie The Man Who Invented the Moon. He has also appeared in television shows such as Pushing Daisies and The Young Ones.
Thompson has been married twice, and has four children. He is currently signed to the independent record label Cooking Vinyl. In 2020, he released his twelfth solo album, Abbabubba, which was met with critical acclaim.
Overall, Black Francis is an iconic alternative rock musician and actor, whose influence on the scene is still felt today. He has released numerous solo albums and collaborated with various musicians over the years, and his work continues to be acclaimed by fans and critics alike.
