Gorillaz Background Information Years Active 1998-present

“ You know, there are many alter-egos and Gorillaz is a collective of alter-egos, really. I think anyone who gets involved in it has to sort of accept that nothing is really as it seems. „ ~ Damon Albarn



This article is a real-world history of the group Gorillaz. For the band's "fictional history" see Backstory. For their self-titled debut album, see Gorillaz (album).

Gorillaz is a virtual band created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett that consist of four fictional animated band members: 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs and Noodle.

In 2018, Ace briefly replaced Murdoc for the fifth album, The Now Now, as Murdoc was in prison for smuggling drugs; he later escaped and rejoined the band.









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Members

Current Members

Former Members

Gallery

Band Creation

The band was created by Damon Albarn from the Britpop band Blur, and Jamie Hewlett, the co-creator of the comic book Tank Girl. Their style is reminiscent of 80's dance music with strong influences from hip-hop, dub, electro, and pop.

Unlike other fictional bands whose music has had real-life success, they are neither a parody of a particular genre (Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind) nor marketed to young children (The Archies), and the quality of their actual musical output is just as much of an attraction to their fans as their existence as characters.

The band's first album, 2001's Gorillaz, sold over 3 million copies and earned them an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the Most Successful Virtual Band. Their second studio album, Demon Days, was released in 2005 and included the hit singles "Feel Good Inc.", "DARE", "Dirty Harry" and "El Mañana/Kids With Guns." Demon Days went Double Platinum in the U.S., Triple Platinum in the U.K., and earned 5 Grammy award nominations for 2005.