英语名人堂：比约克（在线收听）

比约克1965年11月21日出生于冰岛首都雷克雅维克，曾是当年在独立音乐圈中显赫一时的“糖”乐队的主唱，1993年推出了首张专辑即被英国权威音乐杂志《Q》评为年度TOP10之一，次年又一举赢得英国音乐大奖“年度最佳新晋歌手”和“年度最佳国际艺术家”两项大奖。在歌坛风光无限的比约克的影视作品并不多，但却在丹麦导演拉斯·冯·特里尔执导的《黑暗中的舞者》一片中以不着痕迹的出色表演一鸣惊人，更荣登戛纳影后宝座。但表演才能不俗的她并没有打算在影坛长期发展。

Björk Gumundsdottir was born and raised in Reykjavík, capital of Iceland. She is one of her country’s biggest exports. She sings, writes songs, and acts. This multi-talented artist is best known for her powerful and emotional singing style, her on-stage energy, and her political opinions. She experiments with many kinds of musical styles, from ambient and jazz to techno and trance.

Her musical ambitions started at elementary school when she studied classical piano. Her teacher sent a recording of Björk singing to Iceland’s only radio station. A record label executive heard it and offered her a record contract. She released her first album in 1977, aged 11. She started a variety of punk bands and in 1986, formed the group that would make her famous, The Sugarcubes.

The Sugarcubes’ first single was a surprise hit around the world. Their quirky sound and style soon got them a loyal international following of fans. Björk split from the band in 1992 to pursue a solo career. Her debut album, ‘Debut’, was released in 1993 and was named album of the year in Britain. Many other accolades followed.

In 2000, Björk starred in the movie ‘Dancer in the Dark’ and was nominated for an Oscar. She continues to produce original and creative albums which music critics continue to praise. Björk is also known for some of her views on world politics. She upset China at a 2008 concert in Shanghai by dedicating her song ‘Declare Independence’ to the Tibet freedom movement.