The Very Beginning. Anaheim, California. Little Gwen, whose tastes run along the lines of The Sound of Music, agrees to sing lead vocals on older brother Eric Stefani's first song, "Stick It In The Hole," about a pencil sharpener. Born and raised in England, relocated to Southern California at age 11, saxophonist Tony Kanal joins his high-school jazz band in 10th grade as the bass player. Ninth grader Adrian Young attempts to drum to "Bend Over" by O.C. band Doggy Style at a school talent contest; his parents bought him a kit when he was 18. A wee lad with a prized KISS record living in Irvine (California), Tom Dumont dreamed of being a rock star. As a teen, hopeful Tom started practicing guitar.

Setting the Foundation:

December 1986

  • Back-flipping singer John Spence forms Orange County-based 2 Tone ska group No Doubt-named after his favorite expression-with keyboardist Eric, who forces Gwen to sing backing vocals.
  • Gwen cites Madness, Kermit the Frog, Julie Andrews and Fishbone's Angelo Moore as her heroes.

March 12, 1987

  • After several raucous party performances, No Doubt play their first "official" gig at Fender's Ballroom in Long Beach, California; the band was second on a bill of 14 with The Untouchables headlining. Tony, a high-school junior, was one of several hundred people watching. Shortly thereafter, he tries out. Band accepts him even though he's never been in a band, has long hair and is wearing Mexican sandals. By the summer, Tony, an organized perfectionist, becomes the band's unofficial manager.

December 21, 1987

  • Tragically, John Spence committed suicide at an Anaheim park. A few days later, No Doubt plays a big industry gig at the Roxy in Hollywood. Devastated over John's suicide, they call it quits. Days later they reform knowing that's what John would want. Still Forming

Spring 1988

  • College music student and heavy-metal guitarist Tom leaves his sister's band, Rising, because the metal scene in O.C. sucks; after peering in the window while No Doubt rehearsed, Tom pulls his long hair into a ponytail and joins the Ska-heavy No Doubt, adding a heavier edge. 
  • 1987-1988 Part of the then-underground-ska-scene, No Doubt built a huge following of loyal "rude boys" and "rude girls" after numerous gigs opening for The Untouchables and Fishbone, as well as their own all-ages shows. A three-song and a five-song demo are sold at shows.

Summer 1989

  • Drummer, huge No Doubt fan and fibber, Adrian joins No Doubt after calling a number from the back of a demo tape; he tells No Doubt he has years of experience; he only has one. His love of 70's rock and Ska made the choice obvious.
  • No Doubt plays their first out-of-state show in Arizona to about a hundred people.

1989-1990

  • Band quickly evolves into a solid five-piece unit, expanding their sound to include the styles of each member. With shows opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ziggy Marley and Mano Negra, their fan base broadens to the college crowd. 
  • Pizza mailing list parties become the modus operandi as the list, which was started in 1987, grows from a few hundred names to a couple thousand. (In 1993, when the list reaches approximately 7,000 names, Tony decides to have just pizza parties.) Underground Band Strikes It Big...Sort Of

August 1991

  • No Doubt signs a "big" recording contract with Interscope Records; they continue driving around O.C. in their old cars and work day jobs (Gwen and Tony are sales people at the same department store, Adrian waits tables at a steak house, and Tom runs a small music equipment rental business). Interscope head honcho Jimmy Iovine predicts Gwen will be a star in five years.
  • The band really wants to be played on Los Angeles radio station KROQ.

October - December 1991

  • Between working and going to school (Tom's a music major, Gwen's an art major, Tony and Adrian are psychology majors.), the group drives to a Los Angeles studio to record their 14-song debut album, which features early-crafted songs (1987) as well as recently penned material; they spend less than $13,000.

March 1992

  • Self-titled No Doubt released. Only 30,000 sold; grunge is in; they don't get played on KROQ. Adrian remembers the program director saying, "It would take an act of God for this band to get on the radio." Enough said. In support of No Doubt, the band embarks on its first two-week, 13-show, Western-state headlining tour in two vans (five members, a three-piece horn section, a roadie, tour manager/soundman and equipment).

Summer 1992

  • Band makes video for "Trapped in the Box" for a mere $5,000; MTV never played it.
  • No Doubt once again makes a two-week Western run.

Fall 1992

  • Hitting the "big time," the band undertakes a two-and-a-half month national tour-still in vans. Although predominately headlining small clubs, they opened shows for Public Enemy, Pato Banton and The Special Beat. From Tragic Comes Magic

March 1993

  • No Doubt begins the first sessions for what would be called Tragic Kingdom. The album was recorded in 11 different studios over two and a half years. Tony refers to it as a "battleground"-and there were casualties.

1994

  • Eric departs before the completion of Tragic Kingdom to continue as an animator on The Simpsons. 
  • After a seven-year relationship, Tony and Gwen split; the singer has plenty to sing about and "Don't Speak" evolves from a love song into a broken heart number.

Early 1995

  • No Doubt self-releases the 10-song Beacon Street Collection comprised of B-Sides from Tragic Kingdom. It is named after the house on the street in Anaheim where several members lived and the garage studio where most of the tracks were recorded. Available only at shows and local record stores, they sell out of the first thousand CDs.

August - September 1995

  • Laying the groundwork for Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt plays the main stage on the first Warped Tour.

October 1995

  • Tragic Kingdom, a mixture of ska, new wave, pop, punk and rock, is released. Of the lyrics, Gwen says: "We went through some really bad times in the past couple years. Our way of dealing with that is humor and I think that's really apparent in the record." 
  • Album doesn't make the charts and KROQ, slow to catch on, doesn't pay attention. 
  • No Doubt plays Virgin Megastore in Costa Mesa, California. At the request of her mother, Gwen tries not to swear during "Just A Girl," but she does and her mom won't speak to her for a week.

Winter 1995

  • KROQ pays attention; band smiles. New wave-ish "Just A Girl," about being a girl, gets massive requests. Band swears it's not their friends calling. 
  • In support of Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt tours a week with 311, then several weeks on their own, followed by Holiday radio shows. A Girl is Queen, No Doubt is Fly

January 1996

  • Several months after it's release, Tragic Kingdom debuts on Billboard's Top 200 at No. 175, and the single "Just A Girl" reaches No. 10. Tom, the music's author, told Guitar World: "That single surprised the hell out of me. I always thought the song was cool, but I never expected it to fly like it has." Video, which features band and Gwen in separate rooms, is all over MTV; media focuses on Gwen's midriff and bindi. 
  • No Doubt makes late night debut performing "Just A Girl" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

March 28, 1996

  • David Letterman is seen tapping his foot while No Doubt performs "Just A Girl" on The Late Show.

May 1996

  • On the road opening for Bush, Gwen breaks her foot while performing; the show must go on-this time with plenty of Band-Aids.

June 1996

  • The catchy "Spiderwebs," with music by Tony and Gwen-penned lyrics NOT about their relationship, reaches No. 5 in Billboard. 
  • Band begins their first European tour, followed by dates in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Japan.

July 1996

  • Tragic Kingdom goes Platinum. 
  • Gwen changes her hairstyle; media focuses on her belly, bindi and 'do.

August 1996

  • Tragic Kingdom certified Double-Platinum. Although No Doubt had been headlining in clubs for seven years, they embark on their first sold-out, theater-size headlining tour. Fashion magazines and teens mirror Gwen's style; Gwennabees are hatched.

September 5, 1996

  • Mutual admiration established, No Doubt returns to Letterman to perform "Spiderwebs."

Sometime 1996

  • A leading news magazine reports that "that No Doubt girl" is paving the way for a new style; she changes her hair again. The band gets cropped out of photos. No Doubt stipulates they are A BAND, not just a girl. Gwen becomes the reigning queen of pop.

October 1996

  • November issue of SPIN hits the stands with No Doubt cover story-only they forget No Doubt is a BAND. Gwen's pretty face and belly button get top billing while the boys are relegated to the Table of Contents page. SPIN says: "No Doubt is the Last American New Wave Group."

November 1996

  • After performing nearly every night for a year, Gwen's vocal chords are strained; the band cancels its second European tour; the dates are made up in early 1997. 
  • Quintessential power ballad "Don't Speak," about Tony and Gwen's break up, reaches No. 2 on the Modern Rock chart and No. 1 on Hot 100 airplay chart in Billboard. 
  • The cathartic video depicts three forgotten guys pitted against the adored singer; it was therapeutic. "Has it got to the point where we mean nothing? If Gwen doesn't speak, we mean nothing?" Tom queries a Rolling Stone writer.

December 7, 1996

  • No Doubt perform "Don't Speak" and "Excuse Me Mr." on Saturday Night Live. 
  • The following week Tragic Kingdom reaches No. 1 in Billboard-14 months after its release, selling 229,000 copies the first week at the top spot, more than 500,000 Christmas week, and six million total. The album will spend nine weeks at No. 1, and 36 weeks in the Top 10. Decade of No Doubt

Winter 1997

  • No Doubt begins its third headlining tour, this time at enormadome venues. It was either stripped-down clubs or Spinal Tap, jests Tom. They went with the classic comedy and the Cirque de Soliel sets. 
  • Tragic Kingdom reaches No. 1 on Billboard's International Album Eurochart, and was a Top 5 album in the U.K., Canada, Germany, Australia, Norway, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, Denmark and Finland.

January 1997

  • No Doubt attends American Music Awards after being nominated for Favorite New Artist Pop/Rock. Band is super excited even if they don't win. "Not bad, Best New Artist and we've been around for 10 years," marvels Gwen.

February 1997

  • No Doubt attends Grammy Awards after being nominated for Best Rock Album and Best New Artist. Band is super excited even if they don't win. They perform "Spiderwebs" live. 
  • All-time touring highlight, No Doubt plays a sold-out, 3,000-capacity show in Israel-including members of the opposing religious groups. On their day off, they tour Jerusalem and swim in the Dead Sea.

March 1997

  • No Doubt celebrates Tenth Anniversary!!!

April 11, 1997

  • No Doubt perform the reggae-tinged "Sunday Morning" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; although the lyrics are once again about their break up, it's Tony's favorite No Doubt song.

May 1997

  • Rolling Stone finally puts No Doubt on the cover-the ENTIRE band in white surgical garb. The writer announces "everything (Gwen) says is true" and that their pop music is "rousing and potent." 
  • At a show in Northern California, which ironically included a rendition of "The Imperial March" from Star Wars, George Lucas and his daughter go backstage to meet the band. Lucas invites the band to see the Phantom Menace set in London.

July 1997

  • Tony meets his all-time music hero Prince after the Purple One checked out No Doubt's Minneapolis show. Later that night, the band jams at Paisley Park.

Summer 1997

  • Rarely seeing a Sunday morning at home, No Doubt continues to see the world from a stage. Tragic Kingdom, still in the Top 50 at 80-plus weeks on the charts, sells seven million in the U.S. and 11 million worldwide. 
  • No Doubt, their first record, has now sold around 250,000 copies.

September 4, 1997

  • They finally win. "Don't Speak" gives No Doubt the opportunity to speak as they enthusiastically accept the Best Group Video statue at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Fall 1997

  • Tragic Kingdom has now sold in the neighborhood of eight million in the U.S. and 13 million worldwide. 
  • The end of the "big" tour for Tragic Kingdom. No Doubt hit some choice spots in Europe, and play for the first time in India, Singapore and South America. 
  • While in London, the band watches the filming of a Phantom Menace light saber scene starring Ewan McGregor's character and Darth Maul. 
  • In Singapore, the band abides by the country's laws for public performance: no spitting, swearing, gyrating, and naked torsos. A good time is still had. 
  • The band all agrees that playing in India was the most awesome experience on stage. For Tony, who flew his parents home to India for a rare visit, the experience held a special meaning as his extended family sat in the front row.

October 1997

  • Interscope re-releases the 10-song Beacon Street Collection as part of the back catalog.  (100,000 copies were initially sold by the band in 1995.)

November 1997

  • No Doubt releases Live In The Tragic Kingdom, a 92-minute, live-performance video shot at The Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, the arena owned by the Magic Kingdom (Disneyland). Plenty of rock poses, good cheer and sweat.

December 1997

  • More good tidings, No Doubt's version of the Vandals joyful carol "Oi To The World appears on the album A Very Special Christmas III; album proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. The accompanying "Oi To The World" video was shot with a digital video camera by Sophie Muller while the band was on tour in India. A Rest to Develop It

Early 1998

  • No Doubt takes some much needed time off. Separately, they step across the Orange County border and settle into new addresses within the L.A. County line. They also stop eating fast food-except Tony. 
  • Renting out a Hollywood Hills home, the band begins writing songs for the follow up to the big success-and finding their direction; as Gwen said: "We didn't know what kind of music we were going to write because we out grew our old style." Gwen, in love again, has plenty to sing about.

March 7, 1998

  • They win again-this time at the California Music Awards (formerly the BAMMIES). Gwen gets a statue for Outstanding Female Vocalist Statewide, and the band walks off with Outstanding Group Statewide.

March 1998

  • Adrian plays drums for the Vandals on a quick European tour. 
  • The band continues writing songs for their forthcoming CD.

April 1998

  • For the Stormy Weather '98 concert at L.A.'s Wiltern Theater, a benefit for Don Henley's Walden Woods Foundation, Gwen sings two torch songs: "I Can Dream, Can't I," made popular by the Andrew Sisters, and Elvis Costello's "Almost Blue."

August 1998

  • Gwen's a waitress-just for a day. She appears in an apron in a Rufus Wainwright video shot at her house. 
  • A week later, Gwen (without the apron) hosts a birthday bash for Tony and Adrian at her house. Many musician friends dance to loud rock music into the early morning.

September 1998

  • The band attends the MTV Video Music Awards-purely for fun. 
  • Gwen looks smashing in her blue Smurfs fuzzy bra top and matching blue-dyed hair.

October 1998

  • Straying for a brief afternoon, Gwen records a duet with Brian Setzer for his album Dirty Boogie. The track, made famous by Ann Margaret and Elvis Presley, is called "You're the Boss."

November 1998

  • No Doubt celebrates their childhood in song for the Rugrats soundtrack. The band records "I Throw My Toys Around" with musical hero Elvis Costello, who also wrote (with his wife) and produced the song for the movie. 
  • The band continues writing songs for their forthcoming album.

December 31, 1998

  • The band throws a HUGE New Year's Eve bash at Gwen's house for their friends, friends of friends, and musician- and actor-friends of friends. A star-studded affair with the likes of Tommy Lee, Ben Stiller, the Chili Peppers, Beck, plus many more. It goes into the wee hours. Gettin' On With It

February 1999

  • After numerous attempts to find "the" producer, the band decides on Glen Ballard, with Jack Joseph Puig as the man with "the" right mix and Alain Johannes (of Eleven fame) as the engineer. The magic (and long process) occurs at two Los Angeles studios-Ocean Way and Royaltone. Gwen said the band has three goals: to grow as songwriters, keep it simple and clean instrumentally with no tricks, and to be spontaneous.

February 22, 1999

  • Adrian's Schwing Magazine Charity Golf Tournament raises money for a Hollywood charity. Out for a putt and a swing, members from the Offspring, NOFX, Smashmouth and Cherry Poppin' Daddies. Earlier in '99, Adrian and Vandals drummer Joe Escalante started Schwing, an alternative golf publication through Thrasher. Lots of musicians and girls in bikinis.

March 1999

  • Tragic Kingdom receives RIAA's Diamond Award, the new honor for albums that sold more than 10 million copies in the U.S. 
  • Band says "yes" to hip movie Go and delivers "New" for soundtrack. Finally, new No Doubt music-although it's not so new ("New" was the first song the band wrote after Tragic Kingdom). The song, produced by Jerry Harrison, is received at radio with enthusiasm.

April 1999

  • Tom remarks: "This is our eighth week recording... and probably our 80th week working on this record." Bouncy trombonist/keyboardist Gabrial McNair has been cheerfully adding his vibes for all 80 weeks! Trumpeter Stephen Bradley is in the mix too. 
  • Unable to wait until Gwen finishes vocals for a track, Maggen, the singer's 14-year-old dog, went poo-poo on the studio carpet. Gwen cleans it with paper towels and disposes of the mess in the garbage bin next to the studio, locking herself into the stinky, gated structure in the process. "There I am, standing on top of the garbage bin that smells awful while everyone is inside a sound-proof studio!"

May 1999

  • Seventeen songs are recorded-the band is really excited. It's a new sound for them. There's a pervasive early '80s New Wave thing, a very organic rock '70s sparse sound, and its somewhere between rock, pop and reggae. 
  • Burning London-A Clash Tribute is released. It includes No Doubt's cover of "Hateful," which is produced by David Kahne and includes guest vocals, growls and hand gestures by Billy Idol. Proceeds are donated to an L.A. youth shelter.

June 1999

  • Gwen adds vocals to Fishbone's cover of Sly and the Family Stone's "Everybody is a Star" for the Fishbone and Familyhood Nextperience tribute album (out March 2000).

July 1999

  • No Doubt completes mixing at Ocean Way with Jack Joseph Puig. Band is really excited. Interscope Records is really excited. If the fans knew, they would be excited. Then the band decides to record two more songs; now they are the only ones excited. Upcoming tour is put on hold.

August 1999

  • Band enters the studio again to record new songs for the as-yet-untitled album. 
  • Tragic Kingdom continues to sell big, reaching 15 million worldwide. 
  • No Doubt hosts their second annual co-birthday bash for Tony and Adrian (who sports a pink mohawk for the party) at Adrian's home in Lakewood, California. Celebrating the dynamic duo's special day: members from 311, Rage Against the Machine, the Vandals, Perry Farrell, actor Vince Vaughn, and... well, more rock and movie stars than the neighbors liked. It was a long and festive night.

September 30, 1999

  • No Doubt kicks off an eight-city West Coast club tour in San Diego in full pop gear: Tony and Tom wear red jumpsuits, the horn section in lime green, Gwen in bubblegum pink (including her feathered hair), and Adrian shirtless and in boxers.

October 3, 1999

  • Gwen turns 30! She embraces the milestone-as does the press!

October 9, 1999

  • On the final night of No Doubt's club tour, in a tender moment at The Fillmore in San Francisco, Adrian lures his girlfriend Nina to the stage, and before the thousand-plus fans, gets down on one knee, professes his love and then proposes. Nina shakes her head "yes" and the two exit the stage in each other's arms. The band, moved to tears, finishes the set with Vandals drummer Josh Freese covering for Adrian.

Winter 1999

  • Final touches are made to the as yet untitled new record. Even more recording, mixing, and mastering to make it just right.

December 5, 1999

  • No Doubt attends the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards at New York's fashionable 26th Street Armory. The very fashionable band is nominated for Most Stylish Video for "New" (which they won!) and Gwen-proudly displaying her multi-colored braces-is nominated for Most Fashionable Female Artist.

December 31, 1999

  • Way to ring in the millennium!! No Doubt played at one of the biggest parties in the world: the MTV New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. The first band to play MTV in the new millennium, No Doubt took the stage a few minutes after midnight, performing a festive rendition of REM'S "It's the End of the World (And I Feel Fine)," their upcoming single "Ex-Girlfriend," and the old skool "Spiderwebs."

January 16, 2000

  • The first No Doubt wedding: Adrian and Nina happily make the commitment at Adrian's home in Southern California while family and close friends join in the celebration. A true tight-knit group, Gwen serves as a bridesmaid while Tony and Tom stand as groomsmen. The Long-Awaited Return

January 2000

  • No Doubt is shot-but it's all good. David LaChapelle photographs the group for their new album, drum roll please, Return of Saturn. 
  • "Ex-Girlfriend," the first-and extremely anticipated single, is released to radio, where it rocks on alternative for 27 weeks. 
  • Is it about Gwen and Tony? No. Is it about Gwen and Gavin? Yes. Is Gwen the ex? No! 
  • The video, shot by Hype Williams, is seen on millions of TVs.

April 1-10, 2000

  • The Build-Up. Performances on Conan O'Brien, and Modern Rock Live syndicated radio show, interviews for CNN Worldbeat, and Gwen is shot for the covers of Nylon and CosmoGirl magazines. In a week or so, the entire band gets their pictures taken - together-by David LaChapelle for Rolling Stone.

April 11, 2000

  • The very down-to-earth yet extremely out there Return of Saturn is released on a global scale. Produced by Glen Ballard, mixed by Jack Joseph Puig and recorded by Alain Johannes, the 14-song disc encompasses the band's eclectic tastes: New Wave, reggae, pop and rock. Tom astutely states, "It's probably a lot easier to have sex to this record than the last." Gwen sees it differently: "It's a selfish record in a way because the songs are largely about me-and my insecurities. I laid it all out there-and it feels good." 
  • It debuts at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart one week later.

April 12-24, 2000

  • The return to the spotlight: "Simple Kind of Life," the second single, is released. (It will spend 20 weeks on the modern rock alternative radio chart.) For the video, directed by Sophie Muller, Gwen commands the screen in a fabulous wedding dress she and Sophie designed after seeing a stunning John Galliano design. 
  • Band performs on L.A. radio station KROQ during the Kevin & Bean Show and on Jay Leno ("Simple Kind of Life"). Band also plays a rocking fun show in Orange County (roots) to lots and lots of fans and in L.A. at the Universal Amphitheater where industry types and celebs chatter but are drowned out by screaming fans. 
  • Band sets out on a month long press tour across Europe, Japan and Australia.

April 27, 2000

  • "Gwen and the Boys Arrive as a Band." Rolling Stone gives No Doubt a four star glowing record review: "Return of Saturn is a rare achievement: a superstar follow up that not only betters its predecessor but also radically departs from it."

May 2000

  • An as-long-as-I-have-been-playing-bass dream, Tony is photographed for the cover of Bass Player magazine. Serious recognition. The publication called his style a "selfless approach" and went on to say, "Tony's lines give energy and life to Saturn's broad emotional range." 
  • Appropriately, Gwen is photographed for InStyle magazine.

June 2000

  • CNN and E! visit the rehearsal studio for live footage and to interview the band. 
  • Return of Saturn tour commences in Dallas, Texas. Yee-haw!

August 4-10, 2000

  • Hello, Jay! Looking smooth and sharp, No Doubt performs "Bathwater" on Leno in 1940's style clothing. 
  • The next night, they are back in O.C. for a show at Irvine Meadows. 
  • The following night, Gwen, in "the" wedding gown, and the guys perform "Simple Kind of Life at the 2000 Teen Choice Awards. 
  • Night off. 
  • Back on, the band, guys included, is photographed for Vogue magazine in conjunction with the Vogue/VH1 Fashion. (Hint: they win! Most Fashionable Video) 
  • Night off. 
  • Back on, No Doubt tapes VH1 Storytellers with special friends-Alain Johannes from Eleven and former-ND member Eric Stefani.

September 2, 2000

  • Life is a cabaret, my friend.... "Bathwater" is the focus as the group enlists their fave video director, Sophie Muller, and choreographer Fatima (Michael Jackson), who got the band dancing in step for the tongue-in-cheek video. It takes two days (phew!), and the result: Delicious!

September 2000

  • More interviews, tapings, shows, and other fun stuff...including... Band tapes voice over for King of the Hill; they play themselves plus Gwen gets to be the voice of sexy heartbreaker Vivian. Vavoom! 
  • Gwen, Tom and Gabrial play a secret acoustic set at the Mint, an intimate L.A. club, for 200 lucky friends and family members. Tony and Adrian put their feet up, sip drinks and cheer. 
  • Gwen and Moby shoot the video for "South Side," a soon to be hit that was recorded more than a year ago. 
  • Bon voyage! The stages of Japan and Australia await. See you in a month.

November 2000

  • Another busy month... this time in NYC... starting with a performance of "Bathwater" at the Radio Music Awards in fun-filled Las Vegas (gambling is kept at a minimum)... followed by Gwen and Moby performing on Late Night with David Letterman, and Gwen appearing with teen heartthrob Carson Daly for TRL (and while she's at it, Top 20 Songs of All Time with David Holmes). 
  • After Thanksgiving weekend, busy-girl Gwen is photographed for the cover of YM! 
  • Appropriately, the band ends the month with another awards show-the first ever VH1 My Music Awards. "Bathwater" is the choice and Fatima is enlisted again to choreograph.

December 2000

  • No Doubt ends 2000 with an award show (presenters at the Billboard Music Awards), performance on the tube (MTV's Fashionably Loud, selection: "Bathwater." Gwen also performs "South Side" with Moby.), and a special live performance at the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas in L.A. 
  • Return of Saturn is still on the charts (#120). It's clocked in at roughly 1.3 million sold. 
  • Band collectively closes eyes, breathes deep, and chills. Charged and Ready to Go January 2001
  • When the mood is right, strike. Feeling good about Return, No Doubt cozy up to the writing process. Much time is spent recording demos in Tom's living room (most of which make it to the upcoming album). February 2001
  • When the material is there, why not?! Feeling good about their initial writing efforts, No Doubt check into a recording studio with hip-hop producers the Neptunes. 
  • In late February, the band attends the Grammys in honor of Return of Saturn, which was nominated for Rock Album of the Year. Although they didn't win, it was fun, fun, fun.

March 2001

  • Yo! What up. We're hangin' at Adrian's Crib outside the L.B. (that's Long Beach) for a taping of MTV Cribs. Also chillin' are the drummer's wife, bandmates, friends at large, and numerous drunken clowns (you should see the raw juggling footage!). 
  • Admitting that they have recorded some good and not so good reggae, the excited band members head to Jamaica to record four songs with two legendary drum and bass/dancehall musicians/producers duos: Sly and Robbie (Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, Grace Jones), and Steelie and Cleevie (Yellowman, Shabba Ranks, Sean Paul and Mr. Vegas).

April 14, 2001

  • A dynamic duo of forceful females. Gwen takes the SNL stage with Eve for a performance of the rap singer's track "Let Me Blow Ya Mind." Gwen and Eve recorded the sure-fire hit in March.

May 14, 2001

  • Adrian tapes an episode of Rock 'N' Roll Jeopardy. Although he's no Mark McGrath rock trivia expert, he scored some cash for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

June 2001

  • Back to business. The band is feeling the groove... lots of different grooves. The group heads into the studio first with Nellee Hooper (Madonna, Bjork, etc.), and the then later in the month with Timbalind (Missy Elliott, Aaliyah). Regarding the sound taking shape, Tom said: "This is going to be the most adventurous and eclectic No Doubt album yet. So far it sounds like a heavy synthed-out dub dancehall disco party." 
  • In between producers and recording sessions, Gwen performs with Eve at the 1st Annual BET Awards and tapes an episode of Top of the Pops with the rapper.

July 2001

  • New Wave '80s love: No Doubt enters studio with Ric Ocasek from the Cars. 
  • The wedding: horn master Gabrial McNair marries his long-time girlfriend in Oslo, Norway. Ready, Steady...Rock

August 12, 2001

  • Gwen and Eve at it again - this time performing at the 2001 Teen Choice Awards.

August 2001

  • It's all in the name... and Rock Steady is it - the new album. "It was an easy decision," Adrian said. "We rock...." Tom interjects, "And we are steady as...." "Seriously," interrupts Tony, "the album has an old-school, early '80s-underground, dance hall-meets-New Wave-pop feel, and for us, 'Rock Steady' captures that universal vibe." 
  • Cheers! No Doubt is drinking tea English style while recording the title track to their new album and mixing Rock Steady with Mark "Spike" Stent (Madonna, Bjork, Oasis, Massive Attack). Loving life in London, the band has moved into a five bedroom house, gone to see a few shows, searched high-and-low for decent Mexican food, got a ticket in a car Adrian drives on the wrong side of the road, played many a game of tennis in the rain, and had a toilet explode on Adrian and Tony the first night in their flat.

September 6, 2001

  • MTV Video Music Awards: Gwen presents an award and the collaborating singer accepts awards with Moby for "South Side" (Best Male Video) and Eve for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (Best Female Video). Band cheers her on.

September 21, 2001

  • An all-star version of the Marvin Gaye classic "What's Going On" is released to radio and MTV. Recorded over several days in early September in New York, the track features Gwen, Bono, Destiny's Child, Britney Spears, Wyclef, Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera, Fred Durst, among others. Originally intended for release on December 1, 2001, World AIDS Day, the song was released early to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks. The five mix CD contributed proceeds to United Way's September 11th Fund and Artists Against AIDS.

September 25, 2001

  • No Doubt goes disco in a remake of Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby" for the soundtrack of Zoolander, starring Ben Stiller as a model!

October 2001

  • Front-page news. Blender names Gwen one of the 50 Sexiest Artists of All Time." The singer makes the cover and, at Number 20, she's sandwiched between Jim Morrison and Shania Twain (sweet!) inside. 
  • Gwen also makes the cover of Vanity Fair for their music issue. She joins company with Beck, Chris Cornell, Maxwell, David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, and several other notable musicians. In The Name of Rock

October 15-17, 2001

  • Band is absolutely, 100% thrilled with first single choice, "Hey Baby," from the 12-song Rock Steady. The album's artwork had been inspired by the work of artist Steven Sprouse, which in turn inspired the "Hey Baby" video - shot in L.A by director Dave Meyers. The song was recorded and mixed in L.A. and Jamaica.

October 25-26, 2001

  • "Hey Baby" can be heard on L.A. radio!!! 
  • U2 and No Doubt on tour! Let the fun begin. 
  • Day one is in New York at Madison Square Garden! "It was like playing to a city in mourning," says Gwen. "By the end of the concert, everyone was crying." 
  • Day two: Free show! Free Show! No Doubt plays a, you guessed it, free show in NYC for their fans on their first day off. More tears are shed.

November 6-7, 2001

  • "Hey Baby" is the focus of MTV's Making The Video, a must see. The following day it premieres on MTV.

November 20, 2001

  • Now you can remix a No Doubt song! "Ex-Girlfriend" is set to appear in the new Sony PlayStation 2 game, Frequency, where addictive gamers can also be musical mixing masterminds. Adrian loves games and even has a KISS pinball machine.

November 25, 2001

  • ND says "bye" to U2 (tour) Playing with U2 was "like playing with the soundtrack to our lives - from high-school through college," Gwen gushes.

December 1-4, 2001

  • Gwen has been named CosmoGirl of the Year by the fashionable teen magazine. 
  • Gwen is honored with the My Favorite Female Artist Award from 2001 My VH1 Music Awards. She is one of many honored (including Bono, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and Christina Aguilera) for the There's No "I" in Team (Best Collaboration) Award for her participation in the song "What's Going On." 
  • No Doubt perform "Hey Baby" on the Billboard Music Awards show. 
  • No Doubt play at Carlsbad High School near San Diego, Calif. The surprise performance airs on MTV special "Jammed" starting January 14.

December 11, 2001

  • Easy to wrap and give, Rock Steady debuts in the Top 10 on the Album Sales charts. 
  • The band signs their new album and performs at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square. Way to celebrate!

December 15, 2001

  • No Doubt play LIVE on Saturday Night LIVE! "Hey Baby" is the last song performed by No Doubt in 2001.

January 2002

  • Way to start a new year! After a six-year courtship, Gavin proposes to Gwen on the morning of January 1. She happily says YES! 
  • The band that swims together stays together. No Doubt takes a dive in Gwen's pool for a Rolling Stone cover shoot by David LaChapelle.

February 2002

  • Who's that on the skins? Where's Adrian? We want Adrian! Vandals drummer Josh Freese sits in for Adrian during Mardi Gras madness in New Orleans while the ND drummer anxiously awaits the birth of the first No Doubt offspring. Josh and the regulars appear on CBS' Friday Night Superbowl Bash, Fox's The Tailgate Party, and MTV Mardi Gras performing "Hella Good" and "Hey Baby," the latter with OutKast.

February 9, 2002

  • 2002 is just getting better and better. Adrian's beautiful wife, Nina, gave birth to their first child, Mason James Young.

February 26-27, 2002

  • ND performs a benefit with the Offspring and Weezer as part of Recording Artists Coalition's "Concerts for Artists Rights" in Long Beach, Calif. 
  • The 44th Annual Grammy's: Gwen presents an award and wins another with Eve for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind."

March 2002

  • "On the road again, I'm so glad to be on the road again." No doubt begins the mega Rock Steady tour, their first full tour in two years, in San Juan, Puerto Rico (and it's not just cuz they wanted to hit the beach first!). With five albums worth of material, the band has plenty to rock about... and if you caught their show in L.A. or Las Vegas, wow, titillating! At both shows, the band was joined on stage by Hollywood's infamous, feather-boa strutting, cabaret dancers The Pussycat Dolls during "Bathwater" and "Hey Baby." 
  • And, while in Vegas, the band was presented with commemorative No Doubt Rock Steady limited edition $5 chips by the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. 
  • Gwen's not just a girl, she's the ElleGirl cover girl for Spring.

April 2, 2002

  • "Hella Good," shot in the LB (Long Beach), makes a hella splash on MTV's TRL thanks to the fine direction of Mark Romanek (NIN, Madonna) and the hella good music.

April 19, 2002

  • The band returns to Late Night with Conan O'Brien for a good time, a hella good time when they perform "Hella Good" and "Underneath It All." It's their third date with Conan and their first with The Rock (how perfect!!).

June 2002

  • Gwen lends her vocals to Malice, the hammer-wielding heroine of the Xbox and Sony PlayStation 2 games. She and the guys become cool characters as they do voice over work for one of their favorite pastimes: gaming.

June 7, 2002

  • No Doubt rock in the open air on Jay Leno's new Summer outdoor performance space. This, their fourth date with Jay, was a hella good time with "Hella Good." 
  • Later that night, Gwen has a hell of a good time on her bachelorette drinking and dancing party that brought her and her closest friends sip, slurp and dance to Jamaican Dancehall music. When the limo arrived back home in the early morning hours, Gwen fell into Gavin's waiting arms (and a friend fell in the bushes!). The next morning, Gwen, in dark sunglasses, ate cake and opened presents at her 80-person bridal shower.

June 11-12, 2002

  • Getting real, Gwen goes from glamour girl to the real beauty in the Sophie Muller/Logan-directed video for "Underneath it All," the Dave Stewart co-penned song. This is Sophie's seventh ND video.

June 19-July 14, '02

  • Hello Europe! No Doubt play the big summer festivals in Europe - from London to Berlin, from Ireland to Norway, and points in between.

July 23, 2002

  • Will they win? Will they? "Hey Baby" is nominated for Best Group Video and Best Pop Video by the folks at the MTV Video Music Awards.

August 10-25, 2002

  • Hello surf and sun! No Doubt perform and play (and shop!) - from Honolulu to Singapore, from Tokyo to Sydney, and points in between.

August 29, 2002

  • They won! They won! No Doubt was awarded Best Group Video and Best Pop Video for "Hey Baby" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

September 14, 2002

  • G&G wed at a traditional ceremony at St Paul's Church in London's Covent Gardens amid family and close friends - including members of her No Doubt family. The stunning rock couple looked forever happy and beautiful - especially Gwen in a cream and pink John Galliano gown.

September 28, 2002

  • Recapturing their first ceremony, G&G said "I do" again at a second private ceremony at record label pal Jimmy Iovine's Hollywood home. What girl wouldn't want to wear her wedding dress twice and say "yes" to her long-time love?? They toasted and danced into the wee hours with family, band family and many friends.

October 2002

  • No Doubt is rocking steady - and rolling with the Stones! The Rock Steady tour rolls on in St. Paul, MN. And includes three dates opening for the Rolling Stones, a free afternoon concert in Nashville, and dates with Garbage and the Distillers.

November 2002

  • Tony is on the cover of Bass Player... again. Chats about synth bass on RS.

November 13, 2002

  • Dawson, Joey and Pacey are cool! In the Dawson's Creek episode called "Spiderwebs," Dawson's characters head to Boston to see No Doubt play. Three songs are featured on the show: "Hella Good," "Underneath it All" and "Magic's in the Makeup."

November 22, 2002

  • No Doubt get the key to the Tragic Kingdom... well, actually, Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly presents the band with a key to the city on "Breakfast with Kevin and Bean," KROQ's morning show. This is the ultimate nod to a band that immortalized their backyard - and was determined to get played on their favorite radio station. 
  • No Doubt sells out three nights at the Long Beach arena and adds a fourth night at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, their final show on the 2002 Rock Steady Tour. Hey Baby, We're a Winning Group

January 2003

  • Could three be a charm? The New Year looks great as No Doubt is nominated for THREE Grammys - Best Pop Vocal Album for Rock Steady, Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for "Hey Baby" and Best Dance Recording for "Hella Good."

January 26, 2003

  • No Doubt rocks the Super Bowl. At Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif., the band performs "Just A Girl" and accompanies Sting for the Police classic "Message In A Bottle" - in front of millions!! On their way home, they stop by Laguna Beach, Calif. to shoot their fourth Rock Steady video for the song "Running."

February 2003

  • Gwen is the cover girl for premiere issue of TeenVogue. Looking gorgeous, she talks about Gavin, No Doubt and her new line of clothes, L.A.M.B.

February 23, 2003

  • Three is a charm!! No Doubt, after many nominations and years attending, finally bounced away from the Grammys with a coveted award - and for being a group. After performing a medley of "Underneath It All" and "Hella Good," the band was awarded their first Grammy ever for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for "Hey Baby." And, in a tribute to the late Joe Strummer, Tony jammed with Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, Steve Van Zandt and Pete Thomas for a rockin' cover of The Clash's "London Calling."

February 24, 2003

  • Soooo excited about their big win, No Doubt took to the stage for a club show at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom. Not only did the lucky crowd get treated to No Doubt classics, but they also sang along covers of the Police's "Message In A Bottle" with guests Brandon Boyd and Mike Einziger of Incubus, and U2's "Sweetest Thing" with a guest appearance by Gavin.

March 10, 2003

  • Legends honored by future legends! Gwen gave the induction speech for the Police at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. The ceremony will air on VH1 on March 16.

April 2003

  • No Doubt take a little break... spend time with family, do their own thing - eat, drink, shop, exercise, relax when they want. 
  • As part of their break, Adrian and Tony back their friend Liam Lynch on his single "United States of Whatever" on the Craig Kilborn Show.

May 2003

  • "Hey Baby" is right!! Adrian is finally honored in a most appropriate way - Playgirl magazine's Sexiest Man in Music - With a Stick in His Hand. The rest of the band fully supports this honor - and Gwen plans to nominate Tony and Tom next. Taking A Look Back

September 2003

  • After a quiet summer, the band get back to work. They enter the studio with producer Nellee Hooper to record a cover of Talk Talk's "It's My Life" for their soon to be released The Singles 1992-2003.

September 8, 2003

  • Gwen's L.A.M.B. fashion label premieres with a line of bags through LeSportsac.

September 20, 2003

  • Adrian sits in with Bow Wow Wow for their set at KROQ's Inland Invasion 3, he has long admired the group.

October 10-11, 2003

  • No Doubt again collaborate with photographer/director David LaChapelle, this time he directs their video for "It's My Life." It is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

November 25, 2003

  • No Doubt releases the most projects ever released on one day in their history... 
  • 1) The Singles 1992-2003 - The band's first retrospective album featuring all their singles. 
  • 2) Boom Boox - A two CD/two DVD box set featuring The Singles 1992-2003, Everything In Time (B-Sides, Rarities, Remixes), The Videos 1992-2003 DVD and Live In The Tragic Kingdom DVD. 
  • 3) Rock Steady Live DVD - A live concert DVD filmed at two shows in Long Beach during the 2002 Rock Steady Tour

December 10, 2003

  • Viva Las Vegas! No Doubt heads to Sin City to perform “It’s My Life” at the Billboard Music Awards, held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

December 11, 2003

  • There’s no rest for this band! The day after their Las Vegas performance, it’s right back to L.A. to perform “It’s My Life” on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

January 25, 2004

  • A vision in white, Gwen attends the Golden Globe Awards and presents the award for Best Original Song – Motion Picture alongside Queen Latifa.

January 26, 2004

  • Adrian joins Blink-182’s Travis Barker for a Drum Magazine cover shoot, while Gwen has a fashionable Vogue cover shoot of her own.

February 3, 2004

  • The movie 50 First Dates, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Bar rymore, premieres. The film’s soundtrack includes three songs produced by Tony Kanal.

February 8, 2004

  • The band attends the 46th Annual Grammy Awards and walks away with the award for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for their song, “Underneath it All.”

May 4, 2004 

  • Lion tamers, snake charmers and jugglers? No Doubt has a circus-themed cover shoot for Entertainment Weekly and is featured in their Summer Tour Issue.

June 1 – July 3, 2004

  • Nothing like a good old fashioned road trip! The band hits the road for a summer tour across the US with Blink 182.