Gerard Way

Person Score

 
9.5 Superb
53 votes

Your Score

Biography

Gender:
Male
Born:
4-9-1977
Birthplace:
Newark, New Jersey
Birth Name:
Gerard Arthur Way
Gerard Way first began singing in fourth grade, when he played the part of Peter Pan in a school production of the play. His grandmother, Elena who also taught him to sing, was so excited about his role that she made him a costume that included green tights. After this Way 'turned his back' on singing, saying, "Well, I don't want to be this weird singer kid, [I'm] into other things like comics and Iron Maiden". He then decided to pursue graphic arts. Way had always been interested in drawing and comics because his childhood house was a "dark and dingy gothic-looking" place in an area of NewMore Jersey where it was crime-ridden. Dead bodies were almost frequently found in the West Hudson River, which was located in a park where children went to play. Way says that as a child, you couldn't really go out and play, so what he did was make up imaginary worlds in his head, which led on to his love for artwork.

After graduating from high school in 1995, he attended School of Visual Arts in New York City graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1999. In 2001, Way says he tried to sell an animated television series to Cartoon Network[1] called The Breakfast Monkey. He maintains that Cartoon Network turned down the pitch because it was too similar to Aqua Teen Hunger Force, then already in production.

The Formation of My Chemical Romance
When the September 11th attacks occurred, Way was working in the comic industry in New York, and could see the horror occurring at the Twin Towers. This inspired him to "do something with his life", and he formed the band My Chemical Romance. The song "Skylines and Turnstiles" is the first song ever written by My Chemical Romance, and it is based off of Way's experience with the 9/11 incident. The band's name, suggested by Mikey Way, came from a book written by Irvine Welsh, entitled Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance. Gerard brought together Ray Toro, Matt Pelissier (later replaced by Bob Bryar), Frank Iero, and his brother Mikey to play gigs along the East Coast. The band soon released its first album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love in 2002 under the at that time obscure New Jersey label Eyeball Records. Music turned out to be an effective means for Way to deal with his longtime battle against depression, alcoholism, and prescription drug abuse, leading to the creation of deeply personal songs such as "Helena", written after the death of his grandmother, Elena Lee Rush.

Despite his success as a musician, Way has not left his drawing behind: He drew all of the art on the band's second album, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge and has designed merchandise for his and other similar bands. He also has made efforts in order to raise money through his art for causes such as the fight against breast cancer. Other charity funds include working with The Used lead singer Bert McCracken to release a cover of the Queen and David Bowie single Under Pressure, on a Tsunami Relief charity CD.

From the Forums

More Topics
  • Gerard and Mcr Thread

    talk about anything that has to do with gerard and MCR

    2 comments, last one Aug 25, 2008
  • Hello!

    Soooo how's it goin? anyone here??????

    4 comments, last one Jul 9, 2008
  • national MCR DAY!!!! JULY 23RD!!!

    July 23rd is national MCR day! Hey... the date is set and july 23rd will for here on be known as MCRD!! Thats right ... on that day you can do whatever to show your love for MCR...it doesnt matter what it is... u can listen to their music all day,talk about them non-stop,have a party wit friends,More have a drink and toast to MCR, draw a picture for the occasion, whatever u want to do...DO IT!! but there is one thing we all must do... if u have MCR merch WEAR IT!! but if u dont have any dont fret, its ok. Finnaly we wanna make this as global as humanly possible. post it on ur BEBOS , MYSPACE, YOUTUBE,YOUR LIVE JOURNAL, any MCR FORUMS you can find, tell all your MCR friends send an email to everysingle person on myspace ... TELL THE WORLD!!!

    3 comments, last one Jul 9, 2008
  • Welcome to the TV.com Forums for Gerard Way

    Welcome to the TV.com Forums for Gerard Way. Here is your area to discuss, dissect and debate all things about this person.

    1 comments, last one Dec 2, 2006
More Topics
  •  
    10 Perfect
    My Chemical Romance Saves Lives hide show

    Oh, bloody hell yeh. My Chemical Romance is, in my mind at least, THE best band ever. I love MCR because they saved my life. Ever since I discovered them and started listening, my confidence grew and grew. I joined the school orchestra, drama club and now I'm starting my own band with a few friends. We're still thinking of a name. I have picked up new instruments and started to sing in public. Before it was just clarinet, which I still enjoy, but now, alongside that and singing, I play bass, piano and guitar. (: I used to have a prescription drug addiction but since finding MCR, and finding out about how they helped Gee with his addictions, I managed to beat mine too and have now been sober for 5 months. :) WOO! I also thought I'd mention that I don't believe they fit into 'emo'. I don't even see what this whole 'emo' thing is about. I'm 13 and 3/4, but I guess I'm not entirely 'with it'. I think pre danger days, they were a mixture of punk and goth, now I think just punk. But what I love about the band is, if they get fed up with how they are, they just change to how they want to be and this is evident in their songs.

    btw, loving the new album guys, it's lovely to see how you're finding yourselves, as before, you were all dark and as a reaction to 9/11, I'm glad that you've found you can write about other subject matter. Loving all the synths in the new songs. I will be a MCR till the end of my life!

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
  •  
    10 Perfect
    just like me hide show

    i feel the same as gerard am only 14 and am on depression pills, not to mension my school has put me in for rehab sessions coz i got caught with a bottle of vodka and a spliff in my ba. iknow how bad it is to feellie drinkin and drugs are the answer, especialy when u have no support from family. but i think gerard has grate music and at least i can relate to something hes going through and i hope we can help eachother, i thing we both need 2 talk and if possible become friends or something like that :)

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
  •  
    10 Perfect
    Gerard makes me happy hide show

    I am a huge my chemical romance fan, so i have to write a review for the lead singer Gerard Way. I'm a huge fan of his voice, it has a desparate unique edge to it. It's amazing, i'll never get tired of hearing his voive shriek through My chemical romance's many songs. My favorite songs by his band are, "The sharpest lives" "Famous last words" "Helena" "Welcome to the black parade" "To the end" "This is how I disapear" "The ghost of you" and "House of wolves" I dont know what else to say, other than I love Gerard and his music

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
  •  
    10 Perfect
    Gerard Way is the lead singer of "My Chemical Romance". hide show

    By my opinion, Gerard Way is gorgeous and really hot. Although he is 30 years old, he looks extremely young for his age. He has a very unique and amazing voice. He has been a through a lot in his life. He is talented, funny, and gorgeous. Just two words... EXTRA HOTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! x_X

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
  •  
    10 Perfect
    He is the BEST singer ever and is the hottest!!!! hide show

    Gerard is the most amazing singer and performer!!!! He is friggin sexyyyy! All hail Gerard Way! The lord of rock! He is a great writer and his lyrics come from the heart and are so inspiring. People should listen to MCR more often. I dont get the rumor about him being gay but who cares. The music should be more important anyway.

    My 3 favorite songs are My way home is through you, Dead, Honey, this mirror isn't big enough for the two of us

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
 
Click Here

Top Contributors

What is a TV.com Contributor?