Kevin James LaBrie (born May 5, 1963) is a Canadian singer best known as the lead vocalist of the American progressive metal band Dream Theater, a position he has held since 1991.
LaBrie was born in Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada. He began playing drums at the age of five and later joined various bands in his teens as both a drummer and a vocalist. At 17, he stopped playing drums and moved to Toronto in 1981 at the age of 18.
In 1986, LaBrie joined Coney Hatch during an attempted lineup change. The band recorded demo tapes and performed in Ontario but ultimately disbanded the lineup after the record label Anthem disapproved. LaBrie was replaced by Phil Naro.
Following his departure from Coney Hatch, LaBrie became the lead singer for the glam metal band Winter Rose, which also featured Richard Chycki on guitar and bass, Randy Cooke on drums, and, in an earlier version, Sebastian Bach on vocals. Winter Rose recorded demos between 1988 and 1989, but most of the material was not released until 1997 when Inside Out Music issued a self-titled album. The album included the 1989 track "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" and featured songs primarily written by Chycki and LaBrie.
In 1990, LaBrie auditioned for Dream Theater, who were searching for a new vocalist. Chosen from approximately 200 applicants, LaBrie officially joined the band in 1991. Since then, he has contributed significantly to Dream Theater's vocal melodies and has written or co-written lyrics for songs on eleven of the sixteen albums released during his tenure. Albums such as "Images and Words," "Black Clouds & Silver Linings," "Dream Theater," and "The Astonishing" do not feature his lyrical contributions. LaBrie is credited with music contributions on three tracks from the 2011 album "A Dramatic Turn of Events." When asked about his favorite song to perform live, LaBrie cited "Scarred" and "Octavarium."
In addition to his work with Dream Theater, LaBrie has pursued a solo career, collaborating with keyboardist Matt Guillory on several projects. Under names including Mullmuzzler and James LaBrie, he released multiple albums. His solo album "Static Impulse" was announced in July 2010 and released on September 27, 2010, via Inside Out Music. The album featured Matt Guillory, guitarist Marco Sfogli, drummer and harsh vocalist Peter Wildoer, and bassist Ray Riendeau. LaBrie described the album as a modern metal release with intense riffs and melodic elements. A planned U.S. tour was later canceled due to logistical issues.
In July 2013, LaBrie released the album "Impermanent Resonance," also through Inside Out Music. He has contributed guest vocals to various artists and projects, including Fates Warning's "Parallels" album, several releases by Trent Gardner, and work with Shadow Gallery, Tim Donahue, and Frameshift. LaBrie portrayed the main character in Ayreon’s rock opera "The Human Equation" and returned for the live production "The Theater Equation." He also voiced "The Historian" in Ayreon's album "The Source."
In 2006, LaBrie participated in Henning Pauly's "Babysteps" project as the character of a doctor. He also worked on the True Symphonic Rockestra project, which released the album "Concerto in True Minor – 3 Rock Tenors" in 2008.
In 2016, LaBrie appeared on the debut album by Last Union, later titled "Twelve," contributing vocals to the tracks "President Evil," "Taken," and "A Place In Heaven." The album was released on December 21, 2018.
LaBrie was raised Christian but has since moved away from organized religion, describing himself as spiritually inclined. He met his wife, Karen, in high school, and as of 2022, they had been married for 33 years.
His musical influences span a wide range of genres and include artists such as Sebastian Bach, Aerosmith, Don Dokken, Metallica, The Doors, Ludwig van Beethoven, Nat King Cole, Queen, Sting, and Muse. He lists Freddie Mercury as his favorite singer and also cites Steve Perry, Lou Gramm, Rob Halford, Steven Tyler, Robert Plant, and Jeff Buckley among his influences. In 2010, LaBrie was voted number 16 on MusicRadar's list of the greatest vocalists of all time.
In December 1994, LaBrie experienced a serious vocal injury after contracting food poisoning while on vacation in Cuba. Vomiting caused a rupture in his vocal cords, leading to prolonged vocal challenges. Despite medical advice, he continued performing with Dream Theater in early 1995. He later stated that his voice did not return to normal until around 2002, attributing his recovery to rest and vocal training. The incident permanently affected his vocal range, which he discussed in a 2019 interview.
In 2022, LaBrie faced allegations of lip syncing during Dream Theater’s Top of the World Tour. The accusations were based on fan recordings, particularly of the song "Bridges In The Sky." LaBrie publicly denied the claims during a concert in Houston, Texas, stating that he has never lip synced in his career.
Solo albums
Elements of Persuasion (2005)
Static Impulse (2010)
Impermanent Resonance (2013)
Beautiful Shade of Grey (2022)
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…shrink me down again