Jonathan Davis

Jonathan Howsmon Davis is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who was born on January 18, 1971. He is most known for being the lead singer and frontman of the nu-metal band Korn, which is regarded as a pioneering act in the genre. Davis’ distinct personality and Korn’s music influenced a subsequent generation of artists and entertainers. His music is known for being gloomy and tackling problems of abuse and emotional trauma, as a result of his traumatic and abusive childhood. We hope he has a blast as today is his special day!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Jonathan Howsmon Davis

Nickname:

J.D., JDevil

Birth date:

January 18, 1971

Age:

53

Zodiac Sign:

Capricorn

Height:

6' 2"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$50 million

Jonathan's Social Media:

Background

Jonathan Davis was born to Rick Davis and Holly Chavez in Bakersfield, California. Davis’ parents divorced when he was three years old, and his father took him in to raise him with his new wife Lily. He had a bad childhood because he was sexually and emotionally abused as a child. He had a particularly tumultuous relationship with his stepmother, who used to physically torture him, which led to his father’s divorce. Highland High School was his alma mater, and he graduated in 1989. In addition, he studied mortuary science at the San Francisco School of Mortuary Science. Davis was constantly bullied at school because he was different from the other students.

Davis began performing as a D.J. in 1987, while still in high school, under the moniker JDevil. Davis was allowed to reside in his garage by Jeff Creath, the proprietor of Underground Chicken Sounds recording studio, and the band Korn was founded in 1993. They began playing gigs and were discovered in 1993 while performing at Huntington Beach. The band released its self-titled debut in 1994. The album’s theme was something close to Davis’ heart: child abuse and drug addiction. “Untouchables,” Korn’s fifth studio album, was released in 2002 and was an instant hit with metal fans, earning it platinum certification. The single, ‘Here to Stay,’ received a Grammy in addition to selling five million copies worldwide. Subsequent releases include “Korn III: Remember Who You Are” (2010), “The Path of Totality” (2011), and “The Paradigm Shift” (2012). Davis began announcing solo tour dates and festival performances in December 2017, as well as the release of his solo album in 2018. Davis released his first solo single, ‘What It Is,’ in January 2018. Sumerian Records published his debut solo album, “Black Labyrinth,” on May 25, 2018.

From 1998 to 2000, he was married to Renee Perez, with whom he has a son, Nathan. In 2004, he married Deven Davis, a former pornographic actress. Pirate and Zeppelin are their two sons. In October 2016, he filed for divorce, alleging “irreconcilable differences.” Davis was diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (I.T.P.), an uncommon bleeding condition, in 2006. He was bedridden for days due to this ailment, which he now manages with medication.

Career timeline

1993
He Forms a Band

Jonathan Davis co-founds Korn in Los Angeles following the dissolution of his two previous bands, Sexar’ and L.A.P.D.

1994
Korn Releases Its First Album

The band releases its first and self-titled album, “Korn” under Immortal/Epic Records.

2000
The Band Wins a Grammy

Korn wins Best Short Form Music Video for ‘Freak on a Leash.’

2018
His First Solo Single Debuts

Davis releases his first solo single, ‘What It Is’ which features in “American Satan,” an American supernatural musical thriller film.

2018
His Solo Album Debuts

He releases his debut solo album, “Black Labyrinth” on Sumerian Records.

Why We Love Jonathan Davis

  1. His music

    Jonathan Davis has a unique lyrical style. The majority of vocalists of his time were content to dress up song meanings in metaphors so oblique that they were practically impossible to interpret. Korn's self-titled debut tackled problems like depression, child abuse, and drug addiction head-on, leaving little to the imagination.

  2. He is a survivor

    Davis has managed to carry Korn through tens of thousands of album sales since its self-titled album launched more than 25 years ago. Davis has dealt with difficulties and abuse that many individuals would find difficult to deal with as a child, and he's channeled his sorrow into making a name for himself in the nu-metal scene.

  3. He is charitable

    Zeppelin, the singer's youngest son, has Type one diabetes and requires daily insulin shots. Davis wrote 'So Unfair' about his son's battle with diabetes and donated all of the profits to the American charity Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (J.D.R.F.), which is seeking to discover a cure.

5 Surprising Facts

  1. He suffered from asthma

    As a child, Jonathan Davis suffered from acute asthma and nearly died from a bad attack at age five.

  2. His favorite band

    When he was younger, Davis’ favorite band was Duran Duran.

  3. He was told he’d be famous

    A psychic who didn't know he was a musician told him he'd become famous for fronting a rock band when he was working at a funeral home.

  4. His children share the same middle name

    Davis’ middle name is Howsmon and he gave the same middle name to all three of his kids.

  5. He suffered extreme child abuse

    During Davis' illness, his stepmother abused him by making him drink tea laced with Thai hot oil and jalapeno juice.

Jonathan Davis FAQs

Was Jonathan Davis a mortician?

Yes, he trained as one when he was younger.

Is Jonathan Davis German?

He is of English, German, Scottish, and Welsh descent.

Did Jonathan Davis finish high school?

He attended Highland High School and graduated from there in 1989.

Jonathan Davis’s birthday dates

YearDateDay
2025January 18Saturday
2026January 18Sunday
2027January 18Monday
2028January 18Tuesday
2029January 18Thursday

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