Placebo

Placebo, a British alternative rock band, was formed in London in 1994 by vocalist-guitarist Brian Molko and bassist-guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The early lineup included Robert Schultzberg on drums, though he was later replaced by Steve Hewitt in 1996. The band quickly gained recognition in 1997 with the success of their single “Nancy Boy,” which reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. Their debut self-titled album, released in 1996, peaked at No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart, distinguishing them within the Britpop scene of the era with their unique sound and androgynous imagery. This early success earned them an invitation from David Bowie to open several of his concerts in 1996 and perform at his 50th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden.

Their 1998 album, “Without You I’m Nothing,” marked a significant international breakthrough. The album featured the single “Pure Morning,” which achieved success in both the US and UK markets, reaching number 20 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and number 4 in the UK. This album also included a re-recorded version of the title track featuring David Bowie. Placebo continued to evolve their sound through subsequent albums such as “Black Market Music” (2000), which featured collaborations and reached No. 1 in France and No. 6 in the UK, and “Sleeping with Ghosts” (2003), which sold 1.4 million copies worldwide. They released a singles collection, “Once More with Feeling: Singles 1996–2004,” and a live DVD, “Soulmates Never Die (Live in Paris 2003).”

In 2006, Placebo released their fifth studio album, “Meds,” which charted well internationally despite an early leak, reaching No. 1 in France and No. 7 in the UK. Following Steve Hewitt’s departure in 2007, Steve Forrest joined as the new drummer, contributing to “Battle for the Sun” (2009) and “Loud Like Love” (2013). Forrest later left in 2015, and the band continues as a duo with touring musicians. Celebrating 20 years, they embarked on the “A Place for Us to Dream” tour in 2016, showcasing material from their extensive career. Their most recent album, “Never Let Me Go,” was released in 2022, followed by a documentary, “This Search for Meaning,” in 2024, reflecting on their journey and impact.