James Herbert Keenan, better known as Maynard James Keenan, is an American singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, and winemaker who was born on April 17, 1964. He gained prominence as the lyricist and singer of the rock bands A Perfect Circle, Tool, and Puscifer. Keenan, originally from Ohio, studied in Michigan for his high school and college years.
After finishing high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. Following his release from the Army, he enrolled at Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Kendall College of Art and Design. To pursue a career in interior design and set construction, he moved to Los Angeles in 1988. Soon after, he and Adam Jones co-founded Tool.
Keenan is a musician, but he also runs Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards in Arizona, where he lives. Since becoming famous, the brand has gained a reputation as a recluse, though it comes out to support charities and give interviews. He has also dabbled in acting.
In 2022, Maynard James Keenan will have a $60 million total net worth. He sings songs and leads popular bands. These popular bands are A Perfect Circle, Tool, and Puscifer. Maynard James Keenan put out 17 albums during his musical career. Worldwide, 20 million copies of those albums were sold.
Maynard James Keenan Childhood
Maynard James Keenan, the only child of Southern Baptists Judith and Michael, was born in Ravenna, Ohio 1964. He is of Italian and Irish origin. Keenan’s parents divorced a few years later, with his father remarrying and moving to Scottville, Michigan. Keenan’s mother suffered a paralyzing hemorrhage when he was 11 years old, and she later encouraged him to move to Scottville to live with his father.
Keenan attended Mason County Central High School and was a member of the wrestling team. Then he joined the US Army after graduation, initially as a forward observer attending West Point Prep School. He declined an appointment to West Point after finishing his curriculum to pursue a career in music instead. Keenan attended Kendall College of Art and Design after finishing prep school.
He later relocated to Somerville, Massachusetts, where he worked as an interior designer for a pet store. He was then transferred to Los Angeles, where work as a set builder. Keenan was a musician who sang for the band Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty and played bass guitar for the band TexA.N.S. Between 1990 and 1993, he was a member of the comedy rock band Green Jellö, with whom he performed and recorded.
The Music Career of Maynard’s James Keenan
Maynard James Keenan began his musical career with the TexA.N.S band. He also performed with the band Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty. As a member of this band, he learned to be a better musician. Maynard James Keenan met Adam Jones in 1990. Some claim that they met at a house party. Maynard James Keenan’s screams affect Adam Jones.
After hearing the song, Adam Jones approached Maynard James Keenan about forming a band. The Tool was formed in 1990 by Maynard James Keenan and Adam Jones, along with Danny Carey and Justin Chancellor.
They were able to influence the record label Zoo Entertainment in a short period. In 1991, they signed a contract with Zoo Entertainment. Following the signing, they released their first EP, Opiate 1992. This song became Tool’s signature. That’s why a new version of the song was released.
In 1993, Tool released its debut album, Undertow. The Tool band quickly became well-known after releasing its first album. In just eight months, the album was certified gold. This success far exceeded the expectations of the fans. With this album, the band also achieved multi-platinum status. Ænima was released in 1996 by Maynard James Keenan. In ten weeks, the album was certified gold.
This album also earned Tool their first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance. Despite their success, Tool band members began to argue with one another. They even sued each other. As a result, the band decided to take a gap for some time. Maynard James Keenan began working with Billy Howerdel after the Tool band decided to take a break. In 1999, they formed a new band called A Perfect Circle.
In 2000, they released their debut album, Mer de Noms 2001. The Tool has improved. Lateralus, the band’s new album, was a commercial success that exceeded their expectations. They topped the Billboard 200 in the United States. They also received a second Grammy for Schism, which was well-known for best metal performance.
Maynard’s James Keenan Popular Albums
Maynard James Keenan is a well-known musician. He achieved a lot in his career because of his hard work. Maynard’s James Keenan’s popular albums with the TexA.N.S band are Live at Sons and Daughters Hall in 1984 and Never Again in 1985. Popular Albums with With Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty are Dog. House in 1987 and Fingernails in 1986.
Undertow, Ænima, Lateralus, 10,000 days, and Fear Inoculum were popular albums while he was with Tool. Mer de Noms in 2000, Thirteenth Step in 2003, Emotive in 2004, and Eat the elephant in 2018 are popular With A Perfect Circle. He was the lead singer in all the songs. Maynard’s James Keenan’s famous Solo albums were Existential Reckoning in 2020, Money Shot in 2015, Conditions of My Parole in 2011, and V is for Vagina in 2007.
Maynard’s James Keenan Winemaking and Other Projects
Keenan opened his winery and cellars in an unincorporated area southwest of Sedona, Arizona, where he lives, as a member of an Italian winemaking family. He is the proprietor of Merkin Vineyards and Caduceus Cellars, a partner in Stronghold Vineyards, an 80-acre vineyard in Arizona. Keenan was featured in the 2010 documentary “Blood into Wine: The Arizona Stronghold” about the Northern Arizona wine industry of this experience.
Keenan made several appearances in the sketch comedy series “Mr. Show” and played Satan in the comedy “Bikini Bandits” in 2002, a role he later returned to in the sequel released in 2004. Keenan also made cameo appearances in the 2009 action film “Crank: High Voltage” and the 2015 IFC series “Comedy Bang! Bang!”
Keenan used the alias Puscifer for a song on the “Underworld” film soundtrack in 2003. Puscifer, the film’s alter-ego, later contributed a song to the sequel, “Underworld: Evolution.” Later, in 2007, Keenan financed and released “‘V’ is for Vagina,” his first studio album under the name Puscifer.
The album marked a significant departure from Keenan’s previous work with Tool and A Perfect Circle, as it was recorded entirely in hotel rooms, on a tour bus, and in various studios across the country. Puscifer debuted as a performer at the Pearl Concert Theater in Paradise, Nevada, where he put on an abstract cabaret-style show.
How’s Maynard’s James Keenan in his personal Life?
A Perfect Circle’s Thirteenth Step featured Devo, a son of Keenan, who later received credit as the cellist on Ashes Divide’s Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright. Devo also sang background vocals on other songs. As part of Keenan’s “Cinquanta” concert, a solo cello performance by him. Keenan’s mother, Judith, is mentioned in two songs: “Wings for Marie (Pt. 1)” by Tool and “Judith” by A Perfect Circle.
Keenan is known for his secrecy and control over his public image. He objects to celebrities who are worshipped and once carried business cards with the name “Jesus H. Christ” printed on them. Keenan has resorted to using a paintball gun to chase trespassers off his property when dealing with stalkers.
Keenan studied under Rickson Gracie and has an interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he displayed by taking down a fan who ran on stage during a performance and putting them in a rear naked choke. Keenan received a promotion to brown belt in BJJ from sixth-degree black belt Luis Heredia in November 2021.
