Editing Chris Isaak

{{short description|American rock musician}}
{{for|the American football player|Chris Isaac}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Chris Isaak
| image           = Chris Isaak at NAMM 1 25 2014 -15 (12243161146).jpg
| image_size      =
| caption         = Isaak in 2014
| birth_name      = Christopher Joseph Isaak
| alias           =
| birth_date      = {{Birth date and age|1956|06|26}}
| birth_place     = [[Stockton, California]], U.S.
| origin          =
| death_date      =
| genre           = {{flatlist|
* [[Rockabilly]]
* [[Country music|country]]
* [[rock and roll]]
* [[soft rock]]<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hermes|first1=Will|title=First Comes the Night by Chris Isaak, Vanguard -- Rockabilly's greatest modern ambassador goofs off, with mostly fun results|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/chris-isaak-first-comes-the-night-20151113|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=rollingstone.com|accessdate=November 16, 2015|date=November 13, 2015}}</ref>
}}
| occupation      = {{flatlist|
* Singer
* songwriter
* guitarist
* actor
}}
| instrument      = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
* guitar
* bass
}}
| years_active    = 1978–present
| label           = {{hlist|[[Reprise Records|Reprise]]/[[Warner Records|Warner Bros.]]|[[Vanguard Records|Vanguard]]}}
| associated_acts =
| website         = {{URL|chrisisaak.com}}
}}

'''Christopher Joseph Isaak''' (born June 26, 1956)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/chris-isaak-285948 |title=Biography : Chris Isaak |publisher=Biography.com |access-date=May 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404224546/https://www.biography.com/people/chris-isaak-285948 |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book
| first= Martin C.
| last= Strong
| year= 2000
| title= The Great Rock Discography
| edition= 5th
| publisher= Mojo Books
| location= Edinburgh
| pages= 480–481
| isbn= 1-84195-017-3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Buckley |first=Peter |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Rough_Guide_to_Rock/7ctjc6UWCm4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=chris+isaak+born&pg=PA525&printsec=frontcover |title=The Rough Guide to Rock |date=2003 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=978-1-84353-105-0 |pages=535 |language=en}}</ref> is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional actor. Noted for his reverb-laden [[rockabilly]] revivalist style and wide vocal range, he is popularly known for his breakthrough hit and [[signature song]] "[[Wicked Game]]"; as well as international hits such as "Blue Hotel", "[[Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing]]", and "[[Somebody's Crying]]".

With a career spanning four decades, Isaak has released 13 studio albums, toured extensively with his band Silvertone, and received numerous award nominations. His sound and image are often compared to those of [[Roy Orbison]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[Ricky Nelson]], and [[Duane Eddy]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Goldberg |first=Michael |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/interview-chris-isaak-172003/ |title=Interview: Chris Isaak |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 18, 1991 |access-date=January 24, 2019}}</ref>

Isaak has associated with film director [[David Lynch]], who has used his music in numerous films. As an actor, he played supporting roles and bit parts in films such as ''[[Married to the Mob]]'', ''[[The Silence of the Lambs (film)|The Silence of the Lambs]]'', ''[[Little Buddha]]'', ''[[That Thing You Do!]]'' and Lynch's ''[[Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me]]'', and starred in two television series: the [[sitcom]] ''[[The Chris Isaak Show]]'' and the [[talk show]] ''[[The Chris Isaak Hour]]''.

==Early life and education==
Isaak was born in [[Stockton, California]],<ref name="The Great Rock Discography" /> to Dorothy (''née'' Vignolo; 1931–2021) and Joseph "Joe" Isaak (1929–2012), a [[forklift]] driver;<ref name= "isaaklife" /> respectively of Italian and German ancestry.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=St. Petersburg Times (Florida) | date=November 9, 1999 | page=1D | last=Vivinetto | first=Gina | title=Chris Isaak's wicked games | id={{ProQuest|263394598}}}}</ref>

Attending [[Stagg High School (Stockton, California)|Amos Alonzo Stagg High School]] in Stockton, Isaak was class president and the class of 1974 [[valedictorian]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=December 9, 2015 |title=Chris Isaak performs at Golden State |url=https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/entertainment/2015/12/09/chris-isaak-performs-golden-state/77045700/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Salinas Californian |language=en-US}}</ref> He subsequently attended a local college, [[San Joaquin Delta College|San Joaquin Delta Community College]], before transferring to the [[University of the Pacific (United States)|University of the Pacific]]. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in English and communications arts in 1981 and participated in a Japanese exchange program.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Goldberg |first=Michael |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/chris-isaak-19910418?page=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005125042/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/chris-isaak-19910418?page=5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 5, 2015 |title=Interview: Chris Isaak |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 18, 1991 |access-date=March 12, 2016}}</ref>

After graduating from college, Isaak put together his first band, Silvertone, a rockabilly group with  [[James Calvin Wilsey]] (guitar), Jamie Ayres (bass), and John Silvers (drums).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Michael |date=2019-01-28 |title=The 'King of Slow': Remembering Guitarist James Calvin Wilsey |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/king-of-slow-guitarist-james-calvin-wilsey-784335/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>  Ayres and Silvers were later replaced by [[Rowland Salley]] (bass), and Kenney Dale Johnson (drums).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Hilary |last2=Rupal |first2=Reetu |date=2012-01-27 |title=AP Interview: Chris Isaak makes Memphis album |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/ap-interview-chris-isaak-makes-memphis-album/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The name was borrowed from the guitar brand popularized in the 1950s. The group remained with Isaak as his permanent backing band.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whiting |first=Sam |date=2010-12-09 |title=Chris Isaak's drummer, Kenney Dale Johnson |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Chris-Isaak-s-drummer-Kenney-Dale-Johnson-2453948.php |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211019204333/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Chris-Isaak-s-drummer-Kenney-Dale-Johnson-2453948.php |archive-date=2021-10-19 |access-date=2025-03-18 |work=SFGATE |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Music career ===
In 1985, Isaak signed a contract with [[Warner Bros. Records]] and released his first album, ''[[Silvertone (album)|Silvertone]]'',<ref name="The Great Rock Discography" /> to critical acclaim, including from [[John Fogerty]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/chris-isaak-285948#big-break |title=Chris Isaak bio |website=[[Biography.com]] |access-date=November 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404224546/https://www.biography.com/people/chris-isaak-285948#big-break |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Despite being named after his band, ''Silvertone'' was mostly recorded with [[session musicians]]. The album's sound was raw and diverse, mingling country blues with conventional folk ballads.<ref name="oldies1">{{cite web |date=June 26, 1956 |title=Chris Isaak Biography |url=http://www.oldies.com/artist-biography/Chris-Isaak.html |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=oldies.com}}</ref> Although the album was a critical success, it failed to sell respectably.<ref name="allmusic1">{{cite web|author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/chris-isaak-mn0000775323/biography |title=Chris Isaak &#124; Biography & History |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |date=June 26, 1956 |access-date=March 12, 2016|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine }}</ref> Two tracks from the album, "Gone Ridin'" and "Livin' for Your Lover", featured in [[David Lynch]]'s 1986 film ''[[Blue Velvet (film)|Blue Velvet]]''.

Isaak's [[Chris Isaak (album)|self-titled follow-up album]] was released in 1987 and reached the [[Billboard 200]].<ref name="allmusic1" /> The album saw Isaak hone his style to sophisticated R&B.<ref name="oldies1" /> The artwork for ''Chris Isaak'' was photographed by fashion photographer [[Bruce Weber (photographer)|Bruce Weber]]. Three tracks from the album -- "You Owe Me Some Kind of Love", "Blue Hotel", and "Lie to Me" –- were used in Episode 5 of the 1987 TV series "Private Eye".

Warner Bros. moved Isaak to their [[Reprise Records]] label in 1988. That same year, "[[Married to the Mob (soundtrack)|Suspicion of Love]]" by Isaak appeared in ''[[Married to the Mob]]'', a hit movie starring [[Matthew Modine]], [[Michelle Pfeiffer]], and [[Dean Stockwell]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

[[File:Chris Isaak at the Cannery 1988.JPG|thumb|Isaak onstage in San Francisco, 1988]]

Isaak's best known song is "[[Wicked Game]]".<ref name="The Great Rock Discography" /> In an interview with Mark Needham, an engineer who worked with Isaak on "Wicked Game", Needham claimed that it took several years to put the track together.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-chris-isaaks-wicked-game-365028|title = Classic Tracks: Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game"|date = May 2002|access-date = February 12, 2016|website = ProQuest|last = Droney|first = Maureen}}</ref> It was first released on the 1989 album ''[[Heart Shaped World (Chris Isaak album)|Heart Shaped World]]'', and an [[instrumental]] version of the song was subsequently featured in the 1990 David Lynch film ''[[Wild at Heart (film)|Wild at Heart]]''.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography" /> Lee Chesnut, an Atlanta radio station music director who was obsessed with Lynch films, played the vocal version and it became the station's most-requested song. Chesnut spread the word to other radio stations and the single became a national top 10 hit in February 1991, peaking at number 6.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1991-03-02/|title = The Hot 100|magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date = January 2, 2013}}</ref> It also reached No. 10 in the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 271| title-link= British Hit Singles & Albums
}}</ref> The music video for the song was directed by [[Herb Ritts]] and was an [[MTV]] and [[VH1]] hit; shot in black and white, it featured Isaak and supermodel [[Helena Christensen]] in a sensual encounter on the beach, caressing each other and whispering in each other's ears. Another less-seen version of "Wicked Game" is directed by David Lynch and comprises scenes from the film ''Wild at Heart''. "Wicked Game" featured as the backing music in the 2001 TV advertisement for the [[Jaguar X-Type]] in the UK.{{Cn|date=May 2025}} During his career, Isaak has faced accusations that "Wicked Game" was plagiarized from a guitar riff written by [[James Calvin Wilsey]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-09 |title=The tragic truth behind Chris Isaak's 'Wicked Game' |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-tragic-truth-behind-chris-isaaks-wicked-game/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=faroutmagazine.co.uk |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Michael |date=2022-05-19 |title=Jimmy Wilsey's Guitar Helped Make Chris Isaak's 'Wicked Game' a Smash. But Wilsey Was Never the Same After |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/james-calvin-wilsey-wicked-game-chris-isaak-avengers-1352184/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

"Two Hearts" from Isaak's fourth album, ''[[San Francisco Days]]'', was featured in the closing credits of ''[[True Romance (soundtrack)|True Romance]]'', a 1993 film directed by [[Tony Scott]], written by [[Quentin Tarantino]], and starring [[Christian Slater]] and [[Patricia Arquette]].

In 1995, Isaak split with longtime guitarist James Calvin Wilsey. That year he released ''[[Forever Blue (Chris Isaak album)|Forever Blue]]'', Isaak's fifth album, and the accompanying tour featured Hershel Yatovitz on guitar. The album was nominated for a [[Grammy]] for [[Best Rock Album]], and the single "[[Somebody's Crying]]" was nominated for a Grammy for [[Best Male Rock Vocal Performance]]. On March 15, 1996, the album was certified Platinum by the [[RIAA]]. "[[Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing]]" was featured in [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s final film, ''[[Eyes Wide Shut]]'', in 1999. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts (his second collaboration with Isaak); it was shot in color and featured Isaak and French supermodel [[Laetitia Casta]] in a motel room.

Isaak composed a [[theme song]] for U.S. late-night television variety-talk show ''[[The Late Late Show (American talk show)#Craig Kilborn (1999–2004)|The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn]]''.

The [[record producer]] [[Erik Jacobsen]] was instrumental in Isaak's sound for 15 years. Jacobsen is known for his production work with [[The Lovin' Spoonful]], as well as on solo albums by Spoonful's [[John Sebastian]] and [[Jerry Yester]]. Isaak ceased working with Jacobsen on his 2002 album ''[[Always Got Tonight]]''. "Life Will Go On" from this album was featured in ''[[Chasing Liberty]]'', a 2004 film starring [[Mandy Moore]] and [[Matthew Goode]].
[[File:Chris Isaak 1.jpg|thumb|Isaak performing in 2006]]
In 2007, a live performance of Isaak singing [[Fats Domino]]'s hit "[[Blueberry Hill (song)|Blueberry Hill]]" with [[Johnny Hallyday]] at [[La Cigale]] was released on Hallyday's live album ''La Cigale : 12-17 Décembre 2006''. At the end of this recording, one can hear Isaak thanking the French rock-'n'-roll star, referring to him as "The King". Also in 2007, Isaak opened for [[Stevie Nicks]] on the first leg of her Crystal Visions Tour.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

For his 2009 album ''[[Mr. Lucky (Chris Isaak album)|Mr. Lucky]]'', Isaak collaborated with producer [[John Shanks]].

Isaak contributed a cover of [[Buddy Holly]]'s "[[Crying, Waiting, Hoping]]" for a tribute album, ''[[Listen to Me: Buddy Holly]]'', released in September 2011.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}} The next month, he released ''[[Beyond the Sun (album)|Beyond the Sun]]'', an album of [[cover songs]] (except for one original) that was recorded in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], at the [[Sun Records]] studio.

Isaak performed at the [[2015 AFL Grand Final]], along with English singer [[Ellie Goulding]] and Canadian musician [[Bryan Adams]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Twomey|first1=Callum|title=Adams, Goulding, Isaak headline GF show|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-07/bryan-adams-chris-isaak-headline-grand-final-entertainment|website=afl.com.au|date=September 7, 2015 |publisher=Australian Football League|access-date=September 7, 2015}}</ref>

In 2016, Isaak did the "[[First Comes the Night]] Tour".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indystar.com/picture-gallery/life/2016/07/05/chris-isaaks-first-comes-the-night-tour-comes-to-the-palladium/86733592/ |title=Chris Isaak on First Comes the Night Tour|access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref>

==== Guitars ====
Isaak revealed in a 2002 interview with ''Acoustic Guitar'' that he uses a one-of-a-kind [[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]]:

{{blockquote|For my electric, I've got a one-off Gibson version of a [[Gretsch 6120]], a sort of [[Chet Atkins]] thing. They made one of these things and gave it to me to see if I liked it, and I liked it so much I've been playing it ever since. People told me they thought it was a White Falcon, but it's not. It's just a white Gibson. I don't think they ever manufactured any of the things. They strung up this one prototype, scratched their heads, and said, 'Huh. Give it to Isaak.'<ref name="AGC">{{cite web |title=Acoustic Guitar Central |work=What They Play: Chris Isaak |url=http://www.acousticguitar.com/issues/ag116/gear116.html#5 |access-date=April 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926220052/http://www.acousticguitar.com/issues/ag116/gear116.html#5 |archive-date=September 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>}}

Isaak also plays a Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar, which he uses for songwriting.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fretbase.com/fretbase/2008/08/chris-isaak-and.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905010332/http://www.fretbase.com/fretbase/2008/08/chris-isaak-and.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |title=Chris Isaak and His Gibson Guitars |publisher=Fretbase |date=August 6, 2008 |access-date=September 24, 2010}}</ref>

=== Acting and other work ===
In addition to his music, Isaak has acted in film and television &mdash; as a main character or more often in smaller roles. A few of his larger film roles included [[David Lynch]]'s ''[[Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me]]'' in 1992 and in the 1993 [[Bernardo Bertolucci]]-directed ''[[Little Buddha]]'', in which he starred alongside [[Bridget Fonda]] and [[Keanu Reeves]]. Other motion pictures roles included ''[[Married to the Mob]]'' (1988), ''[[The Silence of the Lambs (film)|The Silence of the Lambs]]'' (1991), ''[[That Thing You Do!]]'' (1996), ''[[A Dirty Shame]]'' (2004), and ''[[The Informers]]'' (2008).{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

Isaak guest-starred in the special [[Super Bowl XXX]] edition of the television sitcom ''[[Friends]]'' ("[[The One After the Superbowl, Part One]]") in 1996,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/504984/chris-isaak-does-friends/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215110632/http://www.mtv.com/news/504984/chris-isaak-does-friends/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 15, 2017|title=Chris Isaak Does "Friends"|website=MTV|access-date=October 9, 2019}}</ref> and in 1998 he co-starred in the [[HBO]] miniseries ''[[From the Earth to the Moon (miniseries)|From the Earth to the Moon]]'' as astronaut [[Ed White (astronaut)|Ed White]], who was the first American astronaut to do a [[spacewalk]] and who died in the 1967 ''[[Apollo 1]]'' fire.

From March 2001 to March 2004, Isaak starred in his own television show, ''[[The Chris Isaak Show]]''. It aired in the United States on the cable television network [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]. This adult [[sitcom]] featured Isaak and his band playing themselves, and the episode plots were based on fictional accounts of the backstage world of Isaak—the rock star next door.

In 2009, [[The Biography Channel]] aired ''[[The Chris Isaak Hour]]'', a one-hour music interview and performance show hosted by Isaak.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/chris-isaak-hour/ |title=The Biography Channel's ''The Chris Isaak Hour'' website |publisher=Biography.com |date=February 18, 2009 |access-date=September 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914215631/http://www.biography.com/chris-isaak-hour/ |archive-date=September 14, 2010 }}</ref> The series premiere featured [[Trisha Yearwood]] and included their first-ever performance of "Breaking Apart", a song from Isaak's 1998 album ''[[Speak of the Devil (Chris Isaak album)|Speak of the Devil]]'' that the two recorded as a duet for his 2009 album ''[[Mr. Lucky (Chris Isaak album)|Mr. Lucky]]''. The guests on the remaining seven episodes of the series were: [[Stevie Nicks]], [[Glen Campbell]], [[Michael Bublé]], [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]], [[The Smashing Pumpkins]], [[Yusuf Islam]], and [[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1494217/episodes?season=1&ref_=tt_eps_sn_1|title=Chris Isaak Hour Episode List|website=IMDb}}</ref>

In April 2010, Isaak was the special guest during [[Conan O'Brien]]'s [[The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour]] performance at the [[Masonic Center, San Francisco|Nob Hill Masonic Center]] in [[San Francisco, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sauro |first=Tony |date=May 19, 2010 |title=Dallas Braden isn't alone in Stockton's hall of fame |url=https://www.recordnet.com/story/entertainment/local/2010/05/20/dallas-braden-isn-t-alone/51598940007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418195036/https://www.recordnet.com/story/entertainment/local/2010/05/20/dallas-braden-isn-t-alone/51598940007/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=The Stockton Record |language=en-US}}</ref>

On September 29, 2011, Isaak received the Stockton Arts Commission STAR Award in his hometown of [[Stockton, California]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110929/A_LIFE/109290306/-1/a_special15 |title=Isaak to receive Stockton award |work=Recordnet |date=September 29, 2011 |access-date=April 30, 2012 |archive-date=September 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911225442/https://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110929/A_LIFE/109290306/-1/a_special15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2014, Isaak voiced the character of Enoch, the apparent ruler of the town of Pottsfield, in the second episode of the animated television miniseries ''[[Over the Garden Wall]]''.

On May 3, 2015, Isaak was confirmed to be replacing [[Natalie Bassingthwaighte]] as a judge on the [[The X Factor (Australian season 7)|seventh season]] of ''[[The X Factor (Australian TV series)|The X Factor Australia]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6762475/chris-isaak-first-comes-night-interview|title=Chris Isaak on 'First Comes the Night' & How Stevie Nicks Convinced Him to Record in Nashville|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 17, 2017}}</ref> He joined [[James Blunt]] and returning judges [[Guy Sebastian]] and [[Dannii Minogue]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Jonathon|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/chris-isaak-and-james-blunt-meet-the-new-x-factor-guys/story-fni0cvc9-1227331987033|title=Chris Isaak and James Blunt: Meet the new X Factor guys|work=The Sunday Telegraph|date=May 3, 2015|access-date=May 3, 2015}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Isaak is close friends with [[Stevie Nicks]]<ref name="isaaklife">{{cite web |last1=Rocca |first1=Jane |title=Chris Isaak: The longest relationship I've been in is with my band |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/chris-isaak-the-longest-relationship-ive-been-in-is-with-my-band-20171129-gzutff.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=30 March 2023 |date=30 November 2017}}</ref> and the late film director [[David Lynch]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Greiving |first1=Tim |title=Twisted Nostalgia: Chris Isaak in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me |url=https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/7652-twisted-nostalgia-chris-isaak-in-twin-peaks-fire-walk-with-me |website=The Criterion Collection |access-date=30 March 2023 |date=12 January 2022}}</ref>

Isaak is a lifelong bachelor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daly |first1=Sean |title=Chris Isaak, the luckiest guy in rock |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2006/09/02/chris-isaak-the-luckiest-guy-in-rock/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=1 April 2023 |date=2 September 2006}}</ref> Regarding his bachelor status, Isaak stated, {{blockquote|The longest relationship I've been in is with my band. My personal relationships have never lasted because my work was always number one. It's not that I never thought about marriage and kids, but I was either busy writing and recording music, acting, or on the road. Kids are like sail boats: they look good on a sunny day and in the distance, but require a lot of maintenance.<ref name="isaaklife" />}}

Isaak enjoys drawing and exploring salvage shops and secondhand stores.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Quine |first1=Katie |title=Exclusive Interview with Chris Isaak |url=https://nashvillelifestyles.com/entertainment/celebrities/exclusive-interview-with-chris-isaak/ |website=Nashville Lifestyles |access-date=1 April 2023 |date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

In 2013, Isaak was sued by his lighting director of 17 years for discrimination, wrongful firing, and defamation among other charges.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chaudhary |first=Rakesh |date=2020-12-11 |title=Chris Isaak Accused Of Turning Blind-Eye To Anti-Gay Remarks |url=https://hollywoodmask.com/entertainment/chris-isaak-accused-of-turning-blind-eye-to-anti-gay-remarks-and-sexism.html |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=hollywoodmask |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Isaak sued by former crew member |url=https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/63991/Chris-Isaak-sued-by-former-crew-member |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Music-News.com |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=May 2025}}

== Discography ==
{{Main|Chris Isaak discography}}
*''[[Silvertone (album)|Silvertone]]'' (1985)
*''[[Chris Isaak (album)|Chris Isaak]]'' (1987)
*''[[Heart Shaped World (Chris Isaak album)|Heart Shaped World]]'' (1989)
*''[[San Francisco Days]]'' (1993)
*''[[Forever Blue (Chris Isaak album)|Forever Blue]]'' (1995)
*''[[Baja Sessions]]'' (1996)
*''[[Speak of the Devil (Chris Isaak album)|Speak of the Devil]]'' (1998)
*''[[Always Got Tonight]]'' (2002)
*''[[Christmas (Chris Isaak album)|Christmas]]'' (2004)
*''[[Mr. Lucky (Chris Isaak album)|Mr. Lucky]]'' (2009)
*''[[Beyond the Sun (album)|Beyond the Sun]]'' (2011)
*''[[First Comes the Night]]'' (2015)
*''[[Everybody Knows It's Christmas]] '' (2022)

== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
*''[[Married to the Mob]]'' – 'The Clown' (1988)
*''[[The Silence of the Lambs (film)|The Silence of the Lambs]]'' – SWAT Commander (1991)
*''[[Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me]]'' – Special Agent Chester Desmond (1992)
*''[[Little Buddha]]'' – Dean Conrad (1993)
*''[[That Thing You Do!]]'' – Uncle Bob (1996)
*''[[Grace of My Heart]]'' - Mathew Lewis (1996)
*''[[A Dirty Shame]]'' – Vaughn Stickles (2004)
*''[[The Informers (2008 film)|The Informers]]'' – Les (2008)

=== Television ===
* ''[[Wiseguy (TV series)|Wiseguy]]'' – Berated lounge singer (1987)
* ''[[The Larry Sanders Show]]'' - Himself (season 4, episode 6, 1995 - The P.A.)
* ''[[Friends]]'' – Rob Donnan (season 2, episode 12, 1996 – "[[The One After the Superbowl]]")
* ''[[From the Earth to the Moon (miniseries)|From the Earth to the Moon]]'' – Astronaut [[Edward White II]] (1998)
* ''[[Melrose Place]]'' – Himself/musical guest (season 7, episode 28, 1998 – Ryan's Choice)
* ''[[The Greatest (VH1 TV series)|The Greatest]]'' – Himself/host (100 Greatest Videos, 2001)
* ''[[The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn]]'' – Himself (season 3, episode 40, June 29, 2001)
* ''[[The Greatest (VH1 TV series)|The Greatest]]'' – Himself (50 Sexiest Video Moments, 2003)
* ''[[Ed (TV series)|Ed]]'' – Jamie Decker (season 3, episode 20, 2003 – "Second Chances")
* ''[[The Chris Isaak Show]]'' – Himself (2001–2004)
* ''[[American Dreams]]'' – Roy Orbison (season 2, episode 14, 2004 – "Old Enough to Fight")
* ''[[The Footy Show (rugby league)|The Footy Show]]'' – Himself (Grand Final, 2004)
* ''[[The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson]]'' – Michael Caine in Space (season 2, episode 177, 2006)
* ''Great Performances [[Jerry Lee Lewis]]: Last Man Standing Live'' – Himself (2007)
* ''[[The Bill Engvall Show]]'' – Himself (season 1, episode 6, 2007)
* ''[[Australian Idol]]'' – Himself ([[Australian Idol (season 6)|season 6]], November 9–10, 2008)
* ''[[The Chris Isaak Hour]]'' – Himself/host (2009)
* ''[[George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight]]'' – Himself (season 2, episode 23, 2011)
* ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'' – Himself (episode 192, January 4, 2012)
* ''[[Loose Women]]'' – Himself (September 28, 2012)
* ''[[The Tonight Show]]'' – Himself (January 13, 2014)
* ''[[Hot in Cleveland]]'' – Chase Jackson (one episode, 2014)
* ''[[Over the Garden Wall]]'' – Enoch (one episode, 2014)
* ''[[Adventure Time]]'' – 7718 (one episode, 2015)
* ''[[The X Factor Australia]]'' – Himself – Judge/Mentor (2015)
* ''[[Sheriff Callie's Wild West]]'' – Johnny Strum (voice) (season 2, 2016)

=== Music video ===
* [[Elton John]] – "[[Sacrifice (Elton John song)|Sacrifice]]"  – Man (1989)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Spignesi |first1=Stephen |last2=Lewis| first2=Michael |date=2019 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HUeqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT125 |title=Elton John: Fifty Years On: The Complete Guide to the Musical Genius of Elton John and Bernie Taupin |publisher=Post Hill Press |isbn=978-1-64293-327-7 |access-date=16 February 2022}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Year !! Awards !! Work !! Category !! Result
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1985
| rowspan="9" | [[MTV Video Music Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | "Dancin'"
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Most Experimental Video|Most Experimental Video]]
| {{nom}}<ref name="bill1985">{{cite magazine|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=August 24, 1985|title=Nominations for Second Annual Awards MTV Salutes Behind-The-Scenes Talent|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2iQEAAAAMBAJ&q=Eurythmics+i+need+a+man+best+group+mtv&pg=PT33|magazine=Billboard|location=New York|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=97|page=34|issn=0006-2510|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201011185053/https://books.google.com/books?id=2iQEAAAAMBAJ&q=Eurythmics+i+need+a+man+best+group+mtv&pg=PT33%23v=snippet&q=Eurythmics%20i%20need%20a%20man%20best%20group%20mtv&f=f|archive-date=October 11, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=October 12, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction|Best Direction in a Video]]
| {{nom}}{{r|bill1985}}
|-
| rowspan="8" | 1991
| rowspan="7" | "[[Wicked Game]]"
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]
| {{nom}}<ref name="mtv1991">{{cite news | newspaper=Press and Sun-Bulletin (New York) | date=July 19, 1991 | page=35 | title=MTV video award winners to be named on Sept. 5 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101389498/mtv-video-award-nominees-1991/}}</ref>
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction|Best Direction in a Video]]
| {{nom}}{{r|mtv1991}}
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Viewer's Choice|Viewer's Choice]]
| {{nom}}{{r|mtv1991}}
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing|Best Editing in a Video]]
| {{nom}}{{r|mtv1991}}
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video|Best Male Video]]
| {{won}}<ref name="mtvwin1991">{{cite news | newspaper=The San Bernardino County Sun (California) | date=September 6, 1991 | page=2 | title=MTV Video Music Awards Winners | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101389826/mtv-1991-winners/}}</ref>
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography in a Video]]
| {{won}}{{r|mtvwin1991}}
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film|Best Video from a Film]]
| {{won}}{{r|mtvwin1991}}
|-
| [[Pollstar]] Concert Industry Awards
| Tour
| Small Hall Tour of the Year
| {{nom}}{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
|-
| rowspan=2|1992
| [[ASCAP]] Pop Music Awards
| "[[Wicked Game]]"
| Most Performed Song
| {{won}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Rosen|first=Craig|date=May 30, 1992|title=ASCAP Honors Top Pop Performers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jg8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA18|magazine=Billboard|volume=104|issue=22|page=18|issn=0006-2510}}</ref>
|-
| [[1992 Brit Awards|Brit Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | Himself
| [[Brit Award for International Breakthrough Act|Best International Breakthrough]]
| {{nom}}{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1995
| Music Television Awards
| Best Male
| {{nom}}{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
|-
| [[Razzie Awards]]
| ''[[Little Buddha]]''
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst New Star|Worst New Star]]
| {{nom}}<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois) | date=February 14, 1995 | page=13 | title=O.J. among contenders for Razzie | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101395837/razzie-1995-noms/}}</ref>
|-
| [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | "[[Somebody's Crying]]"
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video|Best Male Video]]
| {{nom}}<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Sacramento Bee (California) | date=September 7, 1995 | page=55 | title=Who's in the running | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101397264/mtv-1995-noms/}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="6" | 1996
| rowspan="2" | [[1996 Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]]
| [[Best Male Rock Vocal Performance]]
| {{nom}}<ref name="cnn1996">{{cite web | title=List of Grammy nominees - Jan. 4, 1996 | website=CNN | date=January 4, 1996 | url=http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9601/grammy_noms/grammy_list.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712221956/http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9601/grammy_noms/grammy_list.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 12, 2012 | access-date=May 8, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Forever Blue (Chris Isaak album)|Forever Blue]]''
| [[Best Rock Album]]
| {{nom}}{{r|cnn1996}}
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[BAM (magazine)|California Music Awards]]
| Outstanding Album
| {{won}}<ref name="bammie1996">{{cite news | newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner | date=March 10, 1996 | page=19 | title=Chris Isaak, Inka Inka big winners at Bammies | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101398599/bammie-1996-winners/}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | Himself
| Outstanding Male Vocalist
| {{won}}{{r|bammie1996}}
|-
| Bay Area Musician of the Year
| {{won}}{{r|bammie1996}}
|-
| Himself & Silvertone
| Outstanding Group
| {{won}}{{r|bammie1996}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|1999
| Himself
| Outstanding Male Vocalist
| {{nom}}<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner | date=November 22, 1996 | page=57 | title=Bammie nominees named | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101398381/bammie-nominees-1996/}}</ref>
|-
| MVPA Awards
| "Please"
| Best Adult Contemporary Video
| {{nom}}{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
|-
| 2000
| Online Film & Television Association Awards
| "[[Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing]]"
| Best Adapted Song
| {{nom}}{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
|-
| 2001
| [[17th TCA Awards|Television Critics' Association Awards]]
| ''[[The Chris Isaak Show]]''
| [[TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy|Individual Achievement in Comedy]]
| {{nom}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/tv/20010602tca4.asp|title=HBO, CBS lead pack for TV critics' award nominations|date=June 2, 2001|publisher=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|accessdate=June 17, 2013|archive-date=October 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023032915/http://old.post-gazette.com/tv/20010602tca4.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 2003
| MVPA Awards
| rowspan="2" | "[[Wicked Game]]"
| MVPA Hall of Fame
| {{won}}<ref>{{cite web | last=Molineaux | first=Sam | title=MVPA Awards | website=Below the Line | date=June 1, 2003 | url=https://www.btlnews.com/awards/mvpa-awards/ | access-date=May 8, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| 2004
| [[ASCAP]] Film & TV Awards
| Most Performed Theme
| {{won}}<ref>{{cite magazine | magazine=Billboard | volume=116 | issue=18 | date=May 1, 2004 | last=Whitmire | first=Margo | title=2004 ASCAP Film/TV Award winners}}</ref>
|-
| 2022
| [[2022 Americana Music Honors & Awards|Americana Music Honors & Awards]]
| Himself
| Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance
| {{won}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eu.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/08/23/americana-awards-indigo-girls-don-williams-lifetime-achievement-awards/7874079001/ | title=Americana Honors: Indigo Girls, Don Williams, more to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards }}</ref>
{{end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.chrisisaak.com/ Chris Isaak.com], official site of Chris Isaak
*{{IMDb name|id=0001389}}
*[http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=A_SPECIAL15 Chris Isaak] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014032407/http://recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=A_SPECIAL15 |date=October 14, 2007 }} at [http://www.recordnet.com/ Recordnet.com]: Page with stories, multimedia and more about Chris Isaak from The Record in Stockon, CA, Isaak's hometown.
*{{Discogs artist}}
*[http://chrisisaak.yolasite.com/concert-history.php Chris Isaak concert history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718142231/http://chrisisaak.yolasite.com/concert-history.php |date=July 18, 2011 }}

{{Chris Isaak}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Isaak, Chris}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American rockabilly guitarists]]
[[Category:American soft rock musicians]]
[[Category:Male actors from California]]
[[Category:American people of German-Russian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:American expatriates in Australia]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Stockton, California]]
[[Category:University of the Pacific (United States) alumni]]
[[Category:Reprise Records artists]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from California]]
[[Category:Guitarists from California]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:Vanguard Records artists]]
[[Category:Stagg High School (Stockton, California) alumni]]