The rebel of pop-punk, Avril Lavigne paved the way for many of today’s stars. Name-checked as an influence by the likes of Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, the impact of Avril’s riotous attitude, pioneering fashion and direct pop cuts can still be felt. Releasing her Greatest Hits record this month, we’re remembering just a few of the moments where Avril changed the game. 

Released in spring 2002, the video for Complicated introduced the world to Avril with her demands for authenticity, mall-crashing band, and trademark loose tie. An instant, global hit of a debut, it cemented Avril as an alternative to the era’s pop princesses. Releasing her debut album Let Go that summer, it earnt Avril eight Grammy nominations. 

At the 2003 ceremony she performed juggernaut single Sk8er Boi dressed in a customised tuxedo with a middle-finger stuck to the back and the words ‘ROCK ON’ emblazoned inside. Sk8er Boi was a top ten platinum single in the US and the UK, where she was nominated for two Brit Awards. She performed live at the 2003 ceremony with the backing of a massive twenty-one drummers! 

Avril’s love for epic percussionists continued in 2007 when punk-pop royalty, Blink 182’s Travis Barker, recorded drums for her third album The Best Damn Thing. The pair united in 2022 to perform a blistering version of her hit single Girlfriend.

Dropping explosive anthem What the Hell at the start of 2011, she debuted the hit on US TV institution Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with matching diamante wristband and mic. Ever the pioneer, she made the video with director Marcus Raboy who filmed it in 3D!