With powerful effervescence, No Doubt lead singer/lyricist Gwen Renee Stefani (1969-) proves that music can be a celebration of passionate colors.

"Music is so powerful and it's such a gift," she said. "I feel so excited to give it to everyone."

Born on this day in Fullerton, California, the oh-so-beautiful blonde with charismatic talent and famous bare belly remains grounded after leading her garage band to international fame.

"We were a band for nine years before we had any commercial success," Stefani explained. "And that, in a lot of ways, has kept us really grounded."

The band's sound is an experimental mix of familiar ska with new wave, R&B, and Jamaican beat. Stefani's voice is coo-ingly sweet with a tinge of grr.

No Doubt's breakthrough record, Tragic Kingdom, was released in 1995 and featured the mega-hits Don't Speak and Just a Girl that helped certify the album as mega-plantinum.

"We're definitely a live band and we enjoy playing live," Stefani explained.

On the road nearly non-stop, in 1997, the band made the cover of Rolling Stone. More music--Beacon Street Collection (1997), Return of Saturn (2000), and Rock Steady (2001)--followed.

There seems to be no end to No Doubt in sight.

About the future Stefani has said, "I think that if everything was taken away tomorrow, if they dropped the tour and everyone hated us, I'd still be fulfilled. Because I can honestly say I never expected us to get this far."

Celebrate who you are.