Pete Wentz, the talented bassist and primary lyricist for the renowned Chicago-based band Fall Out Boy, was born Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz III in the charming town of Wilmette, Illinois. As the son of Dale (Lewis),a high school admissions counselor, and Pete Wentz, an attorney, he was surrounded by a family rich in history and culture. His grandfather, Arthur Winston Lewis, served as the esteemed U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, while Pete's father boasts a mixed heritage of German and English descent. On his mother's side, Pete's maternal grandparents were both from black Jamaican families, adding a unique blend of cultures to his upbringing.
Growing up in the vibrant Chicago hardcore punk scene, Pete was an integral part of several bands before Fall Out Boy, including Firstborn, ArmaAngelus, 7 Angels of the Apocalypse / Culture of Violence, Extinction, Forever Ended Today, and Yellow Road Priest. He shared his musical journey with bandmate Joe Trohman, with Fall Out Boy being their fourth collaborative project alongside Andrew Hurley.
Pete's creative endeavors extend beyond music. He has penned a book titled The Boy With the Thorn In His Side, a haunting tale inspired by his childhood nightmares, which is named after a song by the iconic British band The Smiths. His second book, Rainy Day Kids, was initially scheduled for release on Valentine's Day in 2006 but was postponed due to his dissatisfaction with certain aspects. Moreover, Pete is co-authoring another book with William Beckett of The Academy Is....
Outside of music and literature, Pete has founded Clandestine Industries, a company that distributes books, clothing, and other items. He also owns Decaydance Records, an imprint of Fueled By Ramen, which has signed notable bands such as Panic! At The Disco, October Fall, Gym Class Heroes, and The Hush Sound. Furthermore, Pete has established Bartskull Films, a film production company that has released the DVD "Release the Bats," a documentary featuring Peter, his friends, and several Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen bands.
