Maynard James Keenan also known as MJK is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He owes much of his success to a unique decision made by his parents.
The musician and rock star is not only a singer, Maynard James Keenan also has a soft spot for wines. He is an experienced winemaker and taster famous for having around 1000 bottles of wine in his home.
He also ventured into acting and of course has done so in quite a few films for which he received credit. Let’s find out the numerous hurdles this rock star had to overcome before finding fame and how he’s dealt with life since then.
Maynard James Keenan’s Bio and Age
Maynard James Keenan, real name MaynardHerbert Keenan, was born on April 17, 1964 in Ravenna, Ohio. His late mother, Judith Marie (died June 18, 2003) and father, Michael Loren Keenan, therefore had no other children, Maynard James being their only child.
His parents separated in 1968 and this also affected his relationship with his father for twelve years, whom he only saw once a year. Also, the man his mother married became to make things very unbearable for him and hindered his spiritual and psychological growth. This made his mother suggest that he move to Scottville, Michigan (where his father moved after the divorce) to stay with him after she was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm in 1976.
Maynard didn’t think twice about taking the option. His father was a high school teacher and enrolled him at County Central High School in Scottville. There he joined the wrestling team, which also includes his father. He graduated from school in 1982, the same year his father gave up the coaching job.
Maynard James Keenan attended Kendall College of Arts and Design, Michigan, where he met the likes of Gillian Anderson, the now famous actress. After college he was enlisted in the army; He joined the Marine Corps where he was promoted to Forward Observer. One of the reasons he enlisted was to get funding through G.I Bill’s art school. His dreams were fulfilled when he was shortlisted to attend West Point Prep School, a military prep school. During his school years, he excelled in various subjects such as math, English, wrestling, and physical education. He also excelled in undergraduate and graduate education, which prompted the school to offer him an appointment, which he declined, to continue his music career. That’s where he chose the nameMaynard ‘ for himself.Family – wife and son
Maynard James Keenan is the father of Devo H. Keenan, who is also a singer. He had his son from an affair he had in 1995, although it is not clear who his mother is.
In June 2010, he proposed to his then-girlfriend, who is also his laboratory manager at the wine factory, Lei Li. They married two years later, on September 10, 2012, and two years later, on July 12, 2014, the two welcomed a baby girl, which they called Lei Li Agostina Maria.
