Pete Wentz

Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz III (born June 5, 1979) is an American musician, songwriter, and record executive best known as the co-founder, bassist, and primary lyricist for the rock band Fall Out Boy. Prior to forming Fall Out Boy in 2001, he was active in the Chicago hardcore scene as the lead singer and songwriter for the metalcore band Arma Angelus. Wentz also owns DCD2 Records, a label that signed acts such as Panic! at the Disco and Gym Class Heroes, and formed the experimental group Black Cards during Fall Out Boy's hiatus.

Wentz was born in Wilmette, Illinois, to Dale and Pete Wentz II. He has two siblings, Hillary and Andrew. On his mother's side, he is of Afro-Jamaican descent, and his maternal grandfather served as the U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone. Wentz attended North Shore Country Day School, where he was an all-state soccer player before deciding to focus on music. He graduated from high school in 1997 and attended DePaul University to study political science, eventually dropping out near graduation to pursue Fall Out Boy full-time.

In the 1990s, Wentz played in several Chicago hardcore punk bands, including First Born, Racetraitor, Birthright, Extinction, and Yellow Road Priest. He co-founded Novena, later named Arma Angelus, with whom he released an EP in 2000 and the debut album Where Sleeplessness Is Rest From Nightmares in 2001. After touring with bands like Throwdown and Hatebreed, Arma Angelus played its final show in 2002. Around 2001, Wentz and guitarist Joe Trohman founded Fall Out Boy, subsequently bringing on vocalist Patrick Stump and drummer Andy Hurley.

Fall Out Boy released early projects before achieving mainstream success with their 2005 double-platinum album From Under the Cork Tree, featuring the hit single Sugar, We're Goin Down. Their 2007 follow-up, Infinity on High, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, followed by Folie à Deux in 2008. After taking an indefinite hiatus in 2009, the band returned in 2013 with Save Rock and Roll, which also topped the Billboard 200. Fall Out Boy subsequently released American Beauty/American Psycho, Mania, and So Much (for) Stardust, and headlined Chicago's Wrigley Field in 2018.

During Fall Out Boy's 2009–2012 break, Wentz formed the electropop and ska group Black Cards with vocalist Bebe Rexha and other musicians, releasing material before Rexha's departure in 2012. Musically, Wentz long utilized Fender Precision Basses, partnering with Squier in 2007 to release a signature model. In 2023, he released a signature StingRay Bass with Sterling by Music Man. For live sound and effects, his equipment has included the Tech 21 SansAmp RBI Preamp and Line 6 HX Stomp.

Outside of music, Wentz launched the clothing line Clandestine Industries in 2005, which partnered with DKNY in 2007. He co-owned the nightclub Angels & Kings, hosted two seasons of Best Ink, runs the film production company Bartskull Films, and created the blogging platform Friends or Enemies. Wentz has also engaged in acting, co-created art for a Los Angeles exhibit, hosted the 2009 Australia MTV VMAs, and became a minority owner of Phoenix Rising FC. His philanthropic efforts include work with Invisible Children, Inc. and UNICEF's Tap Project.