Sonic Youth was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1981. Founding members Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo remained together for the entire history of the band, while drummer Steve Shelley, who joined in 1985, rounded out the core lineup. Jim O'Rourke was also a member from 1999 to 2005; Mark Ibold of Pavement joined in 2006 and remained in the band until their 2011 split.
