Katy Perry was born October 25, 1984 in Santa Barbara, California. Both of her parents were pastors and she grew up listening primarily to Christian music. As a teenager, she recorded a Christian album Katy Hudson released in 2001 on Red Hill Records. Upon discovery of an album by the rock band Queen, Katy Perry adopted lead vocalist Freddie Mercury as one of her top musical influences. Alanis Morissette has also been identified as a key influence.