TORONTO — Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger tells Hello! Canada magazine he fell for fellow rocker Avril Lavigne in Paris during work on her upcoming fifth studio album.
The Canadian music power duo shocked music fans and media outlets yesterday when they announced their engagement after an ultra-discreet six-month courtship.
In this week’s issue of Hello! Canada magazine, the two share their story and engagement photos, in which Lavigne is wearing a pear-shaped diamond ring.
Kroeger, who hails from Hanna, Alta., tells the magazine — quote — “I knew I was falling for her. It was incredibly powerful and something I’ll never forget.”
The 37-year-old also says he feels “like the luckiest person alive.”
The 27-year-old Lavigne of Napanee, Ont., says of Kroeger — quote — “He makes me laugh every day. He takes care of me in every way and is extremely attentive.”
News of their engagement has music fans abuzz on Twitter, where the two are trending with the hashtag #Chavril.
This will be the first marriage for Kroeger and the second for Lavigne, who filed for divorce from fellow Canuck rocker Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 in 2009 after three years of marriage.
Nickelback — which also includes Kroeger’s brother, Mike, on bass, guitarist Ryan Peake and drummer Daniel Adair — was named group of the decade by Billboard magazine. Their 2001 breakthrough hit How You Remind Me was the decade’s top rock song, and their bestselling album is 2005’s All the Right Reasons.
Lavigne got her breakthrough as a teen in 2002 with her debut album Let Go and the hit single, Complicated.
Despite Nickelback’s monster popularity, the group also has a reputation as one of the most hated bands in music.
Last year, after they were invited to play at a Detroit Lions football game, an online petition protesting the performance drew more than 55,000 signatures.
Kroeger, however, has shrugged off the critics, saying he only cares about making music for his fans.
There’s no word yet on a wedding date for the couple.
