Amber Rose Kirsch, known professionally as Cherry Ember, was born on March 27, 1972, in Los Angeles, California, to parents Walter and Sharon Kirsch. Growing up as an only child in the historic Angelino Heights neighborhood, she resided in a refurbished Victorian house adorned with stained glass windows depicting doves, angels, and an all-seeing eye. These intricate designs captivated young Amber, fostering a deep appreciation for art and symbolism.​

Her father, Walter, was a perfumer, and her mother, Sharon (née Russell), a journalist. Amber experienced synesthesia, a condition where senses intertwine, allowing her to perceive sounds as colors—a trait that profoundly influenced her artistic expression. Despite her vibrant inner world, she often felt out of place among peers and was labeled the “weird girl.”​

At the age of eight, Amber faced a traumatic event when her mother was taken hostage in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1980, returning two years later in 1982. During this period, Amber grappled with agoraphobia, germaphobia, and sleep disorders, challenges that persisted throughout her life. The death of her beloved cat further deepened her struggles, leading to a period of depression. Amidst these hardships, she found solace in writing poetry, beginning at age eleven, and later transforming her verses into songs.​

In high school, a friend affectionately nicknamed her “Cherry Amber,” a moniker that evolved into her stage name, Cherry Ember, reflecting her fiery spirit and passion for music. Her musical influences spanned a diverse array of artists, including Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Tina Turner, Linda Ronstadt, Crystal Gayle, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, Joni Mitchell, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Kate Bush, The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, and Blondie. Standing at 4 feet 6 inches tall, she embraced her petite stature as a unique aspect of her identity, which influenced her dynamic stage presence.​

Cherry’s life was marked by profound loss; her mother passed away from a brain tumor when Cherry was fifteen, and her father died of a heart attack shortly before the release of her debut album, “Rad Red,” in 1991. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, she channeled her emotions into a prolific music career, releasing a series of albums:​

• Rad Red (1991)
• Ambergris (1992)
• Dandelemon (1993)
• IV Reverie (1994)
• Cherenkov Blue (1995)
• Abyssalafterglow (1996)
• Lavender Rush (1997)

The relentless pace of recording led to burnout, prompting her temporary disappearance in 1997. She reemerged in late 1998, but tragically, her life was cut short when she was struck by a stray bullet during a Y2K celebration on January 1, 2000. Posthumously, her music continued to resonate with fans, leading to the release of albums such as “Infrarad” in 2004 and “Ultrarush” in 2016, cementing her legacy as an artist who transformed personal adversity into creative brilliance.