Singers that were active in the 1980s.

Category:1980s in music Category:Singers by time period

Name	Stevie Nicks
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Stephanie Lynn Nicks
Born	May 26, 1948
Origin	Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Instrument	Vocals, percussion, guitar, piano
Genre	Pop rock, country rock
Years active	1967–present
Label	ModernAtlanticReprise
Associated acts	Fleetwood MacBuckingham NicksTom Petty and the HeartbreakersDon Henley
Url

Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks (born May 26, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums. She has been noted for her ethereal visual style and symbolic lyrics.

Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac on December 31, 1974, along with her then boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham. Fleetwood Mac's second album after the incorporation of Nicks and Buckingham, 1977's Rumours, produced four U.S. Top 10 singles (including Nicks' song "Dreams", which was the band's first and only U.S. number one) and remained at #1 on the American albums chart for 31 weeks, as well as reaching the top spot in various countries around the world. To date the album has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.

Nicks began her solo career in 1981 with the 8 million selling album Bella Donna, and she has produced five more solo studio albums to date. Her seventh solo studio album, and her first in ten years, is currently in post-production with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame at the helm, and is due for release on May 3, 2011.

After the release of her first solo album, Rolling Stone deemed her "The Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll". Overcoming cocaine addiction, dependency on tranquilizers, and chronic fatigue syndrome, Nicks remains a popular solo performer. She has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards and, with Fleetwood Mac, won the 1977/1978 Grammy for Album of the Year for Rumours. As a member of Fleetwood Mac, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Nicks has a contralto vocal range.

History

Early life

Nicks was born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, to Jess Nicks, a corporate executive, and Barbara Nicks, a homemaker. Nicks' grandfather, Aaron Jess Nicks, a struggling country music singer, taught Nicks to sing, performing duets with her by the time she was four years old. Nicks' mother was very protective of her, keeping her at home "more than most people were" and fostering in her a love of fairy tales. As a young child, Nicks had difficulty pronouncing her given name Stephanie, instead pronouncing it "tee-dee", which became the nickname "Stevie". Nicks' father Jess's career as a food business executive necessitated frequent moves, and the family lived in Phoenix, Albuquerque, El Paso, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco during Nicks' youth. With the Goya guitar that she received for her sixteenth birthday, Nicks wrote her first song called "I've Loved and I've Lost, and I'm Sad But Not Blue". She joined her first band "The Changing Times" while attending Arcadia High School in Arcadia, CA, a suburb of Los Angeles.

Nicks first met her future musical and romantic partner Lindsey Buckingham during her senior year at Menlo Atherton High School. She attended a Young Life Christian social event, saw Buckingham playing "California Dreamin'", and joined in with the harmony. Buckingham contacted Nicks a few years later and asked her to join him and his bandmates Javier Pacheco and Calvin Roper in a band called Fritz. Fritz became popular as a live act from 1968 until 1972, opening for popular musicians Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, among others, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Both Nicks and Buckingham attended San Jose State University in Northern California, where Nicks majored in Speech Communication. They dropped out in 1968 and moved to Los Angeles together to pursue a career in music when Nicks' family moved to Chicago.

Buckingham Nicks: 1972–1974

After Fritz disbanded in 1972, Nicks and Buckingham continued to write and record as a duo, producing demo tapes at the coffee plant belonging to Buckingham's father Morris. They secured a deal with Polydor Records. Polydor used tracks from the demo tapes to release the album Buckingham Nicks in 1973. The album was not a commercial success, despite the live shows that Nicks and Buckingham performed together to support it, and Polydor dropped the pair from the label. To support herself and Buckingham, who wrote music while recovering from mononucleosis, Nicks worked a variety of jobs, which included waiting tables and a stint cleaning engineer/producer Keith Olsen's house, where Nicks and Buckingham lived for a time. Nicks says that she first used cocaine during this time.

Nicks and Buckingham briefly relocated to Aspen, Colorado. While there, Buckingham landed a guitar-playing gig with the Everly Brothers, and toured with them while Nicks stayed behind. During this time, Nicks wrote "Rhiannon" after seeing the name in the novel Triad by Mary Leader, unaware at the time of the Mabinogi legend of Rhiannon. She also wrote "Landslide", inspired by the scenery of Aspen and her inner turmoil over her decision to pursue music.

Fleetwood Mac and Rumours: 1975–1978

Nicks and Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac on December 31, 1974, after Keith Olsen played their track "Frozen Love" for drummer Mick Fleetwood, who had come to Studio City in California, in search of a studio to record Fleetwood Mac's next album. Fleetwood remembered Buckingham's guitar work after guitar player Bob Welch's departure to pursue a solo career. Initially extending the offer only to Buckingham, Fleetwood later included Nicks in the offer when Buckingham insisted that they were "a package deal".

In 1975, the band achieved success with the album Fleetwood Mac. That same year, Nicks worked with clothing designer Margi Kent to develop Nicks' unique onstage look, with costumes that featured flowing skirts, shawls and platform boots.

Following the success of Fleetwood Mac, increasing tension between Nicks and Buckingham began to take its toll on their creativity, and Nicks ended the relationship. Fleetwood Mac began recording their follow-up album, Rumours, in early 1976 and continued until late in the year. Also, Nicks and Buckingham sang back-up on Warren Zevon's debut album.

Among Nicks' contributions to Rumours was "Dreams", which became the band's only Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit single to date. Nicks had also written and recorded the song "Silver Springs", but it was ultimately not included on the album because of space limitations for studio albums on vinyl records, which were limited to 24 minutes per side. Instead, it was released as a B-side of the "Go Your Own Way" single, and would remain in some obscurity until it appeared on the 4-disc Fleetwood Mac retrospective 25 Years – The Chain in 1992. The song, the rights to which are owned by Nicks' mother Barbara, has always been very special to Nicks, and she was devastated when told about the omission after the decision had been made.

In November 1977, after a New Zealand concert for the Rumours tour, Nicks and Fleetwood, who was married to Jenny Boyd, secretly began an affair. The pair mutually decided to end the affair, because, according to Nicks, "we knew it would be the end of Fleetwood Mac." Soon after, in October 1978, Mick Fleetwood left his wife for Nicks' best friend Sara Recor. After the success of the Rumours album and tour in 1977–78, Fleetwood Mac began recording their third album with Buckingham and Nicks, Tusk, in the spring of 1978. That year, Nicks sang back-up on Walter Egan's "Magnet & Steel".

Tusk, Bella Donna and Mirage: 1978–1982

By 1978, Nicks had amassed a large backlog of songs dating back to her Buckingham Nicks days that she had been unable to record and release with Fleetwood Mac because of the constraint of having to accommodate three songwriters on each album. Nicks wrote and recorded demos for the solo project during Tusk sessions in 1979 and the Tusk world tour of 1979–80. Nicks, Danny Goldberg, and Paul Fishkin founded Modern Records to record and release Nicks' material. Nicks recorded the hit duets "Whenever I Call You Friend" with Kenny Loggins in 1978, and "Gold" with John Stewart in 1979.

Fleetwood Mac's Tusk was released on October 19, 1979. During 1981, Nicks toured with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and New Zealand band Split Enz as a guest.

Nicks released Bella Donna on July 27, 1981 to critical and commercial acclaim. Bella Donna was the first album to feature Nicks' back-up singers, Sharon Celani and Lori Perry, who have contributed vocals to all of Nicks' solo albums since then.

The day that Bella Donna reached #1 on the Billboard 200, Nicks' best friend Robin Anderson was diagnosed with leukemia. Robin gave birth to a son, appointing Nicks as the child's godmother. Following Robin's death in 1982, Nicks married Robin's widower Kim Anderson. They divorced eight months later.

In October 1981 Nicks embarked on the White Winged Dove tour, which she had to cut short to record the Mirage album with Fleetwood Mac. After the Mirage in 1982, Nicks prepared to record her second solo album.

Wild Heart and Rock a Little: 1983–1986

Nicks released The Wild Heart on June 10, 1983. The album introduced songwriter and performer Sandy Stewart as co-writer, vocalist, and musician. The Wild Heart went double platinum, reached #5 on the Billboard album chart, and featured three hit singles. Nicks performed at the second US Festival at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino, California, and later toured the U.S. from June 1983 to November 1983. Nicks appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1983, performing "Stand Back" and "Nightbird".

Following the tour for The Wild Heart, Nicks commenced work on her third solo album. Originally titled Mirror Mirror, Nicks recorded songs for the album during 1984. However, Nicks was unhappy with the title track, and opted to record a new batch of songs in 1985. Rock a Little, as it was re-titled, was released November 18, 1985 to commercial success, supported by two hit singles.

Nicks toured in 1986 with Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. The tour ended on October 10, 1986 in Sydney, Australia when Nicks was threatened by Australian authorities with expulsion from the country for not carrying a work permit.

The tour marked a turning point in Nicks' career: although she had achieved significant critical acclaim, drugs were taking a toll on her performing, affecting her vocals and changing her on-stage persona. In 1986, a plastic surgeon warned her of severe health problems if she did not stop using cocaine. At the end of the Australian tour, Nicks checked herself into the Betty Ford Center to overcome her cocaine addiction. Later that year, a doctor prescribed the tranquilizer Klonopin to help her avoid a cocaine relapse.

Tango in the Night and The Other Side of the Mirror: 1987–1990

In 1985, Fleetwood Mac began work on Tango in the Night, which was released in April 1987. Nicks joined in the later stages of production in late 1986 after her stay in at the Betty Ford Clinic.

Creative differences and unresolved personal issues within the band led Buckingham to quit the group right before their world tour. A "physically ugly" confrontation between Nicks and Buckingham ensued when Nicks violently rejected Buckingham's decision to leave the band.

The band embarked on the Shake the Cage tour in September 1987, with Buckingham replaced by Rick Vito and Billy Burnette. The tour was suspended during Nicks' bout with chronic fatigue syndrome and developing addiction to tranquilizers, though it resumed in 1988. Tango in the Night met with commercial success and was followed in 1988 by Fleetwood Mac's Greatest Hits album in November 1988.

Also in 1988, Nicks began work on a fourth solo album with British producer Rupert Hine. The Other Side of the Mirror was released on May 11, 1989 to commercial success. Nicks became romantically involved with Hine.

Nicks toured the U.S. and Europe from August to November 1989, the only time she has toured Europe as a solo act. She has famously been quoted since as stating that she has "no memory of this tour" due to her increasing dependancy on the tranquillizer Klonopin, prescribed in ever increasing amounts by a psychiatrist between 1987 and 1994 in an attempt to keep Nicks from regressing to her former abuse of cocaine.

In 1989, Nicks set to work with Fleetwood Mac on a new album, Behind the Mask, which was released in 1990 to moderate commercial success in the U.S. In the UK, however, the album entered the chart at #1 and has been certified Platinum there. The band went on a world tour to promote the album, on the last night of which Buckingham and Nicks reunited on stage to perform "Landslide". After the tour concluded, Nicks left the group over a dispute with Mick Fleetwood, who would not allow her to release the 1977 track "Silver Springs" on her album Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks, because of his plans to release it on a forthcoming Fleetwood Mac box set.

Timespace and Street Angel: 1991–1996

On the tenth anniversary of her solo career debut, Nicks released Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks on September 3, 1991.

Fleetwood Mac also released a four-disc box set, 25 Years – The Chain, which included "Silver Springs".

During the 1992 U.S. presidential campaign, Bill Clinton used the Fleetwood Mac hit "Don't Stop" as his campaign theme song, and Nicks joined her band mates to perform the song at Clinton's 1993 Inaugural Gala. No plans for an official reunion were made at that time. Nicks was criticized for her weight gain.

In late 1993, while Nicks held a baby shower at her house, she tripped and cut her forehead near a fireplace. Not feeling any pain from the injury, Nicks realized she needed help and endured a painful 47-day detox from Klonopin in a hospital. Her weight had also reached a peak at 175 lb (79.4 kg).

Nicks used material written mostly in previous years to record a solo album in 1992 and 1993 entitled Street Angel, which was ultimately released following her detox in May 1994. Nicks has expressed major disappointment with the album, claiming that a lot of production work took place during her second stint in rehab, meaning she had little to no say over the final product.

Released May 23, 1994, Street Angel was poorly received. Despite praise from critics and fans for her vocals on the three-month Street Angel tour, Nicks was crushed by the focus on her weight and the poor reception of the album itself. Disgusted by the criticism she received during the tour for being overweight, Nicks vowed to never set foot on a stage again unless she slimmed down.

In 1995, Nicks was reunited with Lindsey Buckingham and contributed the duet "Twisted" to the Twister movie soundtrack, while in 1996 the Sheryl Crow penned "Somebody Stand By Me" featured on the Boys on the Side soundtrack, and Nicks also remade Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" for Fox's TV hit Party of Five.

The Dance: 1997–1998

In 1996 Lindsey Buckingham, working on a planned solo album, enlisted the help of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, which eventually led to a reunion of the entire band. A newly invigorated and slimmed down Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac for The Dance, a highly successful 1997 tour that coincided with the 20th anniversary of the release of Rumours. Prior to the tour, Nicks started work with a voice coach, to lend her voice more control and protect it from the stress of lengthy touring schedules.

The live CD release, The Dance, was released to commercial and critical acclaim, earning the group a Grammy nomination. Nicks was nominated for a Rock Vocal Performance Grammy for the live performance of "Silver Springs" from the album. In 1998, Nicks joined the group for its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This same year, she won the Outstanding Contribution at the BRIT Awards.

Nicks put work on a new solo album on hold when she was approached by Warner Music to release a solo career-spanning box set, to finish her contract with Atlantic Records in the US. After the culmination of the Fleetwood Mac reunion tour, Nicks settled down in Los Angeles and Phoenix with close friends and colleagues to devise a track list for this three-disc collection.

Enchanted and Trouble in Shangri-La: 1998–2001

The box set Enchanted was released to acclaim on April 28, 1998 with liner notes from Nicks, as well as exclusive rare photographs, and pages from her journals. Nicks supported the box set with a successful US tour. In 1998, Nicks contributed to the Practical Magic soundtrack and performed in Don Henley's benefit concert for the Walden Woods Project.

Nicks had begun writing actively for Trouble in Shangri-La in 1994 and 1995 as she came out of her Klonopin dependency. According to Nicks, friend and former musical partner Tom Petty was responsible for convincing her to write music again when he rebuffed her request that he write a song with her. Nicks resumed recording songs for the Trouble in Shangri-La album with Sheryl Crow, who produced and performed on several tracks. When a scheduling conflict forced Crow to drop out of the project, Nicks first approached R&B; producer Dallas Austin, but these sessions have never surfaced. Nicks finally called on John Shanks to produce the remainder of the album, with additional contributions from David Kahne, Rick Nowels, Pierre Marchand, and Jeff Trott. Artists Natalie Maines, Sarah McLachlan, and Macy Gray contributed to some of the tracks.

Released May 1, 2001, Trouble in Shangri-La restored Nicks' solo career to critical and commercial success. "Planets of the Universe" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, and Nicks was named VH1's "Artist of the Month" for May 2001. Nicks was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, was featured in a well-received Behind The Music episode, and performed an episode of the VH1 Storytellers Concert Program. Nicks made several television appearances in support of the album and performed at the 2001 Radio Music Awards.

Nicks supported the album with a successful tour, although some shows were canceled or postponed because of Nicks' bout with acute bronchitis. Shows were also canceled because of the September 11 attacks in the U.S. Stevie Nicks appears in an episode of South Park, Osama Bin Laden has farty pants,as a goat.

Say You Will: 2001–2004

In 2001, Fleetwood Mac began work on a new studio album. After the end of her solo tour, Nicks convened with the other members of the band for recording during 2002.

Say You Will was released in April 2003 and met with commercial success but mixed reviews. Nicks joined the group to support the album with a world tour lasting until September 2004.

Nicks has subsequently stated in several interviews that she was not happy with the album or the successful world tour that followed, citing production disputes with Buckingham as a core factor, as well as the absence of fellow female band member Christine McVie. A documentary of the making of the album, Destiny Rules, was released on DVD in 2004 and chronicles the sometimes turbulent relationships between band members, especially Buckingham and Nicks, during that time in the studio.

Crystal Visions and Soundstage Sessions: 2007–2009

On March 27, 2007, Reprise Records released Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks in the U.S. The album debuted at #21 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart.

The compilation includes her hit singles, a dance remix, and one new track, a live version of Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll". There are two versions of this album, one with just the audio CD and another version with an included DVD featuring all of Nicks' music videos with audio commentary from Nicks, as well as rare footage from the Bella Donna recording sessions.

A tour with Chris Isaak, opening in Concord, California on May 17, 2007 supported the release.

Reprise Records initially released two radio only promos, the live version of "Landslide" with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and "Rock and Roll". Both tracks failed to garner much airplay making an impact on the charts. Reprise Records released "Stand Back" (issued with club mixes) on May 29, 2007. "Stand Back", which peaked at #5 on the pop singles chart in 1983, reached #2 on the "Billboard Club Chart". Nicks previously reached #1 on this chart, with "Planets Of The Universe" (from Trouble in Shangri-La) in 2001. The remix single of "Stand Back" debuted on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales Chart on September 15, 2007 at #10 peaking at #4 the following week. It also debuted on the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales Chart at #3 peaking at #1.

According to The Tennessean, in early 2008, Nicks was spotted "in Nashville recording an album with Joe Thomas for a CD that accompanies a DVD of Soundstage". On March 31, 2009, Stevie released the album, The Soundstage Sessions, via Reprise Records. The album debuted at #47 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. The first single from the album was "Crash Into Me" and was released as a digital download, along with "Landslide" (orchestra version) as a B-side, on March 17, 2009.

Along with the CD, Nicks also released a DVD on the 31st, titled Live In Chicago. Both are of her October 2007 Soundstage performance which was filmed and recorded before an intimate audience at Grainger Studio in Chicago. The DVD features special guest Vanessa Carlton for whom Nicks provided backing vocals on her 2007 album Heroes & Thieves, and rare solo performances of stand-out tracks such as the Fleetwood Mac standard "Sara" and the celebrated blues ballad "How Still My Love" from Bella Donna. For unknown reasons, the soaring encore of "Beauty and the Beast" was omitted from the DVD release, but included on the CD.

In Your Dreams and other projects: 2010-present

In February 2010, Michelle Branch commented on her Twitter account that she was recording a song for a Fleetwood Mac tribute album, a cover version of the Christine McVie 1975 hit "Say You Love Me", and that Nicks was producing the track.

In late February 2010, David A. Stewart (musician and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics) revealed, using his Twitter account, that he was working with Nicks on at least four new songs, including one called "Everybody Loves You". A 38-second snippet of the song was posted on Stewart's Twitter account. He confirmed that he and Nicks were working on an album, and said that it is being done "in a very new way".

On March 16, 2010, Stewart reported on his Twitter that he and Nicks were now recording songs together. On BBC Radio 2 on May 3, 2010, he stated in an interview with DJ Simon Mayo that the new album will be recorded throughout June with a release later this year, however this proved to be premature.

On July 5, 2010, Stewart tweeted several pictures and messages about him and Nicks working in the studio. In one of the tweets, Stewart stated that he, Nicks, Waddy Wachtel, Mike Campbell (of the Heartbreakers), Mike Rowe, and Steve Ferrone were all working on the album, and that Mick Fleetwood has also contributed drums to at least one track. Waddy Wachtel has been Nicks' lead guitarist for most of her solo career, featuring prominently on all of her albums to date. Stewart also stated in that tweet that seven tracks have been completed thus far and it was their final day of these sessions in the studio together. Nicks was scheduled to play five live dates in the US in August, and then return to the studio to complete writing and recording on the album.

On July 19, 2010, Nicks posted a new letter on her official website addressing not only the fake Stevie Nicks on Twitter, but she also confirmed that she is working on a new album with Dave Stewart as her producer. She mentions that the new album is moving quickly and sounding great.

In a July 26 interview for the Santa Barbara Independent, Nicks had mentioned a new song on the album, entitled "Italian Summer", whichy she wrote in 2009 while on vacation in Italy. Later, in a July 29 interview with the Ventura County Star, Nicks gave an in-depth interview about her career, her new album, and the August "mini tour" she's embarking on. She had this to say about the new songs:

There is an Italian love song I wrote when I was in Italy last summer. There is a crazy, wild rock 'n' roll song called "The Ghosts Are Gone". There is a song about a novel called "Wide Sargasso Sea", the precursor to Jane Eyre. It was a crazy movie in the '80s that I loved. There are two tracks that Michael Campbell wrote that I wrote songs on top of, and they are just magical. There are love songs, hard rock 'n' roll songs, really contemplative songs and very Bob Dylan-y songs and there are lots of good poems.

She also mentioned that the series of shows she is doing in August ("it's not really a tour," she said) will not contain any of her new music, because she doesn't want it to end up on Youtube. The Santa Barbara show will benefit a little girl she knows in Los Angeles with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer. A documentary is being shot and will be directed by Dave Stewart, which may come packaged with the new album. On the subject of the album's release date, Nicks said, "It’s basically close to being done now. I can’t really tell you, but I know we are trying to move fast because we have places to go and people to see."

The single, "Secret Love", will be available February 3.

Tours

After a few months' respite from the Say You Will tour, Nicks did a four-night stint in May 2005 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and then did a 10-show tour with Don Henley. During the summer of 2005, Nicks continued the tour solo with pop singer Vanessa Carlton as the opening act, playing over 20 dates nationwide. She played venues at: Boston's Tweeter Center, Tommy Hilfiger at Jones Beach Amphitheatre in Wantagh, New York, Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO, Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ. She ended the tour where it began, at Caesars Palace. There her set included the rarely performed-live "If Anyone Falls", the moving "How Still My Love" from Bella Donna and a rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll". At the "Fashion Rocks" concert of September 2005 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, soul singer Joss Stone and singer Rob Thomas covered the Stevie Nicks – Tom Petty 1981 smash hit "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" to kick-start the Fall Fashion Week.

In October 2005, she attended the Melbourne Cup Week in Australia, and one of the horse racing stakes was named after her: The Stevie Nicks Plate. She used this opportunity to launch her promotion of an Australian/New Zealand extension to her Gold Dust Tour in February and March 2006. Nicks toured in Australia and New Zealand with popular Australian performer John Farnham. She also appeared in concert with Tom Petty in June near Manassas, Virginia and at the Bonnaroo Music Festival that same month. She later appeared as a guest performer with Petty during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August of the same year.

In 2006, Nicks also performed with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for the first leg of their tour in the summer, and later in the year returned as a guest performer for a number of songs on the tour celebrating Petty's 30th anniversary since his debut album. Tom Petty's Homecoming Concert in Gainesville, FL, which contained performances with Stevie Nicks, was filmed for PBS Soundstage as well as DVD release for March 2007. Nicks was also the featured performer for Bette Midler's benefit function, Hullaween, in October 2006. On December 8, 2006, Nicks performed at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip as a benefit for the Epicurean Charitable Foundation.

On February 4, 2007 Nicks performed her classic solo hit song "Stand Back" at the 2007 Super Bowl XLI Pre-game Show on CBS. She also made performance appearances on NBC's The Today Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Beginning in May 2007, Nicks began touring with pop/rock artist Chris Isaak. The last Stevie Nicks/Chris Isaak show was June 17, 2007 at the Tweeter Center in Boston, MA. Nicks continued the tour solo, with Vanessa Carlton opening on some dates. The tour finished at The Borgata in Atlantic City on August 24, 2007.

In spring 2008, Nicks did a few spot shows and then conducted a brief one month tour in June 2008 before preparing for a 2009 tour with Fleetwood Mac.

In 2009, Fleetwood Mac embarked on a global hits tour. The Unleashed Tour took place in arenas on multiple continents. The tour ended in December with two sell-out shows of 35,000 people at the New Plymouth TSB Bowl of Brooklands in New Zealand.

A handful of dates have recently been announced for a short 2010 tour. The official Stevie Nicks website has published details of shows which will take place in the US in August. Nicks has stated that none of the studio material recorded for the upcoming album will be performed at these shows because she does not want clips of the performances to be posted on Youtube.

Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks have joined forces for one of the most anticipated musical events of the year, The Heart & Soul Tour. Launching March 20, 2011 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the tour will unite two of music’s most legendary forces for a series of arena concerts throughout North America – with performances already confirmed in New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Tampa, Montreal and more.

Solo tours

Bella Donna Tour: 1981

The Wild Heart Tour: 1983

Rock A Little Tour: 1985–1986

The Other Side of the Mirror Tour: 1989

Timespace Tour/Whole Lotta Trouble Tour: 1991

Street Angel Tour: 1994

Enchanted Tour: 1998

Trouble In Shangri-La Tour: 2001

Dreams: Live In Las Vegas (covering for Celine Dion): 2005

Two Voices Tour: 2005 (with Don Henley)

Gold Dust Tour: 2005–2006

Crystal Visions Tour: 2007–2008

Summer Tour: 2010

Heart & Soul Tour: 2011 (with Rod Stewart)

{| class="toccolours" border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="width: 375px; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2;" |+ '''Touring band |- ! style="background:#e7ebee;"| (2010) |

Sharon Celani – Backing vocals (1981–present)

Waddy Wachtel – Lead guitarist, Musical director(1981–1986, 2001–present)

Lori Perry – Backing vocals (1981–1989, 1996, 2007–present)

Carlos Rios – Rhythm guitar (1988–present)

Lenny Castro – Percussionist (1994– 2001; 2007– 2008)

Brett Tuggle – Keyboardist (1998–2006)

Al Ortiz – Bass guitar (2001–present)

Scott Plunket – Pianist (2001–2002, 2008)

Taku Hirano – Percussionist ( 2001; 2005–2006; 2010)

Jimmy Paxson – Drums (2005–present)

Darrell Smith – Keyboardist (2005–present)

Jana Anderson – Backing vocals (2005–2008)

Ricky Peterson – Keyboardist (2007–present)

|}

Stevie Nicks' Band of Soldiers

In late 2004, Nicks began visiting Army and Navy medical centers in Washington, D.C. While visiting wounded service men and women, Nicks became determined to find an object she could leave with each soldier that would raise their spirits, motivate, and give them something to look forward to each day. She eventually decided to purchase hundreds of iPod Nanos, load them with music, artists, and playlists which she would hand select, and autograph them. She now regularly delivers these tokens of her appreciation, bringing her closest friends to share the experience.

In 2006, Nicks held a get-together to raise money for her charity work. Many of her peers made contributions. Nicks continues to develop this philanthropic endeavor.

Influence

Stacy Dupree, Courtney Love, Michelle Branch, Belinda Carlisle, the Dixie Chicks, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Nadia Ali, Taylor Swift, Laura Branigan, Sarah McLachlan, Kelly Clarkson, Vanessa Carlton, Georgi Cussick, Tori Amos, Michelle Hotaling, Jennifer Hanson, and Delta Goodrem have all cited Nicks as an inspiration. She has participated in duets or provided guest vocals for several of their albums and some have returned the favour, notably Crow and the Dixie Chicks. The Dixie Chicks covered her 1975 classic "Landslide", which became a Top 10 hit (#1 on the Adult Contemporary chart) and a #1 Hit on the Country Chart. Alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins made an acoustic cover of the song that was featured on their 1994 B-side collection Pisces Iscariot. The cover was a hit and made it to the top three on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the U.S. that year. She recorded a duet of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with Chris Isaak on his 2004 Christmas album Chris Isaak Christmas and sang with Isaak on his PBS Christmas television special. Other successful covers have included The Corrs' "Dreams", and Courtney Love's band Hole with "Gold Dust Woman". "Edge Of Seventeen" was sampled on Destiny's Child's 2001 #1 single "Bootylicious". Nicks appeared in the video for "Bootylicious" and in an episode of MTV's Making The Video that featured it, in which she expressed her admiration for both the song and the group. Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys has expressed extreme interest in working with Nicks. Lindsay Lohan covered "Edge of Seventeen" on her 2005 album, A Little More Personal. Deep Dish fulfilled their "Dreams" of working with Nicks in 2005 when Nicks offered to re-record vocals on a remix of her #1 penned song, "Dreams". The Deep Dish version went on to reach #2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay Chart, as well as providing Nicks with her third UK top 40 hit. Nicks provided additional vocals and writing on Vanessa Carlton's 2007 album Heroes and Thieves. Carlton had previously been on tour with Nicks in 2005 and 2006.

The Dixie Chicks' cover of Nicks' 1975 song "Landslide" also earned her a BMI Songwriters Award in 2003 when it won "Song of the Year" (the award is given to the songwriter of the track, regardless of the performer). According to BMI, "Landslide" also earned Nicks the 35th Robert J. Burton Award as "Most Performed Country Song of the Year". This distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature US broadcast performances during the eligibility period. Included on the Dixie Chicks' platinum Monument album Home, "Landslide" was a Country, Adult Top 40, Hot 100 and AC Billboard charts smash. Nicks previously collected a Pop Award in 1998 for Fleetwood Mac's recording of the song, which has achieved Million-Air status with over three million airplays.

On January 31, 2010, Nicks performed with Taylor Swift at the 52nd Grammy Awards. Swift, who describes Nicks as one of her childhood heroes, introduced her to the audience by saying "It's a fairy tale and an honor to share the stage with Stevie Nicks."

Personal life

During the Rumours tour, Nicks had a relationship with singer/songwriter Don Henley of the Eagles and with Fleetwood Mac concert promoter David Pesnell. Nicks ended her relationship with Henley at the beginning of the Tusk tour, but her relationship continued with Pesnell until the end of the tour.

Her only marriage was to Kim Anderson, the widower of her friend Robin Anderson, soon after Robin died of leukemia while Bella Donna was on the top of the charts. Stevie and Kim were soon divorced: "We didn't get married because we were in love, we got married because we were grieving and it was the only way that we could feel like we were doing anything."

On August 10, 2005 her father, Jess Nicks, died. Jess introduced his daughter during several of her concert tours and was a large influence on Nicks. Nicks remarked, after Jess's health had deteriorated, that she asked her father to "hang on" for her to finish her tour and his death came shortly after Nicks wrapped up her summer 2005 Gold Dust Tour. She was able to be with him when he died.

Nicks dated cable television pioneer Timothy O'Brien while living in Aspen, Colorado in the 1970s.

Of her lifestyle today, Nicks stated "I am a very different girl from the one who was so wrapped up in rock and roll and the drugs and everything else. I'll never take it all for granted again, ever. Because I also now really realize how quickly that it can go, and that you can be the darling one year, and be nobody the next year. So you have to learn to accept and deal with that."

Until July 2007 Nicks lived in Paradise Valley, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix in a home she had built in 1981 and shared with brother Chris, his wife Lori and their daughter Jessica. She announced in mid-2007 that her Paradise Valley home would be put up for sale, citing her aspirations to "downsize" and focus more on her charity work, and the fact that in the last year she had only "spent about two weeks there." The house was put on the market for a reported $3.8 million and many fans (feeling it was the end of a major era in her life and career) tagged it as a "Kingdom Up For Sale", a line from the song "Gold Dust Woman". She also owns a home in Pacific Palisades, California.

According to a September 2007 article in the Daily Telegraph (UK), Nicks says she is again selling her home, her recently purchased Pacific Palisades home (purchased two years before by Nicks, right down the street from a rental home she had for years in Pacific Palisades). She has said it is a "house for adults", "And even though I'm pushing 60 I don't feel that I'm that old yet." She will be moving to a penthouse apartment on the beach and the old house is already on the market.

Beginning in 2007, reports surfaced concerning Lindsay Lohan's interest in buying the rights to Nicks' life story and developing a motion picture in which she planned to play Nicks. In March 2007, while promoting her album Crystal Visions, Nicks was asked about this rumor. Nicks told Access Hollywood, "That is completely insane and crazy. There is no movie in the works on my life. Nobody can do a movie about my life without me being involved. Because nobody knows what really happened in my life until I tell them. So, nobody can make a movie about my life. And if anybody ever went and made a movie about my life without my permission and my being involved, I would slam it so hard to the press that it would never do anything." Nicks has gone on record to the New York Times as being strongly opposed to the prospect, and was quoted in 2009 as saying "Over my dead body. She needs to stop doing drugs and get a grip. Then maybe we'll talk."

Image

Stevie Nicks is known for her mystical image, her billowing chiffon skirts, shawls, layers of lace and long blonde hair. Margi Kent, a designer from California, has worked with Nicks since the 1970s to perfect her style. Perhaps the most famous part of Nicks' wardrobe is her platform boots. Nicks has worn suede platform boots in various colors, usually black, cream, tan or maroon in almost all of her performances since 1975. Standing at , Nicks has stated she felt a little ridiculous standing next to the much taller Mick Fleetwood. For this reason she developed a penchant for platform boots. "Even when platforms went completely out of style, I kept wearing them because I didn't want to go back to being in heels", she told Allure magazine in 1995. Over the years, Nicks has developed a style which she calls her "uniform", which is best exemplified by the outfit worn on the cover of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, perhaps the base inspiration for many of her costumes. Another trademark of Nicks' is a Dickens-style gentleman's formal top hat, which she began wearing in the late 1970s. During the early 1980s she wore Renaissance poets' velvet berets with plume feathers (as shown in the vintage photo used on the cover of her March 2007 CD release Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks). In the late 1980s and early 1990s, she wore fashionable ladies hats on stage and to this day, often still sports a black top hat adorned with giant plumes.

Many of Nicks' shawls and capes also have an association with her songs in her live performances, many becoming as signature in live performances as the songs themselves. These include a red/crimson shawl for "Sara", white for "Edge of Seventeen", gold for "Gold Dust Woman" and black with round gold circles for "Stand Back". One of her trademarks is twirling across the stage with shawls flying during the interlude of her classic songs, notably "Stand Back" and "Gypsy".

Nicks has said that her vocal style and performance antics evolved from female singers like Grace Slick and Janis Joplin. She admitted inspiration when she saw Joplin perform live (and opened for with her first band "Fritz") shortly before Joplin's death. Nicks owns a strand of Joplin's stage beads. She also commented that she once saw a woman in her audience dressed in dripping chiffon with a Gibson Girl hairstyle and big boots and Nicks knew she wanted something similar. She took the look and made it her own. Another important part of Nicks' image is her jewelry. Nicks typically introduces one signature piece of jewelry during each tour. Such items have included silver bracelets, crescent moon pendant, pyramid-shaped pendant, winged-heart pendant, gold crosses and, most recently, a Tiffany pendant with diamonds meaning "longevity." The crescent moon pendant is arguably the most iconic of all Nicks' jewelry – the original was bought while she was in England on tour with Fleetwood Mac during the Tusk era. Nicks then had her personal jeweler, Henri David of Philadelphia, make replicas of the moon pendant which have become treasured gifts to her friends. In recent years, celebrity pals such as Bette Midler and ice-skating star Tai Babilonia have been photographed wearing their "Stevie moons".

Nicks has even commented in interviews recently that she never would have dreamed that her trademark "Bella Donna/Witchy Woman" image would have been taken so seriously by her fans, often joking that she doesn't live her private life in her stage clothes and "Stevie garb" as many people seem to think. However, she greatly credits her career/stage image for its role in giving her a trademark that has made her unique and "timeless."

Microphone and tambourine

Stevie Nicks is known for her use of the Sennheiser MD-441-U5 microphone. It was a frequent sight in Nicks' early tours. Also synonymous with Nicks' microphone are the items with which she chooses to decorate her microphone stand. Over the years, such items have included roses, ribbons, chiffon, crystal beads, scarves and small stuffed toys.

Upon being asked in a question forum on her official website about playing the tambourine, Nicks stated that she began playing the tambourine upon joining Fleetwood Mac in 1975, feeling the need to do something onstage during songs that featured Lindsey or Christine. Like her microphone, her tambourine usually features scarves and/or streamers. Nicks' trademark tambourine since the early 1980s is in the shape of a black half-moon.

Rumors of witchcraft

A rumor that has trailed Nicks through the years is that she is a witch and is heavily involved in Wicca. While she admits to having a high regard for the mythic and gothic, she denies any solitary dedication to any one religion, including Wicca. She speaks about this erroneous image in a 2006 interview. Nicks' music is copyrighted under the name Welsh Witch Music, a reference to her song Rhiannon, which she introduced as "a song about a Welsh witch" in concerts between 1975 and 1978. In a Yahoo! interview on April 28, 1998, Nicks said of the rumor: "I have no idea what precipitated those rumors… I am not a witch. Get a life!" Nicks also stated in a 1983 Entertainment Tonight interview: "I spent thousands of dollars on beautiful black clothes and had to stop wearing them for a long time because a lot of people scared me. And that's really unfair to me, I think, for people – other people – to conjure up their ideas of what I am or what I believe in." In a 1998 Redbook magazine article, Nicks spoke of her faith, stating that she believes in angels and knows that she is alive today because "there was a God looking out" for her during her years of addiction.

Discography

Solo

Studio albums

Bella Donna (1981)

The Wild Heart (1983)

Rock a Little (1985)

The Other Side of the Mirror (1989)

Street Angel (1994)

Trouble in Shangri-La (2001)

In Your Dreams (2011)

Live album

The Soundstage Sessions (2009)

Compilations

Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks (1991)

Enchanted (3 CD box set) (1998)

Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks (2007)

Solo videos and DVDs

Stevie Nicks: Live in Concert (VHS) (1982)

Live at Red Rocks (VHS) (1995)

Crystal Visions - The Very Best of Stevie Nicks (Deluxe Edition – Disc 2) (2007)

Soundstage: Stevie Nicks Live (Sears-exclusive Blu-Ray) (2008)

Live in Chicago (2009)

As Buckingham Nicks

Buckingham Nicks (1973)

With Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac (1975)

Rumours (1977)

Tusk (1979)

Live (1980)

Mirage (1982)

Tango in the Night (1987)

Greatest Hits (1988)

Behind the Mask (1990)

25 Years – The Chain (2 CD & 4 CD Boxset) (1992)

The Dance (1997)

The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac (2002)

Say You Will (2003)

Live in Boston (2004)

See also

List of number-one dance hits (United States)

List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

References

External links

The Nicks Fix: The Official Stevie Nicks Website

Reprise Records

Five audio interview segments with Stevie Nicks discussing her Bella Donna Album

Category:American contraltos Category:American dance musicians Category:American diarists Category:American female singers Category:American rock singers Category:American singer-songwriters Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Female rock singers Category:Fleetwood Mac members Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Musicians from Arizona Category:People from Phoenix, Arizona Category:People from Paradise Valley, Arizona Category:San Jose State University alumni Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:People with chronic fatigue syndrome

Name	Pat Benatar
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Patricia Mae Andrzejewski
Born	January 10, 1953
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Instrument	Vocals
Voice type	Mezzo-soprano
Genre	Rock, hard rock
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, Musician
Years active	1972–present
Label	Chrysalis Records, CMC International
Url	http://www.benatarfanclub.com}}

Pat Benatar (born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski January 10, 1953) is an American singer and four time Grammy winner. She had considerable commercial success particularly in the United States. During the 1980s, Benatar had two RIAA-certified Multi-Platinum albums, five RIAA-certified Platinum albums, three RIAA-certified Gold albums and 19 Top 40 singles, including "Love Is a Battlefield", "Hit Me with Your Best Shot", "We Belong" and "Heartbreaker". Benatar was one of the most heavily played artists in the early days of MTV.

Life and career

Patricia Mae Andrzejewski was born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn to Andrew and Mildred Andrzejewski, a sheet-metal worker and a beautician. Her family moved to Lindenhurst, New York on Long Island, when she was 3 years old. "I have wonderful childhood memories of picking berries in the woods by our house, driving to the docks on the South Bay to get freshly harvested clams", she once recounted.

Patti (as she was known) became interested in theater and began voice lessons, singing at Daniel Street Elementary School her first solo, a song called “It Must Be Spring,” at age eight. She said, "As a kid, I sang at any choir, any denomination, anywhere I could." At Lindenhurst Senior High School (1967–71), Benatar participated in musical theater, playing Queen Guinevere in the school production of Camelot, marching in the homecoming parade, singing at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, and performing a solo of "The Christmas Song" on a holiday recording of the Lindenhurst High School Choir her senior year.

Benatar was cut off from the rock scene in nearby Manhattan. Her parents were "ridiculously strict - I was allowed to go to symphonies, opera and theater but I couldn't go to clubs". Her musical training was strictly classical and theatrical. She said, "I was singing Puccini and West Side Story but I spent every afternoon after school with my little transistor radio listening to the Rolling Stones..."

Training as a coloratura with plans to attend the Juilliard School, Benatar surprised family, friends and teachers by deciding a classical career was not for her and pursued health education at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. At 19, after one year at Stony Brook, she dropped out to marry her high school sweetheart Dennis Benatar, an army draftee who trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and then served with the Army Security Agency at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, before being stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia. Specialist (E-4) Dennis Benatar was stationed there for three years, and Pat worked as a bank teller in Richmond, Virginia.

In 1973, Benatar quit her job as a bank teller to pursue a singing career after being inspired by a Liza Minnelli concert she saw in Richmond. She got a job as a singing waitress at a flapper-esque nightclub named The Roaring Twenties and got a gig singing in lounge band Coxon's Army, a regular at Sam Miller's basement club. The band garnered enough attention to be the subject of a never-aired PBS special, and the band's bassist Roger Capps also would go on to be the original bass player for the Pat Benatar Band. The period also yielded Benatar's first and only single until her eventual 1979 debut on Chrysalis Records: "Day Gig" (1974), Trace Records, written and produced by Coxon's Army band leader Phil Coxon and locally released in Richmond. Her big break came in 1975 at an amateur night at the renowned comedy club Catch a Rising Star in New York. Her rousing rendition of Judy Garland's "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody" earned her a call back by club owner Rick Newman, who would become her manager. Benatar said: "I came in from Virginia one night. I had straight red hair and I wore a dress. I sang a Judy Garland song and I don’t know what happened, I never sang in New York before in my life, even though I grew up there, everybody just went crazy. I didn't do anything spectacular. I don’t know what happened, it was just one of those magical things. [Rick Newman] came right in and said, 'Let's talk about you playing here some more...' Newman said, 'It was 2:45 in the morning. We had 30 performers and she was about #27. I was on the other side of the room drinking with some friends--then I suddenly heard this voice!'

The couple headed back to New York following Dennis' discharge from the army, and Benatar went on to be a regular member at Catch A Rising Star for close to three years, until signing a record contract. Catch A Rising Star was not the only break Benatar got in 1975. She landed the part of Zephyr in Harry Chapin's futuristic rock musical, The Zinger. The production, which debuted on March 19, 1976, at the Performing Arts Foundation's (PAF) Playhouse in Huntington Station, Long Island, ran for a month and also featured Beverly D'Angelo and Christine Lahti. Benatar noted: "I was 22 by the time I started to sing rock, so at first I was very conscious of technique and I was overly technical. That proved to be inhibiting so it was a disadvantage until I began to sing intuitively. That’s the only way to sing rock – from your gut level feelings. It's the instinct that the best singers have."

Halloween 1977 proved a pivotal night in Benatar's early, spandexed stage persona. Rather than change out of the vampire costume she had worn to a Greenwich Village cafe party that evening, she went on-stage wearing black tights, black eyeliner and a short black top. Benatar has stated: “I was dressed as a character from this ridiculous B movie called Cat-Women of the Moon.” Despite performing her usual array of songs, she received a standing ovation. Benatar has said that "[T]he crowd was always polite, but this time they went out of their minds. It was the same songs, sung the same way, and I thought, 'Oh my god ... [i]t's these clothes and this makeup!'"

Between appearances at Catch A Rising Star and recording commercial jingles for Pepsi Cola and a number of regional concerns, she headlined New York City’s famous Tramps nightclub from March 29 - April 1, 1978, where her performance impressed representatives from several record companies. She was signed to Chrysalis Records by founder Terry Ellis the following week. Benatar recorded her first album, In the Heat of the Night, in June and July 1979.

She won an unprecedented four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Rock Performance from 1980 to 1983 for her second LP, Crimes of Passion, and the songs "Fire and Ice", "Shadows of the Night", and "Love Is a Battlefield". Of the ten Grammy Award ceremonies in the 1980s, Benatar was nominated for Best Female Rock Performance eight times, including for "Invincible" in 1985, "Sex as a Weapon" in 1986, "All Fired Up" in 1988 and in 1989 for "Let's Stay Together".

Benatar also earned Grammy Award nominations in 1985 for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female with "We Belong" and in 1986 for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Duo or Group as a member of Artists United Against Apartheid for their single, "Sun City". Benatar is also the winner of three American Music Awards: Favorite Female Pop/Rock Vocalist of 1981 and 1983, and Favorite Female Pop/Rock Video Artist of 1985.

Pat Benatar was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame at the Second Induction Award Ceremony and Fundraising Gala held October 30, 2008.

Family

Pat and Dennis Benatar divorced in 1979. Pat and band leader/lead guitarist Neil "Spyder" Giraldo married on February 20, 1982. They have two daughters, Haley Egeana (born February 16, 1985) and Hana Juliana (born March 12, 1994).

Discography

In the Heat of the Night

"I Need a Lover" was the first single to be released on August 27, 1979. However, both it and the next single, "If You Think You Know How to Love Me" (October 1979), were unsuccessful. Benatar's third single "Heartbreaker" was released in early December 1979 and became an immediate hit, climbing to #23 in the U.S. A fourth single "We Live for Love," which was written by her future husband Neil Giraldo, was released in February 1980, and reached U.S. #27.

Benatar's debut album In the Heat of the Night was released in October 1979, and reached #12 in the U.S. It established Benatar as a new force in rock. Producer Mike Chapman, who had worked with Blondie and The Knack, broke his vow not to take on any new artists when he heard Benatar's demo tape. Chapman personally produced three tracks on the album, while his long-time engineer and now independent producer, Peter Coleman (who also supervised Nick Gilder) oversaw the rest. In addition, Chapman and his partner, Nicky Chinn, wrote three songs that appear on the LP, "In the Heat of the Night" and "If You Think You Know How to Love Me" which were previously recorded by Smokey, as well as a rearranged version of a song they wrote for Sweet, "No You Don't". The album also featured two songs written by Roger Capps and Benatar as well as "I Need a Lover" written by John Mellencamp and "Don't Let It Show" written by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson. The album would be Benatar's first RIAA certified platinum album.

Crimes of Passion

In August 1980, Benatar released her LP, Crimes of Passion, featuring her signature song "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" along with the controversial song Hell is for Children, which was inspired by reading a series of articles in the New York Times about child abuse in America. "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" (U.S. #9) was her first single to break the U.S. Top 10 and eventually sold more than one million copies (at that time, gold status) in the United States alone. The album peaked for five consecutive weeks at U.S. #2 in January 1981 (behind Yoko Ono and John Lennon's Double Fantasy) and eventually sold over five million copies, and a month later, Benatar won her first Grammy Award for "Best Female Rock Vocal Performance" of 1980. Other singles released from Crimes of Passion were "Treat Me Right" (US #18) and the Rascals' cover, "You Better Run" (US #42), which gained some later notoriety when it was the second music video ever played on MTV, after the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star". The album also featured a changed-tempo cover of Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights. Nominally produced by Keith Olsen, Crimes of Passion remained on the US album charts for 93 weeks and in the top 10 for more than six months, eventually becoming her second consecutive platinum certification by the RIAA. In October 1980, Benatar (along with future husband Neil Giraldo) graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

Precious Time

In July 1981, she released her third LP, Precious Time. A month later the album hit #1 on the Billboard U.S. Top 200 LP chart. It was also her first to chart in the UK, reaching #30. The album's lead single, "Fire and Ice", was another big hit (US #17, AUS #30) and would win Benatar her second Grammy Award, this time for "Best Female Rock Vocal Performance" of 1981 and her third consecutive RIAA certified platinum album. "Promises in the Dark" (US #38) was also released.

In August 1981, Benatar's video You Better Run, was the second video aired by MTV.

Get Nervous

A hit single, "Shadows of the Night", (US #13, AUS #19) heralded a new LP, Get Nervous, released in late 1982. The album was another smash, reaching US #4, her fourth consecutive RIAA platinum certification, and the single would garner Benatar yet another Grammy, again for "Best Female Rock Vocal Performance" of 1982. The follow-up singles, "Little Too Late" and "Looking for a Stranger", were also successful, hitting US #20 and #39 respectively. The WWII-themed music video for "Shadows of the Night" featured then-unknown actors Judge Reinhold and Bill Paxton as an American fighter copilot and a German radio operator, respectively.

Live from Earth

By 1983, Benatar had established a reputation for singing about "tough" subject matters, with a significant amount of songs featuring a "battle" metaphor. This was best exemplified by one of the biggest hits of her career, "Love Is a Battlefield" (penned by noted hit songwriter Holly Knight with Mike Chapman), released in December 1983. By then, her sound had mellowed from hard rock to more atmospheric pop and the story-based video clip for "Love Is a Battlefield" was aimed squarely at MTV, even featuring Benatar in a Michael Jackson-inspired group dance number. This new pop direction was a huge commercial success, with the single peaking at #5 in the United States, and #1 in Australia for seven consecutive weeks. The song gained interest in the UK where it peaked at #49. The song would also net Benatar her fourth consecutive Grammy Award for "Best Female Rock Vocal Performance" of 1983. A live album, Live from Earth, which was recorded during Benatar's sold-out Get Nervous world tour of America and Europe in 1982 and 1983, contained two studio tracks, "Love Is a Battlefield" and "Lipstick Lies." The album peaked at U.S. #13 and became her fifth consecutive RIAA platinum winner.

Tropico

In October 1984, the single "We Belong" became another Top 5 smash in the US, and reached #7 in Australia. It was also Benatar's first ever UK top 40 hit, where it peaked at #22. In November, Benatar released her sixth album, Tropico (US #14, AUS #9, UK #31). A second single release, "Ooh Ooh Song," reached U.S. #36. It is also said by Benatar and Giraldo that this album is the first where they moved away from Benatar's famed "hard rock" sound and start experimenting with new, sometimes "gentler," styles and sounds. Despite not making the US Top 10, it earned her a sixth consecutive RIAA platinum certification.

After the chart success of We Belong in the UK, Love is a Battlefield was re-released in early 1985 and became her highest chart hit there, reaching #17.

Seven the Hard Way

Benatar would hit the U.S. Top 10 with the #10 single "Invincible" (the theme from the movie, The Legend of Billie Jean) in 1985. "Sex As a Weapon" would climb as high as #28 in January 1986, and "Le Bel Age" (#54) in February. The album Seven the Hard Way peaked at #26, earning an RIAA Gold certification.

The title of the album is based on a bet in the game of craps: "Rolls of 4, 6, 8, and 10 are called "hard" or "easy" (e.g. "Six the Hard Way", "Easy Eight", "Hard Ten") depending on whether they were rolled as a "double" or as any other combination of values, because of their significance in center table bets known as the "hard ways"." The album was the band's seventh release in seven years. Benatar is holding a pair of dice on the album cover with three and a half dots each.

Wide Awake in Dreamland

In July 1988, Benatar released her eighth album, Wide Awake in Dreamland (US #28, UK #11). A single lifted from the album, "All Fired Up" (written by Kerryn Tolhurst, ex-The Dingoes) reached #19 in both the US and the UK, and was a #2 smash in Australia, becoming one of the biggest hits of 1988 in that country. Other singles released from the LP are "Don't Walk Away" (UK #42), "Let's Stay Together", and "One Love" (UK #59). The album also earned an RIAA gold certification.

True Love

True Love (US #37) was a jump blues record, released in late April 1991, and featured the blues band Roomful of Blues, backing up Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and Myron Grombacher. The album sold over 339,000 copies without any radio airplay and limited exposure on VH-1. "Payin' the Cost to Be the Boss," "So Long," and the title cut were released as singles. The album reached #40 in the UK.

Gravity's Rainbow

Gravity's Rainbow (US #85) was released in 1993 and was a return to the AOR genre. "Everybody Lay Down" was picked up by Album Rock radio and went all the way to #3. The single was never released to Top 40/Contemporary Hit Radio and a music video was never produced. "Somebody's Baby" was instead released as the single to Top 40 radio and a music video produced.

A third track was scheduled and a video shot for "Everytime I Fall Back", but the single was never released and the music video was lost when Chrysalis was sold to EMI records. Benatar had become pregnant again and this may have had an effect on her label's support of the album. This was Benatar's last album recorded for Chrysalis records. With very little promotion from Chrysalis, Gravity's Rainbow failed to have the same commercial success as Benatar's previous works. The album sold approximately 200,000 copies in the US.

Innamorata

Innamorata (US #171) was released in 1997 on the CMC International record label. A single video was produced for "Strawberry Wine (Life is Sweet)".

Go

Benatar has released only one album of new material since 1997's Innamorata, which is 2003's Go (US #187). The album included the 9/11 charity single, "Christmas in America" as a bonus track. A compilation video was produced for the single "Have It All", but was never released, the only video from this album is for the bonus track.

Greatest hits collections

Best Shots (US #67) was first released in the UK in 1987 and in the US in November 1989. The US version included 15 tracks on 1 CD, 1 live version of "Hell is for Children" with Suffer the Little Children intro, "Painted Desert" (from Tropico) and a remixed version of "Outlaw Blues" (also from Tropico) and would be another certified RIAA gold (later platinum) album. Best Shots became Benatar's biggest selling album in the UK, where it reached #6 and achieved Gold sales status. The album was also a top 20 hit in Australia. Best Shots was the only official greatest hits compilation until 1994 when All Fired Up: The Very Best of Pat Benatar was released (2 CD). The box set Synchronistic Wanderings (3 CD) was released in 1999. "Classic Masters" was released in October 2002, and "Pat Benatar - Greatest Hits" was released in June 2005. The most recent collection, "Ultimate Collection" (2 CD set) was released in June 2008 under the Capitol Records label with forty 24 bit-digitally remastered tracks.

Recent activity

Many best of/greatest hits compilations have been released over the years by Benatar's former record company. 2008's Ultimate Collection included the version of "Everytime I Fall Back" from her appearance on The Young and the Restless. In 2009, Benatar teamed up with Blondie for the "Call Me Invincible" tour, which also features The Donnas.

Benatar undertook a tour with REO Speedwagon during the summer of 2010.

Band

Although billed as a solo artist, Benatar recorded and toured with a consistent set of band members over most of her career, who contributed greatly to the writing and producing of songs and are recognizable characters on album photos and in many of her music videos.

Neil "Spyder" Giraldo (incorrectly spelled as "Geraldo" in early liner notes/credits) is the distinctive lead guitarist of the band and has performed on all of Benatar's albums. Born in Cleveland on December 29, 1955, Giraldo began playing the guitar at 6-years-old and learned to play the piano at age 12. Giraldo performed in Rick Derringer's touring band before working with Benatar, appearing in a possible bootleg entitled Derringer Live At The Paradise Theater Boston, Massachusetts, July 7, 1978 (UPC 672627400428). Giraldo's appearance on the video for Benatar's "You Better Run" distinguished him as the first guitarist on MTV. The video, the second ever aired on MTV, followed The Buggles, who had no guitar player. In addition to playing lead guitar, Giraldo is credited with composing and producing much of Benatar's work. Giraldo's first outside production credit was on John Waite's debut album Ignition. He has also given a helping musical hand to artists such as The Del-Lords, Rick Springfield, The Cruzados, and Kenny Loggins. In addition, Giraldo was the musical composer for the 2005 movie Smile starring Beau Bridges, Linda Hamilton, Sean Astin and directed by Jeffrey Kramer. The soundtrack features an original song by Giraldo and Scott Kempner of The Del-Lords, appearing as The Paradise Brothers, titled "Beautiful Something." Proceeds from the movie go to Operation Smile. The Paradise Brothers also contributed a cover of "Light Of Day" for a Bruce Springsteen Tribute album.

Myron Grombacher, who played with Neil in Rick Derringer's touring band, is drummer on nine of Benatar's original albums and has numerous writing credits. Myron is easily recognizable in the music videos, particularly as the mad dentist in Get Nervous.

Charlie Giordano performed keyboard duties on five albums, and is identifiable by his glasses and distinctive array of berets, blazers and 80s-style ties. In 2007, he replaced the late Danny Federici in the E Street Band.

Mick Mahan is the band's bassist and has performed with Benatar since 1995. The original bassist, Roger Capps, was replaced by Donnie Nossov on Tropico, and then later by Frank Linx.

Scott St. Clair Sheets is credited on rhythm guitar on the first three albums.

Glen Alexander Hamilton played drums on the first album.

Other achievements

In the summer of 2005, the couple's older daughter Haley Giraldo starred in E!'s reality TV series .

Stage & screen, soundtracks, various credits

Benatar played the character Zephyr in Harry Chapin's futuristic rock musical The Zinger. Set in a recording studio sometime around the year 2000, the production, which debuted on March 19, 1976, at the Performing Arts Foundation's (PAF) Playhouse in Huntington Station, Long Island, renamed the Harry Chapin Center, ran for a month and also featured Beverly D'Angelo and Christine Lahti. Benatar said, "It was great. I had an afro wig with glitter on! It was so fabulous." Benatar performed the solo "Shooting Star" in honor of Chapin for the Harry Chapin Tribute, Carnegie Hall, December 7, 1987.

In 1980, Benatar portrayed the character "Jeanette Florescu" in Marcus Reichert's film noir Union City, which featured Chrysalis Records labelmate Deborah Harry of Blondie in the starring role.

In 1982, the song 'Treat Me Right' and, very briefly, the Crimes of Passion album cover too, featured in the 1982 movie, An Officer and a Gentleman'', starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger.

The soundtrack to Giorgio Moroder's 1984 restoration of Fritz Lang's 1926 classic Metropolis features Benatar performing two versions of the movie's love song "Here's My Heart," a pop version for the studio album and a classically-styled version used in the film.

In 1985, "Invincible" was the title track to the Helen Slater cult classic The Legend of Billie Jean.

Benatar is a performer on Sun City - Artists United Against Apartheid (1985).

Benatar contributed the original tune "Sometimes the Good Guys Finish First" to the 1987 Michael J. Fox film The Secret of My Succe$s soundtrack.

"Run Between the Raindrops" was featured on the soundtrack for The Stepfather (1987 film)

Benatar performs "Jimmy Says" on Marlo Thomas & Friends - Free To Be A Family (1988)

In April 1989 she appeared in an ABC Afterschool Special entitled "Torn Between Two Fathers" about a teenage girl who sues her natural father for the right to remain in her step-family's home following the accidental death of her natural mother. Pat played "Donna", the current wife of the teenager's natural father.

Benatar sings the traditional lullaby "Tell Me Why" for Disney For Our Children: To Benefit the Pediatrics AIDS Foundation (1991)

Benatar appears on "Yakety Yak- Take It Back", a Public Service Announcement produced by the Take It Back Foundation in 1991. The music video features several celebrities in an updated version of "Yakety Yak" retooled with a message about recycling. The music video premiered on MTV on April 10, 1991 (National Recycling Day), appeared as a trailer at AMC movie theaters, and was distributed on VHS and CD. It was later shown occasionally on Sesame Street during the 1990s, though it does not feature any Sesame Street characters.

Benatar performed an English-language version of "L'effet que tu me fais" (The Effect You Have on Me) for the Tribute to Édith Piaf (1993).

Benatar contributed a cover of the Fontella Bass hit "Rescue Me" to the 1994 Speed soundtrack.

The soundtrack to Disney's 2000 film An Extremely Goofy Movie features "Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" by Benatar.

"Love Is a Battlefield" was featured twice on South Park, the first being the Season 2 episode "Ike's Wee Wee", but most notably in the episode "Red Man's Greed".

In 2003, "Love Is a Battlefield" was featured in the movie 13 Going on 30.

In 2003, Konami released a singing video game called "Karaoke Revolution" that featured the cover version of Benatar's song "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" as a part of the song list line-ups.

Benatar has made numerous TV appearances, mostly as herself. She appeared with her husband in the Charmed episode "Lucky Charmed" on which "Heartbreaker" was used and in an episode of Dharma & Greg as herself singing "We've Only Just Begun" at an impromptu wedding in an airport. In 2001, she also appeared as fictional rock star Anna Raines in the CBS TV drama Family Law with Dixie Carter and Christopher McDonald.

Benatar appeared in an episode of the short lived sitcom That '80s Show as herself as an old rival of the character Margaret. Her "Love Is a Battlefield" video appeared on an earlier episode of the show.

On February 14–15, 2008 Benatar and husband appeared as themselves on The Young and the Restless performing at the Indigo Club.

"Love Is a Battlefield" was featured in Christian Dior Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2006 by John Galliano.

In 2006, Benatar and her music were featured on "CMT Crossroads." The show was produced by and is shown on Country Music Television (CMT). The premise of the show is to feature a country artist with an artist from a different genre who was an influence. Benatar shared the stage with country artist, Martina McBride. McBride sang Benatar's hits while Benatar sang McBride's hits. The show includes interviews of both women.

In 2007-2008 Benatar's single "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" was put into the songlist for Guitar Hero 3 in the first tier of songs, also in Guitar Hero On Tour,and is available as a downloadable song in the video game Rock Band. Her song "Heartbreaker" is a playable song in the 2008 video game followup as well as also being downloadable content on Rock Band.

"Shadows of the Night" was covered in 2008 by Ashley Tisdale for the television movie Picture This.

"Hit Me with Your Best Shot" was covered by one of Charlize Theron's friends in the 2005 motion picture North Country.

The original master recording of the song "Love Is a Battlefield" was featured in Konami's rebooted version of their singing video game "Karaoke Revolution".

In 2010, "We Belong" was covered by cast members Kristen Alderson, Brittany Underwood, Kelley Missal, and Meghann Fahy on One Life to Live during its "Starr X'd Lovers" musical episodes.

Advertising

In 2006, the song "We Belong" was part of a $20 million dollar ad campaign for Sheraton hotels, although the version used in the commercial was not Benatar's. Her version of the song is featured in the 2006 comedy , starring Will Ferrell and directed by Adam McKay.

Though she had earlier expressed dismay for rock stars endorsing products (including onetime cohort Debbie Harry, who had developed her modeling career simultaneously to her rock career), Benatar herself has now become a commercial spokeswoman for the Energizer company, and is currently being featured in an ad for Candies Vintage shoes for Kohl's department store. In 2007, her song "Passion" could be downloaded free from the official Jell-O web site.

References

Further reading

Fissinger,Laura Rock'n PopStars Pat Benatar. Creative Education 1983 ISBN 0-89813-101-4

Magee, Doug Pat Benatar. Proteus 1985 ISBN 978-0862762513

Benatar, Pat and Cox, Patsi Between a Heart and a Rock Place. Harper Collins 2010 ISBN 978-0-06-195377-4

External links

Official website

Pat Benatar fanclub website

EMI Artist Page

Sanctuary Records Artist Page

Chrysalis Music Group USA

Category:1953 births Category:1980s singers Category:1990s singers Category:2000s singers Category:2010s singers Category:Living people Category:American female singers Category:American mezzo-sopranos Category:Chrysalis Records artists Category:American rock singers Category:Female rock singers Category:People from Brooklyn Category:People from Long Island Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Music of Richmond, Virginia

Name	Meri Wilson
Background	solo_singer
Born	June 15, 1949 Nagoya, Japan
Died	December 28, 2002 Americus, Georgia, United States
Instrument	Guitar
Genre	Novelty songs
Occupation	Singer, songwriter
Years active	1977-2002
Label	GRT, Pye

Meri Wilson (June 15, 1949 – December 28, 2002) was an American popular music singer, specializing in double entendre novelty songs.

She was born in Nagoya, Japan, at a U.S. military base, but raised in Marietta, Georgia. Wilson later gained a Masters Degree in Musical Education at Georgia State University.

In the 1970s she moved to Dallas, Texas and worked as a singer and model. She achieved fame in 1977 after she recorded a song titled "Telephone Man", which was filled with suggestive lyrics and her breathy squealing voice. The song became a surprise hit single, climbing the UK Singles Chart to Number 6, spending ten weeks in the listings, as well as making it to #18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. In addition, the song would become a favorite on Dr. Demento's radio show.

Wilson later recorded other novelty songs, including "Dick The D.J." and "Peter The Meter Reader". Her last project was a 2001 update to her famous hit which was entitled, "Internet Man".

She died in 2002, at the age of 53, after she lost control of her car on Georgia State Route 377 in Americus, Georgia, during an ice storm.

References

External links

Cdbaby.com biography

Category:1949 births Category:2002 deaths Category:American female singers

Name	Kenny Rogers
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Kenneth Donald Rogers
Born	August 21, 1938
Origin	Houston, Texas, United States
Instrument	Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, harmonica
Genre	Country, country pop, rock (with The First Edition)
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, actor, record producer
Years active	1958–present
Label	Cue Records, Carlton Records, Mercury Records, United Artists Records, RCA Records, Reprise Records, Giant Records, Atlantic Records, Curb Records, Dreamcatcher, Capitol Nashville, WEA
Associated acts	The New Christy Minstrels, The First Edition, Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, Dottie West, Juice Newton, Sheena Easton, Kim Carnes
Url	www.kennyrogers.com
Spouse	Janice Gordon (1958-1960)Jean Rogers (1960-1963)Margo Anderson (1964-1976)Marianne Gordon (1977-1993)Wanda Miller (1997-present)

Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers He was voted the "Favorite Singer of All-Time" in a 1986 joint poll by readers of both USA Today and People. He has received hundreds of awards for both his music and charity work. These include AMAs, Grammys, ACMs and CMAs, as well as a lifetime achievement award for a career spanning six decades in 2003.

Later success includes the 2006 album release, Water & Bridges, an across the board hit, that peaked at #5 in the Billboard Country Albums sales charts, also charting high in the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, "I Can't Unlove You," was also a chart hit. Remaining a popular entertainer around the world, the following year he completed a tour of the United Kingdom and the Ireland telling BBC Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright, his favorite hit was "The Gambler". He has also acted in a variety of movies and television shows, most notably the title roles in Kenny Rogers as The Gambler and the MacShayne series as well as his appearance on the Muppet Show. Rogers currently resides in Nicholson, Georgia.

Personal life

Rogers was born "Kenneth Ray Rogers" in Houston, Texas in 1938, the fourth of seven children born to Lucille (née Hester), a nurse, and Edward Floyd Rogers, a carpenter. Rogers graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in Houston. According to the Texas birth records, his middle given name is Ray and he is sometimes credited in his film roles as "Kenneth Ray Rogers".

He has been married five times. His fourth wife was actress Marianne Gordon Rogers. His current wife is the former Wanda Miller. He has a daughter and four sons.

As of 2005, Rogers had become an avid Atlanta Thrashers fan, and can often be seen at Philips Arena taking in a game.

Career

Early career

His career began in the mid-1950s, when he recorded with a doo-wop group called The Scholars who had some success with a single called "Poor Little Doggie". Rogers was not the lead singer of the group and after two more singles they disbanded when their leader went solo.

Now on his own, Kenneth Rogers (as he was billed then) followed the break up with his own single, a minor solo hit called "That Crazy Feeling" (1958). After sales slowed down, Rogers joined a jazz group called The Bobby Doyle Trio, who got a lot of work in clubs thanks to a reasonable fan following and also recorded for Columbia Records. The group disbanded in 1965, and a 1966 jazzy rock single Rogers recorded for Mercury Records, called "Here's That Rainy Day" failed. Rogers also worked as a producer, writer and session musician for other performers; including country artists Mickey Gilley and Eddy Arnold. In 1966 he joined The New Christy Minstrels as a singer and double bass player.

Feeling that the Minstrels were not offering the success they wanted, Rogers and fellow members Mike Settle, Terry Williams and Thelma Camacho left the group. They formed The First Edition in 1967 (later renamed "Kenny Rogers and The First Edition"). They chalked up a string of hits on both the pop and country charts, including "Something's Burning", "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town", "Reuben James" and "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)". In his First Edition days, Rogers had something of a hippie image, with long brown hair, an earring, and pink sunglasses. Known affectionately in retrospect as "Hippie Kenny", Rogers had a much smoother vocal style than in his later career.

When the group split in 1976, Rogers launched his solo career. Rogers soon developed a more middle of the road sound, with a somewhat rough but tuneful voiced style that sold to both pop and country audiences; to date, he has charted more than 60 top 40 hit singles (including upwards of 25 #1's) and 50 of his albums have charted. His music has also been featured in top selling movie soundtracks, such as Convoy, Urban Cowboy and The Big Lebowski.

Solo career

After leaving The First Edition in 1976, after almost a decade with the group, Rogers signed a solo deal with United Artists. Although producer Larry Butler had no doubts about Rogers's talent, he was advised by several colleagues not to sign Rogers, who some saw as a has-been. Nevertheless, Butler and Rogers began a partnership that would last four years.

Rogers first outing for his new label was Love Lifted Me. The album charted and two singles "Love Lifted Me" and "While The Feeling's Good" were minor hits. The song "Runaway Girl" was featured in the motion picture Trackdown. Later in 1976, Rogers issued his second album, the self-titled Kenny Rogers, whose first single "Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)", was another solo hit.

However, the single "Lucille" (1977) was a major hit, reaching number one on the pop charts in 12 countries, selling over five million copies, and firmly establishing Rogers's post-First Edition career. On the strength of "Lucille", the album Kenny Rogers reached #1 in the Billboard Country Album Chart. More success was to follow, including the multi-million selling album The Gambler and another international Number 1 single, "Coward of the County", taken from the equally successful album, Kenny. In 1980, the Rogers/Butler partnership came to an end, though they would occasionally reunite: in 1987 on the album I Prefer The Moonlight and again in 1993 on the album If Only My Heart Had A Voice.

In the late 1970s, Rogers teamed up with close friend and country singer Dottie West for a series of albums and duets. Together the duo had three hit albums, selling out stadiums and arenas while on tour. Their hits together "Every Time Two Fools Collide", "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight" and "What Are We Doin' in Love" became Country standards. Of West, Rogers stated in a 1995 TNN interview "She, more than anybody else I ever worked with sang with such emotion that you actually believed what she sang." Rogers was with West when she died after sustaining injuries in a 1991 car accident. In 1995 he starred opposite Michele Lee in the CBS biopic .

In 1980, his duet with Kim Carnes "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" became a major hit. Later in 1980 came his partnership with Lionel Richie who wrote and produced Rogers's #1 hit "Lady". Richie went on to write and produce Rogers's 1981 album Share Your Love, a chart topper and commercial favorite featuring hits such as "I Don't Need You" (Pop #3), "Through the Years" (Pop #13), and "Share Your Love with Me" (Pop #14). In 1982, Rogers released the album Love Will Turn You Around. The title track reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the country and AC charts. Shortly after he started working with producer David Foster in 1983 recording the smash Bob Seger cover "We've Got Tonight", a duet with Sheena Easton.

He went on to work with the Bee Gees to record and produce his 1983 hit album Eyes That See in the Dark, featuring the title track and yet another #1 hit "Islands in the Stream", a duet with Dolly Parton. The Gibbs originally wrote the song for Marvin Gaye in an R&B; style, only later to change it for the Kenny Rogers album. The partnership with Bee Gees only lasted one album, which was not a surprise considering that Rogers's original intentions were to work with Barry Gibb in only one song but Barry insisted on them doing the entire album.

"Islands in the Stream", the first single to be released from Eyes That See in the Dark in the United States, quickly went to #1 in the Billboard Hot 100. It was the last country single to reach #1 on that chart until "Amazed" by Lonestar did so in 2000. However, RCA insisted on releasing the title track as the first UK single, and the song stalled at a disappointing #61 there, although it did stay in the top 100 for several weeks (when it was eventually released in the US, it was more successful, charting high on the Adult Contemporary chart and making the country top 30). "Islands in the Stream" was issued as a follow up single in Britain and sold well, making #7. The album itself reached #1 on the country charts on both sides of the Atlantic and enjoyed multi-million sales. "Buried Treasure," "This Woman" and "Evening Star"/"Midsummer Nights" were also all successful singles from the album.

Shortly after came the album What About Me?, a hit whose title track, a trio performance with James Ingram and Kim Carnes, was nominated for a Grammy award; the single "Crazy" (not to be confused with the Willie Nelson-penned Patsy Cline hit) topped the country charts. David Foster was to work again with Rogers in his 1985 album The Heart of the Matter, although this time Foster was playing backing music rather than producing, a role given to George Martin. This album was another success, going to #1, with the title track making to the top ten category in the singles charts.

The next few years saw Rogers scoring several top country hits on a regular basis, including "Twenty Years Ago," "Morning Desire," "Tomb of the Unknown Love," among others. On 28 January 1985 Rogers was one of the 45 artists who recorded the worldwide charity song "We Are the World" to support hunger victims in Africa. The following year he played at Giants Stadium.

On January 1987, Rogers co-hosted the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. By 1988 to 1990, Rogers had In the 1990s Rogers continued to chart with singles such as "Crazy In Love", "If You Want To Find Love" and "The Greatest". From 1991 to 1994, Rogers hosted The Real West on A&E;, and on The History Channel since 1995 (Reruns only on The History Channel.). He also visited Miller's during this time period. From 1992 to 1995 Rogers co-owned and headlined Branson, Missouri’s 4,000 seat Grand Palace Theatre. In 1994, Rogers released his "dream" album titled Timepiece on Atlantic Records. It consisted of 30's and 40's jazz standards; it was the type of music he performed in his early days with The Bobby Doyle Three in Houston. In 1996 he released an album Vote For Love where the public requested their favorite love songs and Rogers performed the songs (several of his own hits were in there). The album was the first for the TV shopping channel QVC's record label, onQ Music. The album, sold exclusively by QVC, was a huge success and was later issued in stores under a variety of different titles. It reached #1 in the UK country charts under the title Love Songs (a title also used for various compilations) and also crossed over into the mainstream charts.

In 1999 Rogers scored with the single "The Greatest", a song about life from a child's point of view (looked at through a baseball game). The song reached the top 40 of Billboard's Country singles chart and was a Country Music Television Number One video. It was on Rogers's album She Rides Wild Horses the following year (itself a top 10 success). In 1999, Rogers also produced a song, "We've Got It All", specifically for the series finale of the ABC show Home Improvement. Not on any album, the recording sells for a high sum at auction.

Beyond the 1990s

In the 21st century, Rogers was back at #1 for the first time in more than a decade with the 2000 single "Buy Me a Rose", making him, at 61, the oldest artist in the history of country music to reach the chart summit. In doing so, he broke a 26-year-old record held by Hank Snow (who, in April 1974, was 59 years and 11 months old when he scored with "Hello Love"). Rogers held the record until 2003, when then 70-year-old Willie Nelson became the oldest artist to have a No. 1 on the country charts with his duet with Toby Keith, "Beer For My Horses."

Rogers also released the critically acclaimed album Back to the Well.

Although Rogers didn't record new albums for a couple of years, he continued to have success in many countries with more greatest hits packages. In 2004 42 Ultimate Hits, which was the first hits collection to span his days with the First Edition to the present, reached Number 6 on the American country charts and went gold. It also featured two new songs, "My World Is Over" with Whitney Duncan and "We Are the Same". "My World Is Over" was released as a single and was a minor hit. In 2005 The Very Best of Kenny Rogers, a double album, sold well in Europe. It was the first new solo Kenny Rogers hits album to reach the United Kingdom for over a decade, despite many compilations there that were not true hits packages.

Rogers also signed with Capitol Records and had more success with the TV advertised release 21 Number Ones in January 2006. Although this CD did contain 21 chart-toppers as the title claims (recorded between 1976 and the present day), this was not a complete collection of Rogers's #1 singles, omitting such singles as "Crazy in Love" and "What About Me?"

Much of his success was during the period from 1976 to 1983, when he was signed to United Artists and later Liberty. It is very rare for an artist of Rogers's age to be signed to a major label. Capitol followed 21 Number Ones with Rogers's new studio album, Water And Bridges, in March 2006 on the Capitol Nashville Records label. The first single from the album was "I Can't Unlove You" which peaked at #17 on the country charts, after spending over 6 months on the hit list, more than 50 years after he formed his first group and 38 years after his first major hit as leader of The First Edition; the song remains in recurrent airplay on some radio stations today. "I Can't Unlove You" was followed up with the second single from the album, "The Last Ten Years (Superman)", in September 2006. The third single, "Calling Me," which features Don Henley, became popular in early 2007, and was nominated for a Grammy Award at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Also in 2007, the 1977 "Kenny Rogers" album was re-issued as a double play CD, also featuring the 1979 "Kenny" album and this once again put Rogers's name into the sales charts worldwide. The following year, another compilation album ("A Love Song Collection") also charted. He currently lives in Atlanta.

In 2003, Rogers made a guest appearance in two episodes of Reno 911! as himself.

To date Rogers has recorded 65 albums and sold over 165 million records.

On August 26, 2008, Rogers released "50 Years" exclusively at Cracker Barrel stores. The album includes some of Rogers's greatest hits, plus 3 new songs. The release is designed to celebrate Rogers's 50th year in the music business. However, it should be noted Rogers has been in the music business for more than 50 years including his releases with The Scholars, who recorded for a local label in Houston. 1958 was the year he signed his first recording deal with a major label.

In 2008 Rogers toured with his very popular Christmas Show. However, he decided to split the show up, making the first half his "best of" and the second half consisted of his Christmas songs. One such show was at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.

In 2009 he toured the UK, playing in Cardiff CIA (March 27)Birmingham NIA (28)Manchester MEN (29)Newcastle Arena (30)Plymouth Pavilions (April 1)Nottingham Concert Hall (2)London Hammersmith Apollo (3)Bournemouth BIC (4)with support band - Savannah Jack.

In 2009, Kenny embarked on his 50th Anniversary Tour. The tour went around the United States, Britain and Ireland. It will continue into 2010.

In 2010, Rogers and his long-time friend Dolly Parton are set to release a new album. They previously worked together on such songs as Islands in the Stream and Real Love.

On April 10, 2010, a TV special was taped, Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years. Dolly Parton and Lionel Richie are among those set to perform with Kenny during a show celebrating his contribution to country, blues and pop music, It took place at the MGM Grand in Foxwoods, CT. To date, it has not been aired.

Outside music

Rogers also had success as an actor. His 1982 movie Six Pack, in which he played a race-car driver, took more than $20 million at the US box office, while made-for-TV movies such as The Gambler, Christmas in America, and Coward of the County (based on hit songs of his) topped ratings lists.

As an entrepreneur, he collaborated with former Kentucky Fried Chicken CEO John Y. Brown, Jr. in 1991 to start up the restaurant chain Kenny Rogers Roasters. The chicken and ribs chain, which is similar to Boston Market, was famously featured in an episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld called "The Chicken Roaster". On the November 27, 1997, broadcast of Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Rogers could not pick his chicken out in a taste test, claiming he preferred "greasy burgers."

Rogers and his restaurant were subjects of comedy from MADtv, especially the impersonation done by Will Sasso; the sketch of the faux-Rogers hosting Jackass became popular on the Internet. Sasso had him making noises such as "Ding Ding Ding Di da Ding Ding Ding" and getting sloppily drunk.

Rogers appeared in a 2004 episode of Reno 911 as himself being subjected to incompetent security provided by starstruck sheriff's deputies to comical effect. In this episode, Deputy Garcia, who is obsessed with Rogers, reveals that he thinks that Rogers should focus all of his effort on acting, and "give that singing thing a rest for a while," because Garcia believes that Rogers could win an Oscar. In order to "protect" Rogers the deputies take down all of the posters announcing his appearance in Reno, when he finds out he angrily berates the deputies and leaves. He is then promptly shot and wounded by an obsessed fan played by Patton Oswalt, though he is only superficially wounded, and asks for "mall security".

Rogers is also the inspiration behind the pop culture website menwholooklikekennyrogers.com . The site features close to a thousand photos of men who look like the real Rogers, as well as tips on how to look like Rogers, places to spot Rogers look-alikes, and even a Kenny of the Month and sells t-shirts and buttons.

Discography

Kenny Rogers is to headline the annual music festival Nevada Wild Fest in Henderson, Nevada.

Awards/Honors

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category |- | 2010 | American Eagle Award | American Eagle Award |- | 2009 | ACM Honors | Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award (w/ Jerry Reed, Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr.) |- | 2007 | ASCAP Golden Note Award | ASCAP Golden Note Award |- | 2007 | CMT Music Awards | Album of the Year - Water & Bridges |- | 2005 | CMT Music Awards | Favorite All Time Country Duet - "Islands In the Stream" (w/ Dolly Parton) |- | 2004 | CMT's 100 Greatest Cheating Songs | "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town"- #6 |- | 2003 | International Entertainment Buyers Association | Lifetime Achievement Award |- | 2003 | CMT's 100 Greatest Country Songs | "The Gambler" - #26 |- | 2002 | CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music | Ranking - #19 |- | 2000 | TNN Music Awards | Career Achievement Award |- | 1999 | BBC's Greatest Country Singer | Ranking - #2 |- | 1988 | Grammy Awards | Best Duo Country Vocal Performance - "Make No Mistake She's Mine" (w/ Ronnie Milsap) |- | 1986 | USA Today | Favorite Singer of All Time |- | 1985 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album - Eyes That See In the Dark |- | 1985 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Country Artist |- | 1983 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Single of the Year - "Islands In the Stream" (w/ Dolly Parton) |- | 1983 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Top Vocal Duet - (w/ Dolly Parton) |- | 1983 | American Music Awards | Favorite Pop/Rock Country Artist |- | 1983 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Single - "Love Will Turn You Around" |- | 1983 | ASAP Awards | Favorite Single - "Islands In the Stream" (w/ Dolly Parton) |- | 1982 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album - Greatest Hits |- | 1981 | American Music Awards | Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist |- | 1981 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album - The Gambler |- | 1981 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Single - "Coward of the County" |- | 1980 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Country Artist |- | 1980 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album - The Gambler |- | 1980 | Music City News Country | Single of the Year |- | 1979 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Country Artist |- | 1979 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album - 10 Years of Gold |- | 1979 | Country Music Association Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year |- | 1979 | Country Music Association Awards | Vocal Duo of the Year - (w/ Dottie West) |- | 1979 | Country Music Association Awards | Album of the Year - The Gambler |- | 1979 | Music City News Country | Male Artist of the Year |- | 1979 | Music City News Country | Single of the Year - "The Gambler" |- | 1979 | Grammy Awards | Best Male Country Vocal Performance - "The Gambler" |- | 1978 | American Music Awards | Favorite Single - "Lucille" |- | 1978 | Country Music Association Awards | Vocal Duo of the Year - (w/ Dottie West) |- | 1978 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Entertainer of the Year |- | 1978 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Top Male Vocalist |- | 1977 | Country Music Association Awards | Single of the Year - "Lucille" |- | 1977 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Top Male Vocalist |- | 1977 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Single of the Year - "Lucille" |- | 1977 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Song of the Year - "Lucille" |- | 1977 | Grammy Awards | Best Male Country Vocal Performance - "Lucille" |}

Record labels

The following is a list of record labels to which Rogers signed:

Cue (1957, with the band The Scholars and also as a solo singer)

Carlton (1958, solo deal)

KenLee (one single, label owned by Rogers and his brother Lelan)

Columbia (1960s, with jazz combo, The Bobby Doyle Three)

Reprise (1967, with The First Edition, all material recorded during this time has since been acquired by Universal Music)

Jolly Rogers (1973, with The First Edition, label was owned by Rogers)

United Artists (1975, solo deal)

Liberty (1980, United Artists merged into EMI/Capitol in 1980; some pressings of albums were issued on Capitol's imprint labels, EMI, EMI America, and EMI Manhattan.)

RCA (1983, solo deal)

Reprise (1989, solo deal)

Giant (1993, one solo album)

Atlantic (1994, one solo album)

onQ Music (1996, one solo album; onQ Music was created by the QVC Network to release exclusive albums for sale only on QVC. The first onQ release was Rogers's Vote for Love, a two-disc set that would later become available in standard retail stores.)

Magnatone (1996, solo deal)

Dreamcatcher (1998, solo deal; Dreamcatcher was owned and run by Rogers and Jim Mazza for the purpose of releasing Rogers albums and certain reissues of Rogers's catalog. Other artists such as Marshall Dyllon and Randy Dorman were released on Dreamcatcher Records, also. The label closed in 2004)

Capitol Nashville (2004, solo deal)

See also

Brady Hawkes

References

External links

Official website

delafont.com profile

[ Allmusic.com profile]

CMT.com profile

Kenny Rogers's Classic Weekend 1988

Goldsmith, Thomas. (1998). "Kenny Rogers". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 455–6.

Category:1938 births Category:American country singers Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:American male singers Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Capitol Records artists Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Houston, Texas Category:University of Houston alumni Category:The First Edition members Category:United Artists Records artists

Name	Joan Jett
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Joan Marie Larkin
Alias	Joan Jett
Born	September 22, 1958
Origin	Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Instrument	Vocals, guitar, bass guitar
Genre	Rock, hard rock, punk rock
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, musician
Years active	1975–present
Label	Blackheart RecordsEpic RecordsBoardwalk RecordsMCA RecordsCBS/SonyWarner Bros. Records
Associated acts	The Runaways, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Url	Joan Jett Official Site
Notable instruments	Gibson Melody Maker

Joan Jett (born Joan Marie Larkin; September 22, 1958) is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.

She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular recordings including "Crimson and Clover," "I Hate Myself for Loving You," "Do You Want to Touch Me," "Light of Day," "Love Is All Around," "Bad Reputation," and "Little Liar."

Her musical and songwriting approach is heavily influenced by the hard-edged, hard beat-driven rhythms common to many rock bands of her native Philadelphia, often featuring lyrics surrounding themes of lost love, criticisms of insincerity, the quest for authenticity, the struggles and resolutions of the American middle class. She has 3 albums that have been certified Platinum or Gold, and she has been referred to as the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll" many times during her career. In Venus Zine's 2010 "Queen of Rock" feature, Jett won the Readers' Pick in an online poll ahead of Stevie Nicks and Ann Wilson.

Early life

Joan Jett was born at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She moved to Rockville, Maryland, in 1967 where she attended Randolph Junior High and Wheaton High School. In her teens, Jett would sneak out at night to go to concerts with friends. She got her first guitar for Christmas from her father at the age of 13, and she mostly spent time after that writing songs. She also became involved with a bartender at a club from the town, at which point her family then re-located to West Covina, a suburb of Los Angeles, providing Jett the opportunity to pursue her musical endeavors. In Los Angeles, Joan interacted with some of her idols, including Suzi Quatro, one of the first female rock musicians who played an instrument. As reflected in the film The Runaways about Jett's beginnings, Quatro was vital to Joan's career, and Joan adopted many of Suzi's qualities including her shag haircut and style. Jett would quietly wait in the lobby of various hotels that Suzi was staying in during her US tours, just to catch a glimpse of her. She wore wooden platform shoes with "Suzi Quatro" carved into the side. Her favorite night spot was Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco. Joan was further introduced to the glam-rock style she so adored

While The Runaways were popular in Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada and South America, they could not garner the same level of success in the U.S. After Currie and Fox left the band (to be replaced by bassist Vicki Blue and later, Laurie McAllister), the band released two more albums: Waitin' for the Night and And Now... The Runaways. Altogether they produced five albums from 1975 until they disbanded in spring of 1979.

Soon after, Jett produced The Germs' first and only album (GI). Jett and Laguna released it independently on their new Blackheart Records label, which they started with Laguna's daughter's college savings. Laguna remembers, "We couldn't think of anything else to do, but print up records ourselves," and that's how Blackheart Records started.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

With Laguna's assistance, Jett formed the Blackhearts. She placed an ad in the L.A. Weekly "looking for three good men." John Doe of X sat in on bass for the auditions held at S.I.R. studios in Los Angeles. He mentioned a local bass player, Gary Ryan, who had recently been crashing on his couch. Ryan was part of the L.A. punk scene and had played bass with local artists Top Jimmy and Rik L. Rik. He had been a fan of the Runaways and Jett for years. Jett recognized him at the audition and he was in. Ryan in turn recommended guitarist Eric Ambel, who was also at the time part of Rik L. Rik. The final addition to the original Blackhearts was drummer Danny "Furious" O'Brien, formerly of the infamous San Francisco band The Avengers. This line-up played several gigs at the Golden Bear and Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood before embarking on their first European tour which consisted of an extensive tour of the Netherlands, and a few key shows in England including the Marquee in London.

Upon returning to the States, Jett, Ryan, and Ambel moved to Long Beach, New York. O'Brien stayed behind in England to pursue other interests. Auditions were set up and Lee Crystal, formerly of The Boyfriends and Sylvain Sylvain, became the new drummer. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts then toured throughout the US and built quite a following in New York. Jett and Laguna soon used their personal savings to press up copies of the Joan Jett album and set up their own system of independent distribution, sometimes selling the albums out of the trunk of Laguna's Cadillac at the end of each concert. Laguna was unable to keep up with demand for her album. Eventually, old friend and founder of Casablanca Records, Neil Bogart, made a joint venture with Laguna and signed Jett to his new label, Boardwalk Records and re-released the Joan Jett album as Bad Reputation. After a year of touring and recording, The Blackhearts recorded a new album entitled I Love Rock 'n Roll for the label. Ambel was replaced by local guitarist Ricky Byrd during the recording.

With Byrd on guitar, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts recorded their hit album. The new single was a re-recording of the title track, "I Love Rock 'n Roll," which in the first half of 1982 was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in a row. It is Billboard’s #28 song of all time.

A string of Top 40 hits followed, as well as sellout tours with The Police, Queen, and Aerosmith, among others. Jett was the second American act of any kind to perform behind the Iron Curtain, after Blood, Sweat & Tears in Romania in 1969. She was among the first English-speaking rock acts to appear in Panama and the Dominican Republic.

After receiving her own MTV New Year's Eve special, Jett beat out a number of contenders to appear in the movie Light of Day with Michael J. Fox. Bruce Springsteen wrote the song "Light of Day" especially for her, and her performance was critically acclaimed. It was about this time that Ryan and Crystal left the Blackhearts. They were soon replaced by the powerful rhythm section of Thommy Price and Kasim Sulton. Later that year, Jett released Good Music, which featured appearances by The Beach Boys, The Sugarhill Gang and singer Darlene Love.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts became the first rock band to perform a series of shows at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway, breaking the record at the time for the fastest ticket sell-out. Her next release, Up Your Alley, went multi-platinum and was followed by The Hit List, which was an album consisting of cover songs. During this time, Jett co-wrote the song "House of Fire," which appeared on Alice Cooper's 1989 album Trash.

Her 1991 release Notorious, which featured The Replacements' Paul Westerberg and former Billy Idol bassist Phil Feit, was the last with Sony/CBS as Jett switched to Warner Brothers. A CD single of "Let's Do It" featuring Jett and Westerberg was also released during this time and appeared in the song credits for the movie Tank Girl. In 1993, Jett and Laguna released Flashback, a compilation of various songs on their own Blackheart Records.

Jett produced several bands prior to releasing her debut and her label Blackheart Records released recordings from varied artists such as thrash metal band Metal Church and rapper Big Daddy Kane.

The press touted Jett as the "Godmother of Punk" and the "Original Riot Grrrl." In 1994, the Blackhearts released the well-received Pure and Simple, which featured tracks written with Babes in Toyland's Kat Bjelland, L7's Donita Sparks and Bikini Kill's Kathleen Hanna.

Later years

Jett returned to producing for the band Circus Lupus in 1992 and again, in 1994, for Bikini Kill. This recording was the New Radio EP for which she also played and sang back-up vocals. The Riot Grrrl movement started in the 1990s, with Bikini Kill as a representative band, and many of these women credited Jett as a role model and inspiration.

Near the end of the 1990s she worked with members of the punk band The Gits, whose lead singer and lyricist, Mia Zapata, had been raped and murdered in 1993. Jett and Springsteen appeared together on stage for the first time and played "Light Of Day". Jett, overcome with emotion, declared it one of the greatest moments in her career.

In 2004, Jett and Laguna produced "No Apologies" by Warped Tour favorite The Eyeliners, after signing them. Jett also guested on the track "Destroy" and made a cameo appearance in the music video.

In 2005, Jett discovered Cleveland punk rockers The Vacancies. She and Laguna signed the band and produced their second album, A Beat Missing or a Silence Added (reaching the top 20 in CMJ Music Charts) and their third album in 2007, Tantrum.

In 2005, she was recruited by Steven Van Zandt to host her own radio show on Van Zandt's Underground Garage radio channel on Sirius Satellite Radio. She hosted a four-hour show titled Joan Jett's Radio Revolution, broadcast every Saturday and Sunday. The program moved from Sirius 25 to Sirius 28 shortly before being canceled in June 2008.

In 2005, Jett and Laguna celebrated the 25th anniversary of Blackheart Records with a sellout show at Manhattan's Webster Hall, which featured their groups The Eyeliners and The Vacancies as openers to the headlining act, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

In June 2006, Joan Jett released her album, Sinner, on her own label, Blackheart Records. To support the album, the band appeared on the 2006 Warped Tour and on a fall 2006 tour with Eagles of Death Metal. Various other bands like Antigone Rising, Valient Thorr, The Vacancies, Throw Rag and Riverboat Gamblers were to have joined the tour for a handful of dates each.

Jett sang a duet with Chase Noles on "Tearstained Letters," a song on the Heart Attacks' 2006 album, Hellbound and Heartless.

A Joan Jett video with Paul, Paul Jr. and Mikey Teutul of the Learning Channel show American Chopper aired on January 14, 2007. The making of that video was presented in a segment of the show that aired on The Learning Channel on February 22, 2007. In late June, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts performed at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, following a Florida Marlins baseball game.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts headlined the Albuquerque, New Mexico Freedom Fourth celebration on July 4, 2007, with an estimated crowd of 65,000 in attendance at the annual outdoor event.

In November 2007, Jett and the Blackhearts appeared with Motörhead and Alice Cooper in a UK arena tour, that leg constituting a "reconciliation" of sorts with Jett's former personal manager, Toby Mamis, now the co-manager of Alice Cooper, and Jett opened eight American shows on Aerosmith's 2007 World Tour.

Following The Dave Clark Five's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, on March 10, 2008, Jett, as part of the ceremony, closed the program with a performance of the DC5's 1964 hit "Bits and Pieces." She was introduced by actor Tom Hanks, who said, "Ladies and gentlemen — at one time, if I had been lucky, one of the most beautiful 'Mrs. Tom Hanks' you can imagine, but I'm not complainin' — Joan Jett!"

Jett and the Blackhearts appeared on several dates of the True Colors Tour 2008. in the summer of 2008. She opened for Def Leppard in August.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts play in 2010 Sundance Film Festival, at Harry-O's. For The Runaways promotion, also attending at Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning.

On April 24, 2010, it was announced on Green Day's official website that Jett will be supporting them on their summer European tour.

In June 2010, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts opened for Green Day on their UK tour along side acts such as Frank Turner and Paramore.

The group is the opening act for Aerosmith's Sept. 2010 Canadian tour.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts are part of the lineup for Australia's The Falls Music & Arts Festival December 29 through January 1 in Australia.

Current projects

In 1997 Joan Jett was featured on the We Will Fall: The Iggy Pop Tribute record. She performed a cover of the Johnny O'Keefe song "Wild One" (or "Real Wild Child").

Jett was an executive producer for the film The Runaways, which chronicled the Runaways' career. Floria Sigismondi, who directed videos for Marilyn Manson, the White Stripes and David Bowie, wrote and directed. Production of the movie began filming around Twilight's Kristen Stewart filming schedule (i.e. of the sequels and ). Stewart played Joan Jett in the film. In order to prepare for the role, Stewart met Jett around the 08/09 New Year. In an interview, Stewart revealed that she hopes to be able to sing some of the songs in the film. The film explores the friendship and falling out between Jett and Runaways lead singer, Cherie Currie, played by Dakota Fanning, and premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 24, 2010.

March saw the release of a 2-CD Greatest Hits album with 4 newly rerecorded songs, 3 of which are Runaways hits, and one a track from her I Love Rock 'N' Roll album. March 2010 also saw the release of a hardcover biography and picture book, spanning her career from the Runaways to the present day. She is also touring in Lewiston Idaho's "Rockin on the River" music festival.

Other work

Jett, a sports fan, has remained actively involved in the sports world. Her cover of "Love is All Around" (the theme song of The Mary Tyler Moore Show) became an anthem in women's sports and was used by the NCAA to promote the Women's Final Four, as well as the song "Unfinished Business" which was never commercially released. "Love Is All Around" went into radio play and became the number one requested song without an existing (support) CD. Jett supplied theme songs for the ESPN X-Games premiere and has contributed music to all their games since. At Cal Ripken Jr.'s request, she sang the national anthem, at the Baltimore Orioles game in which he tied Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played. The melody for her song "I Hate Myself For Loving You" is used as the theme music for NBC Sunday Night Football with re-worked lyrics and retitled "Waiting All Day For Sunday Night". Jett has also been a consistent supporter of the US Armed Forces, has toured for the USO for over 20 years, and even played West Point. On May 15, 2006, Jett visited the Pentagon, and many photographs were taken with personnel.

Satire

In 1983, musical satirist "Weird Al" Yankovic released a parody of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" (originally recorded by Arrows in 1977 and re-recorded by Jett in 1982) entitled "I Love Rocky Road", changing the singer's passion for rock music with that for ice cream. Yankovic's parody covered Jett's version completely, save for her guitar riffs which were replaced by Yankovic's accordion.

The comic strip Bloom County included a character named Tess Turbo. Her band was The Blackheads.

Film, stage and television appearances

Jett's first appearance on film is in the 1981 live concert film Urgh! A Music War, performing "Bad Reputation" with the Blackhearts at The Ritz in New York City. She made her acting debut in 1987, co-starring with Gena Rowlands and Michael J. Fox in the Paul Schrader film Light of Day.

The 1999 show Freaks and Geeks used the song "Bad Reputation" as the opening theme.

In 2000, Jett appeared in the Broadway production of The Rocky Horror Show in the role of Columbia. That same year, Jett appeared on Walker Texas Ranger as an ex-CIA agent turned assassin hired to kill Walker and Alex.

In 2002, Jett appeared in the film By Hook or by Crook in the role of News Interviewee.

From 2000 to 2003, to support work by first time filmmakers and the indie film business, Jett hosted a showcase of new film and video shorts, Independent Eye, for Maryland Public Television.

In 2008, Jett made a cameo appearance in Darren Lynn Bousman's rock opera/file Repo! The Genetic Opera as the guitarist in Shilo's room during the piece "Seventeen".'' In February 2008, she made a cameo appearance in Jimmy Kimmel's popular video skit, "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck".

On July 13, 2008, she appeared in the episode "" as a rock and roll talk show host who is murdered.

On March 9, 2010, she appeared as a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Accompanied by the Blackhearts, she performed "Cherry Bomb".

On March 24, 2010, she appeared as a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman. Accompanied by the Blackhearts, she performed "Bad Reputation".

Politics

in 2010.]] Jett supported Howard Dean in the 2004 election because of his position on the War in Iraq and gay marriage.

Accolades and awards

Jett was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in October 2006. In 2003, Jett was named in the Rolling Stone greatest 100 guitarists of all time at number 87. She was one of only two women in this list, the other being Joni Mitchell at number 72. Jett is listed as one of Blender's "hottest women of rock" 21 years after she started The Runaways. Joan Jett is honored by Gibson with a signature model of her Melody Maker, which is a white double cutaway with one zebra humbucker and "kill" toggle switch. Jett bought her guitar from Eric Carmen, following the breakup of The Raspberries.

Discography

Studio Albums as Joan Jett

Joan Jett (1980)

Bad Reputation (1981)

Studio Albums (With the Blackhearts)

I Love Rock 'n' Roll (1981)

Album (1983)

Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth (1984)

Good Music (1986)

Up Your Alley (1988)

Notorious (1991)

Pure and Simple (1994)

Sinner (2006)

Cover Albums

The Hit List (1990)

Collaboration Albums

Evil Stig (with The Gits) (1995)

Fan Club Albums

1979 (1995)

Japan-only Release

Naked (2004)

References

External links

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Joan Jett And The Blackhearts Bad Reputation Nation

Blackheart Records

VH1 Joan Jett biography at VH1.com

;Interviews

Interview: Joan Jett on Sinner

Joan Jett Interview on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos

Joan Jett interview from PETA2

Joan Jett interview with SPIN

Joan Jett interview with The Beachcomber

Category:1958 births Category:1970s singers Category:1980s singers Category:1990s singers Category:2000s singers Category:2010s singers Category:Living people Category:American female guitarists Category:American female singers Category:American mezzo-sopranos Category:American punk rock singers Category:American vegans Category:Female punk rock singers Category:Feminist artists Category:Musicians from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Category:Rhythm guitarists Category:The Runaways members Category:Third-wave feminism

Name	Bappi Lahiri
Background	non_performing_personnel
Birth name	Alokesh Lahiri
Born	November 27, 1952
Born place	Chennai
Origin	Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Genre	Film score, Theatre
Occupation	music director & singer
Years active	1972–present
Url	http://www.bappilahiri.com

Bappi Lahiri or Alokesh Lahiri (), born 27 November in 1952, is a music director in the Hindi (or Bollywood) film industry. He pioneered the use of disco music in Indian cinema and sang some of his own compositions. He was popular in the 1980s with films like Disco Dancer, Namak Halaal and Sharaabi among others.

Biography

Early years

Bappi. D. Lahiri was born in Calcutta, West Bengal into a family with a rich tradition in classical music. His father, Aparesh Lahiri, was a famous Bengali singer and his mother, Bansari Lahiri, was a musician and a singer who was well-versed in classical music and Shyama Sangeet. He was their only child.

At a very early age, he had the ambition to become internationally famous. He began to play the tabla at the tender age of three. His relatives from his mother's family include Kishore Kumar and the S. Mukherjee clan. Initially he was trained by his parents, after which he received his first opportunity in a Bengali film, Daadu (1972) at the age of 19.

Career

Hindi films

He moved to Mumbai when he was 19. The first Hindi film for which he composed music was Nanha Shikari (1973). The turning point of his career was Tahir Husain's Hindi film, Zakhmee (1975), for which he composed music and doubled as a playback singer. He sang a duet with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar called "Nothing Is Impossible" for the same film. The songs of his next film, Chalte Chalte, became hits. With Ravikant Nagaich's Surakksha his singing and music became even more popular.

He was the fittest musician for Mithun Chakraborty's disco dance-based films. Mithun Chakraborty and Bappi Lahiri became synonyms of Indian disco culture since late 1970s to early 90s. He also scored music for many Hindi films produced from South India. He is called 'Disco King' around India.

Style of music

Bappi Lahiri pioneered the use of disco music in Indian cinema with an Indian flavour. Most of his songs would be rendered by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle. He launched Vijay Benedict and Sharon Prabhakar into the music industry. He also used Alisha Chinoy and Usha Uthup extensively for his compositions.

Allegations of plagiarism

Throughout his career Lahiri has been accused of plagiarizing music produced by other composers without giving them any credit or royalties.

Conversely, in one instance, portions of his song "Thoda Resham Lagta Hai" were included in a 2002 single "Addictive" by American R&B; singer Truth Hurts. Copyright holders Saregama India, Ltd. sued Interscope Records and its parent company, Universal Music Group to the tune of more than $500 million. A Los Angeles federal judge subsequently barred further sales of the CD unless and until Lahiri was listed on the song's credits.

Career history

Lahiri disappeared from the Indian film industry in the 1990s. He made a brief comeback in the Prakash Mehra produced Dalal starring Mithun Chakraborty. The song "Gutur Gutur" from the film was a big hit, though it had its share of controversies due to its suggestive lyrics.

In 2004, he brought out his album Bappi Magic - The Asli Baap Mix, featuring popular numbers such as "Gori Hai Kalaiyan" and "Jimmy Jimmy." It attained great popularity. In 2005, he composed the background score for the Jahnu Barua film, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara, thus reaffirming his identity as a very versatile composer. In 2006, he lent his voice to another composer for the first time with the song "Boombai Nagariya" which he sang for Vishal-Shekhar for the movie Taxi Number 9211. Of late, he has once again lent his voice to the title track of the Mani Ratnam film Guru, in which the music has been composed by A.R.Rahman. He has recorded songs for the movie Level Crossing produced by actor Jayaprada. In 2006, he appeared on the popular television show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs on Zee TV as co-judge with singers Alka Yagnik and Abhijeet. He was a judge for the 2007 edition of Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Sony Entertainment Television's K For Kishore reality show that aims to find the 'heir apparent' to Kishore Kumar.

In 2010 Lahiri was back with "i am a disco dancer" in Golmaal 3 in his own voice. The track was from his previous film Disco Dancer.

Personal life

Bappi Lahiri is married and has two children. His wife is Chitrani, daughter Rema and son Bappa. He is very fond of jewelry and is usually found wearing gold ornaments and black glasses with a tracksuit.

Selected discography

Some of the movies for which he composed successful music are:

Ek Baar Kaho (1980)

Surakksha

Waardat

Armaan

Chalte Chalte

Commando

Ilzaam

Pyara Dushman

Disco Dancer

Dance Dance (film)

Film Hi Film

Saheb

Tarzan

Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki

''

Guru

Jyoti

Namak Halaal

Sharaabi -Winner Filmfare Best Music Director Award(1985)

Aitbaar

Zindagi Ek Jua

Himatwalla

Justice Chaudary

Gang Leader

Rowdy Alludu

Bramha

:Complete List of Hindi Films with music by Bappi Lahiri

Music Done for a Malayalam Film ( Kerala )

''The Good Boys - Malayalam Film

Bappi Lahiri has also done playback singing for his compositions. Some of the notable songs that he has sung include:

''Rahi Hu Mein (Wanted: Dead or Alive)

''Bombai Se Aaya Mera Dost (Aap Ki Khatir)

''Mausam Hai Gaane Ka (Surakksha)

''Dil Tha Akela Akela (Surakksha)

''Tum Jo Bhi Ho (Surakksha)

''Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyaraa hai (Wardat)

''Bambai Se Aaya mera Dost ( Aap ki khatir)

''Yaad Aa Raha Hai (Disco Dancer)

''Super Dancer (Dance Dance)

''Jeena Bhi Kya Hai Jeena (Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki)

''Tera Mera Pehla Yaarana (Shart)

''Pyar Chahiye Mujhe Jeene Ke Liye (Manokamna)

''Raat Baaki (Namak Halal)

''Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re (Saaheb)

''Tamma Tamma Loge (Thaneedar)

''Pyar Kabhi Kam Nahi Karna (Prem Pratigya)

''Dekha Hai Maine Tumhe Phir Se Palatke (Wardat)

''Dil Main Ho Tum

''Je La La (Tarzan)

''Bambai Nagariya (Taxi No 9211)

Before his disco rejuvenation he also gave some of the evergreen music to the industry that include:

''Chalte Chalte Mere Yeh Geet Yaad Rakhna

''Dil Se Mile Dil, Dil Se Mile Dil (Dil Se Mile Dil)

''Muskuraata Hua (Lahu Ke Do Rang)

''Chaar Din Ki Zindagi Hai (Ek Baar Kaho)

''Dheere Dheere Subah Huyi (Haisiyat)

''Maana Ho Tum (Toote Khilone)

''Teri Chhoti Si Bhool (Shikshaa)

''Yeh Naina Yeh Kajal (Dil Se Mile Dil)

''Gaao Mere Man (Apne Paraaye)

''Shyam Rang Ranga Re (Apne Paraaye)

''Pyar Hee Jeene Ki (Armaan)

''Pyar Manga Hai Tumhi Se

''Ke Pag Ghungroo Baandh Meera Nachi Thi

''Dil Mein Ho Tum Aankhon Mein Tum

It is not that Bappi Lahiri was only a disco freak; he has also produced beautiful Ghazals such as,

''Kisi Nazar ko tera intezaar aaj bhi hai (Aetbaar)

''Aawaz di hia (Aetbaar)

External links

Bappi Lahiri: The Official Website of the Disco King

Unofficial fan club of Bappida

Bappi Lahiri on SaReGaMaPa Challenge 2007

Documentation of songs Bappi Lahiri copied or used as "inspiration"

The song Nothing is Impossible from Zakhmee(1975)

Category:1952 births Category:Filmfare Awards winners Category:Hindi film directors Category:Indian film directors Category:Indian film score composers Category:People from Kolkata Category:Living people Category:Plagiarism Category:Sa Re Ga Ma Pa participants

Name	Amit Kumar
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	"Amit Kumar Ganguly"
Alias	Ameet Kumar
Born	July 03, 1952
Instrument	Vocalist, Percussion Instruments (Banjo)
Genre	Bollywood and regional filmi playback, Rabindra Sangeet
Occupation	Singer, Actor, Director, Musician
Years active	1965 - Present

Amit Kumar (born 3 July 1952) is an Indian film playback singer, actor, director, and music director. He is the son of famous singer and actor Kishore Kumar and Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta. Like his father he too loved singing since childhood and used to sing in Kolkata during Durga Pooja functions. Once he was performing on stage in Kolkata in a Durga Pooja function arranged by Bengali actor Uttam Kumar, people kept on requesting for more songs and this information reached his mother. She called in Kishore Kumar and complained that his son was singing 'filmy' songs. Hearing this Kishore Kumar decided to bring him to Bombay.

Before this, Kishore Kumar had made Amit act as his own son in two of his critically acclaimed and rare serious films, produced by himself, Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (the famous song 'Aa chalke tujhe, mein leke chaloon' sung by Kishore Kumar was filmed with him singing to his son, all of 11 years) and Door Ka Raahi (with Amit as a teenager).

He has sung many popular Bollywood and regional film songs in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and sings even today.

Apart from Hindi songs Amit sang several songs in Bangla, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Assamese, Marathi, Konkani. It proves his capability as a versatile singer.

1970s

Amit Kumar made his debut in singing and as a child actor in his father's movie Door Ka Raahi. He recorded a song ‘Main ik panchi matwaala re’ as child singer artist. This song was removed from the film later by Kishore Kumar.

In 1976 the film Balika Badhu (1976) with the song ‘Bade achchhe lagte hain..’ brought him on the tinsel town big stage. This song can easily be kept in some of the best melodies of all times. The song was composed by legendary R. D. Burman. After that he recorded many songs with R. D. Burman.

In late 70s he sang few songs for various films. The song ‘Aati rahengi baharein’ from the film Kasme Vaade was a huge hit. He sang for Randhir Kapoor in this song while Kishore Kumar sang for Amitabh Bachchan.

He sang many hit songs in the films like Aandhi, Khatta Meetha, Gol Maal, Des Pardes, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Deewanagi, Duniya Meri Jeb Mein, Parvarish, Baton Baton Mein etc. The duet song with Lata Mangeshkar from the film Baton Baton Mein ‘Uthe sabke kadam’ was quite popular.

As a leading playback singer in Bollywood, he sang many songs for Kumar Gaurav who was a new star in the 1980s. But his maximum number of songs are recorded and released for Anil Kapoor.

1980s

1980s started with a bang for Amit with mega hit film Love Story (1981 film). He sang all the songs of the film and got his Filmfare Award for the duet ‘Yaad aa rahi hai’ with Lata Mangeshkar. About this song music composer R. D. Burman jokingly told Amit before release that this song sounds like a ‘Bhajan’.

In 1980 the actor Feroz Khan produced a super hit film Qurbani (1980 film). There was a song ‘Laila o Laila’ in this film that became a really big hit. Amit Kumar rendered his voice for this song for Amjad Khan.

His duet song ‘Tu rootha toh main ro doongi sanam’ with Asha Bhonsle from the film Jawani (1984) in the year 1984 composed by R. D. Burman was mega hit. Another chart-buster from 1983 from the film Haadsaa was ‘Yeh Bombay shehar haadsoon ka sheher hai’. This song was super hit.

In this decade, he sang for almost all music direrctors, actors and produced hit after hit. With not so successful career of Kumar Gaurav, Amit kumar later became voice of Anil Kapoor in 1980s. But before this many hit songs too were released for Kumar Gaurav in films like Romance (1983 film), Teri Kasam, Lovers (1983 film), All rounder, Telefilm-Janam, etc. In this decade he sang super hits for Anil Kapoor in the films like Tezaab, Yudh etc.

The song from Tridev filmed on Naseeruddin Shah ‘Oye oye- Tirchi topi waaley’ was such a huge nationwide hit that it became the second identity of Naseer. Amit sang for Naseeruddin Shah in the film Hero Hiralal too.

Soon after his father's death, he, along with his half-brother Sumit Kumar, released an album called "Dui Kishore" as a tribute to Kishore Kumar.

Early 1990s to Mid 1990s

1990 started with films like Hum and the song ‘Sanam mere sanam’ brought another big hit for Amit. had a smash hit in the song ‘Kaisa lagta hai’. From the film Ghayal (1990 film) the song ‘Pyaar tum mujhase’ was popular.

Amit delivered more hits for the film Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. The songs ‘Deewana dil deewana’ and ‘Sachhi yeh kahani hai’ were hits, especially the former.

In this decade, he sang for some other hit films too like Awwal Number, ChaalBaaz, Khel (1992 film), Vishwatma, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Judaai (1997 film), Indrajeet etc.

Amit Kumar enjoyed a special work relation with music duo Anand-Milind who heavily promoted Amit kumar in the early 1990s. Some of their best works include , Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hain, Maha-Sangram, Swarg, Suryavanshi, Anjaane Rishtey, Talaashi, Jawani Zindabad, Sangdil Sanam, Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin & Rakhwala to name a few. Anand-Milind were one of the few new age music composers of that period who regularly recorded with Amit Kumar, making him the voice for Salman Khan and Aamir Khan.

Amit Kumar also enjoyed success with another fresh talent from the 1990s, Jatin-Lalit, who had Amit Kumar croon hit numbers in several films like Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham....

Later in the decade with the invasion of many other Kishore Kumar clones his career started fading. The great R. D. Burman too was no more with whom Amit had a special bonding. He started withdrawing and making himself busier in live stage performances in various parts of the world.

In this phase, Amit lost out to sing for R. D. Burman's last mega hit . He stated in another interview that R. D. Burman was under pressure to use another singer for the songs because it was the 'trend' in those days.

During these years, he composed and released music albums which were not much successful. Some of these are:

MAD (album)|MAD

Pyaar toh bas pyaar hai

Dam dama dam

Some music directors tried to recreate the old magic by composing songs similar to the ones in 1970s sung by his legendary father Kishore Kumar. However, success on this front was elusive.

New Century: 2000s

In the late 90s, Amit was almost an invisible name on the music releases.

Songs like 'Koi nahin aisa' from film Dillagi was recorded in 1999. Later films like Beti no.1, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... had featured his voice too. But in the year 2003, a film inspired by R. D. Burman Jhankaar Beats again used Amit's voice.

In year 2006, the film Apna Sapna Money Money carried a song 'Dil mein baji guitar' was a big hit.

In 2008 are songs from films called Khushboo, Abhimanyu, Ishq Ho Gaya Mamu to name a few.

The latest in 2009 is a Bangla Song of a film Olot Palot -- 'Jhing kur kur'.

The release of Shahrukh Khan starer Dulha Mil Gaya saw another song from Amit Kumar in 2010. The Kawwali number 'Dilrubaon ke jalwe' was the star attraction of the film. The number is termed as a special tribute to Shahrukh Khan and Sushmita Sen by producer Mudassar Aziz.with K.C.Bokadia's Chali Aana Pan ki dukan mein film AaJ ka Arjun.

Television

In late 1980s, he rendered his voice to TV serials on Doordarshan such as "Chuanuti" and "Campus".

He also did songs for the Telefilm Janam.

He also sang the title tracks for Hindi dubbed version of Disney's Animated series "Duck Tales" and "Bob the Builder".

Amit Kumar was one of the main judges in a recently concluded (May 2008) singing competition reality TV show "K for Kishore", where singers tried to recreate the magic of Kishore Kumar's songs on Sony Entertainment Television Asia.

2009/2010

He will be the main judge in the singing competition on Zee Bangla TV for the show: "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Mr/Miss Universe 2010".

He also sung two songs in Raju Chacha starring Ajay Devgan, Kajol and Rishi Kapoor 'Dil dil ka yeh kaam hai' & 'Kahin se ayi Rani'.

He sang one song with Neetha Subhir Tigde Tigde in Kandahar starring Mohanlal and Amitabh Bachchan.

Bangla-Hindi Connection

Not many people would know that one of the most popular duet songs of Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar 'Kya yehi pyaar hai' from Rocky (1981 film), the debut film of Sanjay Dutt, composed by legendary R. D. Burman was initially sung by none other than Amit Kumar in Bangla film.

There are seven same tunes sang by Amit and his father separately. But the most interesting point in it is all Bangla songs were sang by Sonny Amit and all Hindi by papa Kishore Kumar. Songs are given below :-

Amit Kumar Filmography

See Amit Kumar Filmography

Acting Stint

Amit Kumar also acted in films which were directed by and starred his father. His notable ones were Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964), Door Ka Raahi (1971), Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (1974) and Shabhash Daddy (1979).

Some popular songs

# Dilrubaon ke jalwe (Dulha Mil Gaya 2009 / 2010) # Main ek panchhi (Door Ka Raahi) # Main jis din bhula dun (Police Public) # Teri yaad aa rahi hai (Love Story, 1981) # Dekho maine dekha hai ye ek sapna (Love Story, 1981) # Aankho mein band karloon (Sangdil Sanam) # Aankhon mein band karloon (Sad version) (Sangdil Sanam) # One two three give me a kiss (Sangdil Sanam) # Sanam sangdil sanam (Sangdil Sanam) # Aap ko dekh ke (Kishen Kanhaiya) # Ye zameen gaa rahi hai (Teri Kasam) # Bade acche lagate hain (Balika Badhu (1976)) # Bombay shehar (Haadsa 1983) # Deewana dil deewana (Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa) with Udit Narayan) # Sacchi Ye Kahani hai.. Kaise Don (Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa) # Dil dil dil le liya (Bhagyawan) # Nazrein mili (Afsana Pyaar Ka) # Aashiq deewana (Afsana Pyaar Ka) # Tip tip tip baarish (Afsana Pyaar Ka) # Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai (1988 Film: Woh Phir Aayegi. With Anuradha Paudwal) # Tu rootha toh mein ro doongi sanam (Jawaani (1984 film)) # Dil mein bajey guitar (Apna Sapna Money Money with Mika) # Koi nahin aisa (Dillagi) # Makhna (Bade Miyan Chote Miyan) # Kehh do ke tum ho meri varna (Tezaab) # Jaan-e-mann jaan-e-jigar (Ghazab, 1982) # Laila o Laila (Qurbani, 1980) # Aati rahengi bahaarein (Kasme Vaade with Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhonsle) # Gabbar Singh yeh keh gaya (100 Days, 1991) # Le le dil de de dil (100 Days, 1991) # Hum Aur Tum Ab Nahin Paraye (Jamai Raja, 1990 with Alka Yagnik) # Ek do teen (Tezaab) # Oye oye- Tirchi topi waaley (Tridev 1989 with Sapna Mukherjee) # Main hoon hero (Ram Lakhan) # Jao tum chahe jahan / Yaad karoge vahan (Narsimha 1991) # Na jaane kahan se ayeeh (Chaalbaaz) # Kaisa lagta hai ( with Anuradha Paudwal) # Maang teri saja doon ( with Anuradha Paudwal) # Tap tap tapori () # Rama o Rama (Rama O Rama) # Roz roz aankho tale (Jeeva) # Sanam mere sanam (Hum) # Suno suno ladkiyon (Silsila Hai Pyar Ka 1999) # Uthe sabke kadam (Baton Baton Mein) # Na bole tum na maine kuch kaha (Baton Baton Mein) # Salma pe dil aa gaya (Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya Title song) # Le jhing kur kur (Olot Palot- Bangla Film 2009). # Miss. India marti mujhpe (Dhamaal with Adnan Sami) # Juhi ne dil maanga main nakkho bola (Ehsaas: The Feeling (2001)) # Chori ki baatein (Fight Club – Members Only 2006 with Shweta Pandit) # Yeh raat yeh tanhaiyaan (Gunaah -- 1993 film) with Sadhna Sargam) # Vinashak aatha hai (Vinashak – Destroyer (1998)) # Aana re aana re dil yeh deewana re (Gurudev (film) 1993 with Asha Bhonsle & Shailender Singh) # Ek din tera dheere se dharwaja kholunga (Gurudev (film) 1993) # Dheere dheere dheere chori chori chori (Imtihaan 1995 with Alka Yagnik # Chal naujawaan aage chal (Jaagruti 1992) # Dil jigar ke jaan (Jaanam 1992 with Anuradha Paudwal) # Teri chahat ke siva (Jaanam 1992 with Anuradha Paudwal) # Humein tumse pyaar kitna (Jhankaar Beats 2002 with K. K.) # Maalum hai kya (Jhankaar Beats 2002 with Vishal Dadlani) # Rukh rukh rukhna (Jhankaar Beats 2002 with Vishal Dadlani) # Naam hai mera Fonseca (Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar 1992) # Aaya main aaya (Maha-Sangram 1990 with Udit Narayan) # Aa baahon mein aa (Maha-Sangram 1990 with Anuradha Paudwal) # Filmy very filmy (Page 3 2005 with Blaaze & Tannishtha Chatterjee) # Aadhi raat ko (Parampara (film) with Lata Mangeshkar) # Dil dil ka yeh kaam hai (Raju Chacha 2000) # Kahin se ayi Rani with (Raju Chacha 2000 with Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shweta Pandit, Shrradha Pandit & Kajol) # Tu roop ki rani tu choron ka raja (Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja 1993 with Kavita Krishnamurthy) # Chai mein chini (Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja 1993 with Kavita Krishnamurthy) # Parda utha (Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja 1993 with Kavita Krishnamurthy) # Aala re raoos aala (Safari 1999 with Alka Yagnik) # Kajal kajal teri aankhon ka yeh kajal (Sapoot with Asha Bhonsle) # Jaane de jaane de (Shola Aur Shabnam 1992 with Kavita Krishnamurthy) # Tere liye saari umar jaagun (Yaad Rakhegi Duniya 1992) # Gali gali mein gana (Yaad Rakhegi Duniya 1992) # Tooti khidki makdi ka jangla (Yaad Rakhegi Duniya 1992 with Kavita Krishnamurthy) # Pyaar bada mushkil hai (Yodha 1990) # Do bechare (Victoria No. 203 2007 with Udit Narayan) # Dil le gayi teri bindiya (Vishwatma 1992 with Sapna Mukherjee) # Bole chudiyan (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... 2001 with Kavita Krishnamurthy, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam & Udit Narayan)

External links

# Amit Kumar's Official Fan Club # Amit Kumar IMDB profile # The Statesman on his 58th Birthday

Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:Bollywood playback singers Category:Filmfare Awards winners Category:Indian film singers Category:Indian male singers