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[[Image:May Day.jpg|thumb|225px|right|Grace Jones as May Day in ''[[A View to a Kill]]'']] Jones' work as an actress in mainstream film first began with the role of Zula, the amazon in the 1984 film ''[[Conan the Destroyer]]'' alongside [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] and [[NBA]] legend [[Wilt Chamberlain]]. Prior to this she appeared in low-budget films, often with sexually explicit content. She next landed the role of [[May Day (James Bond)|May Day]], in the 1985 [[James Bond]] movie ''[[A View to a Kill]]''. Jones was regarded by some critics as the best thing about the otherwise-panned film (particularly when May Day surprised Bond by flipping him over in bed during a 'love scene', insisting on taking the [[Woman on top sex position|top role]]).{{fact}}
[[Image:May Day.jpg|thumb|225px|right|Grace Jones as May Day in ''[[A View to a Kill]]'']] Jones' work as an actress in mainstream film first began with the role of Zula, the amazon in the 1984 film ''[[Conan the Destroyer]]'' alongside [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] and [[NBA]] legend [[Wilt Chamberlain]]. Prior to this she appeared in low-budget films, often with sexually explicit content. She next landed the role of [[May Day (James Bond)|May Day]], in the 1985 [[James Bond]] movie ''[[A View to a Kill]]''. Jones was regarded by some critics as the best thing about the otherwise-panned film (particularly when May Day surprised Bond by flipping him over in bed during a 'love scene', insisting on taking the [[Woman on top sex position|top role]]).{{fact}}


She appeared in a number of other motion pictures including the 1986 vampire film, ''[[Vamp]]'' as well as the [[Eddie Murphy]] film ''[[Boomerang (movie)|Boomerang]]'' - for which she recorded the title song - in 1992. She also appeared in an episode of the ''[[BeastMaster (TV series)|Beastmaster]]'' television series as the Impatra Warrior.
She appeared in a number of other motion pictures including the 1986 vampire film, ''[[Vamp]]'' (wherein she used her Keith Haring body paint as part of her role as a vampiric exotic dancer) as well as the [[Eddie Murphy]] film ''[[Boomerang (movie)|Boomerang]]'' - for which she recorded the title song - in 1992. She also appeared in an episode of the ''[[BeastMaster (TV series)|Beastmaster]]'' television series as the Impatra Warrior.


==The voice==
==The voice==

Revision as of 18:46, 10 November 2006

Template:Infobox musical artist 2

File:Grace Jones.JPG
Cover of Grace Jones' 1981 album Nightclubbing.

Grace Jones (born Grace Mendoza on May 19, 1948, in Spanish Town, Jamaica) is a supermodel, singer and actress.

Early life

Daughter of a preacher father, her parents took Grace and her twin brother, Bishop Noel Jones, to relocate to Syracuse, New York. Before becoming a successful model in New York and Paris, Grace studied theatre at Syracuse University.

Musical career

Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance club hits and a large gay following. The three disco albums she recorded - Portfolio (1977), Fame (1978), and Muse (1979) - generated considerable success in that market, most of which came with a cover of Édith Piaf's "La Vie en Rose." During this period, she also became a muse to Andy Warhol, who photographed her extensively. Jones also accompanied him to Studio 54 on many occasions.

As the 1970s drew to a close, Jones adapted the emerging New Wave music to suit a different style, a significant departure from her previous output that resulted in some of her most successful work. Still with Island, and now working with producers Alex Sadkin and Chris Blackwell, she released the acclaimed albums Warm Leatherette (1980) and Nightclubbing (1981). These included re-imaginings of songs by Sting, Iggy Pop, The Pretenders, Roxy Music, Flash and the Pan, The Normal, Ástor Piazzolla and Tom Petty, as well as originals like the Billboard Top 20 single "Pull Up to the Bumper".

Parallel to her musical shift was an equally dramatic visual makeover, created in partnership with stylist Jean-Paul Goude, whom she eventually married and by whom she had a son. Jones adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and angular, padded clothes. The iconic cover photographs of Nightclubbing and, subsequently, Slave to the Rhythm (1985) exemplified this new identity. To this day, Jones is known for her unique look at least as much as she is for her music. Her collaboration with Sadkin and Blackwell continued with the dub reggae-influenced album Living My Life.

In the mid 1980s, she worked with Trevor Horn for the conceptual musical collage Slave to the Rhythm and with Nile Rodgers for Inside Story (1986) - her first album after leaving the Island label. The well-received Slave to the Rhythm consisted of several re-workings of the title track (the single of which hit #12 in the UK) while Inside Story produced her last US Hot 100 hit to date, "I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect For You)," one of several songs she co-wrote with Bruce Woolley.[1] Bulletproof Heart (1989) spawned the #1 US club hit "Love on Top of Love - Killer Kiss," produced by C+C Music Factory's David Cole and Robert Clivilles. Although she never became a truly mainstream recording artist in the US, much of her musical output was popular on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart and many of her songs are regarded as classics to this day. Jones was able to find mainstream success in the UK, however, scoring a number of Top 40 entries on the UK Singles Chart.

Grace Jones' masculine attire and manner was a clear influence on the 'power dressing' movement of the 1980s, and on musical artists such as Annie Lennox of Eurythmics.[citation needed] She would also exemplify the "box" haircut style in the 1970s, which would be worn by many black men all over America throughout much of the next decade, notably Larry Blackmon of the funk group Cameo. She maintained parallel recording and acting careers, her film roles and modelling work often overshadowed her musical output. Her strong visual presence extended to her stage work. In her performances she adopted various personas and wore outlandish costumes, particularly during her years with Goude. One such performance was at the Paradise Garage in 1985, wherein she collaborated with visual artist Keith Haring for her costume. Haring painted her body in tribal patterns and fitted her with wire armor.[2] The muralist also painted her body for the video to "I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect for You)."

Grace Jones continues to perform. In November 2004, she sang her hit "Slave to the Rhythm" at a tribute concert for Trevor Horn at Wembley Arena. She received rave reviews, despite being absent in the music scene for some time.[citation needed] In February 2006, Jones was the celebrity runway model for Diesel's show in New York.

On October 20th, 2006, the 3-CD box set "Ultimate Collection" was released by the CCM label. Limited copies only.

File:34eah35.jpg
3-CD box set Ultimate Collection, 2006

Film career

Grace Jones as May Day in A View to a Kill

Jones' work as an actress in mainstream film first began with the role of Zula, the amazon in the 1984 film Conan the Destroyer alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain. Prior to this she appeared in low-budget films, often with sexually explicit content. She next landed the role of May Day, in the 1985 James Bond movie A View to a Kill. Jones was regarded by some critics as the best thing about the otherwise-panned film (particularly when May Day surprised Bond by flipping him over in bed during a 'love scene', insisting on taking the top role).[citation needed]

She appeared in a number of other motion pictures including the 1986 vampire film, Vamp (wherein she used her Keith Haring body paint as part of her role as a vampiric exotic dancer) as well as the Eddie Murphy film Boomerang - for which she recorded the title song - in 1992. She also appeared in an episode of the Beastmaster television series as the Impatra Warrior.

The voice

While some critics have suggested that Jones "speak-sings" often in her songs, she actually possesses a 2⅓ octave range. Her natural baritone is used on songs like "Slave to the Rhythm," while she is able to hit high notes on "La Vie En Rose". The stylized "speak-sing" (also known as sprechstimme) in general has been compared to an ancient singing technique which for centuries has been a part of some African cultures. It is also the singing style of Dire Straits frontman, Mark Knopfler, as well as arguably that of Leonard Cohen. Many of her recordings feature a monotone vocal style, though Jones could also take on jazz numbers such as "Victor Should Have Been a Jazz Musician", from the album Inside Story.

She had a significant voice part in Arcadia's 1985 song and video, "Election Day", from the album, So Red the Rose.

Controversies

In 1981, Grace Jones slapped chat show host Russell Harty across the face live on air after he turned to interview other guests. This topped a 2006 BBC poll of the most shocking TV chat show moments.[3]

She was featured in the September 1987 issue of Playboy magazine with Dolph Lundgren.

In September 1998, Jones was banned from all Disney properties worldwide after baring her breasts in a concert at Walt Disney World.[4]

Personal life

Jones dated Dolph Lundgren in the 1980s. In February 1996, Jones was married to a bodyguard named Atila Altaunbay. She has a son named Apollo from her previous relationship with Jean-Paul Goude. As of 18 August 2006, she was engaged to Ivor Mervyn Vigors Guest, the 4th Viscount Wimborne.

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • Sorry 1976, Hot 100 #71, US Dance chart #7
  • That's The Trouble 1976, Hot 100 #71, US Dance chart #7
  • I Need A Man 1977, Hot 100 #83, US Dance chart #1
  • La Vie En Rose 1977, US Dance chart #10
  • Do Or Die 1978, US Dance chart #3
  • Comme Un Oiseau Qui S'envole 1978
  • Fame 1978, US Dance chart #3
  • On Your Knees 1979, US Dance chart #28
  • Private Life 1980 UK #17
  • She's Lost Control 1980
  • Warm Leatherette 1980
  • A Rolling Stone 1980
  • Breakdown 1980
  • Love Is The Drug 1980 UK #35
  • Pars 1980
  • The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game 1980
  • Pull Up To The Bumper 1981 #12 UK, #2 US Dance
  • Feel Up 1981
  • Demolition Man 1981
  • I've Seen That Face Before 1981
  • Use Me 1981
  • Walking In The Rain 1981
  • My Jamaican Guy 1982 #56 UK
  • Nipple To The Bottle 1982 #2 US Dance
  • The Apple Stretching 1982 #50 UK
  • Cry Now, Laugh Later 1983 #33 US Dance
  • Living My Life 1983
  • Slave To The Rhythm 1985 #12 UK, #1 US Dance
  • Jones The Rhythm 1985
  • I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect For You) 1986, #69 US, #4 US Dance, #56 UK
  • Party Girl 1986 #19 US Dance, #82 UK
  • Victor Should Have Been A Jazz Musician 1986
  • Crush 1986 #32 US Dance
  • Election Day 1986, Arcadia, Grace does Bridge at (3:00) UK #7, US #6
  • Love On Top Of Love / Killer Kiss 1989, #1 US Dance
  • Amado Mio 1990, US Dance chart #11, UK #96
  • 7 Day Weekend 1992
  • Sex Drive 1993, US Dance chart #1
  • Evilmainya 1993
  • Slave To The Rhythm 1994, 2 original + 8 new remixes. UK #28
  • Love Bites 1996
  • Storm 1998
  • Pull Up To The Bumper 2000 remix by Funkstar De Luxe, US Dance chart #4, UK #60

Filmography

See also


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