Josie Cotton

Josie Cotton (born Kathleen Josey) is an American singer/songwriter, best known for minor hits "Johnny Are You Queer" and "He Could Be the One" from 1982.

Career

Born Kathleen Josey in Dallas, Texas, Cotton sang with Dallas area bands before moving to Los Angeles, California. Although the Go-Gos played "Johnny Are You Queer" in their live shows before they signed with I.R.S., it was Cotton who recorded the song for Bomp Records in 1981. The performance of the single attracted the attention of Elektra Records who re-released both the single and a full album in 1982. The Convertible Music LP featured music reminiscent of the 1960s girl group tradition. Cotton made an appearance in the 1983 film Valley Girl, singing "Johnny Are You Queer," "He Could Be the One" and "School Is In" during the film's prom scene. Elektra issued her follow up album, From the Hip in 1984 which failed to produce a hit. In 1986, Cotton appeared in a minor film role as the character Silver Ring in the John McTiernan horror film Nomads opposite Adam Ant and Pierce Brosnan. "Johnny Are You Queer" was more recently featured in Jackass: Number Two during the "Anaconda Ballpit" stunt.

Cotton recorded Frightened by Nightingales for her own ROXCO Records label in 1993. Continuing to work behind the scenes, Cotton co-founded B-Girl Records, which issued recordings by Goldenboy and Alaska! A new album of her own music, The Influence of Fear on Salesmen, was planned for release in 2002 on B-Girl but failed to materialize under that title. Cotton released Movie Disaster Music in 2005.

Discography

Albums

• Convertible Music Elektra (1982) #147 US
• From the Hip Elektra (1984)
• Frightened by Nightingales (1993)
• Convertible Music/From the Hip (CD reissue) (2002)
• Movie Disaster Music (2005)

Singles

• "Johnny Are You Queer" (Bomp) (1981)
• "Johnny Are You Queer" (Elektra reissue) (1982) #38 Billboard Club Play Singles
• "He Could Be the One" (1982) #34 Billboard Mainstream Rock, #74 Billboard Pop Singles
• "Jimmy Loves Maryann" (1984)

Filmography

• Valley Girl (1983)
• Nomads (1986)

External links

• Official website
• Josie Cotton at allmusic.com