Grace Jones

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Biography

Recent Role:
Herself on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Gender:
Female
Born:
5-19-1952
Birthplace:
Spanishtown,Jamaica
Birth Name:
Grace Mendoza
Grace Jones was one of the more unforgettable characters to emerge from New York City's hedonistic Studio 54 disco scene during the late '70s. Born May 19, 1952, in Kingston, Jamaica, Grace studied theater at Syracuse University before launching a career as a model. Jones' statuesque and flamboyant look proved to be a hit in the New York City nightclub scene, which led to a recording contract with Island Records in 1977. While such disco-based albums as 1977's Portfolio, 1978's Fame, and 1979's Muse failed to break the singer commercially, Grace soon amassed a substantial following amongst… More gay men with her sexually charged live show, leading to her title at the time of "Queen of the Gay Discos."

But with the dawn of the '80s came a massive anti-disco movement across the U.S., leading to Grace focusing on more new wave and experimental-based work resulting in two of her best known and strongest releases. 1980's Warm Leatherette and 1981's Nightclubbing, both produced by the noted reggae team of Sly & Robbie the latter release spawned one of Graces' biggest hits, "Pull Up to the Bumper," as well as covers of Iggy Pop's "Nightclubbing" and the Police's "Demolition Man". It was also around this time that Jones changed her look to suit the times by replacing her S&M look of the '70s with a detached, androgynous image. Graces' sixth solo release overall, Living My Life, followed in 1982, while the singer took a break from recording to focus on film work and landed roles in such movies as Conan the Destroyer and the James Bond flick A View to a Kill. Graces' romantic life also provided tabloid fodder at the time when she was linked with Rocky IV star Dolph Lundgren.

Grace eventually returned to her recording career, enlisting super producer Trevor Horn to oversee 1985's Slave to the Rhythm, which turned out to be a somewhat autobiographical work. The same year, a ten-track compilation titled Island Life was issued as well. Graces' penchant for working with big-name producers continued on 1986's Inside Story, with production chores handled by Chic's Nile Rodgers, the album spawned one of Jones' last successful singles, "I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect for You)." After 1989's Bulletproof Heart, Jones seemed to turn her back on her recording career, despite the 1993 release of a new single, "Sex Drive", as she again focused primarily on movies, including a role in Eddie Murphy's hit 1992 comedy Boomerang. The double-disc set Private Life: The Compass Point Sessions,a collection of 26 tracks that Jones recorded with Sly & Robbie during their early '80s union, was released in 1998, which was followed up four years later with Island Life, Vol. 2.

Grace continues to perform, and 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. In February 2006, Jones was the celebrity runway model for Diesel's show in New York, an on October 20th, 2006, the 3-CD box set "Ultimate Collection" was released by the CCM label.

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  •  
    7.5 Good
    Where's Gracie? We all know Grace Jones from classics like Shaka Zulu, Conan, and her very deep music sect; but where is Grace really? The 'Ugly Betty' crowd desparately seeks a new leader and strong voice. Where's Gracie. hide show

    Grace Jones is a very bright, dynamic and charismatic person that has entertained a full host of other vibrant media professionals. But where is the secret hiding place, the magic incantation and aura that Grace is hiding from us? She has attributes of Josephine Baker, while the appeal of Eyrka Badu. She has shown the world many different parts of her; her likes and dislikes, and those that can relate to her would ultimately compare her to 'Lucy', the black-haired girl from the "Peanuts" as she takes her entourage' to someplace else away from us.

    Good Night Gracie...

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    Habatchii Added Dec 24, 2006 All my reviews