Rickie Lee Jones

Biography

Rickie Lee Jones, born November 8, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American singer-songwriter renowned for her eclectic musical style and expressive vocals[1][3]. Raised in a turbulent household with a musician father, Jones moved frequently during her childhood and eventually left home as a teenager, living a bohemian lifestyle before settling in Los Angeles at age nineteen[2]. There, she performed in clubs and open-mic nights, developing her distinctive blend of jazz, folk, R&B, and pop.

Jones's breakthrough came with her self-titled debut album in 1979, which featured the hit single "Chuck E.'s in Love" and earned her the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1980[1][2][3]. Her follow-up album, "Pirates" (1981), solidified her reputation for sophisticated songwriting and genre-blending, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and earning critical acclaim[1][2]. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Jones continued to experiment with musical forms, releasing albums such as "The Magazine" (1984), "Flying Cowboys" (1989), and "Pop Pop" (1991), and winning a second Grammy for her jazz duet "Makin' Whoopee" with Dr. John in 1990[1][2].

Jones is celebrated for her innovative approach to songwriting, weaving jazz phrasing, poetic lyricism, and pop sensibility into her work[1]. Her legacy includes influencing a generation of singer-songwriters with her genre-defying sound and emotive storytelling. Over her five-decade career, Jones has released 15 studio albums and remains a vital figure in American music, with her 2023 album "Pieces of Treasure" earning her an eighth Grammy nomination[1].

Fun Facts

• Rickie Lee Jones won her first Grammy for Best New Artist in 1980, beating out The Knack and Dire Straits[1].
• She lived a nomadic, 'hippie road life' as a teenager before settling in Los Angeles[2].
• Jones appeared on the cover of Tom Waits's album 'Blue Valentine' but did not perform on the record[2].
• Her memoir, 'Last Chance Texaco: Chronicles of an American Troubadour,' was published in 2021[1].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Richard Jones - Her father, an actor and musician, taught her guitar and exposed her to music from a young age. (Early musical upbringing) [1950s-1960s]
• Lowell George - Early supporter who recorded her song "Easy Money" and helped bring her to the attention of Warner Bros. (Thanks, I'll Eat It Here (1979)) [Late 1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Tom_Waits - Close friend and collaborator; Jones appeared on the cover of Waits's album and performed his song for a film soundtrack. (Blue Valentine (1978, album cover); The King of Comedy (soundtrack)) [Late 1970s-early 1980s]
• Chuck E. Weiss - Friend and inspiration for her hit song "Chuck E.'s in Love". (Rickie Lee Jones (1979, debut album)) [Late 1970s]
• Dr. John - Duet partner on "Makin' Whoopee," which won a Grammy Award. (Makin' Whoopee (Flying Cowboys, 1989)) [1989]
• Pascal Nabet-Meyer - Musician and former husband; collaborated on songwriting and production. (Various albums in the late 1980s and 1990s) [Late 1980s-1990s]

Artists Influenced

• Tori Amos - Cited Jones as a major influence on her approach to songwriting and genre fusion. (Little Earthquakes (1992) and subsequent works) [1990s-present]
• Fiona Apple - Inspired by Jones's emotive vocal style and genre-defying music. (Tidal (1996) and later albums) [1990s-present]
• Norah_Jones - Influenced by Jones's blend of jazz and pop, especially in vocal phrasing. (Come Away With Me (2002)) [2000s-present]

Source: Wikipedia

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. The Moon Is Made of Gold (Balm in Gilead)
2. Chuck E's in Love (Rickie Lee Jones)
3. Chuck E's in Love - 45 Version
4. Chuck E's in Love (Rickie Lee Jones)
5. Easy Money (Rickie Lee Jones)
6. Makin' Whoopee! (with Rickie Lee Jones) (In A Sentimental Mood)
7. On Saturday Afternoons in 1963 (Rickie Lee Jones)
8. The Horses (Flying Cowboys)
9. Dat Dere (Pop Pop)
10. Night Train (Rickie Lee Jones)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia