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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Jones is celebrated for her innovative approach to songwriting, weaving jazz phrasing, poetic lyricism, and pop sensibility into her work. 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.
Fun Facts
- Rickie Lee Jones won her first Grammy for Best New Artist in 1980, beating out The Knack and Dire Straits.
- She lived a nomadic, 'hippie road life' as a teenager before settling in Los Angeles.
- Jones appeared on the cover of Tom Waits's album 'Blue Valentine' but did not perform on the record.
- Her memoir, 'Last Chance Texaco: Chronicles of an American Troubadour,' was published in 2021.
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))
- 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
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Balm in Gilead | 2009-01-01 | Album |
| Rickie Lee Jones | 1979-03-02 | Album |
| Rickie Lee Jones | 1979-03-08 | Album |
| Flying Cowboys | 1989-09-26 | Album |
| Pop Pop | 1991-01-01 | Album |
| Pirates | 1981 | Album |
| Traffic From Paradise | 1993-01-01 | Album |
| Pieces of Treasure | 2023-04-28 | Album |
| Pirates | 1981-07-20 | Album |
| Girl At Her Volcano | 1983 | Album |
| The Magazine | 1984-09-17 | Album |
| The Magazine | 1984-09-12 | Album |
Top Tracks
- The Moon Is Made of Gold (Balm in Gilead)
- Chuck E's in Love (Rickie Lee Jones)
- Chuck E's in Love - 45 Version
- Chuck E's in Love (Rickie Lee Jones)
- Easy Money (Rickie Lee Jones)
- Makin' Whoopee! (with Rickie Lee Jones) (In A Sentimental Mood)
- On Saturday Afternoons in 1963 (Rickie Lee Jones)
- The Horses (Flying Cowboys)
- Dat Dere (Pop Pop)
- Night Train (Rickie Lee Jones)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Rickie Lee Jones has been played 17 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.