Grace Jones: Singer, Songwriter, Actress – The Icon
Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, actress and model. She became known in the 1970s and 1980s for her unique music, androgynous appearance and eccentric styling. Jones had hits such as “Pull Up to the Bumper” and “Slave to the Rhythm” and also appeared in films such as “A View to a Kill” and “Conan the Destroyer.” She is considered a pop culture icon and has had a huge impact on the music and fashion worlds. To our special in magazine #29 with Grace Jones x Wolford a look at her life!
Jones became known for her personality, eccentric appearance and artistic versatility. She was very successful in both the fashion and music industries and became a style icon of the 1980s.
There will be more about her greatest hits in the music scene later. Let’s take a look at her milestones first.
Milestones at a glance
Here you can see Grace Jones’ biggest milestones at a glance.
Year | Milestone |
---|---|
1948 | Grace Jones is born on May 19 in Jamaica |
1960 | Jones moves her family to New York City |
1977 | Release of their debut album “Portfolio |
1978 | Release of their second album “Fame |
1980 | Release of the album “Warm Leatherette |
1981 | Release of the album “Nightclubbing |
1985 | Release of the film “A View to a Kill”. |
1986 | Release of the album “Inside Story |
1998 | Release of the album “Bulletproof Heart |
2008 | Jones performs at “Meltdown Festival” in London |
2015 | Publication of the autobiography “I’ll Never Write My Memoirs”. |
Breakthrough. Jones’ hit “Pull Up to the Bumper”
Their breakthrough in the music industry came in 1981 with their album “Nightclubbing” and the hit song “Pull Up to the Bumper” included on it. The song was an international hit and reached #5 on the US Dance Charts and #2 on the UK Dance Charts.
It combined elements of reggae, dub, funk and dance, so there was something for every music fan! The song has a strong bass, a catchy melody and Jones’ signature voice that was loaded with confidence. The music video for “Pull Up to the Bumper” featured Jones in an eye-catching outfit. The song and video struck a chord and were celebrated in every club.
Jones also convinces live with her strong voice
“Slave to the Rhythm” became a big hit and reached the top 10 of the charts in several countries. It is an energetic dance-pop song with a rhythm that makes you want to dance. Watch a concert of Grace Jones in London here. Her performance was a great success and showed that she still had a strong presence on stage.
Grace Jones – an icon!
She is always referred to as an icon because of her outstanding achievements in many fields of art and culture, bringing her own distinctive style and personality. She has released groundbreaking albums in the music industry that continue to influence music today.
Jones is often seen as a legend of the queer and LGBTQ community for her advocacy of the community’s rights. She is also celebrated for her strength, confidence and artistic independence. Not only does she score points as a model and singer, but Jones has also been more than convincing as an actress. There’s more on her biggest role now.
Did you know. Grace Jones’ role in James Bond
Grace Jones is a multi-talented actress. She appeared in the 14th official James Bond film “A View to a Kill” in 1985, in which she played the role of May Day. With her strong personality as a power woman, she brought a touch of glamor and style to the world of James Bond. Moreover, the character of her role suited her perfectly:
May Day was a strong, fearless and physically impressive character. Overall, Jones’ role as May Day in “A View to a Kill” was an important moment in her career and a contribution to the legendary history of James Bond films.
This is how it all began
In the fashion industry, Jones began working as a model and collaborated with famous designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Claude Montana. She quickly became one of the most sought-after and successful models in the world. No wonder, because with her unconventional look and androgynous style she won over many artists and designers.
Especially the Wolford brand had taken a great liking to Grace Jones. The collaboration began in the late 1970s, when Jones lived in Paris and became passionate about the brand. See more about Grace Jones and Wolford collaboration here.
Conquering the catwalks
Her striking look and unique charisma made her a popular model on the catwalks and in fashion campaigns. She always walked the runway with a lot of power. Check out her strong walk at the Jean Paul Gaultier show here.
Career and family – does a star like her manage the balance?
Jones has been married twice, but as a strong power woman, she emphasizes that she sees herself as an independent woman and does not need a relationship to be happy. She has a son named Paulo Goude, who was born in 1979. She does not reveal much more about her personal life, because the focus should be on her career. So far Jones has achieved quite a lot in her life, but what does her career actually look like today?
Where can we follow Grace today?
Even at the age of 74, Grace is still in top form today and works on various creative projects. Although she has not appeared so often in public in recent years, she still has a great influence on pop culture ensures that she remains an important figure in the fashion scene. She can still be seen occasionally as an actress in movies and TV series, such as in “Gutterdämmerung” in 2015. In addition, of course, she can still be seen as a model in her favorite place, the catwalk.
Jones remains a great inspiration – then and now
In summary, Grace Jones is a unique and versatile artist who has been successful in various fields such as music, film, fashion and art. She has left her mark on pop culture and continues to be an icon and inspiration to many today. Jones has achieved numerous milestones in her career, including her groundbreaking albums, her legendary live performances, and her acting roles in films.
Despite her success, Grace Jones remains an inspiring figure who continues to reinvent herself and shape pop culture in her own distinctive way.
FIV Magazine #29: Grace Jones x Wolford
More in magazine #29!