Grace Jones – The Trailblazing Jamaican Singer, Model, and Actress

Full Name	Grace Beverly Jones
Age	74
Birthday	May 19, 1948
Birthplace	Spanish Town, Jamaica
Net Worth	$7 Million

Grace Beverly Jones, known simply as Grace Jones, is a Jamaican model, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress who became an international pop culture icon. Born on May 19, 1948 in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Grace spent her formative years in Jamaica before immigrating with her family to Syracuse, New York as a young teenager. This laid the foundation for her multifaceted career.

Biography and Career

After graduating high school, Grace Jones moved to Philadelphia to attend modeling school. She quickly landed modeling gigs in New York City, appearing on the covers of Vogue, Elle and other major fashion magazines. Her striking and androgynous look made her stand out in the modeling world.

While living in Paris in the early 1970s, Grace Jones began taking singing lessons and landed a record deal with Island Records. She moved to Los Angeles to begin recording her debut dance/disco album Portfolio, which was released in 1977 featuring her iconic cover of "La Vie en rose." This marked the beginning of her music career.

Jones rose to greater prominence in the early 1980s with albums like Warm Leatherette (1980), Nightclubbing (1981), and Slave to the Rhythm (1985). Singles like "Pull Up to the Bumper," "Love Is the Drug," and "Slave to the Rhythm" became hits and defined the post-disco/new wave era. Her music videos and live shows, with their dramatic visuals and costumes, cemented her as a pop culture icon.

Beyond music, Jones appeared in films like Conan the Destroyer and as the villain May Day in the 1985 James Bond film A View to a Kill opposite Roger Moore. Her acting roles along with her avant-garde gender-bending personal style contributed to her mystique. She continued recording and performing live for decades, releasing her 10th and final studio album Hurricane in 2008.

Major Career Highlights

• Released debut album Portfolio in 1977, including hit "La Vie en rose"
• Became fashion model for magazines like Vogue and Elle
• Released iconic albums Warm Leatherette (1980) and Nightclubbing (1981)
• Scored international hit singles like "Pull Up to the Bumper" and "Slave to the Rhythm"
• Appeared as May Day in James Bond film A View to a Kill (1985)
• Earned Grammy nominations and influenced generations of artists

7 Reasons Grace Jones is a Pop Culture Icon

1. Her Distinct Musical Style: Jones blended disco, new wave, post-punk, pop and reggae to create a unique avant-garde sound all her own.
2. Her Striking Fashion Sense: From her bold makeup to high fashion ensembles, Jones‘ image complemented her music perfectly.
3. Her Unforgettable Voice: Her deep, melodic voice commanded attention and added power to her songs.
4. Her Captivating Live Performances: Blending music, art and theater, her shows offered an immersive experience beyond just songs.
5. Her Acting Range: Her dramatic turns in films like A View to a Kill and Conan the Destroyer showed her creative breadth.
6. Her Lasting Influence: Jones inspired and paved the way for future artists to freely express themselves.
7. Her Cultural Impact: She became a style and gay icon who personified the disco/post-disco eras.

5 Fascinating Grace Jones Facts

1. She was a talented sprinter and high jumper on her high school track team in Jamaica.
2. She studied theater at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY.
3. She has appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine six times.
4. She practices Transcendental Meditation and Qigong to stay focused.
5. She received a chieftaincy title in Sierra Leone in the 1980s.

For over four decades, Grace Jones has dazzled the world with her unique persona, artistic vision, and groundbreaking career. She tore down barriers and inspired future generations of artists to freely express themselves. With her timeless, era-defining work, Grace Jones earned her place as a true pop culture queen.