Ep 166: Rita Coolidge

This week were back to share the story of punk icon Jordan. Born Pamela Rooke, Jordan was always an original. Combining her passion for dance, music and fashion led her to Kings Road where she got a job working with Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren at their iconic store SEX. It was there she sparked inspiration into everyone who entered, becoming muse to musicians, filmmakers and fashion designers alike. From starring in films such as Jubilee, to making onstage appearances with the Sex Pistols and Adam Ant, Jordan was at the epicentre of it all. Filmmaker Derek Jarman said it best... "As far as I was concerned Jordan was original. everyone else in the fashion side follows on from her. Even Vivienne and the shop because with Jordan the shop wouldn't have worked. She was the original Sex Pistol. everyone else came in and saw Jordan dressed up and the attitude and it took off from there. She was the godfather, godmother, if you like. She was the purest example of them all" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we get a glimpse into the last four years of Keith Moon's life and his relationship with girlfriend Annette Walter Lax. Annette Walter Lax was only 18 years old when she met The Who drummer Keith Moon. Originally from Sweden, Annette went to London to pursue her modelling dreams, only to get caught up in a rock n roll whirlwind. After meeting Keith, the pair became inseparable. But the rock n roll dream could also be a nightmare. Keiths wild partying and heavy substance abuse led to a manic lifestyle, with Annette caught between love, taking care of him, and her own dreams. Special thanks for Ellen Fielding for joining me on this episode. Make sure to check out Ellen's amazing artwork on her instagram @ellenfielding_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to another Muses/She Will Rock You crossover! For Volume 5 we each present the story behind an amazing background singer in music history. Bethanne leads the way with Darlene Love, one of the most highly sought backing vocalists of the 1960's. Next up is Lynx with the story of Claudia Lennear who gained a following as an Ikette for Ike and Tina Turner before working with some of the most incredible rock musicians of our time. Finishing out the episode is Leah who dives into Ava Cherry's story who wowed the likes of David Bowie and Luther Vandross. Check out She Will Rock You for more amazing interviews and episodes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we dive into the jazz era and give you the life story of Chan Parker. Since the day she was born Chan Parker always had a deep passion for music. With parents involved in the nightclub scene, Chan spent her early years seeing legends such as Rosetta Tharpe, Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington perform at all the hot New York clubs. By the time she was 20 she was very well known and admired in the Jazz/Swing scene, and was lovingly dubbed "The Queen of Swing Street". While Chan had many musical admirers over the years it was saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker, who first captured her heart. Being an interracial couple in the 1940's wasn't easy and neither was life with Charlie. Bird suffered from mental illness which was exacerbated by his substance abuse issues. Chan did all she could for Charlie before his passing at age 34. Following Charlie Chan fell for yet another saxophonist, Phil Woods, who she would go on to marry. Listen to hear Chans story. Time Stamp 00:03.35 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a two month break we are back at it and starting the year off with the life and career of one of the worlds most sought after supermodels, Jerry Hall. Jerry Hall was still just a teenager when she was discovered on a beach in the French Riviera. Within a year her face was plastered all over the covers of the most famous magazines of the time. When Roxy Music's Bryan Ferry spotted her in Vogue, he knew she was perfect for the cover of his next album, Siren. Sparks flew between the two and within a year they were engaged. But when Jerry crossed paths with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, she knew she met her true match. Listen in for the full story! Jerry timestamp: 00:11:15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I am joined once again by Lucretia Tye Jasmine to discuss the history of teenage groupies in the rock n roll scene. This week Lucretia Tye Jasmine and I discuss the sexualization of teenage girls through music history as well as the underage groupie scenes of the past. Wild interests and an inclination to rage against the machine with a flair equaling the groupies and rock stars who fascinate her, vegan Lucretia Tye Jasmine from Kentucky earned her BFA with honors from NYU, and her MFA from CalArts. A Los Angeles–based artist, writer, and interviewer, Lucretia’s current projects include the Groupie Feminism art series, and oral histories for two mixtape zines, The Groupie Gospels and riot grrrl Los Angeles 1992-1995. Artforum, Feminist Magazine radio, the GRAMMY Museum, MoPOP, The New York Times and the Punk Museum Los Angeles are a few places that have shown her work. She writes online for The Los Angeles Beat and Please Kill Me. Make sure to check out Lucretia’s website for more on her writing and art, you don’t wanna miss her incredible Groupie Feminist Art Series! https://www.lucretiatyejasmine.com/ You can also follow Lucretia on Instagram for more updates. What are your thoughts on this subject? Head over to our instagram to share your opinion! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I am joined by photographer Martin Bryan who shares the story behind Annie Leibowitz's life and career. Welcome to another episode of Muses! This is a very special week as I am joined by my friend Martin Bryan who takes the reigns and shares with me the story of Annie Leibowitz's life and career. From her early days at Rolling Stone, to her more recent high end fashion photography, we discuss Annie's progression as an artist as well as the art of photography itself. Martin is a Toronto-based photographer who specializes in portraiture, landscapes and entertainment. Listeners will already be familiar with his work as he took the incredible Muses promo shots of Chanty and I at the beginning of his own photography career. You can find more of Martin's fantastic photographs and make sure to also follow in on Instagram @Misterpixie, and visit his website at https://www.martinbryan.com/ This episode was brought to you by Smile Brilliant. Check out Smile Brilliant's Black Friday Sale, with up to 60% off, AND Smile Brilliant's ongoing sale post cyber Monday through Christmas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Bethanne and Leah from She Will Rock You Podcast join me as we each present the story of an incredible women in R&B history. She Will Rock You and I teamed up once again to share the stories behind 3 incredible women in R&B history. Leah covers Mavis Staples from her Gospel roots with The Staples Sisters to her solo career spanning over 50 years. Bethanne shares the story of soul singer Etta James, from her rocky childhood to topping the charts and I cover funk pioneer Betty Davis whose unabashedly sexual lyrics and refusal to water it down for the masses kept her from becoming a mainstream sensation. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out our previous episodes with She Will Rock You where we covered Girl Groups, Female Fronted Grunge Bands and Song Facts you may not know about! Make sure to check out She Will Rock You for amazing episodes in rock history as well as interviews with great new artists! This episode is sponsored by Smile Brilliant. Head over to www.SmileBrilliant.com and make sure to use the coupon code MUSES for an exclusive discount! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Chanty returns to hear the story behind Grace Jones' life and career. Growing up in Jamaica wasn't easy for Grace. Raised by her extremely strict and religious relatives, it wasn't until she was a teenager and moved to America to be with her parents that she began to see a world of possibility. With her incredibly striking looks and a strong ambition to make a career for herself, it was natural that Grace would enter the world of modelling. It didn't take long though for Grace's passion for music and art to take center stage. After being signed by Island Records and finding a perfect collaborative partner in Jean-Paul Goude, Grace took the world by storm, mixing music, fashion and art into eye catching and shocking performative pieces. She would go on to release 9 albums, tour the world, and make her way onto movie screens in just the first decade of her career. Grace truly is a walking piece of art. Tune in to hear her incredible journey! This episode is sponsored by Smile Brilliant. Head over to www.SmileBrilliant.com and make sure to use the coupon code MUSES for an exclusive discount! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I am joined once again by the magnificent DeeDee Keel as she shares some never before stories from her days working at the Whisky a Go Go! DeeDee Keel is a rock and roll woman with a Heart of Gold! We first had the great pleasure of chatting with DeeDee back in Episode 124 where she shared stories about growing up in Venice Beach down the street from The Doors, scoring a primo gig at the Whisky a Go Go where she worked for the next 12 years, what it was like to be a part of the Led Zeppelin crew, her personal groupie tricks and touring experiences with her then husband Ron Keel. Every time I have the pleasure of talking with DeeDee she blows me away with another story from her incredible past. When I asked her to return for a second episode she came prepared with some extremely fun, never before heard stories from her time on the Sunset Strip. DeeDee talks about fond memories at the Riot House and Sunset Plaza, going full circle with Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice and Blue Cheer's Leigh Stephens, her relationship with guitarist Sam Mitchell, and a not so friendly encounter involving Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter. Oh, and what sexy guitarist did DeeDee save from drowning? Tune in to find out! You can follow DeeDee on instagram at @deedeekeel and her concert photo account @lensgroupies If you haven't listened previously, make sure to check out Muses first interview with DeeDee back in Episode 124! You can also check out our 20 Questions Blog Post with DeeDee! This episode is sponsored by Smile Brilliant. Head over to www.SmileBrilliant.com and make sure to use the coupon code MUSES for an exclusive discount! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices