Johnette Napolitano

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Johnette Napolitano
Birth nameJohnette L. Napolitano [1]
Born (1957-09-22) September 22, 1957 (age 67)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Alternative rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Bass guitar, vocals
Years active1982–present
Labels Hybrid Recordings, Warner Bros.

Johnette Napolitano (born Jonette L. Napolitano; September 22, 1957) [2] is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and bassist for the alternative rock group Concrete Blonde. [3]

Contents

Early life

Johnette Napolitano was born and raised in Los Angeles, the eldest of five children [4] in an Italian American family. [5] [6]

Her parents recognized their daughter possessed musical talent when, as a child, she was able to play "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on piano by ear. [5] Her mother loved show tunes. [5] The family also listened to Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, and the Rat Pack. [5] At age five she enrolled in a gifted kids art program at UCLA. [7]

Concrete Blonde

In 1986, Napolitano co-founded Concrete Blonde with guitarist James Mankey. She sang and sometimes played bass guitar. The pair had worked together under a variety of names since 1982. They released seven studio albums between 1986 and 2004, and one additional album as a collaboration with Los Illegals. Concrete Blonde had several moderately successful singles, including "God is a Bullet", "Joey", "Tomorrow Wendy", and a version of "Everybody Knows" originally by Leonard Cohen.

Concrete Blonde broke up and reformed several times, with Napolitano and Mankey as the only constant members. The band has not been active since 2012.

Solo career

She has recorded as a solo artist, with the albums Sketchbook (2002), Sketchbook 2 (2006), Scarred (2007), and Sketchbook 3 (2010). Napolitano also recorded a solo album titled Sound of a Woman around 1996–1997, and performed many of the songs on a solo tour opening for Paul Weller. [8] The album was set to be released on IRS (a subdivision of Island Records), the label of her old band, Concrete Blonde. 1997–1998 was a bad time for Island, starting with the sudden departure of founder-CEO Chris Blackwell and ending with the total reorganization of the label. Sound of a Woman was, effectively, lost in the shuffle, and at this point is unlikely to ever be officially released. Bootleg copies of this album are rare and highly valued.[ citation needed ]

Before Concrete Blonde, Napolitano was a member of Dream 6, who released their self-titled debut EP in 1983.

In addition to Concrete Blonde, Napolitano was involved with several musical projects including Vowel Movement, a semi-improvisational musical collaboration with Holly Beth Vincent; and Pretty & Twisted, a band that also featured former Wall of Voodoo guitarist Marc Moreland.

She is one of several vocalists featured on the 1996 album No Talking, Just Head , by The Heads, including the single "Damage I've Done". The group was formed by three members of Talking Heads (Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth). Napolitano was the primary vocalist for The Head's only concert tour. The Heads was originally intended to become a full-time band, with further studio albums and tours. A live CD-video of the first tour was planned, featuring performances from many of the album's guest artists and Napolitano on vocals for the songs originally recorded by Talking Heads. David Byrne sued the band, saying their name and presentation was too evocative of Talking Heads. The suit was settled out of court, and The Heads ceased activity. [9] [10]

As of 2009, Napolitano lived in Joshua Tree, California. [11] She composes music for films and works as a gallery artist, specializing in working with discarded and reclaimed materials. She also cares for rescue horses. [12]

Non-Concrete Blonde discography

Other projects

She has contributed music to many films, including the 1996 film Barb Wire , the 2006 Australian film Candy , and "Suicide Note" from Underworld .

The following films and TV programs also feature songs performed by Concrete Blonde:

Soundtrack:

Composer:

Actress:

In 1996, Napolitano produced an album by Australian group In Vivo.

Napolitano collaborated with Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle, Black Light Burns) on the horror film Dead Silence . The pair had successfully collaborated previously for the films Underworld and Wicker Park .

Napolitano contributed vocals to an album by John Trudell, and performs backing vocals in "Struck a Nerve" by Bad Religion on the Recipe For Hate album.

Napolitano performed the main vocals on the score of the Australian film West , written and directed by Daniel Krige. She also sang the title song, "Falling in Love".

Napolitano also performed the duet "My Little Problem" with Paul Westerberg on The Replacements "All Shook Down" release.

Napolitano provided vocals on the track "I Am Where it Takes Me" by metal band Black Light Burns.

Napolitano is credited as co-writer of the Ashes Divide song "Too Late".

Napolitano wrote and sang, with Steve Wynn, the song "Conspiracy of the Heart" included in the Steve Wynn's album Kerosene Man (1990).

Pretty & Twisted

Johnette Napolitano joined Marc Moreland and Danny Montgomery to form Pretty & Twisted in 1995. [13] Their self-titled debut, Pretty & Twisted, was produced by Napolitano and released on Warner Brother Records, Inc.

The track listing for the album was:

  1. "The Highs Are Too High" – 6:10
  2. "Mother of Pearl" – 5:05 (Bryan Ferry)
  3. "Souvenir" – 5:09
  4. "No Daddy No" – 4:34
  5. "iRide!" – 3:40
  6. "Train Song (Edge of Desperation)" – 6:30
  7. "Stranger" – 2:59 (Paul Westerberg, Johnette Napolitano)
  8. "Singing is Fire" – 3:11 (Lyrics by Charles Bukowski)
  9. "Don't Take Me Down" – 4:37
  10. "Come Away With Me" – 5:55 (words: Janis Joplin, music: Johnette Napolitano)
  11. "Dear Marlon Brando" – 3:30
  12. "Billy" – 3:39
  13. "Watching the Water" – 4:17

Scarred

Napolitano's solo album Scarred was released on May 28, 2007, on the label Hybrid Recordings.

Scarred track list

  1. "Amazing" – 4:08
  2. "The Scientist" – (Coldplay cover, with Danny Lohner) – 5:07
  3. "Scarred" – 4:09
  4. "Poem for the Native" – 5:19
  5. "My Diane" – 5:01
  6. "Just Like Time" – 4:41
  7. "Save Me" – 3:19
  8. "Like a Wave" – 4:41
  9. "Crazy Tonight" – 5:26
  10. "Everything for Everyone" – 4:56
  11. "All Tomorrow's Parties" – (The Velvet Underground cover) – 3:40
  12. "I'm Up Here" – 4:27

Personal life

Though raised irreligious, Napolitano converted to Roman Catholicism as an adult stating, "I’ve studied Eastern religions a lot, but the Catholic faith is what fits me best." Other lifestyle changes post-Concrete Blonde included quitting hard alcohol and marijuana. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

Concrete Blonde was an American rock band from Hollywood, California. They were initially active from 1982 to 1994, and reunited twice: first from 2001 to 2004, and again from 2010 to 2012. They were best known for their album Bloodletting (1990), its top 20 single "Joey", and Johnette Napolitano's distinctive vocal style.

Marc Moreland was an American rock musician. He was the former guitarist for rock band Wall of Voodoo, punk band The Skulls, and rock bands Pretty and Twisted and Department of Crooks. He also released a solo album under the name Marc Moreland Mess.

<i>Free</i> (Concrete Blonde album) 1989 studio album by Concrete Blonde

Free is the second album by alternative rock band Concrete Blonde. It marked the addition of bass player Alan Bloch.

<i>Walking in London</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Concrete Blonde

Walking in London is the fourth studio album from alternative rock band Concrete Blonde. It features the song "...Long Time Ago" which played over the ending credits of The Shield's series finale.

<i>Mexican Moon</i> 1993 studio album by Concrete Blonde

Mexican Moon is the fifth studio album by alternative rock band Concrete Blonde.

Earle Mankey is an American musician, record producer and audio engineer. He was a founding member and guitarist for the band Halfnelson, later called Sparks. He became a record producer, predominantly for Los Angeles area bands like The Pop, 20/20, The Runaways, Concrete Blonde, Jumpin' Jimes, The Long Ryders, The Three O'Clock, The Tearaways, The Conditionz, Adicts, Durango 95, Leslie Pereira and The Lazy Heroes, and Kristian Hoffman. He is the brother of Concrete Blonde guitarist James Mankey.

<i>Vowel Movement</i> 1995 studio album by Vowel Movement

Vowel Movement is the debut and only studio album from Vowel Movement, an American music collaboration between Holly Vincent and Johnette Napolitano, which was released by Mammoth in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Crewdson</span> British musician

Will Crewdson is a London-based guitarist/writer/producer best known for his work with the UK band Rachel Stamp, US singer Johnette Napolitano and Adam Ant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomorrow Wendy (song)</span>

"Tomorrow Wendy" is a song written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Andy Prieboy. Released in 1990 as the lead single from his first solo album ...Upon My Wicked Son, Prieboy recorded the song as a duet with Johnette Napolitano. In 1990, Napolitano would also record the song with her band Concrete Blonde for their third studio album Bloodletting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damage I've Done</span> 1996 single by The Heads

"Damage I've Done" is a song from American band The Heads, which was released in 1996 as the lead single from their only studio album No Talking, Just Head. A collaboration between the Heads and Johnette Napolitano, "Damage I've Done" was written by Napolitano (lyrics), and Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, T. "Blast" Murray and Tina Weymouth (music). It was produced by the Heads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heal It Up</span> 1993 single by Concrete Blonde

"Heal It Up" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1993 as the second single from their fifth studio album Mexican Moon. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Sean Freehill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghost of a Texas Ladies' Man</span> 1992 single by Concrete Blonde

"Ghost of a Texas Ladies' Man" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1992 as the lead single from their fourth studio album Walking in London. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Chris Tsangarides. It reached number 2 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in March 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caroline (Concrete Blonde song)</span> 1990 single by Concrete Blonde

"Caroline" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1990 as the third single from their third studio album Bloodletting. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Chris Tsangarides. The song reached number 23 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">God Is a Bullet (song)</span> 1989 single by Concrete Blonde

"God Is a Bullet" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1989 as the lead single from their second studio album Free. The song was written and produced by the band. "God Is a Bullet" reached number 15 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True (Concrete Blonde song)</span> 1987 single by Concrete Blonde

"True" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1987 as the second single from their debut studio album Concrete Blonde (1986). The song was written by Johnette Napolitano and James Mankey, and produced by Earle Mankey and Concrete Blonde. The song reached number 42 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someday? (Concrete Blonde song)</span> 1992 single by Concrete Blonde

"Someday?" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1992 as the second single from their fourth studio album Walking in London. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Chris Tsangarides. "Someday?" reached number 8 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in May 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Happy Birthday (Concrete Blonde song)</span> 1989 single by Concrete Blonde

"Happy Birthday" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1989 as the second single from their second studio album Free. The song was written and produced by the band.

<i>Pretty & Twisted</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Pretty & Twisted

Pretty & Twisted is the debut album by the American band Pretty & Twisted, released in 1995. It was the band's only album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Still in Hollywood (song)</span> 1986 single by Concrete Blonde

"Still in Hollywood" is the debut single by American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1986 from their self-titled debut studio album. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Earle Mankey and Concrete Blonde.

<i>Dream 6</i> (EP) 1983 EP by Dream 6

Dream 6 is an extended play by American rock band Dream 6, released by Happy Hermit Co. in 1983.

References

  1. ↑ "Family Tree Legends". Family Tree Legends. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  2. ↑ Mason, Stewart. "Johnette Napolitano Biography". AllMusic . Archived from the original on January 26, 2022.
  3. ↑ Amy Linden (September 1990). Concrete Blonde's Ambition – Concrete Blonde leaves a little blood on the tracks. Spin . Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Boehm, Mike (September 14, 1995). "A Blonde Who Had Less Fun : Pop music: Johnette Napolitano tells why she walked out of the successful Concrete Blonde. Her new band, Pretty & Twisted, plays the Galaxy in Santa Ana on Saturday". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Sanchez, Esther (August 13, 2015). "Q&A With a So-Cal Icon". Coachella Valley Weekly. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022.
  6. ↑ Kaufman, Al (December 30, 2014). "EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH JOHNETTE NAPOLITANO OF CONCRETE BLONDE; PLAYING EDDIE'S JANUARY 11TH". Atlanta Music Guide. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022.
  7. ↑ "The art history of Johnette Napolitano is a 'Rough Mix'" . Retrieved September 29, 2020– via PressReader.
  8. ↑ "Songkick listing". Songkick.com. October 17, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Talking Heads". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  10. ↑ ATHITAKIS, MARK (July 30, 1997). "David Byrne Feelings". salon.com . Archived from the original on April 3, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  11. ↑ Aila Slisco (January 17, 2009). "Interview: Johnette Napolitano". Kittysneezes.com. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  12. ↑ Price, Johnny (December 18, 2012). "INTERVIEW: CONCRETE BLONDE". RockRevolt Magazine.
  13. ↑ Craig Rosen (July 15, 1995). "Napolitano Makes Warner Her Pretty & Twisted Nest". Billboard . Retrieved August 20, 2010.
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