Garland Jeffreys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Garland Jeffreys
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| Background information | |
| Born | June 29, 1943 Brooklyn, New York City |
| Genres | Rock and roll, Americana, reggae, blues, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, record producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Labels | Atlantic, A&M, Epic, RCA/BMG, Universal, Luna Park |
Garland Jeffreys (born June 29, 1943) is an American singer and songwriter. He is known for blending different music styles like rock and roll, reggae, blues, and soul music. His songs often tell stories about his life and experiences.
Garland Jeffreys' Musical Journey
Garland Jeffreys grew up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He has a mixed background, with African American and Puerto Rican heritage. He studied art history at Syracuse University. There, he met Lou Reed, who later became famous with the band The Velvet Underground.
Early Career and First Songs
In 1966, Garland started performing in nightclubs in Manhattan. He explored themes about identity and his background in his music. He played guitar on John Cale's first solo album, Vintage Violence, in 1969. He also wrote a song for it called "Fairweather Friend."
In 1969, he formed a band called Grinder's Switch Featuring Garland Jeffreys. They released one album before the band broke up in 1970.
Becoming a Solo Artist
In 1973, Garland released his first solo album, Garland Jeffreys. Around the same time, he released a single called "Wild in the Streets." This song quickly became one of his most famous. It was even covered by other bands, like The Circle Jerks. Their version was used in the 1986 movie Thrashin'. This made the song very popular in the skateboarding community.
Many artists have covered "Wild in the Streets," including:
- The Circle Jerks
- Chris Spedding
- British Lions
- Hot Water Music
- Hurriganes
- Electric Frankenstein
- Leæther Strip
Albums and Important Themes
In 1977, Garland released his album Ghost Writer. This album included "Wild in the Streets." Many songs on Ghost Writer were about his own life. They talked about growing up as an artist in a big city. They also explored themes of different backgrounds and relationships.
He released several more albums in the following years. One popular song was "Matador" (1979) from American Boy & Girl. It became a top five hit in many countries.
His album Don't Call Me Buckwheat (1992) focused on the topic of race in America. The title came from a personal experience. Someone shouted a rude comment at him at a stadium. This inspired him to write powerful songs like "Don't Call Me Buckwheat" and "Racial Repertoire." In 1992, his song "Hail Hail Rock 'n' Roll" was a hit in Germany and also charted in the UK.
Taking a Break and Returning to Music
Garland took a long break from music to raise his daughter, Savannah. She is now a talented composer and singer herself. He started performing again in 2001. He joined Bruce Springsteen at his Christmas show. He also began performing at "The Light of Day Foundation" shows. These shows raise money for research into diseases like Parkinson's.
In 2003, Garland was featured in a documentary film. It was called The Soul of a Man. This film was part of a series about blues music.
New Music and Awards
After many years with big music labels, Garland started his own label, Luna Park Records, in 2011. He released the album The King of In Between. This album was praised by critics. It included the song "Coney Island Winter," which he performed on The David Letterman Show. The album was named one of the best of the year by NPR and Rolling Stone.
In 2013, Garland Jeffreys received the Italian Tenco Prize. This is a special award for songwriters. In 2016, he was honored by being inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
"Wild in the Streets" Continues to Be Popular
The Circle Jerks' cover of "Wild in the Streets" has been used in many places. It was in a commercial for Vans sneakers. You can also hear it in the 2012 video game Max Payne 3. It has appeared in TV shows like Life on Mars and The Get Down on Netflix.
In 2012, Garland joined Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band on stage. They performed the song "96 Tears" at a festival in Holland. Garland had covered this song on his 1981 album Escape Artist.
Recent Years
In September 2013, Garland released the album Truth Serum. This album was funded by his fans. It featured many talented musicians.
On April 20, 2019, Garland Jeffreys announced that he would stop performing regularly. He said he would continue to write music. His last concert was on July 8, 2019, in Montreal. He opened for Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul.
Discography
Solo Albums
- 1970: Grinder's Switch featuring Garland Jeffreys
- 1973: Garland Jeffreys
- 1977: Ghost Writer
- 1978: One-Eyed Jack
- 1979: American Boy & Girl
- 1981: Escape Artist
- 1981: Rock 'n' Roll Adult
- 1983: Guts For Love
- 1992: Don't Call Me Buckwheat
- 1992: Matador & More...
- 1997: Wildlife Dictionary
- 2007: I'm Alive
- 2011: The King of In Between
- 2013: Truth Serum
- 2017: 14 Steps To Harlem
Notable Singles
- "Wild in the Streets"
- "Matador"
- "96 Tears"
- "Hail Hail Rock 'n' Roll"
Other Appearances and Contributions
Garland Jeffreys has also contributed to other artists' albums and special projects:
