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 mixing different music styles like rock and roll, reggae, blues, and soul music. His songs often tell stories about his life and his thoughts on race in America.
Contents
Musical Journey
Early Life and Career
Garland Jeffreys grew up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. His family background is a mix of African American and Puerto Rican heritage, which influenced his music a lot. He went to Syracuse University, where he studied art and became friends with Lou Reed, who would later form the famous band The Velvet Underground.
In 1966, Jeffreys started performing his music in clubs in Manhattan. In his songs, he explored what it was like to be of mixed race. He even played guitar on the first solo album of musician John Cale in 1969. That same year, he started his own band called Grinder's Switch, but the group only made one album before breaking up in 1970.
Becoming a Solo Artist
In 1973, Jeffreys released his first solo album, called Garland Jeffreys. Around the same time, he released a powerful song called "Wild in the Streets." The song became very popular on rock radio stations. It was later covered by the punk band The Circle Jerks and became an anthem for skateboarders after it was used in the 1986 movie Thrashin'.
His 1977 album, Ghost Writer, included many personal songs. He wrote about growing up, dealing with racial issues, and family life. A few years later, his song "Matador" from the album American Boy & Girl became a big hit in several European countries.
Music with a Message
One of Jeffreys' most famous albums is Don't Call Me Buckwheat, released in 1992. The idea for the album came from a bad experience he had at a baseball game. Someone in the crowd yelled a racial slur at him. Instead of just getting angry, Jeffreys used that moment to write powerful songs about race in America. The album included songs like "Don't Call Me Buckwheat" and "I Was Afraid of Malcolm."
After this album, Jeffreys took a long break from music to raise his daughter, Savannah.
Return to Music
Jeffreys returned to performing in 2001. He often performed with his friend Bruce Springsteen at charity shows. In 2011, he released a comeback album called The King of In Between, which was praised by critics. The album featured famous musicians like Steve Jordan and Larry Campbell.
His song "Wild in the Streets" has stayed popular over the years. It has been used in commercials for Vans sneakers, in the video game Max Payne 3, and in TV shows like The Get Down.
In 2019, Jeffreys announced that he was retiring from regular touring and performing. He said he would continue to write music, but his concert in Montreal in July 2019 was his last scheduled show.
Discography
- 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
