Jayne County facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jayne County
County at the première of Squeezebox! at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival
Background information
Born	(1947-07-13) July 13, 1947 (age 77) Dallas, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Proto-punk glam punk punk rock blues rock boogie-woogie
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter record producer actress DJ Artist Cat carer
Instruments	Vocals harmonica percussion
Labels	Safari Attic Revolver Jungle ESP Royalty Reble Rec Fang Get Back Ratcage Munster Poptown Captain Trip Captain Oi!
Associated acts	Queen Elizabeth Wayne County & The Backstreet Boys Wayne County & the Electric Chairs Jayne County & The Electric Chairs Jayne County & the Electrick Queers Jayne County & the JC5

Jayne County (born Wayne Rogers, July 13, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Her career has lasted for over sixty years. She is known for her unique style and powerful singing voice.

Jayne County was one of the first openly transgender singers in rock music. This means she identifies as a woman, even though she was assigned male at birth. She chose the name Jayne County because she admired bands from Detroit, a city in Wayne County, Michigan. She thought her birth name, Wayne Rogers, didn't sound "glamorous" enough.

She also acted in plays and films, including some created by the famous artist Andy Warhol. She even had a connection with music legend David Bowie in the 1970s. Jayne County appeared in the punk rock film Jubilee. Her band, Wayne County and the Electric Chairs, performed a song for the movie's soundtrack. The band was even supported by The Police during a tour in 1977.

Early Life and Beginnings

Jayne County was born in 1947. She moved from her hometown of Dallas, Georgia, to New York City in 1968 when she was 19. In New York, she became involved in the city's artistic and social scenes.

In 1969, she was asked by playwright Jackie Curtis to act in a play called Femme Fatale. This play was very successful and also featured Patti Smith. Jayne County has said that Jackie Curtis was a big influence on her.

Music and Acting Career

The 1970s: Early Bands and Punk Rock

After being seen on stage, Andy Warhol cast Jayne County in his play Pork. This play was performed in both New York and London.

In 1972, Jayne County started one of the first proto-punk bands called Queen Elizabeth. She signed with David Bowie's management company, MainMan Artistes. Although no records were released, the company filmed her 1974 stage show, "Wayne at the Trucks." This show was known for its many costume changes. Some songs from this show were later released on an album in 2006.

In 1974, she formed Wayne County and the Backstreet Boys. This band played regularly at famous New York clubs like CBGB and Max's Kansas City. Jayne County also worked as a DJ at Max's Kansas City. In 1976, she appeared in the film The Blank Generation. These early performances and recordings helped to define the start of punk rock music.

In 1977, Jayne County moved to London, England, where the punk music scene was just starting. There, she formed Wayne County & the Electric Chairs. The band released an EP (a short album) and a single. While in London, she met filmmaker Derek Jarman, who cast her in the important punk film Jubilee. The band also appeared in The Punk Rock Movie, which showed a live performance from 1977.

In 1978, Wayne County and The Electric Chairs released their first album. They followed this with another EP and then the album "Storm the Gates of Heaven." Their next album, "Things Your Mother Never Told You" (1979), included songs about Jayne County's experiences in Germany. After this album, the band broke up.

When Jayne County moved to Berlin in 1979, she officially changed her stage name to Jayne County. This was the first time she publicly identified as a woman. Her 1980 album, "Rock and Roll Resurrection (In Concert)", was released under her new name.

The 1980s to Today

In 1983, Jayne County returned to New York and appeared in a play called Les Girls. She then went back to London for the premiere of the German film City of Lost Souls, in which she played a character named Leila. She stayed in London to record a new album.

Her album Private Oyster was recorded in 1986 with new band members from Manchester, England. In 1989, she released a mini-album called Betty Grables Legs and a single called "Time Machine." These releases helped her get back to performing live shows.

From the 1990s onwards, many of Jayne County's earlier recordings were re-released. In 1995, she appeared in Wigstock: The Movie and released her autobiography, Man Enough to Be a Woman.

From 1989 to 1997, the band Jayne County & The Electric Chairs toured the UK and Europe. Since then, new songs have appeared on various music collections and on her official website. A live show recorded on her birthday was released as the CD Wash Me in the Blood (of Rock & Roll) – Live at Squeeze Box in 2002.

After leaving New York City, Jayne County settled in the Atlanta area. There, she formed a band called the Electrick Queers. In 2014, a CD/DVD of a 1978 live performance was released. In 2017, Jayne County and The JC5 released an EP called Here Come the JC5.

In 2018, Jayne County showed her visual art in a special exhibition in New York City. This show, called Paranoia Paradise, included her paintings, drawings, collages, and photographs from five decades. Her autobiography was republished in 2021.

Works

Filmography

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

Biography

• Man Enough to Be a Woman (Republished 2021, Serpent's Tail. ISBN: 9781788166539)