Jill Jones facts for kids

Jill Jones (born July 11, 1962) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for singing backup for artists like Teena Marie and Prince in the 1980s. Jill Jones also released her own music, including her first album in 1987. Since 2001, she has released several albums, with her most recent one being I Am in 2016.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Jill Jones was born in Lebanon, Ohio, on July 11, 1962. Her mother was a fashion model, and her father was a jazz drummer. Jill was mostly raised by her grandparents. Later, she moved to Los Angeles when her mother remarried.

She started her singing career at age 15. She became a backup vocalist for Teena Marie, whose mother managed.

Working with Teena Marie

Jill Jones sang backup on several of Teena Marie's albums in the early 1980s. She also helped write some songs. These included "Young Girl In Love" from Lady T (1980) and "The Ballad of Cradle Rob and Me" from It Must Be Magic (1981).

Meeting Prince

Jill met Prince in 1980 when she was 18 years old. Teena Marie was opening for Prince's Dirty Mind tour at the time. Prince liked Jill's voice and encouraged her to keep singing. They stayed in touch after the tour.

Career with Prince

In 1982, Prince invited Jill Jones to sing backup vocals for his album 1999. She was credited on the album using only her initials, J.J. Jill also appeared in music videos for songs like "1999" and "Little Red Corvette". She then joined Prince's 1999 tour. On tour, she sang backup with Prince's side-project, Vanity 6.

After the tour, Jill moved to Minneapolis. She had a small role as a waitress in the movie Purple Rain (1984). She also appeared in the sequel Graffiti Bridge (1990).

Debut Album and Other Projects

Jill Jones released her first album, Jill Jones, in 1987. It was released on Prince's record label, Paisley Park Records. Prince helped write all the songs on the album. The first song from the album, "Mia Bocca," became a top 10 hit in Italy in July 1987. It reached number 6 on the charts.

Critics gave the album good reviews when it came out. However, it did not sell many copies. The album has been out of print for many years.

In the late 1980s, Jill recorded many demo songs in London. In 1989, she contributed a song called "The Ground You Walk On" to the movie soundtrack for Earth Girls Are Easy. She also recorded songs for a second album on Paisley Park, but it was never released. In 1993, she released a dance single called "Bald."

Jill also sang backup for Apollonia 6. She sang lead vocals on Japanese artist Ryuichi Sakamoto's song "You Do Me" from his 1990 album Beauty. She also wrote and helped produce the song "The Great Pretender" for Lisa Lisa. In 1996, she toured as a co-lead vocalist with the band Chic. She can be heard on their 1999 album, Live at the Budokan.

The Prince song "She's Always in My Hair" was written about Jill Jones. This song was the B-side to Prince's single "Raspberry Beret" (1985).

Solo Career and Recent Work

In 2000, Jill sang on a cover of Carly Simon's "Why" for Ronny Jordan's album A Brighter Day. She also covered Blondie's song "Call Me" for a tribute album to Giorgio Moroder. This song was later released as a single with different remixes.

In 2001, Jill released her second album, Two, with musician Chris Bruce. In 2004, she sang lead vocals on the album Wasted, which was credited to The Grand Royals featuring Jill Jones. She also worked with the dance group Funky Junction on the single "Someone to Jump Up."

On April 28, 2009, Jill Jones released "Living for the Weekend." Although Wasted and Two are no longer printed, both albums can be found on the iTunes Store. "Living for the Weekend" is also available there.

In 2014, she released the single "This Is How It Feels" with Italian techno act Get Far. In August 2015, Jill shared the song "Forbidden Love" online. This song is from her dance album, I Am, which was released in February 2016. Today, Jill stays connected with her fans through her pages on Twitter and Facebook.

Discography

Albums

• Jill Jones (1987), Paisley Park
• Two (2001), Dav Music
• Wasted (2004), Peace Bisquit
• I Am (2016), Peace Bisquit

Singles

• "Mia Bocca" b/w "77 Bleeker St." (1987), Paisley Park (No.6, Italy)
• "... Spot" b/w "Baby Cries (Ay Yah)" (1987), Paisley Park
• "For Love" (1987), Paisley Park
• "Bald" (1993), Flying Records
• "Call Me" (2000), Cause-N-ff-ct Records
• "Station" (2001), Dav
• "Someone to Jump Up" (2008)
• "Living for the Weekend" (2009)
• "This Is How It Feels" (2014), with Get Far
• "Forbidden Love" (2015)