Jo Armstead facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jo Armstead
Joshie Jo Armstead in NYC at a Melvin Van Peebles performance
Background information
Birth name	Josephine Armstead
Also known as	Joshie Jo Armstead Joshie Armstead Jossie Armstead Deena Johnson
Born	(1944-10-08) October 8, 1944 (age 80) Yazoo City, Mississippi, U.S.
Genres	R&B, soul
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, actress
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1961 – 1990s
Labels	De-Lex, Infinity, Giant, Gospel Truth, Preacher Rose

Josephine Armstead (born October 8, 1944), also known as "Joshie" Jo Armstead, is an American soul singer and songwriter. Jo Armstead started her music journey singing backup for blues artist Bobby "Blue" Bland. In the early 1960s, she joined the famous Ike & Tina Turner Revue as an Ikette.

She also became a successful solo singer. Her biggest hit was "A Stone Good Lover" in 1968. Jo Armstead was also a talented songwriter. She worked with the famous duo Ashford & Simpson. Together, they wrote hit songs for many artists. These included Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Ronnie Milsap. In the 1970s, Armstead also performed in Broadway musicals.

Early Life and Music Start

Jo Armstead was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on October 8, 1944. Her parents were Wilton and Rosie Armstead. She began singing in the church where her mother was a minister.

Her grandfather introduced her to blues music. Soon, she started singing in local clubs and at dances. Her first club performance was with Bobby "Blue" Bland's band. As a teenager, she joined a local band called Little Melvin & The Downbeats.

Becoming an Ikette

In 1960, Jo Armstead joined Eloise Hester and Delores Johnson. Together, they became The Ikettes. They were part of the exciting Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Jo's sister, Velma Dishman, who was Ike Turner's ex-wife, recommended her for the group.

As an Ikette, Jo Armstead recorded the song "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)". This song became a hit, reaching No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached No. 3 on the R&B chart.

In 1962, Armstead moved to New York City. She recorded music under the name Deena Johnson. She used this name to avoid being found by Ike Turner. However, she remembered her time as an Ikette fondly. She said it was "the greatest" experience. She also said she had "utmost respect for Ike Turner as an artist."

Solo Career and Songwriting Success

After leaving The Ikettes, Jo Armstead sang in commercials. She also sang backup for many musicians. These included James Brown and B.B. King. She then met Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson. This meeting changed her career.

The three of them became a powerful songwriting team. They wrote many hit songs together. One of their successes was "I Don't Need No Doctor". Jo Armstead also wrote or co-wrote hits for other artists. These songs included "Cry Like a Baby" for Aretha Franklin. She also wrote "Jealous Kind of Fella" for Garland Green.

In 1967, Armstead moved to Chicago with her husband, Mel Collins. He was a record producer. They started their own company called Giant Productions. Her single "I Feel An Urge Coming On" was released on their Giant label. This song later became very popular with Northern soul fans in the UK.

Two of her next songs also became hits in 1968. These were "A Stone Good Lover" and "I've Been Turned On". Both songs made it onto the R&B chart.

Later Career and Achievements

Jo Armstead later returned to New York. She continued singing and writing songs for commercials. She also sang backup for famous artists like Bob Dylan and Roberta Flack.

In 1972, she appeared in a Broadway musical called Don't Play Us Cheap. She also appeared in the 1973 film version. In the early 1970s, she signed with Gospel Truth. This was a label connected to Stax Records. She released several singles as Joshie Jo Armstead. Her most successful song from this time was "Stumblin' Blocks, Steppin' Stones" in 1974.

After Stax Records closed, Armstead kept writing songs. She also worked as a fashion designer. In the 1980s, she managed a boxer named Alfonso Ratliff. In the 1990s, she recorded music for her own label, Prairie Rose Records.

In 2006, Jo Armstead received a STAR award. This award recognized her special contributions. It was given by the Metro New York Chapter of the Jackson State University Alumni Association.

A version of her song "I Feel An Urge Coming On" was used in TV shows. It was performed by Nick Waterhouse. The song appeared in CW shows like Riverdale and Black Lightning.

Selected Discography

Singles

Songwriting Credits

Stage Performances