Joyce Irby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joyce "Fenderella" Irby
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| Birth name | Joyce Irby |
| Also known as | Fenderella |
| Born | July 27, 1956 |
| Origin | Eatonville, Florida, U.S. Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, soul, jazz-funk, pop, smooth soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, artist developer |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, bass guitar |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Labels | Motown Records MCA Records |
| Associated acts | George Clinton Klymaxx Sammie Bush Lloyd (The Inc) N-Toon Angel Diaz |
Joyce "Fenderella" Irby, born on July 27, 1956, is an American singer and songwriter. She is also a talented bass guitarist and a music producer. Joyce Irby was a co-lead singer for the famous all-female band Klymaxx.
She has worked with many other artists throughout her career. These include Lloyd, Troop, and Sammie. She also collaborated with The SOS Band and Shalamar. In 2022, she shared her life story in a memoir called "I'd Still Say Yes."
Contents
Joyce Irby's Music Journey
Joyce Irby's journey in music began when she was a teenager. She would often play her bass guitar outside concert venues. This is how she first caught the attention of famous musician George Clinton.
Meeting George Clinton
George Clinton, a funk music legend, noticed Joyce playing her bass. He would invite her to sit with him after concerts. He listened to her play and encouraged her musical talent. Joyce considers him a lifelong friend and mentor. She even signed on with his P-Funk Collective, using the nickname "Fenderella."
Joining Klymaxx
Joyce Irby's talent was also spotted by Dick Griffey, president of Solar Records. He saw her performing and wanted her to join a new group. This group was Klymaxx, and they needed a female bass player.
While working in the studio, producer Jimmy Jam heard Joyce singing. This led to her becoming a lead singer for Klymaxx. She sang lead on three of the band's four biggest hits. This included their most famous song, "I Miss You." Joyce also wrote and recorded the group's first hit, "The Men All Pause."
Her Solo Music Career
In 1989, Joyce Irby signed a solo record deal with Motown Records. She released an album called Maximum Thrust that same year. Three of her songs from this album became popular on the Billboard charts. Her song "Mr. DJ," featuring Doug E. Fresh, reached number 2.
Later, in 2012, Joyce had another big success as a songwriter. She co-wrote the song "Another Round" for Fat Joe and Chris Brown. This song became a top 5 hit on the Billboard charts.
Diva One Productions
In the mid-1980s, Joyce Irby moved to Atlanta. She wanted to help Atlanta become a major center for urban music. She encouraged big record labels and producers like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to open offices there.
Joyce then started her own company, Diva One Productions. This company helped produce music and publish songs. One of her biggest achievements was signing a 16-year-old Dallas Austin in 1988. While working with Joyce's company, Dallas produced early projects for TLC and Boyz II Men.
She also helped launch the career of child star Sammie Bush. She signed him to a deal when he was just 12 years old. Joyce also guided the career of Lloyd (The Inc) from when he was 11. She helped him get four major record deals.
Awards and Recognition
In 2012, Joyce Irby received an ASCAP songwriter award. This award recognized her for co-writing "Another Round." It was one of the most played urban songs in the U.S. that year.
Personal Life
Joyce Irby is a big animal lover. She created her own charity called "Jams For Animals." This organization uses music and videos to promote kindness to animals.
