Joyce Kennedy (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joyce Kennedy
Kennedy in 2008
Background information
Born	1948 (age 76–77) Anguilla, Mississippi
Origin	Chicago, Illinois
Genres	Pop rock, R&B
Associated acts	Mother's Finest, Andre Williams

Joyce "Baby Jean" Kennedy (born 1948) is an American singer known for her powerful voice and as the lead singer of the rock band Mother's Finest. She grew up in Chicago and became a key figure in rock and R&B music.

Early Life and First Songs

Joyce Kennedy was born in Anguilla, Mississippi, in 1948. She had a happy childhood surrounded by music. Her grandmother played the piano and sang, and her cousins played instruments. Music was a big part of her family's life.

When Joyce was seven, she moved to Chicago with her mother. This is where her singing career officially began. In 1963, with help from music producer Andre Williams, she recorded her first song, Darling I Still Love You. It became a local hit and encouraged her to continue making music.

The Band Mother's Finest

In Chicago, Joyce met another musician named Glenn Murdock. They began performing together and later got married. Together, they formed the band Mother's Finest, which is known as one of the first Black rock bands. They brought in Gary Moore on guitar and Jerry Seay on bass to complete the group.

Rise to Fame

Mother's Finest signed with major record labels like RCA and Epic Records. Three of their albums with Epic became so popular that they were certified gold. The band toured with some of the biggest names in rock, including The Who, Aerosmith, and AC/DC.

After their 1981 album Iron Age, the band took a break, and Joyce started a solo career. They got back together in 1989 for the album Looks Could Kill. By this time, Joyce and Glenn's son, Dion, had joined the band as the drummer.

A Unique Musical Style

The music of Mother's Finest mixed different styles. For example, their song Baby Love used sounds from Black gospel, with a singing style called call-and-response between Joyce and the backup singers. They also used synthesizers to create a modern, electronic sound.

The band's music often talked about important social topics. Their album Black Radio Won't Play This Record discussed their experiences and feelings of being disconnected from some audiences. The song The Wall was about how different beliefs can divide people. Another song, Power, was about equality and empowerment.

Touring and Live Shows

Mother's Finest became famous for their exciting and energetic live performances. They were known as "a very tough act to follow on stage" because their shows were so engaging. Even popular bands like Santana found it challenging to perform after them.

The band found a large and welcoming audience in Europe. European fans were very open to their unique mix of rock music and their groundbreaking style. They often played at big European music festivals, like Rockpalast in Germany. Their success in Europe led them to sign with a German record label.

Solo Music Career

Before and after her time with Mother's Finest, Joyce Kennedy also had a successful solo career. Her mentor, Andre Williams, helped produce many of her early songs. Her first local hit was Darling I Still Love You in 1963. Her second big local hit was I'm a Good Girl.

In 1984, during the band's break, Joyce signed with A&M Records. She released her solo album Lookin' for Trouble. Her most successful solo song was a duet with singer Jeffrey Osborne called The Last Time I ... Love. The song was a huge hit, reaching number 2 on the R&B charts and number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Even though Mother's Finest had a "farewell" tour in 2017, Joyce Kennedy continues to perform with the band. She has a son, Dion, who grew up surrounded by her rock 'n' roll world and became a musician himself.