In Her 70s, Actress & Singer Grace Jones Is Still Rocking The Stage

Feb 08, 2023

Grace Jones is a legendary singer, model, and actress who rose to fame in the late 1970s and 1980s. Born in 1948 in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Jones was raised in a strict, religious household. Despite this, she had a love of music and entertainment, and she began pursuing her passions at a young age.

Jones moved to New York City in the late 1960s and quickly became a sought-after model. She worked for some of the top designers in the world and was known for her striking, androgynous look. In addition to modeling, Jones also began pursuing a career in music, and she signed with Island Records in 1977.

Jones's music career took off with the release of her debut album, "Portfolio," in 1977. The album was a mix of funk, R&B, and reggae and showcased Jones's unique style and vocal abilities. Her music was unlike anything that had been heard before, and she quickly gained a following of fans and critical acclaim.

Over the next several years, Jones released several more albums, including "Fame," "Muse" and "Nightclubbing," which further solidified her place in the music world. The cover of "Nightclubbing" also became one of the most iconic images of the '80s and featured a painted photograph of Jones bearing a flattop hairstyle and wearing a boxy black blazer with sharp shoulders. She also began to pursue a career in acting and appeared in several films, including "Conan the Destroyer" and "Vamp." 

Despite her success, Jones has not always been without controversy. Her outspoken personality and tendency to push boundaries have often landed her in the public eye, but her fans love her for her authenticity and fearless spirit. Today, Jones continues to tour and perform, and her music remains popular with fans of all ages. 

Jones grew up in a strict and religious household with her grandmother and step-grandfather after her father, a bishop, and mother moved to the United States for work. She recalled being influenced by the stern and authoritative figures in her life as a child. "The scary character comes from male authority within my religious family," she told Marie Claire. She added, "They had that first, and subliminally I took that on." At 13, her parents brought her and her younger brother to live with them in Syracuse, New York. 

As with many teenagers, Jones had a rebellious phase in her teens and longed for the adventures of the world. Paired with her striking looks, she signed with a modeling agency at 18 and moved to Paris in 1970. In the fashion capital of the world, Jones found immense success. "In three months I was on four covers," she added to Marie Claire. "My timing was just right… They went wild." She became linked to all the big names in fashion, art and entertainment, like Karl Lagerfeld, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Helmut Newton. 

Throughout her career, Jones has been known for her bold and eclectic style, which often challenges societal norms and gender stereotypes. Her unique look, which often features sculpted hair and bold makeup, made her an iconic figure in the world of fashion and music. Although, when prompted about her status as an "icon," she told The Guardian in 2008: "You know, I don't know what that means."

Jones delved into the world of music in the late '70s, putting out a slew of disco-driven albums before evolving into more funk, reggae and new-wave rock fare. She also had an unforgettable turn as henchwoman May Day in the Roger Moore-starring James Bond film "A View To Kill." 

Jones's unorthodox, confident and undaunted persona drew legions of fans to her but also landed her in controversy. In 1980, Jones appeared on Russell Harty's talk show, voted the No. 1 most shocking TV chat show moment of all time by the BBC. Jones, Harty and two other guests are all seated in a row before the audience. After Harty turned to his side to ask Jones if she was wearing perfume, he then turned to speak to a guest on the other side. Jones took offense to Harty turning his back on her and began to show it by slapping him. 

Jones shares one child with long-time collaborator Jean-Paul Goude. She dated Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren in the 1980s. "My time with her was nuts. Four years of mayhem," Lundgren told Marie Claire. She was married to her bodyguard Atila Altaunbay from 1996 to 2004. "I have terrible relationships because of my temper," Jones said. "To most men, it's intolerable. For years, I've had to consciously try to balance, even repress, that side of me in order to make a relationship work," she added.

After fading from the spotlight, Jones returned with a bang with the release of her album "Hurricane" in 2008. Its success saw Jones propelled back into stage life. Even into her 70s, she shows no signs of slowing down and frequently performs at music festivals and holds shows of her own, including a tour of Europe in the summer and the US west coast in late 2022. 

Jones, who also became a grandmother in 2012, said she understands what sets her apart from other people. "I think the male side is a bit stronger in me and I have to tone it down sometimes," she said. "I'm not like a normal woman, that's for sure."

What do you think of Grace Jones's eventful career so far? Do you consider her an icon of the 80s? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to friends and family, too.