Even casual fans of The Clash will probably recognize the name Janie Jones--it's the first song on their first album, and like the rest of that classic record, one of the greatest rock 'n roll songs ever recorded. However, perhaps you don't know (as I didn't until a few months ago) that Janie Jones is a real person who recorded a song with The Clash five years after their first album debuted.
Janie Jones began her career as a British cabaret and pop singer in the 1950s and 60s, but she didn't meet with much success. In the 1970s, she became renowned for throwing sex parties and ended up going to prison for running a prostitution ring. She was released in 1977, the year The Clash's first album came out, at which point Joe Strummer wrote "Janie Jones" in her honor.
In 1982, Strummer took his love for Janie Jones a few steps further by penning "House of the Ju-Ju Queen" for her, booking studio time for her to record it, and bringing in musicians to back her up. An official video was even made for it, and as you can see, Janie Jones has more talents than just singing. She wields a cat o' nine tails like the pro she is, and the clown-faced judge, police officer, and bishop can't get enough. I'm guessing the hypocrisy of their requests for her services were drawn from real-life experiences.
Check her out below, belting out her anthem like a dominatrix Shirley Bassey. Yes, you're inside the house of the Ju-Ju Queen!
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