Born: 9 December 1950, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Died: NA
Country most active: United Kingdom
Also known as: NA
Joan Armatrading, a distinguished Kittitian-English singer-songwriter and guitarist, was born on December 9, 1950, in Basseterre, Saint Christopher, and Nevis, then a British colony. The third of six children, she moved to England at seven and began her musical journey by writing songs at the age of 14, taught herself the guitar, and performed locally.
Armatrading’s career, spanning nearly 50 years, boasts a remarkable 20 studio albums, multiple live albums, and compilations. In the early 1970s, she gained recognition with her debut album “Whatever’s for Us,” collaborating with lyricist Pam Nestor. Her breakthrough came with the 1976 album “Joan Armatrading,” featuring the hit “Love and Affection.”
The 1980s marked a stylistic shift with albums like “Me Myself I,” showcasing a rock-pop orientation. Armatrading continued to evolve, exploring blues in “Into the Blues” (2007), earning her a Grammy nomination. Her 2010 release, “This Charming Life,” reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Folk Albums chart.
Beyond her music, Armatrading earned a BA in history in 2001, served as president of the Women of the Year Lunches, and became a trustee for the Open University. Her honors include Grammy and Brit Award nominations, an Ivor Novello Award, and honorary degrees.
In 2022, Armatrading demonstrated her versatility by composing her first classical work, “Symphony No. 1,” premiered at the Southbank Centre. Always pushing boundaries, she released “Consequences” in 2021, celebrated her 50th performing anniversary with a live album, and authored a book of selected lyrics, “The Weakness in Me.” In October 2022, she received an Honorary Fellowship from Newnham College, Cambridge. Joan Armatrading’s enduring influence on music and her commitment to various causes mark her as a celebrated figure in the world of art and philanthropy.