Janis Ian (
April 7,
1951 - ) is an
Grammy winning American
songwriter,
singer and multi-instrumental
musician. Born Janis Eddy Fink in a Bronx hospital, she changed her name whilst still a child. She had a successful singing career in the
1960s and
1970s. She wrote and sang her first hit single at age 15, the song "Society's Child", which told the story of an interracial romance forbidden by the narrator's parents. Her most successful single was "At Seventeen", released in
1975, a bittersweet commentary on adolescent cruelty and teenage angst, as reflected upon from the maturity of adulthood. She has also managed a sustained career as a songwriter.
She is an outspoken critic of the RIAA, a record industry organization which she sees as acting against the interests of musicians and consumers. As such, she has willingly released several of her songs, including the popular "Walking in the Rain", available for free to download on her website (see below for a link).
Discography:
- God & the FBI (2000)
- Hunger (1997)
- Revenge (1995)
- Breaking Silence (1993)
- Uncle Wonderful (1983)
- Restless Eyes (1981)
- Night Rains (1979)
- Janis Ian (1978)
- Miracle Row (1977)
- Aftertones (1976)
- Between The Lines (1975)
- Stars (1974)
- Present Company (1971)
- Who Really Cares (1969)
- The Secret Life of J. Eddy Fink (1968)
- For All the Seasons of Your Mind (1968)
- Janis Ian (1967)
External links:
Janis Ian's comments on the music industry: