I was was born April 7, 1951, a month and day shared with Billie Holiday. Wrote my first song at 12, was published at 13, made a record at 14, had a hit at 15, and was a has-been at 16. I took a break for 3 years shortly thereafter, and moved to Philadelphia to write and find out if I really could be a great songwriter. "Came back" in 1973 with an album called Stars, and was fortunate enough to have a second career.I've been lucky enough to have ten Grammy nominations in eight different categories, and two Grammys - most recently for the spoken word edition of my autobiography, "Society's Child". I love writing - articles, speeches, stories, songs, books. I love reading. For years, my fans brought me used books on tour in lieu of flowers or jewelry. I'm 63 going on 64 and thinking about "retirement", trying to call it "transitioning" instead. Less time on the road, more time to write.If you want to reach me please email through the contacts page of my website (below). I don't check email on Goodreads very often! Thanks for reading.Janis
Her "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" appearance was censored in several US television markets, when she performed "Societys Child" - her song about the then-controversial issue of interracial dating.
Was considered in some circles to have been a "one-hit wonder" twice - first in 1967 with "Societys Child", then in 1975 with "At Seventeen" (a mid-twenties look back at her teen years).
Had her prized Martin acoustic guitar stolen from her home in 1971. she posted its serial number in all the liner notes from the 1980s on.
Suffered a financial crisis from 1986 into the 1990s due to malfeasance on the part of her business manager of 20 years. Eventually became solvent again by selling a large portion of her publishing catalogue.
Divorced her husband in the 1980s because he was verbally, and finally physically, abusive. The abuse was later chronicled in "His Hands", a song from her "comeback album", Grammy-nominated Breaking Silence.
Her stage name comes from her brothers name, Ian.
Studied acting with Stella Adler in an effort to improve her stage presence.
Considered for the part of Carla in "Cheers" (Rhea Perlman later got it).
Recorded the song "My Tennessee Hills" with country legend Dolly Parton for her 2004 album "Billies Bones".
First musical guest (with Billy Preston ) to feature on the television premiere of "Saturday Night Live" (11 October 1975). George Carlin was host.
Her 1965 song "Societys Child", about a black man dating a white woman, was turned down by 22 record labels because of its subject matter before Verve/Folkways took a chance on it. It eventually sold more than one million copies.
