Grace Jones Has Still Got It
Wednesday Jun 6, 2012 – by Stacia L. BrownGrace Jones is 64. Let that marinate for moment as you watch her perform her 1985 hit, “Slave to the Rhythm,” at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee yesterday:
A model, actress, singer, performance artist, Andy Warhol muse, and Studio 54 mainstay, Grace Jones is one of our pop cultural icons. Though she doesn’t make nearly as many public appearances as she did in her heyday, yesterday’s performance proves that she’s still got the goods. She can get out there and croon while hula hooping for the Queen, in an outfit that reminds us all where Madonna and Lady Gaga got their style.
As a tribute to Jones’ reemergence this week, here are are a few clips and photos we’d like to share:
1. “La Vie En Rose”
Grace Jones’ disco-inspired 1977 cover of the French classic, “La Vie En Rose” became one of her earliest hits.
2. “Pull up to the Bumper”
This 1981 hit can still get a crowd on a dance floor.
3. “I’ve Seen That Face Before (Libertango)”
Jones has always embraced the artsy, eclectic, and abstract, as is evidenced by this video.
4. “Love is the Drug”
Here, Jones turns in a respectable cover of a Roxy Music classic.
5. Strangé’s Arrival/Strangé: It Stinks So Good
And of course we’d be remiss if we didn’t bring up Boomerang, one of Grace Jones’ greatest, most memorable film roles. In playing Strangé, Jones proved that she doesn’t take herself too seriously, as the role played up her more eccentric, theatrical notes for laughs.
Creepiest. Perfume commercial. Ever!
There’s also a great mini-documentary online about Grace Jones’ life and career. You can check it out here:
Do you have a favorite Grace Jones moment or memory?