Born Janis Eddy Fink on April 7, 1951, Janis Ian is one of the few
child stars to succeed as an adult.
At the age of fifteen she surprised the music scene with here controversial hit
Society's Child. This story of an inter-racial couple,written by the young performer, showed early that Janis Ian would be a songwriter to take notice of.
After her fourth album in 1969 she retired from music to settle down. She returned in 1971 with the three albums that would forever etch her name in the annals of 20th century music. The middle album,
Between the Lines, could rightfully be considered her masterpiece. Not only does it include the hit
At Seventeen, but every song on the album is at or near the level that
At Seventeen sets.
After personal problems, and a dance record, Janis weathered the 80's well, considering she lost most of her wealth to the
IRS in a case not to dissimilarr to that of
Willie Nelson.
The third stage of her career came with the album
Breaking Silence. Not only did Janis release her best album in almost two decades, but it appeared she was breaking the silence about the fact that she is a lesbian as well. Her latest album
God & the FBI continues her previous acoustic vein and adds some interesting sonic textures, proving once again that she is a true and lasting musician.
Discography
Janis Ian (1967)
For All the Seasons of Your Mind (1967)
The Secret Life of J. Eddie Fink (1968)
Who Really Cares (1969)
Present Company (1971)
Stars (1974)
Between the Lines (1975)
Aftertones (1975)
Miracle Row (1977)
Janis Ian (1978)
Night Rains (1979)
Restless Eyes (1981)
Uncle Wonderful (1983)
Breaking Silence (1993)
Revenge (1995)
Hunger (1997)
God & the FBI (2000)
Janis Ian has also offered live (and rare) material through her own
Rude Girl label in an albums entitled
Unreleased X, where X is a numerical variable