Bio: Joan Armatrading was born in Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies. She moved with her family to Birmingham, England, in 1958 where Joan taught herself to play the guitar and piano. She met Pam Nestor, a Guyaneese immigrant while touring in the musical Hair and they began writing and recording together. Armatrading released her debut album Whatever's For Us, in 1972 on Cube Records in the UK. Her debut was a greater critical than commercial success, and was licensed for North America by A&M Records.
By 1975 she had signed to A&M worldwide and her second album “Back to the Night” did not fare well on the charts either, it was not until the release of “Joan Armatrading” (1976) that she appeared on the charts. The album featured her only Top 10 hit single (and her best-known song), "Love And Affection". She is known for her simple manner and has performed for many charitable concerts, such as the Prince's Trust, the 1988 Nelson Mandela Concert and Amnesty International. In 1992 she signed to RCA records after many years with A&M. She was nominated twice as Best female vocalist for the Brit awards and also nominated twice for the American Grammy Award of Best Female Vocalist. She continues to record and tour, and has developed somewhat of a “cult following”.
Afiwi.com's complete profile on Joan Armatrading
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