Jody Watley In Vivienne Westwood, circa 1982.Jody Watley in World’s End – Vivienne Westwood 1982 (“A Night To Remember” Performance on British TV Show – The Tube).Jody Watley in Vivienne Westwood 1987- Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, Solo Debut album 1st appearance.Jody Watley in Vivienne Westwood Denim Bubble Skirt – 1987.Jody Watley in Vivienne Westwood Jacket and Blouse 1989 with MCA Records executives.Jody Watley. American Music Awards in Vivienne Westwood.Jody Watley. American Music Awards in Vivienne Westwood.Jody Watley in Vivienne Westwood Classic Squiggle Shirt – Let’s Rock London 2015Jody Watley – 2018 – Pink & Gray Tartan Vivienne Westwood.Jody Watley in Vivienne Westwood T-shirt at soundcheck Phoenix Pride with Canadian Hall Of Famer Deborah CoxJody Watley tea with longtime friend designer and co-founder of LeSuperbe LA fashion brand. Jeannine Braden.Jody Watley (Vivienne Westwood Handbag) with Debbie Harry in West Hollywood, Paul Smith ‘Blondie’ event.Jody Watley in Vivienne Westwood pearl choker – performing National Anthem, SoFi Stadium 12.25.22Jody Watley in Vivienne Westwood pearl choker to perform National Anthem, SoFi Stadium 12.25.22Jody Watley in Vivienne Westwood pearl choker to perform National Anthem, SoFi Stadium 12.25.22
Rest In Peace Dame Vivienne Westwood. I’ve been a fan of her designs and worn them since early 80’s while living in London and throughout my solo career professional and personal style life to this day.
Rest In Paradise Dame Vivienne Westwood one of my favorite designers of all time.
Trailblazer. Godmother of punk, a revolutionary designer, conquered high fashion, built a global empire and a formidable activist throughout.
Thank you for your brilliance, creativity, badassery and tenacity throughout the decades.
Bananarama, Jody Watley, Francis Rossi (Staus Quo)
The Historic Supergroup -“Band Aid” Single “Do They Know It’s Christmas.”
November 25,1984
While living in London after my departure from Shalamar in 1983, I’d signed a spec Solo deal with Phonogram/Mercury Records in 1984.
Jody Watley in 1984. Photography by Steve Rappaport
I received a call from Mariella Frostrup, who was the publicist for Phonogram Records U.K. at the time. Mariella didn’t give a lot of details about the session, just that I really needed to be there at request of Sir Bob Geldof as well who was organizing a recording session.
None of us really knew the magnitude of what it would be, we all turned up casually – some of the artists would joke they were coming from the pub or clubbing the night before.. it was all very low key when invited. One of the things that makes it so organic looking is no one was really done up for the cameras so to speak.
The result was “Do The Know It’s Christmas” the name of the group – Band Aid. Four days later it was released in the UK along with a powerful documentary and it has been played during the holiday season since. “Do They Know It’s Christmas” remains one of the biggest singles of all time in the U.K. and mega seller worldwide.
It’s an experience none of us involved will ever forget and a song that made a huge difference, setting the bar for other charity singles to follow.
I’ve said through the years, meeting George Michael and asking if he’d do a duet with me – which he did when I returned to America and signed with MCA Records recording my proper solo debut and looking back on it, it’s also notable I am the only black female artist and only 1 of 4 women in total. To be a part of this historic recording as my first solo endeavor is truly a astounding.
Some artists declined including other female from what I was told back then. To be a part of a historic single as the first thing I did after leaving and post Shalamar is such a gift.
The single went straight to Number 1, was front page news and has raised millions of dollars for famine relief and remains a milestone Christmas single despite a regrettable lyric (tonight thank God it’s them instead of you) created in the moment by the writers of the song as they have later acknowledged – the intent of the song is so very positive. Feed The World – Let Them Know It’s Christmas Time Again. That message and sentiment will always remain, help those in need.
Many of us performed the song on Top Of The Pops as well you can find it on Youtube along with original video.
Centerfold
After Band Aid two 12″ singles (Where The Boys Are and Girls Night Out) were released in 1984 and 1985 as JODY. I already had a vision in style (edgy and fashion forward) hard hitting dance music with an eye of not being labeled or marketed as ‘formerly of’. I was intent to establish my own identity solo with a decidedly more funky dance pop vibe as a debut. I’d written with Bruce Woolley of The Buggles and produced by The Art Of Noise before they were The Art Of Noise (Anne Dudley, J.J. Jeckzalik) with engineer Gary Langan. Ultimately, the label and I weren’t on same page and eventually I moved back to America, signed a new deal with MCA – the rest is solo history!
Grammy Winning Music Icon Jody Watley is featured in a new digital billboard in New York City’s Times Square. She Exist Magazine included Ms. Watley in the series of SUPER Women Empowerment Holiday Issue dropping November 2022 billboards. Also featured are Gospel Icon Yolanda Adams, Tina & Erica Campbell (Mary Mary), Keyondra & Kimberly Lockett (founders of Jolie Noire Athleisure).
“Still, Today She Continues to Fuel Quality Music Over the Decades and Into the New Millennium
Jody Watley is the gold standard of artistry. A brilliant songwriter, artist, entrepreneur, producer, and visionary. When you visit Jody Watley YouTube Channel, experience All Things Jody Watley, including concert features, interviews of the Grammy Award-winning artist and more.” – Read the full feature:
Jody Watley one of the architects of 21st century fusion of Pop / R&B Music and Merge of Street Style and High Fashion creating a new lane and truly a new foundation.
Bringing a fresh take on beauty, glamour mixed with street flair.
Jody Watley from the archives. Blowin’ up the spot. Jody Watley in Issey Miyake Iconic Plastic Bodice – “Looking For A New Love” video 1987. Built a new foundation – for sure.
Be your own validation. That’s my thing whether acknowledged or not.
On June 27, 1998 Jody Watley “If I’m Not In Love” The Remixes were released and would eventually reach the 2 spot on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart. Dance music has always been a part of the Jody Watley music journey and discography. The original recording was a very melancholy ballad from the album “Flower” very much fumbled by Atlantic Records at the time. The remixes of “Off The Hook” would also be a Billboard Dance Club Play topping the chart at Number 1.
June 27- 11 years prior was also significant in that the subsequent Jody Watley classic “Still A Thrill” would peak at 3 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1987.
Jody Watley – “Still A Thrill” Goes Top 5 Billboard R&B, Watley’s 2 single from multi-platinum debut.
Grammy Winning Music & Style Icon Jody Watley 2022.
Atlanta is celebrating iconic singer Jody Watley with Jody Watley Day event inside the Georgia State Capitol on Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The legendary singer will also be publicly recognized for her time, effort, and dedication to humanity in the form of the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony. She is confirmed to attend the event.
“We are so excited to designate June 2nd as Jody Watley Day in Atlanta, Georgia,” says Georgia Assemblyman Billy Mitchell,” “She is truly the epitome of grace, excellence, class, and a gifted songstress and songwriter.”
The Iconic Singer Will Be Honored at Special Event and Receive the Prestigious 2022 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
Atlanta is celebrating iconic singer Jody Watley with Jody Watley Day event inside the Georgia State Capitol on Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Dr, Jody Watley Day In GAJody Watley. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
For Immediate Release – Pamela Broussard The BNM Publicity Group May 12, 2022
The Iconic Singer Songwriter will be honored at a special event and receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at Georgia State Capital. June 2, 2022.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – UNITED STATES, – Atlanta is celebrating iconic singer Jody Watley with Jody Watley Day event inside the Georgia State Capitol onThursday, June 2, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The legendary singer will also be publicly recognized for her time, effort, and dedication to humanity in the form of the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony. She is confirmed to attend the event.
“We are so excited to designate June 2nd as Jody Watley Day in Atlanta, Georgia,” says Georgia Assemblyman Billy Mitchell,” “She is truly the epitome of grace, excellence, class, and a gifted songstress and songwriter.”
Dr. Jacqueline Mohair, founder of Trinity International University of Ambassadors adds, “There is not a more deserving recipient to receive this honor than Dr. Watley who have paved the way for so many others.”
Former representative Dr. Dee Dawkins-Haglier and candidate for Georgia Secretary of State who will be providing remarks at the ceremony says, “Dr. Watley is a music icon whose music has blessed and inspired millions.” “It is a joy to recognize her in the State of Georgia.”
With over forty years in the music industry, the iconic singer, songwriter, producer, and businesswoman, is one of the architects of 21st century pop who continues to be a solid and stellar fixture in entertainment. Her enchantingly smooth voice and memorable favorites can be heard all over the world.
From her groundbreaking marriage of rap & R&B (1989’s “Friends,” a collaboration with hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim pairing that is the first to crossover R&B/Hip-Hop, Pop and Dance into the Billboard Top 10 “Friends,” to her vision-forward marriage of high fashion, street fashion and music in the ‘80s (long before it became the norm), to her fusion of jazz and underground club culture with keen pop instincts, and the ease with which she crossed and still crosses genre, Ms. Watley forged the template that is now everybody’s playbook.
As a solo artist, the pop and R&B singer has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and Platinum albums, 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement, 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors Crossover Music Icon Award and nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards. In 2018, Billboard Magazine included Jody Watley in the Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artists of All Time and Top 25 Top Female Dance Artists of All Time. Her timeless series of hit songs such as “Looking For a New Love,” “Real Love,” “Still A Thrill,” “Some Kind of Love,” “Everything,” and “Friends ft. Eric B & Rakim,” are favorite classics still today played on the airwaves. Ms. Watley was also named as First Ambassador in 2021 to the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville and in 2022, she received her first Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business.
“I am truly honored for this recognition from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris,” says Dr. Jody Watley. “I am also grateful to Representative Billy Mitchell and Dr. Jacqueline Mohair for nominating me for this prestigious award.”
About Jody Watley
Dr. Jody Watley, singer, songwriter, producer, businesswoman, and motivational speaker is one of the architects of 21st century pop. From her groundbreaking marriage of rap & R&B (1989’s “Friends,” a collaboration with hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim pairing that is the first to crossover R&B/Hip-Hop, Pop and Dance into the Billboard Top 10 “Friends,” to her vision-forward marriage of high fashion, street fashion and music in the ‘80s (long before it became the norm), to her fusion of jazz and underground club culture with keen pop instincts, and the ease with which she crossed and still crosses genre. Ms. Watley forged the template that is now everybody’s playbook.
As a solo artist, the pop and R&B singer has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and Platinum albums, 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement, 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors Crossover Music Icon Award and nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards. In 2018, Billboard Magazine included Jody Watley in the Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artists Of All Time and Top 25 Top Female Dance Artists of All Time. Ms. Watley was named as First Ambassador in 2021 to the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville and in 2022, she received her first Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business.
About The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards
The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards are an annual event held to honor those in our nation who exhibit outstanding character, worth ethic, and dedication to their communities. The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards has rapidly become recognized as an immense honor and highly anticipated annual event. In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to honor outstanding citizens giving their time to volunteering and helping their communities.
Welcome Spring! Wishing everyone the best of the season. May we all continue to bloom, blossom and grow.
Wattage!
Photography, Paul Gobel, InFashion Magazine 1988.
I love this image taken during the promotion of my solo debt, which of course 2022 marks the 35th Anniversary of the release – this photo could have been taken today – truly timeless!
