Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Janis Ian's memoir of her more than forty years in the music business. Janis Ian was catapulted into the spotlight in 1966 at the age of fifteen when her soul-wrenching song "Society's Child" became a national hit. An intimate portrait of an interracial relationship, "Society's Child" climbed the charts despite the fact that many radio stations across the country refused to play it because of its controversial subject matter. But this was only the beginning of a long and illustrious career. In this fascinating memoir of her life in the music business, Ian chronicles how she did drugs with Jimi Hendrix, went shopping for Grammy clothes with Janis Joplin, and sang with Mel Tormé --all the while never ceasing to create unforgettable music. In Society's Child, Ian shares with readers what it felt like to move in and out of the public eye. In 1975 her legendary song "At Seventeen" earned two Grammy awards and five nominations. But during the 1980s she made a conscious decision to walk away from the often grueling music business to study ballet and acting. She also struggled through a difficult marriage that ended with her then husband's threat to kill her. The hiatus from music lasted for nearly a decade until, in 1993, Ian returned with the release of Breaking Silence. Rather than risk losing artistic control, she took out a second mortgage on her home to fund the record. It paid off as Breaking Silence gained Ian her ninth Grammy nomination. Now in her fifth decade, Ian continues to draw large audiences around the globe. Janis Ian has inspired generations of fans and in this moving book she shares the fascinating story of her life in music.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Got a young person with issues...:
then get that person this autobiography.
Even if u don't agree w/this artist's opinions u sure will respect them and learn from them.
I picked up my first Ian cut that was "17". Being a decade older than her and coming of age slightly b/4 the sixties peaked the phrase Society's Child was just something I associated w/her appearence on the first SNL which I remember vividly.
Now after reading this work I understand the meaning of the words and only wish I had delved into her 'oeuve much... more info
Janis Ian: Society's Child:
This is a fascinating and honest recounting of the experience of a gifted writer/performer -- the kind of "good read" you get immersed in. After you read this, you may well feel you've been given "permission" to allow the artist in you to emerge.
Strong woman who overcomes:
This book was amazing. Janis Ian was faced with one obsticle after another in her music endeavors and her love life. Listening to her music, after reading her autobiography, adds a tremendous insight into the words of her music. Janis is "a real trooper" and I have the utmost respect for her as an artist and a human being.
An amazing life:
As a long time fan of Janis Ian, I was interested in her professional journey and the influences for her work. This book covers that and so much more. It happens that I knew Janis' father very well having worked with him for several years. The Openness that the author demonstrates is both courages and enlightening. I had no idea of the struggles that she has overcome. The writing is so personal and yet universal that I felt like she was telling her story directly to me. This is a great read.
Privacy policy: we don't collect information
about visitors except for the standard technical server logs. We don't send unsolicited emails. We don't
sell the information that we don't collect about you to anyone. When you follow
links to other sites, their privacy policies apply. Thanks for visiting!
