Vixen (band)
Encyclopedia
Vixen is an all-female American
hard rock
band which achieved some commercial success during the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of the Los Angeles
, California
glam metal
scene.
, Minnesota
in 1980 by guitarist Jan Kuehnemund
while still at high school. In 1984, an early version of the band with Kuehnemund, singer Janet Gardner
and bassist Pia Maiocco
(who later married guitarist Steve Vai
) appeared in the movie Hardbodies
, as the on-screen band Diaper Rash. In 1985, the band moved to Los Angeles, California to be part of the L.A. rock scene.
(lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jan Kuehnemund (lead guitar), Share Pedersen
(bass), and Roxy Petrucci
(drums) was formed. This lineup of Vixen was interviewed in 1987 along with many other rock artists of the day by Penelope Spheeris
for her film The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years.
In 1988 the band was signed to EMI
, and they began recording their debut album Vixen, which was released in September 1988. Singer-songwriter
Richard Marx
wrote and arranged their signature hit, "Edge of a Broken Heart", as well as performing keyboards and producing the song. Rumor was he was asked to assist the all-female band by EMI
to produce their first major hit, to compete with the all-female band the Bangles
. Richard Marx had nothing to do with their follow-up CD, since he was becoming more of a mainline singer than songwriter. Vixen spent the next year touring the world, supporting acts such as Ozzy Osbourne
, Scorpions
, and Bon Jovi
, as well as headlining their own shows. The band returned to the studio in late 1989/early 1990 to record their follow-up album, Rev It Up
, which was released in July 1990. A year of touring followed, including headlining their own shows and supporting acts such as KISS
and Deep Purple
. In mid-1991, the group disbanded due to musical differences.
by Kuehnemund.
In 1999, Share Pedersen joined her husband's band, the Dogs D'Amour, who were reforming after a long hiatus. She appeared on their 2000 album, Happy Ever After, playing bass, keyboards, and, backing vocals. Share and her husband, Bam, also have their own band, Bubble, which is very popular in L.A..
(lead vocals), Lynn Louise Lowrey (bass), and Kathrin "Kat" Kraft (drums) to complete the tour. This lineup is still together, and released two new albums in 2006, a live album, recorded at a live show in Sweden
, called Extended Versions, and a studio album, Live & Learn
.
approached the four members of the "classic lineup" to appear on their show, Bands Reunited
. The show was recorded in August 2004, and broadcast in the U.S. in November 2004. Following the broadcast of the VH1 show, EMI re-released the first two Vixen albums, Vixen and Rev It Up.
Winner of the 6th annual Independent Music Awards
Vox Pop vote for best Hard Rock/Metal song "I Try".
(1980)
(1983)
Janet Gardner
– lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jan Kuehnemund – lead guitar, backing vocals
Liza Carbe – bass, backing vocals
(1984)
Janet Gardner – lead vocals
Jan Kuehnemund – lead guitar, backing vocals
Tamara Ivanov – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Pia Maiocco
– bass, backing vocals
Laurie Hedlund – drums, backing vocals
(1986)
Janet Gardner – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jan Kuehnemund – lead guitar, backing vocals
Roxy Petrucci
– drums, backing vocals
(1987–1991)
Janet Gardner – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jan Kuehnemund – lead guitar, backing vocals
Share Pedersen
– bass, backing vocals
Roxy Petrucci
– drums, backing vocals
(1991–1997)
(Vixen disbanded)
(1997)
(1998)
Janet Gardner – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Gina Stile – lead guitar, backing vocals
Maxine Petrucci – bass, backing vocals
Roxy Petrucci – drums, backing vocals
(1998–2001)
(Vixen disbanded)
(2001)
(2001–2004)
Jenna Sanz-Agero (Jenna Piccolo)
– lead vocals
Jan Kuehnemund – guitar, backing vocals
Lynn Louise Lowrey – bass, backing vocals
Kathrin "Kat" Kraft – drums, backing vocals
(2004)
Janet Gardner – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jan Kuehnemund – lead guitar, backing vocals
Share Pedersen – bass, backing vocals
Roxy Petrucci – drums, backing vocals
(2004–present)
Jenna Sanz-Agero (Jenna Piccolo) – lead vocals
Jan Kuehnemund – guitar, backing vocals
Lynn Louise Lowrey – bass, backing vocals
Kathrin "Kat" Kraft – drums, backing vocals
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band which achieved some commercial success during the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of the Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
scene.
Early years
Vixen was formed in St. PaulSaint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
in 1980 by guitarist Jan Kuehnemund
Jan Kuehnemund
Jan Kuehnemund is an American hard rock guitarist best known for her work with Vixen. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Jan is the original founding member of the band. Her trademark guitar playing can be heard on many of the Vixen songs...
while still at high school. In 1984, an early version of the band with Kuehnemund, singer Janet Gardner
Janet Gardner (singer)
Janet Gardner is an American rock singer.-Biography:Janet Gardner is a former member of the all female hard rock band Vixen....
and bassist Pia Maiocco
Pia Maiocco
Pia Maiocco is an American former bass guitarist and backing vocals for the heavy metal band Vixen.She is married to the guitarist Steve Vai, whom she met while they both attended the Berklee College of Music. She appears on his album Flex-Able...
(who later married guitarist Steve Vai
Steve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
) appeared in the movie Hardbodies
Hardbodies
Hardbodies is a 1984 sex comedy film about three middle-aged men who hire a younger man to help them pick up women at the beach. The film was directed by Mark Griffiths, and stars Grant Cramer, Courtney Gains, and Gary Wood...
, as the on-screen band Diaper Rash. In 1985, the band moved to Los Angeles, California to be part of the L.A. rock scene.
Commercial success
Lineup changes happened during the following years until the "classic lineup" of Janet GardnerJanet Gardner (singer)
Janet Gardner is an American rock singer.-Biography:Janet Gardner is a former member of the all female hard rock band Vixen....
(lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jan Kuehnemund (lead guitar), Share Pedersen
Share Pedersen
Sharon "Share" Pedersen is a former bass player of the female hard rock band, Vixen....
(bass), and Roxy Petrucci
Roxy Petrucci
Roxy Petrucci is a former drummer for Madam X and Vixen.-Biography:...
(drums) was formed. This lineup of Vixen was interviewed in 1987 along with many other rock artists of the day by Penelope Spheeris
Penelope Spheeris
Penelope Spheeris is an American director, producer and screenwriter. She is best known as a documentary film director whose works include the trilogy titled The Decline of Western Civilization...
for her film The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years.
In 1988 the band was signed to EMI
Manhattan Records
Manhattan Records is a United States record label, owned by EMI and operates as a subsidiary of The Blue Note Label Group.-Company history:Manhattan Records was formed in 1984 by Bruce Lundvall, and was later renamed EMI Manhattan Records after absorbing EMI America Records imprint...
, and they began recording their debut album Vixen, which was released in September 1988. Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Richard Marx
Richard Marx
Richard Noel Marx is an American adult contemporary and pop/rock singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He had a string of hit singles in the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Endless Summer Nights", "Right Here Waiting", "Now and Forever", and "Hazard"...
wrote and arranged their signature hit, "Edge of a Broken Heart", as well as performing keyboards and producing the song. Rumor was he was asked to assist the all-female band by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
to produce their first major hit, to compete with the all-female band the Bangles
The Bangles
The Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
. Richard Marx had nothing to do with their follow-up CD, since he was becoming more of a mainline singer than songwriter. Vixen spent the next year touring the world, supporting acts such as Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
, and Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
, as well as headlining their own shows. The band returned to the studio in late 1989/early 1990 to record their follow-up album, Rev It Up
Rev It Up
Rev It Up is the second album by American hard rock band Vixen, it was released in 1990 by EMI. It entered the UK Chart at No 20.-Track listing:#"Rev It Up" - 5:00...
, which was released in July 1990. A year of touring followed, including headlining their own shows and supporting acts such as KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
and Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
. In mid-1991, the group disbanded due to musical differences.
First reunion
In 1997, drummer Roxy Petrucci reformed Vixen, with Janet Gardner (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Gina Stile (lead guitar), and Rana Ross (bass). This lineup toured the United States in 1997, and in 1998 Gardner, Stile, and Petrucci recorded the album Tangerine. After the release of the new album, Roxy's sister Maxine Petrucci was brought in to play bass on a U.S. tour of 1998, but they were sued for copyright infringementCopyright infringement
Copyright infringement is the unauthorized or prohibited use of works under copyright, infringing the copyright holder's exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works.- "Piracy" :...
by Kuehnemund.
In 1999, Share Pedersen joined her husband's band, the Dogs D'Amour, who were reforming after a long hiatus. She appeared on their 2000 album, Happy Ever After, playing bass, keyboards, and, backing vocals. Share and her husband, Bam, also have their own band, Bubble, which is very popular in L.A..
Second reunion
In 2001, Vixen was reformed by Kuehnemund with a lineup consisting of herself, Janet Gardner, Roxy Petrucci, and new bassist Pat Holloway. This lineup toured the U.S. as part of the Voices of Metal tour. Unfortunately, half-way through the tour, disagreements caused the band to split-up, with only Kuehnemund remaining. Kuehnemund quickly recruited Jenna Sanz-Agero (Jenna Piccolo)Jenna Sanz-Agero
Jenna Sanz-Agero, lead singer of the re-organized female rock group, Vixen, and former president of Media 8, who lives and works in Los Angeles, California...
(lead vocals), Lynn Louise Lowrey (bass), and Kathrin "Kat" Kraft (drums) to complete the tour. This lineup is still together, and released two new albums in 2006, a live album, recorded at a live show in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, called Extended Versions, and a studio album, Live & Learn
Live & Learn (Vixen album)
-Track listing:# "Anyway" - 3:34# "Live and Learn" - 3:12# "I Try" - 3:53# "Little Voice" - 3:47# "Pacifist" - 3:50...
.
Recent events
In 2004, VH1VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
approached the four members of the "classic lineup" to appear on their show, Bands Reunited
Bands Reunited
Bands Reunited is a television program produced by VH1 in 2004. Hosted by Aamer Haleem, the show documented the attempted reuniting of a formerly popular musical ensemble for a special concert in either London or Los Angeles....
. The show was recorded in August 2004, and broadcast in the U.S. in November 2004. Following the broadcast of the VH1 show, EMI re-released the first two Vixen albums, Vixen and Rev It Up.
Winner of the 6th annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
Vox Pop vote for best Hard Rock/Metal song "I Try".
Current members
- Jenna Sanz-Agero (Jenna Piccolo)Jenna Sanz-AgeroJenna Sanz-Agero, lead singer of the re-organized female rock group, Vixen, and former president of Media 8, who lives and works in Los Angeles, California...
– lead vocals (2001–2004, 2004–present) - Jan KuehnemundJan KuehnemundJan Kuehnemund is an American hard rock guitarist best known for her work with Vixen. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Jan is the original founding member of the band. Her trademark guitar playing can be heard on many of the Vixen songs...
– lead guitar, backing vocals (1980–1991, 2001–present) - Lynn Louise Lowrey – bass, backing vocals (2001–2004, 2004–present)
- Kathrin "Kat" Kraft – drums, backing vocals (2001–2004, 2004–present)
Former members
- Janet GardnerJanet Gardner (singer)Janet Gardner is an American rock singer.-Biography:Janet Gardner is a former member of the all female hard rock band Vixen....
– lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1983–1991, 1997–1998, 2001, 2004) - Liza Carbe – bass, backing vocals (1983)
- Tamara Ivanov – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1984)
- Pia MaioccoPia MaioccoPia Maiocco is an American former bass guitarist and backing vocals for the heavy metal band Vixen.She is married to the guitarist Steve Vai, whom she met while they both attended the Berklee College of Music. She appears on his album Flex-Able...
– bass, backing vocals (1984) - Laurie Hedlund – drums, backing vocals (1984)
- Roxy PetrucciRoxy PetrucciRoxy Petrucci is a former drummer for Madam X and Vixen.-Biography:...
– drums, backing vocals (1986–1991, 1997–1998, 2001, 2004) - Share PedersenShare PedersenSharon "Share" Pedersen is a former bass player of the female hard rock band, Vixen....
– bass, backing vocals (1987–1991, 2004) - Gina Stile – lead guitar, backing vocals (1997–1998)
- Rana Ross – bass, backing vocals (1997)
- Maxine Petrucci – bass, backing vocals (1998)
- Pat Holloway – bass, backing vocals (2001)
- Noelle Bucci – lead vocals
- Gayle Erickson-DeMatoff – bass, backing vocals
- Cindy Boettcher – keyboards, backing vocals
- Marlene Peterson – drums, backing vocals
- Nancy ShanksNancy ShanksNancy Shanks is an American singer who is almost exclusively associated with singer Tori Amos. Nancy recorded her first solo album in 1973 on United Artist Records. She recorded her second album in 1988 in England on EMI Records with Rhett Davis and upon her return to America met Tori Amos as Tori...
– lead vocals
Session musicians
- Richard MarxRichard MarxRichard Noel Marx is an American adult contemporary and pop/rock singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He had a string of hit singles in the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Endless Summer Nights", "Right Here Waiting", "Now and Forever", and "Hazard"...
– keyboards on Vixen (1988) - Mike Pisculli – bass, backing vocals on Tangerine (1998 — all tracks)
- Chris Fayz – keyboards on Live & LearnLive & Learn (Vixen album)-Track listing:# "Anyway" - 3:34# "Live and Learn" - 3:12# "I Try" - 3:53# "Little Voice" - 3:47# "Pacifist" - 3:50...
(2006 — tracks "Little Voice", "Give Me Away") - Randy Wooten – keyboards on Live & LearnLive & Learn (Vixen album)-Track listing:# "Anyway" - 3:34# "Live and Learn" - 3:12# "I Try" - 3:53# "Little Voice" - 3:47# "Pacifist" - 3:50...
(2006 — track "Suffragette City") - Paulie Cerra – saxophone on Live & LearnLive & Learn (Vixen album)-Track listing:# "Anyway" - 3:34# "Live and Learn" - 3:12# "I Try" - 3:53# "Little Voice" - 3:47# "Pacifist" - 3:50...
(2006 — track "Suffragette City") - Robert Lear – bagpipes on Live & LearnLive & Learn (Vixen album)-Track listing:# "Anyway" - 3:34# "Live and Learn" - 3:12# "I Try" - 3:53# "Little Voice" - 3:47# "Pacifist" - 3:50...
(2006 — track "Give Me Away")
Lineups
>- Jan KuehnemundJan KuehnemundJan Kuehnemund is an American hard rock guitarist best known for her work with Vixen. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Jan is the original founding member of the band. Her trademark guitar playing can be heard on many of the Vixen songs...
– guitar, backing vocals
Janet Gardner (singer)
Janet Gardner is an American rock singer.-Biography:Janet Gardner is a former member of the all female hard rock band Vixen....
– lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Pia Maiocco
Pia Maiocco is an American former bass guitarist and backing vocals for the heavy metal band Vixen.She is married to the guitarist Steve Vai, whom she met while they both attended the Berklee College of Music. She appears on his album Flex-Able...
– bass, backing vocals
Roxy Petrucci
Roxy Petrucci is a former drummer for Madam X and Vixen.-Biography:...
– drums, backing vocals
Share Pedersen
Sharon "Share" Pedersen is a former bass player of the female hard rock band, Vixen....
– bass, backing vocals
Roxy Petrucci
Roxy Petrucci is a former drummer for Madam X and Vixen.-Biography:...
– drums, backing vocals
(Vixen disbanded)
- Janet Gardner – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gina Stile – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Rana Ross – bass, backing vocals
- Roxy Petrucci – drums, backing vocals
(Vixen disbanded)
- Janet Gardner – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Jan Kuehnemund – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Pat Holloway – bass, backing vocals
- Roxy Petrucci – drums, backing vocals
Jenna Sanz-Agero
Jenna Sanz-Agero, lead singer of the re-organized female rock group, Vixen, and former president of Media 8, who lives and works in Los Angeles, California...
– lead vocals
Studio albuns
- Vixen (1988)
- Rev It UpRev It UpRev It Up is the second album by American hard rock band Vixen, it was released in 1990 by EMI. It entered the UK Chart at No 20.-Track listing:#"Rev It Up" - 5:00...
(1990) - Tangerine (1998)
- Live & LearnLive & Learn (Vixen album)-Track listing:# "Anyway" - 3:34# "Live and Learn" - 3:12# "I Try" - 3:53# "Little Voice" - 3:47# "Pacifist" - 3:50...
(2006)
Compilation albums
- Full Throttle (1999)
- Extended Versions (2006)
Soundtracks
- HardbodiesHardbodiesHardbodies is a 1984 sex comedy film about three middle-aged men who hire a younger man to help them pick up women at the beach. The film was directed by Mark Griffiths, and stars Grant Cramer, Courtney Gains, and Gary Wood...
(1984) with the songs "Runnin'", "Give It a Chance", "Mr. Cool", "Be with Me", "Maria", "Computer Madness" - Beverly Hills, 90210Beverly Hills, 90210Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
: "Slumber Party" (1991) with the song "Streets in Paradise" - Beavis and Butthead: "Wall of youth" (1994) with the song "Edge of a Broken Heart"
External links
- Official website
- Vixen at Internet Movie Database
- Neil's Vixen Page- A prolific collection of the band's history and photos, affiliated with some of the band members
- Unofficial Vixen Page
- Metal Queens artist page
- Artist page at MetalMaidens.com
- Rana Ross' Home Page
- VH1 Bands Reunited: Vixen
- Share Ross' rock n roll video blog
- Lynn Lousie Lowrey interview at BassGirls.Com
- Roxy Petrucci History on Madam X & Vixen
- Interview at Saviours of Rock
- Vixen at Metaladies.com