Thursday
Jan172019
Janet Gardner Leaves Vixen
Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 08:09AM
This is a little surprising: Janet Gardner is leaving Vixen. The singer announced her decision on Facebook. She had some medical issues last year so that could be the reason.
I wonder if we're reaching peak glam. By that I mean it is 2019. These musicians we love are not getting any younger. They've all basically done a big reunion or three by this point. The first Rocklahoma was in 2007 - well over a decade ago. I fully expect to see more retirement announcements in the next 18 months, either from individual musicians or full bands. You just can't live on the road forever.
Reader Comments (24)
The VIP ticket and camping experience was awesome as well, and I will always have fond memories of my week long trip .
I still go to concerts every month and I try to see as many of the classic bands as possible as well as the new ones.
Metal On Metal Will Never Die
Parties and Concerts Keep It Alive !
Like the mob don who orders a hit on someone and then balls like a baby at the guy’s funeral, I cried on cue EVERYTIME they played “Cryin’“!
I still can’t believe Richard Marx was their Svengali, co-writing and producing the bulk of their stuff, as it is SO vastly superior to any of his own material.
I can.
“.., as it is SO vastly superior to his own material.”
I am (not) kidding, of course. It is just the obvious fact of the universe: the bill comes due. And some check out gracefully. Others linger far too long or attempt another run at the ring. The rare few are gone before they even had a chance to shine.
I suspect it is her medical issues. They were major. Gives a person a reason to reassess what is best in the long, or final, run. I enjoy Vixen now more than I did back in the day. But I still really only know them for three or so songs. Not a slam by any stretch. I hope the remaining members can eek out a few last tours before they call it quits.
I agree, in part, with both Metalboy! and Bkallday (wha?!?!). Marx did his best work behind the other artists with whom he worked. And Bk's observation just needed one more word: "In This Moment & Halestorm are two female led bands that do it right" . . . now. Vixen, Doro, Lita (who I kid), Girlschool, etc., etc., held up the torch for females in metal when that was a lot less easy and a lot more of a challenge.
You were a lucky man or woman, CanadianMetal. As I recently posted, I will always regret not going to those first few Rocklahomas. What is your take on Lee Aaron? Just curious. I am a fan of some Canadian metal and rock bands, particularly Kick Axe and Helix. So I wanted a country-person's opinion.
Vixen can probably last a couple more rounds, especially if they get a new hot singer but, you’re right, they’re gonna have to throw in the proverbial sweaty towel before they wind up playing the wedding gazebo for sale at your local garden center as their final gig.
p.s. Kick Axe!!!
I love Lee Aaron. I've seen her a few times live, during the late 90"s as well as a couple of years ago.
She is a great singer, gorgeous and sweet as pie. She was very nice when we hung out with her after one of her shows.
A few albums i had and listened to a lot, namely Bodyrock and Some Girls Do. After those ones I didn't really keep up with her new material. I think she put out a few non-Metal albums a few years back but she is back to singing Rock and Metal these days.
She was one of the few female singers I listened to. Her and Darby Mills mostly. Darby Mills, also Canadian, sang for Headpins and she did a great job too. Saw them opening for KISS in the early 80's and became a fan.
So yeah, sometimes the ladies bring it, even for me :)
As for Janet, a brush with mortality usually always makes one take stock of their lives and what is actually important (hint. It always comes back to loved ones, be it family or friends you wish were family) When you've been there and done that, do you really want to continue to schlub around the country every year in a Winnebago, playing to a club full of drunk guys the hoping they could get in your pants? Lol.
Good call on Priya Panda of Diemonds, Gary. But it seems like that band is a drama factory from the news I read. I am beginning to suspect their lack of bigger fame is almost entirely self-inflicted.
You paint the picture, Metalboy! While it is a long way to the top if you want to rock n' roll, it must be a grind for some of these bands trying to eke out an existence these days.
And I hate to be the dumb American tourist, everyone, but we should never forget another great Canadian treat: poutine!!! How that is not served in every brewpub, dive bar, and restaurant in the States is beyond me. Simplicity of form, pleasure of taste, and cost-effectiveness for those serving it (with many interesting variations to boot!).
Bkallday, I don't just jest . . . I beau geste!!! That pun was more of a shout out to Gary Cooper than to the novel.
I’ve got them on my “Best Albums of 2018” list in Comments of Allyson’s post by the same name and was fortunate enough to see them, point blank, naturally, at the M-Pre Party a few years back. Prya Panda has some serious chops on her, for sure.
And though you can certainly say the same for Darby Mills, Headpins’ songwriting was a little simpletonian. Lee Aaron faired far bettter, IMHO, with several Canadian charting AOR power ballads as well as the intentionally hilarious “Metal Queen”, a track on my “Metal Maidens” and “Heavy Roxx” playlists for over 10 years since I made them.
And BK, though we know you like your Metal molten, and LOVE hating and trolling far more than actually offering up bands you think are great and why.
VIXEN is well documented and considered “Glam Metal” (Wikipedia and though that may not be Metal enough for you (remember, this is really the ONLY Glam Metal site out there), like I said, I saw them numerous times and they were loud as sh*t, a lot louder than many bands you would probably classify as “METAL”.
And Lee Aaron’s material is definitely stronger than the Headpins. They had a few decent songs and albums, with a distinct sound. But Darby Mills definitely had the chops. As did Lee Aaron.
And yeah poutine is one of the best things my country has ever invented for sure. I had some pulled pork poutine this summer that I still dream about.
And Gary, legal pot is definitely something a lot of people here are happy about. It’s not my thing personally, but I think it was a good decision for sure.
ROCKANADA
April Wine
The Arrows (originally wrote and first to perform “I Love Rock and Roll” which later became a #1 hit for Joan Jett)
Bachman Turner Overdrive
Brighton Rock
Coney Hatch (Ond man’s barf is another man’s oatmeal)
Danko Jones
Dirty Rhythm (stellar Hair Metal)
Gypsy Rose
Harem Scarem (80’s AOR Schlockmasters!)
Harlequin
Harlot’s Webb (killer Indie Hair Metal)
Helix (Heavy Metal Love, Rita!)
Honeymoon Suite (outstanding AOR)
Justin Insane
Kick Axe (top of the Hair Metal scrap heap and a HIM favorite!)
Krystal
Paul Laine (of Danger Danger fame!)
Lorraine (superb Hair Metal)
Love Razer
Loverboy (barfilicious!)
Monster Truck
Aldo Nova (the original Spinal Tap)
Paradise (killer AORish Hair Metal)
Parlor Trixx (awesome Indie Hair Metal)
Psycho Circus
Quota
Raw Trixx (great Indie!)
Reckless (superb Hard Rock)
Reckless Youth (among the most collectible of rare Indie Hair Metal)
RUSH (cheesy Prog Rock popular in the U.S. Nice logo, though)
Saints & Sinners (superb Hair Metal)
The Shake (fantastic Indie!)
Slash Puppet (phenomenal!)
Simon Says (super collectable AOR!)
Slick Kitty
Slick Toxik
CJ Sleez
Sonic X
Chrissy Steel (another big femme fatale!)
Steppenwolf (!!!)
Stiletto (great Hair Metal!)
Surrender (superb Mega Rare AOR)
SvenGali
Teaze (HUGE!)
The Wild
Tongue N Groove (rare gem!)
Triumph (cheesy)
Young Gun
Vendetta
Von Groove
How could I have forgotten ...
DIEMONDS !!!