Johnette Napolitano

Johnette Napolitano is, in many ways, the epitome of a rock star. She was born in Hollywood and grew up hanging out in L.A.'s punk and new-wave scene, biding her time in a series of day jobs (including a gig at the famed Gold Star Studios) while she worked toward her own musical aspirations. She and guitarist Jim Mankey formed a duo called Dream 6, then expanded it to a full four-piece band and changed the name to Concrete Blonde (at the suggestion of one mister Michael Stipe), featuring Napolitano on bass and lead vocals. As the band gradually became more successful (particularly on the college-radio circuit and with their lone Top 20 hit "Joey"), Napolitano became revered for her often-melancholic, frequently political songs and her commanding vocals. After the band broke up in 1995 (and briefly reunited from 2001 until 2003), Napolitano went on to pursue projects related to her other interests: art (particularly sculpting and painting) and poetry. She also continued to make music, composing film soundtracks, working on side projects and, in 2007, releasing her own solo album, Scarred.