Judy Collins

Following the death of her son, she has also become a strong advocate of suicide prevention. A version of "When You Walk in the Room" by Pam Tillis in 1994 topped the country charts. She is a representative for UNICEF and campaigns on behalf of the abolition of landmines. The songs "Breakaway" recorded by Tracey Ullman in 1983 and "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" recorded by Annie Lennox and Al Green in 1988 also became huge hits. Like other folk singers of her generation, Collins was drawn to social activism. It earned DeShannon the 1982 Grammy Award for Song of the Year. She was also known for her broad range of material: her songs from this period include the traditional gospel song "Amazing Grace", the Stephen Sondheim Broadway ballad "Send in the Clowns", and her own compositions such as "My Father" and "Born to the Breed.". In 1975 with Donna Weiss, she composed "Queen of the Rodeo" and "Bette Davis Eyes" for her album New Arrangement. The song "Bette Davis Eyes" later became a worldwide Number 1 single for singer Kim Carnes in 1981.

She had also begun to stand out with her own compositions. While DeShannon hasn't produced any further Top Ten singles of her own, her songs have been covered by other artists who have in turn converted them into hits. By the 1970s, Collins had a solid reputation an art song singer and folksinger. In 1973 she was invited by Van Morrison to sing on his Hard Nose the Highway album. This album also provided Collins with a major hit, and a Grammy award, with her version of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now". Switching to Atlantic Records in 1970 and moving to Los Angeles, DeShannon recorded the critically acclaimed albums Jackie and Your Baby Is a Lady but they failed to produce the same commercial successes of previous releases. With her 1967 album Wildflowers, she began to record her own compositions, the first of which was entitled "Since You've Asked". The single "Love Will Find a Way" off the same album was also a moderate hit.

Collins was also instrumental in bringing then little known composers to a wider public; for example, she recorded songs by Canadian poet Leonard Cohen, and Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. DeShannon continued writing and recording but it wasn't until 1968 when she scored her next biggest smash single and album, both entitled Put a Little Love in Your Heart. Tambourine Man" and Pete Seeger's "Turn, Turn, Turn". She appeared in the 1967 film C'mon Let's Live a Little with Bobby Vee, as a folk singer. She recorded her own versions of seminal songs of the period, such as "Mr. In late 1965, DeShannon recorded Bacharach and David's "What the World Needs Now Is Love" and it provided her first Number 1 hit and regular appearances on television shows and club tours. At first she sang traditional folk songs, or songs written by others, in particular the social poets of the time, such as Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan. Moving to New York, DeShannon co-wrote with Randy Newman producing such songs as "She Don't Understand Him" and "Did He Call Today Mama" as well as writing "You Have No Choice" for Delaney Bramblett.

In 1961, Collins released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22. When Jimmy Page recorded his first solo single for Fontana Records, DeShannon sang vocals on "Keep Moving", the B-side of "She Just Satisfies". She eventually made her way to Greenwich Village, New York City, where she played in clubs until she signed with Elektra Records, a record label with which she has been associated for 35 years. DeShannon also appeared on the television show Ready Steady Go!. Three years after her debut as a piano prodigy, she was playing guitar. Both Page and DeShannon also wrote material for singer Marianne Faithfull including her Top Ten UK and US hit "Come and Stay with Me". As a child Collins studied classical piano, making her first public debut at age 13 performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos." But it was the music of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and the traditional songs of the folk revival of the early 1960s, that piqued Collins' interest and awoke in her a love of lyrics. Staying briefly in England in 1965, DeShannon formed a songwriting partnership with Jimmy Page, which resulted in hit singles "Dream Boy" and "Don't Turn Your Back on Me".

Judy Collins (born May 1, 1939 in Seattle, Washington) is an American folksinger. Her music at this stage was heavily influenced by the American West Coast sounds and folk music. Phil Ochs. DeShannon also wrote "Don' Doubt Yourself Babe" for The Byrds debut album. Joni Mitchell. DeShannon's biggest break came in February, 1964 when she supported The Beatles on their first US tour, and formed a touring band with guitarist Ry Cooder. Bob Dylan. She also co-starred and sang with Bobby Vinton in the teen surf movie Surf Party.

Leonard Cohen. DeShannon dated Elvis Presley and formed friendships with The Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson. Joan Baez. During these years it was her songwriting and public profile, rather than her singing, which kept her contracted to Liberty Records. Sanity and Grace: A Journey of Suicide, Survival and Strength (2003). She recorded many other singles that encompassed teen pop, country ballads, rockabilly, gospel and Ray Charles style soul that didn't fare as well on the charts. Amazing Grace (1991). English group The Searchers later covered both songs in 1963 for success on the UK charts.

Trust Your Heart (1987). In 1962, DeShannon signed with Liberty Records and recorded "Needles and Pins" and "When You Walk in the Room", with both resulting in major American hits. Wildflower Festival (2003) (DVD with guest artists Eric Andersen, Arlo Guthrie, and Tom Rush). The partnership produced hits such as "Dum Dum" and "He's the Great Imposter" for Brenda Lee and The Fleetwoods respectively. DeShannon was then commissioned to write the soundtrack for the 1961 film Splendor in the Grass. Judy Collins Live at Wolf Trap (2003). Recording under various names such as Sherry Lee, Jackie Dee, and Jackie Shannon, she had little success however her interpretations of country songs, "Buddy" and "Trouble", gained the attention of Eddie Cochran who arranged for her to travel to California and meet singer songwriter Sharon Sheeley, who formed a writing partnership with DeShannon in 1960. Intimate Portrait: Judy Collins (2000). By the age of eleven, DeShannon was already hosting her own radio program.

The Best of Judy Collins (1999). The daughter of showbusiness parents, Sandra Jean and James Erwin Myers, DeShannon was introduced to singing country tunes on a local radio show at the age of six. Christmas at the Biltmore Estate (1998). Jackie DeShannon was born in Hazel, Kentucky. Baby's Morningtime (1992). Record company executives at Liberty Records thought the name Sharon Myers wouldn't sell records. Baby's Bedtime (1992). Sharon Myers adopted the name Jackie DeShannon, believed to be an Irish ancestor.

Judy Collins Sings Leonard Cohen: Democracy (2004). She is one of the first female singer songwriters of the rock 'n' roll period. Judy Collins Live at Wolf Trap (2000). Jackie DeShannon, real name Sharon Lee Myers, (born August 21, 1944) is an American singer/songwriter with a string of hit song credits from the 1960s onwards. All on a Wintry Night (2000). The Catcher (1972) (television series). Classic Broadway (1999). C'mon Let's Live a Little (1967).

Both Sides Now (1998). Intimacy (1966). Christmas at the Biltmore Estate (1997). Surf Party (1964). Voices (1995). You Know Me (2000). Shameless (1994). Come and Get Me: Best of 1958-1980 (2000) (compilation).

Come Rejoice! A Judy Collins Christmas (1994). The Early Years (1998) (compilation). Just Like a Woman (1993). Trouble with Jackie Dee (1991). Judy Sings Dylan.. The Best of Jackie DeShannon (1991) (compilation). Baby's Morningtime (1990). Good as Gold! (1990) (compilation).