Josie Cotton

Josie Cotton (born Kathleen Josey) is an American singer/songwriter, best known for her minor hits "Johnny Are You Queer" and "He Could Be the One" from 1982. "Johnny Are You Queer" has been featured on the soundtracks to the movies "Jackass Number Two" and "Valley Girl".

Career

Born Kathleen Josey in Dallas, Texas, Cotton sang with Dallas area bands before moving to Los Angeles, California. Josie Cotton recorded her hit single "Johnny Are You Queer" under Bomp Records in 1981. The performance of the single attracted the attention of Elektra Records, which re-released both the single and a full album in 1982. The "Convertible Music" LP featured music reminiscent of the 1960s girl group tradition. Cotton made an appearance in the 1983 film "Valley Girl", singing "Johnny Are You Queer?", "He Could Be the One" and "School Is In" during the film's prom scene. In 1984, Elektra issued Josie's follow-up album, "From the Hip", which returned a minor hit with the cover of Looking Glass' "Jimmy Loves Maryann" (featuring guitar work by Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac). In 1986, Cotton appeared in a minor film role as the character Silver Ring in the John McTiernan horror film "Nomads" opposite Adam Ant and Pierce Brosnan. "Johnny Are You Queer" was more recently featured in "" during the "Anaconda Ballpit" stunt and in the compilation album "A Date With John Waters". The punk band Screeching Weasel covered the song on their 1994 album "How To Make Enemies And Irritate People".

Cotton recorded "Frightened by Nightingales" (as Josey Cotton) in 1993. The collection of songs by songwriter/violinist/self-promoter Bill Rhea was released on the French label Silences. Continuing to work behind the scenes, Cotton co-founded B-Girl Records, which issued recordings by Goldenboy and Alaska! A new album of her own music, "The Influence of Fear on Salesmen", was planned for release in 2002 on B-Girl but failed to materialize under that title. Cotton released "Movie Disaster Music" in 2006, followed by "Invasion of the B-Girls", comprised of B-movie theme song covers, also produced in part by Bill Rhea, in 2007.

Discography

Albums

*"Convertible Music Elektra" (1982) #147 US
*"From the Hip Elektra" (1984)
*"Frightened by Nightingales" (1993)
*"Convertible Music/From the Hip" (CD reissue) (2002)
*"Movie Disaster Music" (2006)
*"Invasion of the B-Girls" (2007)

ingles

*"Johnny Are You Queer" (Bomp) (1981)
*"Johnny Are You Queer" (Elektra reissue) (1982) #38 Billboard Club Play Singles
*"He Could Be the One" (1982) #34 Billboard Mainstream Rock, #74 Billboard Pop Singles
*"Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne" (1984)

Filmography

*"Valley Girl" (1983)
*"Nomads" (1986)

External links

* [http://www.josiecotton.com "Official website"]
* [http://www.myspace.com/josiecotton "Josie Cotton's Myspace Page"]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:6sl67ur0h0j0~T0 "Josie Cotton at allmusic.com"]