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January is a busy and auspicious month in music history:
- Legendary hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash celebrated his 66th birthday on January 1
- Led Zeppelin‘s and Them Crooked Vultures‘ John Paul Jones celebrated his 78th birthday on January 3
- French touch pioneer Thomas Bangalter, best known for his work in Stardust and the multi-Grammy Award-winning duo Daft Punk celebrated his 49th birthday on January
Much like yesterday, today is an equally auspicious day:
- R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe celebrates his 64th birthday today
- Joy Division and New Order founder Bernard Sumner celebrates his 68th birthday today
- Cocteau Twins‘ co-founder, multi-instrumentalist and producer Robin Guthrie celebrates his 62nd birthday today
- Portishead frontperson Beth Gibbons celebrates her 58th birthday today
Born Denise Katrina Matthews on this day back in 1959, Vanity was a singer, model and actress best known for her work with Vanity 6, a side project of sorts created by Prince, who wrote and produced the material on their first album, including their biggest hit “Nasty Girl.” If you grew up in the 80s, “Nasty Girl” was a part of your playlist.
We lost her 8 years ago. But some of those tunes were fucking great. Happy birthday, Vanity! Happy birthday, wherever you are!