Throwback: Happy Belated 66th Birthday, Vanity!

It’s January 2025 y’all! January is a busy month for music birthdays. Let’s get to it. 

• The pioneering and legendary Grandmaster Flash celebrated his 67th birthday on January 1
• Gang of Four co-founder and guitarist Andy Gill was born on this day 68 years ago on January 1
• Led Zeppelin‘s John Paul Jones celebrated his 79th 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 50th –yes, y’all, 50th! — birthday on January 3
• The legendary Stephen Stills, known for his work with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills and Nash, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, as well as for being a solo artist, celebrates his 80th birthday on January 3
• Joy Division and New Order founder Bernard Sumner celebrated his 69th birthday on January 4
• Cocteau Twins‘ co-founder, multi-instrumentalist and producer Robin Guthrie celebrated his 63rd birthday on January 4
• Portishead frontperson Beth Gibbons celebrated her 59th birthday on January 4
• R.E.M. s Michael Stipe celebrated his 65th birthday on January 4

Born Denise Katrina Matthews 66 years ago on January 4, 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 nine years ago. But some of those tunes were fucking great. Happy birthday, Vanity! Happy birthday, wherever you are!