Grace Jones

Few artists of any genre could claim a style as individual or a personality as extreme as the occasionally eccentric Grace Jones. If her fame encompasses modelling, film stardom, gossip columns and celebrity partying, it's her colourful gifts as a performer - especially in the field of club and dance music - that make her a key figure. The daughter of clergyman and politician, she first hit the headlines as a model, becoming a darling of the New York social scene and a muse to artist Andy Warhol, before moving into music in 1977 with a powerful series of dance records that made her an icon in the gay community. Her dramatic image and willingness to embrace changing musical styles and work with top producers like Nile Rodgers and Trevor Horn helped turn albums Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing, Slave To The Rhythm and Inside Story into best-sellers. Some striking movie roles helped keep her profile high and public fascination with her strong.