Janie Jones – Nostalgia Central

Born Marion Mitchell in 1941 in County Durham, Janie Jones started her entertainment career as a cabaret performer in London, including a stint at the famous Windmill Theatre.

She first came to public attention as a singer when she released her debut single – Witches Brew b/w Take-A My Tip – on the His Master’s Voice label in November 1965, which peaked at #46 on the UK Singles Chart.

HMV followed this up with Gunning For You b/w Go, Go Away From Me in March 1966. Despite appearing on the TV show Thank Your Lucky Stars, singing Gunning For You, the single did not chart.

But Jones remained in the media spotlight – largely as the result of a trial at the Old Bailey where she pled “not guilty” to two charges of blackmailing a wealthy young businessman by threatening to reveal his sexual activities to his wife and father – and a steady stream of singles was pumped out over the next few years.

She also became known for her uninhibited style, regularly making headlines for her bold fashion statements – such as attending a film premiere in a topless gown – and her unbothered attitude toward stodgy British social norms.

In 1974, Jones appeared in court again and was sentenced at the Old Bailey to serve seven years in prison (and fined £16,000) for charges relating to running a high-profile prostitution ring and arranging sex parties from her Kensington home.

She admitted she had lied under oath, but did so to protect some very famous clients. She was also implicated in a payola scheme involving “sex for airplay” on BBC Radio One.

She served three years in Holloway Prison (where she befriended the infamous Moors Murders serial killer Myra Hindley), and on the day she was released from jail in 1977, she turned on the radio and heard The Clash singing Janie Jones, the opening song from their debut LP.

She met the band, and Joe Strummer offered to write her a song.

He also promised that The Clash would back her in the studio to record it.

The single – the Strummer-penned House of the Ju-Ju Queen – was recorded on 29 December 1982 and released the following November.

The single reached the independent charts but did not trouble the Top 40.