Josie Cotton, born Josie Jones, hails from Dallas, Texas, where her family made their fortune in the cotton industry. Growing up, she began her musical journey singing with local bands in the Deep Ellum neighborhood, before making the move to Los Angeles in the late 1970s.
Cotton's early career took off with her 1981 single "Johnny Are You Queer?" for Bomp! Records, which became a surprise cult hit and was later reissued by Elektra Records. The song's controversy only added to its allure, cementing Cotton's status as a pioneer of the New Wave scene.
In 1982, Cotton released her debut album "Convertible Music," which spawned a minor hit single with "He Could Be the One." The album's success was further solidified when she appeared as herself in the 1983 film "Valley Girl," performing classic hits like "School Is In" and her own songs "He Could Be the One" and "Johnny Are You Queer?" in the iconic senior prom scene.
Cotton's subsequent album "From the Hip" (1984) saw moderate success, with the single "Jimmy Loves Maryann" becoming a fan favorite. Despite this, Elektra Records ultimately dropped Cotton due to lackluster sales.
Undeterred, Cotton bounced back in 1996, rebranding herself as an art rocker with the eclectic album "Frightened by Nightingales," co-produced by her husband Geza X, a punk music producer. This bold new direction was followed by her portrayal of the enigmatic Silver Ring in the offbeat horror film "Nomads."
In the 2000s, Cotton continued to push boundaries with her unique blend of punk and pop sensibilities, releasing the albums "Movie Disaster Music" and "Invasion of the B-Girls," the latter of which features covers of B-movie theme songs. In addition to her music, Cotton is also the co-founder of the label B-Girl Records, solidifying her status as a true original in the world of music.
