Jeanette Dimech
Encyclopedia
Janette Anne Dimech who performs under the name Jeanette, is a half-Belgian, half-Spanish, English-born, American-raised singer who has resided in Spain since the age of 12, and who sings primarily in Spanish. She has also recorded songs in several different languages: English (her native language), French, German and Japanese. Jeanette has completed seven albums with great success with millions of sales worldwide. Besides appearances and duets with stars such as Julio Iglesias
, José Luis Perales
, Mocedades
, Sacha Distel
, Raphael
, Formula V
, she also received other offers from stars such as Camilo Sesto
and Michael Jackson
who wanted to work with her, but Jeanette felt they lacked the musical affinity to record with them.
father and a Spanish mother. Her mother is originally from the Canary Islands
. Because of her grandparents' import-export business, she lived with her parents first in London, where she was born; and later in Chicago
and La Habra, California
, where she grew up. After her parents' separation at age 12, she moved to Barcelona
with her mother and younger brother and sister. Having grown up in the United States, Dimech initially spoke only English when she first moved to Spain. She was placed in an American school at first, but later befriended some local Spanish children who helped teach her Spanish.
After the band split up at the end of the 1960s, she moved to Vienna with her husband, a Hungarian football player named Laszlo Kristof. Jeanette had a quiet life devoted to routine domestic work. Fruit of the relationship was born his daughter, Blythe. Currently lives in Barcelona and is preparing for her comeback after more than 20 years with a new album for 2011.
, and her idols included Bob Dylan
, Donovan
, and the Byrds. Later she joined the student band Pic-Nic as a singer, who in 1969 had a measure of success with a folk version of the Spanish children's song "Cállate niña". Other notable songs of theirs included "Amanecer" and "No digas nada". Allowed to record a version of songs in English. The continuing disagreements between the members ended with the dissolution of the group and each member takes a different tack.
At the start of the 1970s, she began her solo career with her hit first single, "Soy Rebelde
" (I am a rebel). On the single, the record label misspelled her name as "Jeanette" (the correct spelling is Janette without the first E.) Ever since then, her stage name has been spelled with the additional E. The single first enjoyed success in Spanish-speaking countries and later broadened its influence with French ("L'inconnu qui m'aimera"), Japanese ("あまのじゃく") and English versions. This song and others penned by Manuel Alejandro, such as "Estoy triste", "Oye mamá, oye papá" established her as an artist in Spain. Palabras, promesas (Words, promises) was written by José Luis Perales was released in 1973. In this Lp are released all the singles and recorded from 1971 to 1973.
" ('Because you're leaving') was written by José Luis Perales
and remained relatively unknown at the start of 1974. Only when the song was used in Carlos Saura
's 1976 film Cría Cuervos
(Raise Ravens), and the film went on to be honored at the Cannes Film Festival
(Jury grand prize) and the Berlin Film Festival (jury special prize), did the song become internationally known and a hit. In Austria it reached number 13, in Switzerland number 4, and in Germany it reached number 1. Jeanette was satisfied with this production as Porque te vas sold over 6,000,000 copies worldwide. In the winter of 77, the singer sang the song in the popular German program Musikladen (Musikladen, program 31. Date: 12 February 1977)
, that gave her three hit singles: "Corazón de Poeta" (A heart so warm and so tender), "Frente a frente" (Sorrow) & "El muchacho de los ojos tristes". Commercially speaking, this is the best selling album to date the singer. Especially the vintage album sales worldwide millions, triumphing across the line in several Latin American countries. In Spain, it becomes a week at the top of sales of LPs, the songs also Frente a frente and Corazón de poeta succeeded in being ranked 4 and 13 for 20 and 10 weeks respectively.
She remained active throughout the remainder of the 1980s, releasing the albums Reluz (1983), Ojos en el Sol (1984), and Loca por la Musica (1989), along with a string of singles. However, the 1990s marked the end of her success, though she herself remained popular and her back catalog was repackaged into a continual stream of greatest-hits collections.
Pic-Nic:
Jeanette:
Jeanette
Julio Iglesias
Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva , better known simply as Julio Iglesias, is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released 77 albums. According to Sony Music Entertainment, he is one of the top 15 best selling music artists in history,...
, José Luis Perales
José Luis Perales
José Luis Perales is a Spanish singer-songwriter and composer who is very popular in Spain and Latin America. He has performed some of his extensive work at Carnegie Hall, New York.-Biography:...
, Mocedades
Mocedades
Mocedades is a Spanish singing group from the Basque Country, probably best known for representing Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973 with the song "Eres Tú"...
, Sacha Distel
Sacha Distel
Sacha Distel was a French singer and guitarist who had hits with a cover version of the Academy Award-winning "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" , "Scoubidou", and "The Good Life". He was born in Paris.-Career:Sacha Distel, born Alexandre Distel, was a son of Russian White émigré Leonid Distel...
, Raphael
Raphael (singer)
For the French singer Raphael see Raphaël HarocheMiguel Rafael Martos Sánchez , often simply referred to as Raphael, is a worldwide acclaimed Spanish singer and television, film and theatre actor...
, Formula V
Formula V
For the motor racing class, see Formula VeeFórmula V is a Spanish pop musical quintet founded in 1965 in Spain. The musical style is very much in the style of 60's rock similar to the Beatles and Monkees. In the late 1960s the band experienced enormous popularity in Spain and Latin America.The...
, she also received other offers from stars such as Camilo Sesto
Camilo Sesto
Camilo Blanes Cortés , better known as Camilo Sesto, is a Spanish singer , composer and producer who enjoyed fame during the 1970s and the 1980s...
and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
who wanted to work with her, but Jeanette felt they lacked the musical affinity to record with them.
Biography
Dimech is the daughter of a Belgian-CongoleseBelgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
father and a Spanish mother. Her mother is originally from the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
. Because of her grandparents' import-export business, she lived with her parents first in London, where she was born; and later in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and La Habra, California
La Habra, California
La Habra is a city in the northwestern corner of Orange County, California. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 60,239. Its related city, La Habra Heights is located to the north of La Habra, and is in Los Angeles County.-Origin of name:...
, where she grew up. After her parents' separation at age 12, she moved to Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
with her mother and younger brother and sister. Having grown up in the United States, Dimech initially spoke only English when she first moved to Spain. She was placed in an American school at first, but later befriended some local Spanish children who helped teach her Spanish.
After the band split up at the end of the 1960s, she moved to Vienna with her husband, a Hungarian football player named Laszlo Kristof. Jeanette had a quiet life devoted to routine domestic work. Fruit of the relationship was born his daughter, Blythe. Currently lives in Barcelona and is preparing for her comeback after more than 20 years with a new album for 2011.
Pic-Nic
During the 1960s she learned to play guitar and began to write her own songs. She styled her music after American folk musicFolk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, and her idols included Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, Donovan
Donovan
Donovan Donovan Donovan (born Donovan Philips Leitch (born 10 May 1946) is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist. Emerging from the British folk scene, he developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music...
, and the Byrds. Later she joined the student band Pic-Nic as a singer, who in 1969 had a measure of success with a folk version of the Spanish children's song "Cállate niña". Other notable songs of theirs included "Amanecer" and "No digas nada". Allowed to record a version of songs in English. The continuing disagreements between the members ended with the dissolution of the group and each member takes a different tack.
Palabras, promesas
After the dissolution of Pic-Nic, Jeanette returned to resume her course, but the overnight received a call from her former record label HISPAVOX. This time the label had said that had a project for a singer and Jeanette had not matter it. But HISPAVOX removed heaven and earth to convince Jeanette to come back to Spain and to the music. Jeanette installed in Barcelona in 1971 to start her solo career. The singer thought it was to revive the folk spirit of Pic-Nic, but the label wants to make a new figure of the ballad.At the start of the 1970s, she began her solo career with her hit first single, "Soy Rebelde
Soy Rebelde
«Soy rebelde» is a famous song wrote by Manuel Alejandro and Ana Magdalena. This song became success in the voice of the singer Jeanette in 1971. This was her first EP like a soloist.- Controversy:...
" (I am a rebel). On the single, the record label misspelled her name as "Jeanette" (the correct spelling is Janette without the first E.) Ever since then, her stage name has been spelled with the additional E. The single first enjoyed success in Spanish-speaking countries and later broadened its influence with French ("L'inconnu qui m'aimera"), Japanese ("あまのじゃく") and English versions. This song and others penned by Manuel Alejandro, such as "Estoy triste", "Oye mamá, oye papá" established her as an artist in Spain. Palabras, promesas (Words, promises) was written by José Luis Perales was released in 1973. In this Lp are released all the singles and recorded from 1971 to 1973.
Porque te vas
Her greatest success, "Porque te vasPorque te vas
"Porque te vas" is a song performed by the singer Jeanette written by José Luis Perales and remained relatively unknown at the start of 1974...
" ('Because you're leaving') was written by José Luis Perales
José Luis Perales
José Luis Perales is a Spanish singer-songwriter and composer who is very popular in Spain and Latin America. He has performed some of his extensive work at Carnegie Hall, New York.-Biography:...
and remained relatively unknown at the start of 1974. Only when the song was used in Carlos Saura
Carlos Saura
Carlos Saura Atarés is a Spanish film director and photographer.-Early life:Born into a family of artists , he developed his artistic sense in childhood as a photography enthusiast.He obtained his directing diploma in Madrid in 1957 at the Institute of Cinema Research and Studies...
's 1976 film Cría Cuervos
Cria Cuervos
Cría cuervos is a 1976 Spanish film directed by Carlos Saura. The film is an allegorical drama about an eight year old girl dealing with loss. Highly acclaimed, it received the Special Jury Prize Award at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
(Raise Ravens), and the film went on to be honored at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
(Jury grand prize) and the Berlin Film Festival (jury special prize), did the song become internationally known and a hit. In Austria it reached number 13, in Switzerland number 4, and in Germany it reached number 1. Jeanette was satisfied with this production as Porque te vas sold over 6,000,000 copies worldwide. In the winter of 77, the singer sang the song in the popular German program Musikladen (Musikladen, program 31. Date: 12 February 1977)
Todo es nuevo
Jeanette worked with Andre Popp a famous French composer of many stars for the production of her album Todo es nuevo (Everything is new) on 1977. There were two versions: Spanish and French. With a lukewarm reception, Jeanette was out anyway Porque voy a cambiar (Why should I change?) (Tzeinerlin' in French) which was also seen in the German program Musikladen (Musikladen, program 35. Date: 8 October 1977).Corazón de poeta
In 1981 she recorded another record: Corazón de Poeta which was composed, arranged and conducted by Manuel AlejandroManuel Alejandro
Manuel Alejandro is one of the most popular and sought after composers of Latin love songs, which are better known as ballads. He has written, composed, and arranged songs for the likes of Luis Miguel, Plácido Domingo, Julio Iglesias...
, that gave her three hit singles: "Corazón de Poeta" (A heart so warm and so tender), "Frente a frente" (Sorrow) & "El muchacho de los ojos tristes". Commercially speaking, this is the best selling album to date the singer. Especially the vintage album sales worldwide millions, triumphing across the line in several Latin American countries. In Spain, it becomes a week at the top of sales of LPs, the songs also Frente a frente and Corazón de poeta succeeded in being ranked 4 and 13 for 20 and 10 weeks respectively.
She remained active throughout the remainder of the 1980s, releasing the albums Reluz (1983), Ojos en el Sol (1984), and Loca por la Musica (1989), along with a string of singles. However, the 1990s marked the end of her success, though she herself remained popular and her back catalog was repackaged into a continual stream of greatest-hits collections.
Singles
Brenner's Folk- 1966: Daurat Oest/Ho se/Clara Lluna/Amor Perdut
Pic-Nic:
- 1967: Cállate, niña/Negra estrella
- 1968: Amanecer/No digas nada
- 1968: Me olvidarás/Él es distinto a ti
- 1968: Hush, Little Baby/Blamin's Not Hard To Do/You Heard My Voice
Jeanette:
- 1971: Soy rebelde/elo apá, oye mamá
- 1972: Estoy triste/No digas nada
- 1973: Palabras, promesas/Debajo del platanero
- 1974: Porque te vas/Seguiré amando
- 1975: Hoy nos hemos dicho adiós/El mundo con amor
- 1977: Todo es nuevo/Pequeña preciosa
- 1978: No digas buenas noches/Heaven, please, don't let it rain tonight
- 1978: Voy a tener un niño/De mujer a mujer
- 1981: Frente a frente/Cuando estoy con él
- 1981: Corazón de poeta/Comiénzame a vivir
- 1981: Sorrow/A Heart so warm and so tender
- 1982: El muchacho de los ojos tristes/Toda la noche oliendo a ti"
- 1983: Reluz/Más de cien sentidos
- 1983: Con qué derecho/No me fio más
- 1984: Amiga mía/Baila conmigo
- 1984: Ojos en el sol/Buenas noches
- 1989: China/Por nada del mundo
- 1989: Loca por la música/Sinceridad
Albums
Pic-Nic- 1968: Pic-Nic
- 1969: Cállate niña (International Reissue)
Jeanette
- 1973: Palabras, promesas
- 1976: Porque te vas
- 1977: Todo es nuevo
- 1981: Corazón de poeta
- 1983: Reluz
- 1984: Ojos en el sol
- 1989: Loca por la música
- 1996: Sigo rebelde
Compilations
- 1995: Sus Mas Lindas Canciones
- 1998: Coleccion Original
- 2002: Soy Rebelde
- 2003: 15 Canciones Favoritas
- 2004: 15 De Coleccion
- 2005: 20 Exitos Originales
- 2008: Lo Essential