Interview with Musical Genius Janet Robin
- Christopher Annino
- Jun 3, 2016
- 3 min read
A well-rounded musician and songwriter Janet Robin www.janetrobin.com has had a very vast career. At a young age guitar legend Randy Rhoads taught her guitar.. Armed with Rhoads’s knowledge and achieved skill she joined one of the first all female heavy metal bands “Precious Metal”. The band had great success in the eighties and early nineties. after Precious Metal split Janet joined Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham’s band and helped on his solo album “Out of The Cradle.” With Lindsey she managed to gain skills in other genres of music such as Folk, and country. With her determination, passion, and talent for playing music Janet has managed to record, write and tour with the following artists Meredith Brooks, Melissa Etheridge, Maia Sharp, Marcy Levy, Eric Clapton, Air Supply, Anne McCue, Cheap Trick, and Ann and Nancy Wilson. For one time only on October 25, 2014 she reunited with members from Precious Metal for a breast cancer fundraiser in which Precious Metal Bassist and breast cancer survivor Alex Rylanceat formed. The Mint in Los Angeles, which reunites Precious Metal on stage for the first time in over 20 years. Janet has also had some solo success with such albums as “After The Flood,”” Days of Summer”, and her recent album produced by John Carter Cash “Everything Has Changed.” Help fund Janet's new CD, to be produced by John Carter Cash, (the son of Johnny and June. Janet did her last studio CD with him at Cash Cabin, to rave reviews. You can help by making a donation to her directly via check or paypal. There are a lot of different perks available in exchange for your contribution, or you can just donate with no perk in exchange. Either way, we appreciate your support to help Janet record her new CD!www.janetrobin.com
Q: What was it like being in the all girl Rock Band Precious Metal?
A: “When we formed I was around 16 years old and back then the only all girl Rock bands were The Runaways, The Bangles, and The Go Go’s. But yes I was lucky because our lead singer Leslie Knauer had already had success with a band called “Promises” and she was amazing to work with. Prior to that I never played in an all girl rock band before I usually was playing in garage bands with guys. I had a great time playing with “Precious Metal” though. It happened very fast, I am sure it was very much like what “The Runaways” as a band experienced. We did have management problems it was also tough to categorize us we were a combination of Heavy Metal, and Glam Rock. It was also difficult because in those days the radio stations would say they couldn’t play too many female artist on the air, thankfully its not like that anymore.”
Q: What was it like being a female artist in a male dominated industry?
A: Nancy Wilson, and Ann Wilson of “Heart” really helped us. We actually co did the song “Trouble” with Nancy Wilson. In a way I guess you can say Ann and Nancy handed the torch to us. I think they respected us because we took are work serious. We really clicked with them and they clicked with us. I looked up to Nancy Wilson when I was younger. She kept her eye out for things for me throughout my career. When I worked with Lindsay Buckingham, Nancy was very happy for me and came to my shows.”
Q: How has your guitar style changed?
A: “It has come full circle started off on acoustic went to electric with Randy, with Lindsay I was able to marry finger picking as well as other styles to the base of my guitar skills.”
Q: What was it like to work with John Carter Cash?
A: “When you hear the name Cash you think of a country type of guy he really likes heavy metal and hard rock his favorite band is “Judas Priest”. I contacted him and told him I am doing this new record. I never thought he would answer me. He had listened to my material and he felt that we could do something. A lot of the songs were written when I did traveling in the Czech republic while visiting friends who have a band. I really enjoyed it out there. Working with John he makes you feel comfortable he really was able to bring the best out of my music. It was really powerful to work with him.”
Q: Would you ever consider having a reunion with “Precious Metal?”
A: “Yeah, I would totally do it. We were actually talking about possibly doing something. The only problem we run into is it takes a great deal to organize. I would love to get back together with the girls again though.”
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