Angry women or shrews - perhaps this is how you can translate the name of this group playing in the style of glam metal. Formed in 1980 by guitarist June (Jan) Koenemund, Vixen have come a long way to fame and yet made the whole world talking about themselves.
The beginning of Vixen's musical career
At the time of the formation of the group, in her home state, Minnesota, June was already a fairly well-known guitarist in musical circles. She managed to play in several teams. In 1971, eighteen-year-old Koenemund organized her own female quintet, calling it Lemon Pepper.
The group played quite successfully in their hometown of São Paulo, but after three years the band disbanded to become the glam metal band Vixen in 1980. Girls tour first in their state, then in America. In 1984, they participate in the film - in the comedy "Strong Bodies", in which 6 soundtracks performed by a female rocker team sounded.
Vixen did not have a permanent line-up for a long time. The members changed and changed and changed, until after 6 years the team finally found a permanent basis.
Janet Gardner - rhythm guitar and vocals, Shar Pedersen - bass guitar, Roxy Petrucci - drums and June Kuhnemund as part of the Vixen group began to conquer the musical Olympus.
Fame Vixen
Popularity for the girl group playing hard rock came in 1987, after the release of the film The Fall of Western Civilization: The Years of Metal. They began to be recognized on the streets. A year later, the girls release their first album "Vixen", which breaks into the American hit parade, in the TOP 50.
The songs were written by Irish poet and guitarist Vivian Patrick Campbell and singer, songwriter and successful producer Richard Marks. Their support had a tremendous impact on the promotion of girls. The album is selling like hot cakes. The band begins touring as the opening act for some of rock's most famous and insanely popular acts: the dreaded Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi, Scorpions, and many viewers are surprised to understand that female rock can also be of high quality.
The group, meanwhile, begins to prepare for recording a new album, almost entirely consisting of author's songs. In 1990, the band's second album, Rev It Up, was released. But it does not bring such commercial success as the first one. But the popularity goes beyond the US. In Europe, Vixen have a louder success than at home. Girls playing glam metal are something unusual and very attractive for a conservative old woman in Europe.
Together with the legendary Kiss and Deep Purple, the girls go on a tour, but after it, having not received the desired financial result, the group breaks up. True, having managed to participate in a television show on the MTV channel and shoot a 40-minute film. But financial and musical disagreements turned out to be incompatible with creativity, and each of the girls began to take care of personal affairs and their own projects.
The second wind of the team
Vixen received a second wind in 1997. But vocalist Janet Garden and Roxy Petrucci, who plays drums, remained in the group from the main line-up. They took two newcomers to their team: Ginny Style and Maxine Petrucci (rhythm and bass players). A year later, in 98, their album "Tangerine" was released, recorded at the Eagle Records recording studio. But rock with a touch of grunge did not appeal to music lovers, was not successful, and the group broke up again.
Another reunion took place at the beginning of the zero years of this century. Members of the star cast returned to the group: June, Janet, Roxy and newcomer Pat Helloway. Vixen go on tour, they are successfully rolled back. Internal contradictions again become a stumbling block and interfere with joint work.
The group breaks up for the third time. The creator remains in the team, June Kuhnemund, who completely renews the composition, pouring new, fresh blood into it. In 2006, the band recorded and released two albums: studio and live. But they cannot repeat the success of the very first singles. Since that time, the group has been conducting sluggish concert activities and is on the verge of disintegration.
June Koenemund
The restless June is trying to repeat the success, they plan to record a new album with the participants, and agree on touring activities. But all creative plans come to an end when the leader of the group is diagnosed with cancer. 10 months of fighting cancer does not bring the desired result.
Modest, sensitive, feminine and talented, combining feminine grace and militant strength, she could not overcome the disease and went to heaven in October 2013. This was a blow not only for the fans, but also for the members of the group. Everyone was waiting for June to return.
There were so many hopes and plans ahead, because finally, all the contradictions torn apart by the group were eliminated. But, unfortunately, June lost this battle. She was only 51 years old. And this event put an end to the existence of the group. June was her soul.
While the Vixen failed to replicate the success of their very first album, they remain a favorite band for many. Perky girls from the 80s, playing high-quality, feminine, gentle, heavy rock.
