13 and still singing

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Has their been any solo teenage artists that are innovative or intruging . I do not mean that history of overproduction or the gee whizery hes only 13 prodigy talk. I mean stuff that if it was done by a teenager or done by a 34 year old it would still blow you away. I can only think of Tanya Tucker and the Donnas , any one else .

― anthony, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I'm not sure about the dates, but - JOHNNY MARR?

Lots of people will say Roddy Frame. (Won't they?) I'll grudgingly go along with them on basis of the assurance and completeness of the work, but not its 'greatness' (which I don't quite buy).

― the pinefox, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

LL Cool J, Rakim, Box Tops-era Alex Chilton...

― Mark Morris, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Frankie Lymon ("I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent", "Teenager in Love"). The Castaways ("Liar Liar") & lotsa '60s punk bands. The Sex Pistols were all under 20 when they made their records weren't they? I dunno. Tons of people. Pre-teen - J5 era Michael Jackson.

― duane, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

...& the RUNAWAYS of fuckin course!

― duane, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

(finding out that the Runaways 1st album was made by a bunch of 34 year olds would certainly "blow me away")

― duane, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

kriss kross!

― Geoff, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

See, here's the thing: LLCoolJ was sixteen or so when he first appeared, but nobody went on about it because he was instantly the hottest rapper out there. Same with Roxanne Shante, who was about fifteen. The moment somebody is packaged on their age, you have a right to be dubious...

― Mark Morris, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Michael Brown, of the Left Banke was only 15 when he wrote "Walk Away Renee".

― Kerry Keane, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

The v.great Little Esther was I think just 13 when she topped the R&B charts c.1950 with the Johnny Otis Orchestra. Recorded, as a grown-up, as Esther Phillips: died as result of drug-related liver failure c.1970.

Daphne and Celeste are not solo artists yet. Michael Jackson [in swoops alexfromnyc]? Duane is right about the SPistols, tho actually I *don't* recall much being made of this at the time — except by general implication anyway — despite McLaren's fascination with the boyband ethos. It BECAME a thing later, when the detail of their Glitterbest contracts were overturned (in their favour) because they'd signed when under 20, w/o disinterested legal advice.

But what happened to Eater?

― mark s, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Correction: sixteen. But I think he was fifteen when he got started.

― Kerry Keane, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

And how can we forget Stevie Wonder, who had his first hit at thirteen?

― Kerry Keane, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Don't forget 'Noise Addict' - although Ben Lee's solo career hasn't been as good (esp when his voice dropped).

― Jason, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Li'l Romeo. Duh.

― adam, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

joey beltram. also felix da housecat (15 yr career and he's only 29! i think)

― gareth, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Steven McDonald was 14, Jeff McDonald 16, when Redd Kross released the brilliant Born Innocent.

― Arthur, Saturday, 7 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Red Kross >>> KRISS KROSS!!!

I still wear my puffy anorak backwards sometimes, becuz I feeeel the love.

― mark s, Sunday, 8 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Red Kross >>> KRISS KROSS!!! - it's a connection that's been made before I believe.
"Born Innocent" - damn right it's a classic...

― duane, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

ten months pass...

Little Stevie Wonder, Little Willie John, Little Eva, Tiffany, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Christian, the Beatles (you say "solo" but then cite the Donnas), Spencer Davis Group (lead singer 15), Britney Spears, L'Trimm, the Chantels. Probably thousands of others.

― Frank Kogan, Tuesday, 28 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Tevin Campbell (ha!)

― J Blount, Tuesday, 28 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

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