Jewel, The #54 Female Artist of the Rock Era

Jewel Kilcher was born in Payson, Utah, but Jewel and her family moved to Homer, Alaska shortly after her birth.  She lived with her father in a house that did not have indoor plumbing.  They often made a living by singing in bars and taverns.

Jewel went to the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where she majored in operatic voice and learned to play guitar.  She began writing songs at the age of 16.  She lived in her car for a while, doing street performances and performing in small clubs.  She gained attention while singing at the Innerchange Coffeehouse and Java Joe's in San Diego.  

In 1994, John Hogan, a singer with a local San Diego band, called Paramount studio executive Inga Vainshtein to tell her about a female surfer who sang at a local coffee shop.  Vainshtein and Atlantic Records A&R rep Jenny Price drove to the Innerchange to hear Jewel.  Afterwards, they set up a recording session for her with producer Bruce Robb.  Vainshtein became Jewel's manager and started a major bidding war, which resulted in a recording contract with Atlantic.

Jewel recorded her debut album, Pieces of You, at a studio at Neil Young's ranch in 1995 when she was 21.  Live tracks on the album were recorded at the Innerchange.  The album astounded music insiders, critics and music fans alike for its quality and depth as a debut release.  The lead single, "Who Will Save Your Soul", remains as one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*, as it only reached #11 in the U.S.  It was, however, #5 on the more-important Adult Contemporary chart and #7 in Canada.  The song is also one of The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era* for its outstanding lyrics.  

"Who Will Save Your Soul" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and it won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video and helped Jewel earn another nomination for Best New Artist.  Pieces of You went on to sell over 15 million copies in the U.S. alone, becoming one of the top debut albums in music history.  It was so successful that newcomer Jewel was featured on the cover of Time magazine, almost unheard of for a new artist.

"You Were Meant For Me" captured the MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video the following year and was nominated for both the Viewer's Choice Award and Best Video of the Year.  The song was a #1 smash on the AC chart and #2 overall in the United States and also peaked at #2 Canada and #3 in Australia.

"Foolish Games" continued to add fuel to the tremendous wildfire that was sweeping around the world, as more and more people were becoming aware of this amazing album.  This classic was also nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammys.  It too was a #1 Adult Contemporary and #2 overall song in the U.S., #2 in Canada and #10 in the Netherlands.

As great as those three songs are, they are but a small sample of this incredible piece of work.  "Little Sister" showed amazing songwriting skills for a 21-year old:

 Jewel captured the American Music Award for Favorite New Artist.  We bet the vote wasn't close.  The newcomer was also nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Artist, again more recognition almost unprecedented for a first-year artist.  "I'm Sensitive" was another amazing track from Pieces of You.

Jewel sang the U.S. national anthem at Super Bowl XXXII in 1998 in San Diego.   

Billboard magazine named Jewel the #1 Female Singles Artist of the Year and the Top 40 Artist of the Year.  "Near You Always" is yet another reason why.

Jewel received American Music Award nominations for Favorite Album and Favorite Female Artist of the Year and she won the Blockbuster Award for Favorite Female Artist.  Yet another great track that showcases her songwriting talent is "Painters".

Vainshtein, the person instrumental for getting her career started, was let go by Jewel, who handed her management duties to her mother.  She released the album Spirit in November.  The album peaked at #3 and sold over four million copies.  "Hands" was the lead single, reaching #2 in Canada; it was a #2 Adult Contemporary song and #6 overall hit in the United States.

"Down So Long" reached #7 in Canada, #16 in Australia, and hit #10 on The Adult Contemporary chart in the U.S.

Here's more from The #54 Female Artist of the Rock Era*--"What's Simple Is True".

"Life Uncommon" is another incredible song from this gifted performer.

The next year, Jewel released the Christmas album Joy:  A Holiday Collection.  It went Platinum.

In 2001, Jewel released the album This Way, which reached #9 on the Album chart and sold 1.5 million copies in the U.S. alone.  "Standing Still" hit #3 on the U.S. Adult chart and #7 in New Zealand.

The title track was also outstanding and received significant airplay.

  

Jewel sang the "Star-Spangled Banner" at the 2003 NBA Finals.  She released the album 0304 that year.  "Intuition" peaked at #4 in Australia, #5 on the U.S. Adult chart and #9 in the Netherlands.

In 2006, Jewel released the album Goodbye Alice in Wonderland.  It was a #8 album and featured "Again and Again", a hit on the Adult Top 40 chart.

In 2007, Atlantic Records did not renew her contract.  The singer who shocked the world with her incredible debut was without a label.  Jewel made a surprise move by deciding to go for the much-smaller Country music market.  She has released three albums in that format has not had a national mainstream hit in six years, and has only had one song ("Stronger Woman") to reach the Top 15 of the market for which she placed her future in.

Regardless, the incredible talent and promise on display on Pieces of You and the next five albums secure Jewel's place as one of The Top Female Artists* of All-Time.