JEAN BEAUVOIR | ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT

The Jean Beauvoir story began in Chicago born to Haitian parents who immigrated to the U.S. in hopes of providing a better education to their children. Jean had other interests as a child after his parents bought him a drum set. He later switched to bass due to his parents lack of tolerance from being subjected to hearing the constant drum beats.

  

The Teenager: Music Director for Gary U.S. Bonds at age 15.

One of his teachers, seeing his interest in music encourages him to pursue it helping him create the first 'school of rock' and develop his own band in junior high school. he soon began playing all the school functions and the following year began booking his band at venues throughout New York. 

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While performing at a club in New York he was discovered by the manager for Gary US Bonds which led to him being hired as a member of the band, eventually becoming the music director for Bonds at age 15. It leads Beauvoir to becoming a lead vocalist for the classic Doo-Wop group the Flamingos ("I Only Have Eyes For You"), the youngest in the groups history. He gained his first professional music experiences with these groups touring the U.S. performing at Dick Clark revival concerts across America with such pioneers of Rock 'n Roll as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Didley and icons of Doo-Wop.

This is where his musical style and stage presence developed. 

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The Plasmatics: Masterplan

He moves to New York City during the Punk Rock explosion and answers a newspaper ad for a bassist. It leads him to joining The Plasmatics at a pivotal time in the bands career where he remains for the most important and successful years of the band. He brings forward the stage presence and style to the band introducing his trademark Blonde Mohawk, began sporting a white tuxedo and white gloves while performing. 

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The Plasmatics go on to become the most outrageous, controversial, successful Punk Rock bands ever while most of their career was as independent band without any label support. The Plasmatics dominated news outlets and press, television, news, newspaper and magazines, including radio, while performing to millions around the world with their legendary stage antics and rebellious Punk Rock message of independence and do it yourself attitude. 

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The Plasmatics have influenced generations of up and coming musicians and fashion icons; influences that are still being talked about and seen today by such diverse artists as CeeLo Green, Lady Gaga, Corey Glover (Living Color), Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, NFL Superstar Odell Beckham Jr. and many others.

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The Departure: 

On the advice of David Lee Roth (Van Halen) Beauvoir departs The Plasmatics after the "Beyond the Valley of 1984" album. He turns down offers by Prince, Billy Idol, ABBA and Michael Jackson to pursue a label deal allowing him to focus on his own music and solo career without playing in another band. With no labels willing to sign an individual Plasmatics member Steven Van Zandt convinced him to join his group Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul. The collaboration allowed him to showcase his talents as a performer and vocalist while touring extensively outside of his notorious Plasmatics past. Jean Beauvoir stayed with Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul for two albums before departing to pursue his solo career again. 

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1984: Animalize by KISS

The Jean Beauvoir/Paul Stanley penned single "Thrills In the Night" first appears on the album Animalize by KISS, featuring Jean Beauvoir on bass guitar and backing vocals on the singles “Get All You Can Take" , "Thrills In The Night” and "Under the Gun". The album went Platinum in the U.S. and Canada. 

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An original video for "Thrills In the Night" intended to be a concept piece was abandoned and became part of a live performance piece during the Detroit KISS show filmed for MTV receiving rotation on the network. 

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1985: Asylum by KISS

The Jean Beauvoir / Paul Stanley penned songs "Who Wants to Be Lonely" and "Uh! All Night" first appear on the album Asylum by KISS featuring Beauvoir on bass guitar and backing vocals on both singles. Legendary songwriter Desmond Child was also a co-writer on the single"Who Wants to be Lonely" 

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"Tears Are Falling" by Paul Stanley was the highest charting single #20-Mainstream Rock Chart with the album charting worldwide hitting #20-U.S. Pop Albums Chart (Billboard) on its way to Gold and Platinum status in the U.S. and Canada. 

 

1985: The Solo Career:

He signs with manager Gary Kurfirst (The Eurythmics, Talking Heads) who inks a deal with Richard Branson for Virgin Records. Branson, after hearing some music for the album decided to give Beauvoir his own label and full creative control of his solo debut album 'Drums Along the Mohawk' recorded at Media Sound, NY and ABBA's Polar Studio (Sweden), at the personal invitation of the Super Group who had previously offered Beauvoir a singles deal. 

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There are a few guest contributions including Foreigner's Mick Jones playing guitar on "Rockin' in the Streets," but Beauvoir handles most everything else including the 'Drums Along the Mohawk" production. The single "Feel the Heat" goes on to be featured in the Sylvester Stallone film Cobra. 

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1986:  "Feel the Heat"

Sylvester Stallone happened to see the video for the single being edited on a Hollywood lot and picked it his upcoming film Cobra. It leads to Beauvoir inking a deal with Al Teller (Columbia Records) for a U.S. release. The track eventually is chosen as the lead for the movie trailer as well as the film. "Cobra" received the largest worldwide advertising/promotional budget for a Hollywood film to date. 

 

"Feel the Heat" hit "Top 10" charts across Europe and Australia and entered Billboard's Hot 100 upon release. The video was featured in heavy rotation on MTV and VH1 for months following its release.

 

Prior to the release of Cobra critics were harsh leading audiences to believe it a failure. Cobra debuted #1 Memorial Day weekend in 2,131 theaters in the United States and Canada, breaking the movie industry's all-time record for bookings. The film took in over $15.6-million at the box office opening weekend keeping Poltergeist II at bay and knocking the Tom Cruise smash 'Top Gun' from the #1 slot. The previous record holder was Rambo: First Blood Part II. 

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The film Cobra and its soundtrack are still selling today with both receiving high reviews through Amazon and other outlets. ​The album "Drums Along the Mohawk" is still a fan favorite with continuing sells and fan videos on YouTube and other outlets using music from the album. 

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1986: Animal Boy by The Ramones 

The Jean Beauvoir produced album Animal Boy by the Ramones is  released  (May) with the controversial song "My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)" co-written by Beauvoir. The single previously released in the UK (June 1985) was not given a U.S. release due to its controversial, political implications. The single found its own way into America as an import through college radio prompting the label to negotiate a deal for its U.S. release. The single goes on to he highly regarded as one of the most important recordings of the Ramones career. 

 

The Jean Beauvoir and Dee Dee Ramone singles "Something to Believe In" and "She Belongs to Me" are also featured on the Animal Boy album. The video for "Something to Believe In" was nominated by the New York City Music Awards for "Best Video Clip" along with a "Best Album" nomination. Beauvoir also performed guitars, keyboards  and backing vocals on the album which Rolling Stone critic David Fricke deemed a "reductionist masterpiece" that "proves they still have a lot more to give," claiming that it rivaled previous albums. The album remained on music charts for six weeks. 

 

1989: Brain Drain by The Ramones

The Jean Beauvoir produced and arranged album 'Brain Drain' by the Ramones is released (March) featuring the single "Pet Sematary" written for the Stephen King movie adaptation of the same name after the band visited King at his home. The single became one of the Ramones' biggest radio hits charting at #4-U.S. Alternative (Billboard) and #6-U.S. New Rock (Radio & Records), and was a staple in their concerts during the 1990's.

 

The music video for "Pet Sematary" was filmed at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in the eponymous New York village and remains a fan favorite. 

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The single "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" from the album is featured in the movie Christmas With The Kranks. On December 2, 2018, Christmas with the Kranks was named one of "The 25 Highest-Grossing Christmas Movies Of All Time At The U.S. Box Office" by Forbes Magazine.

 

In addition to producing and arranging the Brain Drain albyum, Jean Beauvoir performing bass guitar and additional guitars on both singles. 

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1989 - The Awakening

After the success of his solo career Jean Beauvoir decides to pay tribute to his uncle Max Beauvoir, Haiti's Supreme Leader of Voodoo, and his Haitian roots. He develops and releases the album "The Awakening: Vol. 1" under the pseudonym Voodoo X through Columbia Records. The album is produced by Jean Beauvoir and Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne/Megadeth) with Uwe Fahrenkrog Peterson (Nena) on keyboards.

 

His uncle Max Beauvoir was responsible for the best-selling Wade Davis book "The Serpent and the Rainbow" after a meeting with Davis who went to Haiti with a group of scientists exploring the ancient Haitian religion of Voodoo.

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Press Release:

In April 1982, ethnobotanist Wade Davis arrived in Haiti to investigate two documented cases of zombis—people who had reappeared in Haitian society years after they had been officially declared dead and had been buried. Drawn into a netherworld of rituals and celebrations, Davis penetrated the vodoun mystique deeply enough to place zombification in its proper context within vodoun culture. In the course of his investigation, Davis came to realize that the story of vodoun is the history of Haiti—from the African origins of its people to the successful Haitian independence movement, down to the present day, where vodoun culture is, in effect, the government of Haiti’s countryside. 

The Serpent and the Rainbow combines anthropological investigation with a remarkable personal adventure to illuminate and finally explain a phenomenon that has long fascinated Americans. Wes Craven turned the book into a blockbuster film reigniting worldwide interest with the supernatural and occult launching Hollywood filmmakers into making horror films we still enjoy today.

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Max allowed his nephew (Jean Beauvoir) to film segments of an actual voodoo ceremony at his temple in Haiti for the video "Voodoo Queen" in order to help bring validity to the ancient ritual and expose the beauty of Haiti to the world. "The Awakening: Vol. 1" by Voodoo X is still considered "One of the Best Hard Rock" albums of its era.

 

1993 - Crown Of Thorns

Jimmy Iovine (Interscope Records) signed Beauvoir for a new album deal.  Beauvoir, who had been exploring a new project (Crown Of Thorns) pitched the idea and then went about developing the project. The project included musicians Tony Thompson (Chic, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Madonna), Michael Paige (Top Session Bassist), Micki Free (Shalamar), Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley (KISS). The album became involved in a well-known bidding war within the industry. Prince, a longtime fan of the Plasmatics who tried to hire Beauvoir on several occasions for his own projects placed a $1-million bid against Iovine and other major labels for rights to the album. Due to a stipulation Prince placed on the offer Interscope Records emerged the victor.

 

Due to delays in getting the album out to the public, climate changes within the industry and the arrival of Grunge, the debut Crown Of Thorns album was not released by Interscope however, other major labels who had received advanced copies stepped in offering deals. When the highly anticipated album finally hit shops in 1994 it was to critical acclaim. The album hit Metal Charts one week after release where it stayed for a record six months. Kerrang! dubbed it “One of the Finest American Hard Rock" albums in recent years.

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"Hike It Up" (Live from the debut launch for the tour at the Marquis Club, London. England), and "Dying for Love" (Live at the Graspop Festival 2016) off the album remain fan favorites. 

 

1994 - The Touring

Jean Beauvoir formed his band Crown Of Thorns with Tony Thompson (drums), Michael Paige (bass), Micki Free (lead guitar) to begin touring and launches the band with a showcase at the famous Marquis Club (London) to a sold out crowd. While preparing to tour he replaces Micki Free and with Tony Thompson having other obligations brings in Hawk Lopez before extensive touring begins. The tour results in Jon Bon Jovi, a fan of the album 'Drums Along the Mohawk' inviting Beauvoir to join him for the  European leg of the Bon Jovi Tour (1995). 

 

Touring with Bon Jovi gave Beauvoir the opportunity to showcase his stadium potential playing to millions of Rock fans throughout Europe to rave reviews with Van Halen, Slash and others. 

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1996 - Breakthrough

The new Crown Of Thorns album “Breakthrough” is released followed by more extensive touring, mostly in Germany to sold out audiences.

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1996 - Lost Cathedral

A follow up to Breakthrough, the “Lost Cathedral” album features Steven Van Zandt as co-writer on three songs with Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth) mixing the album. The press dubs the "Lost Cathedral" album “One of the Best Hard Rock Albums of the Decade”.  "Motorcycle Loretta" (Live - New York Performance), one of the featured songs on the album takes on a life of its own. 

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2000 - Destiny Unknown

The Jean Beauvoir Crown Of Thorns album "Destiny Unknown" is released.

Classic Rock Review

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2001 – Bare to the Bones

Jean Beauvoir releases for the first time in his career an acoustic album"Bare to the Bones” with the single "Here She Comes" selected as the title track for the movie "The Guilty" starring Bill Pullman. 

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"Wow, what a talent. If you're tired of the same music, then put this acoustic disc in your CD player. The unique voice and musical talents of Jean Beauvoir are in full display on this album. For old fans, there are "new" versions of "Feel The Heat" and "Same Song Plays On And On". There are also great new tunes with lyrics and sounds so catchy you can't get them out of your head. Plus there is a stunning re-make of the classic " California Dreaming". It's a mystery why Jean Beauvoir isn't more well known in the mainstream, but this disc is well worth a leap of faith. In "Anything At All", Jean sings that his "spirit could soar through the sky", well that's just what the music on this disc manages to accomplish.

Fan Review Amazon.com 2014

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2002 –  Karma

The album Karma is released followed by more writing, recording and touring.  "Keep On Surviving" by Jean Beauvoir 

 

2006 - Renegade Nation:

Beauvoir is recruited by Steven Van Zandt as CEO/Managing Director of Renegade Nation, Van Zandt's multimedia and entertainment company. Renegade Nation's operation consists of terrestrial and Sirius XM Satellite radio programming, live events, television production, record label operations, music licensing, merchandising and online ventures. 

 

During his tenure as CEO/Managing Director for Renegade Nation, Beauvoir and Van Zandt work together to lending their talents and experience to assist up and coming artists get exposure through various channels. Missing the creative aspect of music, Beauvoir leaves Renegade Nation in 2011 to begin working on his solo projects and negotiates a new publishing deal with Universal Music who acquires his music catalog from BMG.

 

2008: 'Faith'

Jean Beauvoir connects with Frontiers Records (Journey, Toto, Survivor, Styx) and begins his new album 'Faith'. During the recording Beauvoir collaborates with Bob Clearmountain (Bryan Adams, Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band) and enlists Mark Plati (David Bowie) for the mix.

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'Faith' is hailed as "probably the best sounding Crown Of Thorns album ever" upon release through Sony Red. Many believe the album brings back the trademark Crown Of Thorns sound as defined in the self titled "Crown Of Thorns" debut album; as well as in their "Lost Cathedral" album, keeping in tact all the elements of infectious guitar riffs, soaring hook lines and great melodies.

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Released in the U.S. during the summer of 2009, the album received heavy airplay on Rock radio stations and Sirius XM. The single “Rock Ready” from the album is featured in MTV’s Rock Band Game and available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Wii. 

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2012: "Ya Know" 

The Joey Ramone posthumous album “Ya Know” is released by BMG with tracks produced by Jean Beauvoir.  Rolling Stone: Joey Ramone Rocks Again

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2013: Vivi Jiang's 'Fashion Show' Released

Beauvoir finds success when artist Vivi Jiang's Fashion Show is released. The album hits #15-Global Pop Charts (China April, 2013)

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2013: "Everybody" by K-pop Super Group Shinee Released

The mini album 'Everybody' by K-pop Super Group SHINEE featuring music by Jean Beauvoir hit #1 on multiple Charts across ASIA (October 15, 2013), hit #5 on iTunes U.S. and #2 - Billboard World Charts 

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2014: TV Series Lilyhammer 

Jean Beauvoir is recruited as an Executive Producer for the hit television show Lilyhammer through SBS Discovery Television Scandinavia. The series features the award winning comedian Kristian Valen. Beauvoir adds an International flavor to the show bringing in guests appearances by Sharon Stone, William Shatner, Lita Ford, Steven Bauer (Scarface, Ray Donovan) and Esai Morales (La Bamba, NYPD Blue, Criminal Minds, Chicago Fire) with filming in Los Angeles and became the highest rated show in the country upon release.

2015: The Beauvoir/Free Project

Beauvoir collaborates again artist Micki Free (Shalamar, Original Crown Of Thorns) for the new project he titles Beauvour/Free and release the album 'American Trash' through Frontiers/Universal. Much like his 'Drums Along the Mohawk" solo debut album, Beauvoir produces, engineers and plays all instruments on the album sharing only guitar tasks.  "Morning After" - T4C

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Classic Rock Magazine "AOR" features the album includes a five page retrospective story on Beauvoir's career. The album receives 9 out 10 reviews from all major rock magazines including Classic Rock UK.

 

2015: "Crazy, Guilty Pleasure" by K-pop Superstar Jonghyun  

Korean Superstar Jonghyun of the K-pop Super group Shinee releases his first mini album 'Base'. The first single, "Crazy (Guilty Pleasure)" co-written by Beauvoir hits #1 on Billboard's World Album Charts (U.S.), #1 on iTunes (Worldwide) and tops music charts across Asia.

 

2015: Honored as Featured Lead Vocalist 

Jean Beauvoir is recognized as a legend in music as a vocalist, songwriter and producer. He receives a special invitation to appear as a featured lead vocalist and songwriter on the “Radioactive: Legends of Rock” album produced by renown guitarist Tommy Denander, (Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper), which includes Steve Walsh, Fergie Fredrickson, Bobby Kimball, Dan Reed, Jimmi Jamison, Robin Beck and other music icons.

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2015: U.S. CEO of City of Friends

May 2015, Beauvoir was recruited as U.S. CEO of the Norwegian children's animated property, City of Friends.

 

2016: Resumes Touring

Beauvoir begins touring with featured performances at Spain's AZKENA Rock Festival - Graspop Metal Festival (Belgium's Premiere Rock Festival) - Bang Your Head Festival (Germany's Premier Rock Music Festival) where he incorporates songs from various projects of his career.

 

2017: "Standing On the Corner for Ya"  

"Standing On the Corner for Ya" is updated and remastered incorporating beautiful piano elements. Jean Beauvoir chose The Wendy Williams Show to debut the single December 29, 2017. The single was previously picked as 'the song' by Jimmy Iovine when originally recorded for the Crown Of Thorns debut album. 

 

2018: ​Releases Rock Masterpieces Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 ​

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2018: AFROPUNK Magazine

Jean Beauvoir Original Punk Rocker

Jean spent a lifetime ahead of the curve. Known almost as much for his iconic blond mohawk as for his music, Jean has helped define and redefine punk. We recently got a rare opportunity to talk with Jean about his long career, opening up for the first time about his time with The Ramones, as well as the past, present, and future of the movement he helped kick off. Nathan Leigh, AFROPUNK Magazine (September 7, 2018)

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2018: Debonair Music Hall (Teaneck, NJ) w/School of Rock

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2018: H.E.A. T. Festival (Germany)

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2018: New Jersey KISS Expo

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2019: Band vs Band Brand Debut 

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2019: Hall of Heavy Metal History

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2019: "The Killer's Requim" Release

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2019: KISS Expo - Finland & Songwriting with LORDI 

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2019: KISS Expo - Indianapolis Mother's Day