Vixen (band)

Vixen
Vixen in 2023 (Julia Lage, Roxy Petrucci, Lorraine Lewis, Britt Lightning)
Vixen in 2023 (Julia Lage, Roxy Petrucci, Lorraine Lewis, Britt Lightning)
Background information
Also known asDiaper Rash (1984)
VXN (2012)
JSRG (2012–2013)
OriginSaint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1980–1992
  • 1997–1998
  • 2001–present
Labels
MembersRoxy Petrucci
Britt Lightning
Julia Lage
Rosa Laricchiuta
Past membersJan Kuehnemund
Janet Gardner
Share Ross
Gina Stile
Jenna Sanz-Agero
Lorraine Lewis
Websitevixenofficial.com
Vixen Band in 2024, (l-r) Rosa Laricchiuta, Julia Lage, Britt Lightning, Roxy Petrucci.

Vixen is an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1980. During its most commercially successful period from 1987 to 1992, the band consisted of Jan Kuehnemund (lead guitar), Janet Gardner (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Share Ross (bass guitar), and Roxy Petrucci (drums).[1]

The band's eponymous first album was released in 1988, and reached No. 41 on the Billboard 200. Their second studio album Rev It Up was released in 1990, and reached No. 52 on the Billboard 200. Their third studio album Tangerine was released in 1998. Their fourth studio album Live & Learn was released in 2006.

Part of the Los Angeles, California, glam metal scene, the band has been described as "the female Bon Jovi."[2] Several singles released by the band from 1988 to 1990 reached the Billboard Hot 100, including the Top 40 singles "Edge of a Broken Heart" at No. 26, and "Cryin'" at No. 22.

While the band originally disbanded in 1992, it reformed from 1997 to 1998 by Gardner and Petrucci but a lawsuit filed by Kuehnemund over ownership of the name ruled in her favor ending that version of the band.

Kuehnemund reunited the band with the classic lineup in 2001 but disagreements caused Kuehnemund to quickly recruit a new version of the band with three new members; this lineup lasted until 2011. Kuehnemund died in 2013. From then on Gardner, Ross, and Petrucci reformed the band with Gina Stile on guitar.

As of June 21, 2024, the band currently consists of Petrucci, Britt Lightning, Julia Lage, and newly announced lead singer Rosa Laricchiuta.

The band in 2014, (l-r) Sharon Ross, Janet Gardner, Roxy Petrucci, Gina Stile
  1. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 379. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
  2. ^ "Jan Kuehnemund, founder of pioneering all-female metal band Vixen, passes away". The Current. Minnesota Public Radio. October 11, 2013.