Thanks Jan

"Vixen" album cover - via Wikipedia user Weatherman90 (here)

In 2012, the original members of Vixen, Jan Kuehnemund, Janet Gardner, Roxy Petrucci, and Share Pedersen (now Ross), were in the final stages of a planned band reunion. Then, in January 2013 just days before they were going to make an official announcement, Jan, the band's founder, was diagnosed with cancer. She fought the disease for nearly a year, but unfortunately passed away October 10, 2013, 4 years ago tomorrow, and the band's and its fans dreams of a complete reunion of it's original lineup never came to fruition.

Today's Music Monday is in memory of Jan and the great music she left us with. Told that an all-female heavy metal band would never make it, she and her bandmates were determined to prove the naysayers wrong, and man, did they ever.

Both of today's music videos are of songs from the bands debut self-titled album, Vixen, released in 1988. They both feature Jan's guitar playing and provide some great memories for her fans, including me, of her doing what she loved - playing her guitar. She was a talented guitarist.

Video #1 is of "Love Made Me" (embedded below or can be enjoyed here). Video #2 is of "Cryin' " which was filmed live at MTV's 1989 New Years Eve special (embedded below or enjoy it here).






In December 2013, Janet, Roxy, and Share decided to reunite the band, with a new guitarist, and carry on Jan's legacy. They're currently touring and keeping the music, and Jan's memory alive. Kudos to them for doing so.

As I wrote this post today, I found myself wondering if maybe there's a lesson here for all of us. We shouldn't put off doing this or that with family, friends, or others we care about, because if we do, it could be too late.

Thanks for the music, Jan.

Don't cry because it's over. 

Smile because it happened.

(from VixenOfficial.com - Jan K. memorial page)