Band de Soleil

Vocalist/guitarist Michelle Malone, inspired by her lounge-singer mother, released two albums in the mid-'80s as a solo act, For You Not Them and New Experience. She also fronted the band Drag the River, but later formed Band de Soleil with bassist Mike Snowden and drummer Danny Bigay. Malone, who has been compared to Janis Joplin for her soulful, bluesy vocals, serves as singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer of the band on their two albums, Redemption Dream and Bird on Fire. ~ John Bush