Award-winning Canadian vocalist Lee Aaron has released a music video for her new song “Cmon”. The track is the first single taken from her forthcoming studio album “Radio On!”, which is now set for international release on July 23 via Metalville Records.
The video was authored and edited by the multi-talented Canadian engineer/producer/mixer and video genius Frank Gryner. Frank has recently done videos for ALICE COOPER and DEF LEPPARD and also was the video editor for Lee‘s “Power, Soul, Rock N’ Roll – Live In Germany” DVD, released in 2019 via Metalville. He has also done production and sound recordings for Rob Zombie, Trent Reznor and A PERFECT CIRCLE.
Like the FM stations that once ruled the airwaves, “Radio On!” is full of classic, melodic rock hooks, nasty guitar riffs, big harmonies, and inspired songwriting. Themes explored on the album include: mortality (“Radio On”, “Twenty One”), materialism (“Devil’s Gold”), empowerment (“Vampin'”), addiction (“Wasted”), love (“Cmon”, “Had Me At Hello”), and society (“Soul Breaker”, “Russian Doll”).
Aaron delivers these messages with memorable, soaring melodies and her extraordinary, versatile voice that has remained powerful and consistent throughout her career.
“Radio On!” track listing:
01. Vampin’
02. Soul Breaker
03. Cmon
04. Mama Don’t Remember
05. Radio On
06. Soho Crawl
07. Devil’s Gold
08. Russian Doll
09. Great Big Love
10. Wasted
11. Had Me at Hello
12. Twenty One
Recording lineup:
Lee Aaron – lead vocals
Sean Kelly – guitars
Dave Reimer – bass
John Cody – drums
She was one of the first women in Canada to navigate the male-dominated waters of rock ‘n’ roll, pioneering the way for a significant number of artists. Her 1989 album, “BodyRock”, was proclaimed by Chart magazine as “one of the 20 most influential Canadian albums of the ’80s, with artists like Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morissette and Shania Twain under Aaron‘s influence.”
Born in Belleville Ontario, Lee‘s family relocated to Winnipeg when she was two. Living two doors down from the MacLean family (MacLean & MacLean), Burton Cummings was a frequent visitor and Aaron‘s earliest musical memories were of the rehearsals and parties that occurred in that Dowling Avenue home throughout much of her early childhood.
Smitten by the music bug, after moving back to Ontario she studied voice and piano as a teenager as well as appearing in numerous musical theatre productions. At 15 she was invited to join a band in the Toronto suburbs. Initially playing saxophone and keys, by 17 she had evolved into the band’s lead singer and was discovered by local talent agent the summer she graduated school. Working with Canadian greats from MOXY, SANTERS and Rick Emmett, by 19 she had written and recorded her debut album, 1982’s “The Lee Aaron Project”.
Between 19 and 21, Aaron weathered a period that she today describes as “painful and embarrassing” in which she was subjected to overtly sexist marketing, exploitive photographs, emotionally uncomfortable stage wear and “being thrown into situations I had neither the self confidence, maturity or life experience to navigate.” As a result of this, the song “Metal Queen” was born. A response — not just to her own experience but the entire sexist culture of ’80s rock — the song was intended as a feminist statement of power and strength. Women were much more than the ornamental, eye candy depictions of the era, but strong and intelligent, in control and a force to be reckoned with. The song and subsequent video catapulted Aaron to iconic status with legions of fans around the globe and over the years has become an enduring anthem of empowerment for men and women alike.
The late ’80s and early ’90s brought radio hits, gold and multi-platinum sales with “BodyRock” and “Some Girls Do” (1991), multiple JUNO nominations and song writing awards. She appeared on the cover of dozens of magazines — even TV Guide! — and for several years seemed to be everywhere, her videos in near constant rotation on MuchMusic. Aaron turned the tables on the sexist status quo in her video for “Whatcha Do To My Body”, which featured a group of rugged, attractive men objectified in a tongue and cheek, yet respectful manner. This resonated deeply with the public and became a smash hit.
Recurrent themes in her writing — from teenager to maturity — have always been female empowerment and individualism, challenging the feminine stereotype and of course, love, in all its beauty and iniquity.
She re-emerged in 1998 performing blues and jazz in intimate venues around Vancouver, surprising fans and industry insiders alike with a musical left turn and released “Slick Chick” (2000) a spirited and soulful nod to her early influences. Despite initial skepticism, her authenticity and solid live performances from coast to coast led to credibility as one of the country’s most respected and versatile female vocalists and songwriters.
She followed up with the jazz-infused “Beautiful Things” (2004) but perhaps her most challenging career move to date was to become a wife and mother. Less than a month after completing the “Beautiful Things” tour, Lee and her husband welcomed a daughter in 2004 and a son in 2006. She took a recording hiatus to focus on her young family, but continued to perform selected live dates. She also released “Museum”, a collection of jazz performances on DVD in 2006; “Rarities, Studio & Live”, a 3-DVD career anthology in 2008; “Live In Sweden”, a DVD of her 2011 concert at Sweden Rock Festival; and a 30-year commemorative CD, “Radio Hitz And More”, in 2012.
During this time, Aaron returned college to expand on her post secondary education, acquiring a certification in specialized education. Working with exceptional youth in her community, she soon found herself helping design and implement programs for gifted children. “I’ve worked with differently-abled thinkers all my life… they’re called musicians!” she says. “Working with kids who learn in unconventional ways is intuitive work; just like music. When you find a teaching strategy that works — just like a song idea — the light bulb goes on and it’s magical.”
In 2016, Aaron catapulted back onto the scene with “Fire And Gasoline”, a stellar collection of rock originals. Canadian and European dates followed and video singles “Tom Boy”, “Fire And Gasoline” and “Bad Boyfriend” continue to grow in popularity.
Lee‘s last studio album, “Diamond Baby Blues”, arrived in April 2018. Her first official live LP, Power, “Soul, And Rock N’ Roll – Live in Germany”, followed in September 2019.
