Joan Armatrading

Joan Armatrading: ‘Nelson Mandela gave great hugs’

The singer on arriving in the UK alone aged 7, her first £3 guitar, and meeting the anti-apartheid activist

James McMahon

26, Nov, 2022 @2:00 PM

‘I popped the question. Of course she said yes – she was as wasted as I was’: the Glastonbury festival I’ll never forget

Billy Bragg, Joan Armatrading, Tim Jonze and Leonie Cooper reflect on their most magical days at Worthy Farm

Billy Bragg, Tim Jonze, Joan Armatrading interviewed by Leah Harper and Leonie Cooper

22, Jun, 2022 @2:53 PM

Tony Armatrading obituary

Stage and screen actor who enjoyed success with the RSC and in many TV and film roles, including Empire Road and Notting Hill

Michael Coveney

16, May, 2021 @3:10 PM

Joan Armatrading: 'I want to make a heavy metal album – with lots of guitar shredding'

At the age of seven, she flew to Birmingham from Antigua on her own – and became the first globally successful British female singer-songwriter. As she wins the award she once gave to Margaret Thatcher, Joan Armatrading looks back

Dave Simpson

11, Nov, 2020 @6:00 AM

Marcus Rashford given MBE in birthday honours for school meals campaign

Footballer urges PM to extend voucher scheme after being named on list delayed by Covid

Caroline Davies

09, Oct, 2020 @9:30 PM

Dave, Little Simz and Jamie Cullum win at 2020 Ivor Novello awards

Songwriting and composition awards herald politically conscious work including Dave’s Black, described as ‘important and eloquent’

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

02, Sep, 2020 @12:00 PM

On my radar: Phyllida Lloyd’s cultural highlights

The British director on the genius of Joan Armatrading, the best organic pub in London, and the film she turns to for inspiration

Kathryn Bromwich

17, Jun, 2018 @9:00 AM

'I was born to write'… Joan Armatrading on Dylan, songwriting and stage fright

The songwriter, whose new album is Not Too Far Away, weighs in on Post Malone, recording with Queen and learning to play on a £3 guitar in a webchat

15, May, 2018 @4:07 PM

JD Samson’s playlist: Joan Armatrading, Tracey Chapman, Chemise and more

The Le Tigre founder, DJ and producer picks a selection of mix staples, a compelling activist chant and an ever-evolving easy listening track

JD Samson

04, Apr, 2016 @12:31 PM

Readers recommend: songs about overturning the odds – and a new theme

RR regular sonofwebcore has come up with this week’s playlist – listen to it and nominate on next week’s theme ‘songs about knives’ here

George Boyland

18, Feb, 2016 @12:00 PM

Joan Armatrading review – her voice is ageless, her powers are undiminished

Armatrading jokes she is too old and tired to play more than three songs after a 100-date tour – then raises the roof for 90 minutes, writes Dave Simpson

Dave Simpson

13, Mar, 2015 @12:48 PM