European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 11, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Hard Rock s foxy foursome by Wendy Bourland staff writer t was t hard to Tell when the Rock stars arrived. Are the ladies Here asked disc jockey sgt. Tom Skinner on the phone to the front desk of the american forces network Headquarters in Frankfurt West Germany recently. Yes two ladies Are Here was the excited reply of the male switchboard operator. Are they in military uniform Skinner pressed. with that introduction Singer Janet Gardner and bassist share pronounced share Pedersen of the female hard Rock foursome Vixen slipped into the building All but hidden beneath masses of teased Platinum hair and knee length White fila ski jackets. The night before drummer Roxy Petrucci and guitarist Jan Kuehnemund were interviewed during a German radio program. Today it was Gardner and Pedersen s turn. The two were accompanied by their tour manager Bob Bock a Friendly Guy sporting a gut and a Diamond stud in his left ear and Andreas Herbst a German representative of Emi Vixen s Label. Though the California based band has performed for seven years it is now getting its big break. The Vixen band mates Are on a Roll their debut album Vixen is on the billboard top 100 album Chart they be opened for such acts As cheap trick night Ranger and Eddie Money they headlined some club gigs during a Short european tour and they la open for the heavy Metal band scorpions West Germany s Best known musical Export in late january and february. Gardner and Pedersen Are suffering from Jet lag but they manage to be affable even Friendly. There s no sign of the disdain Many rockers develop toward the Media once they re successful. Deejay Skinner re acquaints the women with spec. Darrin Green a towering Young Man with Black hair and a serious expression on his face. Green says he already interviewed All four members of Vixen several months ago. Today he s taping a Short interview with Gardner and Pedersen for his evening album oriented Rock show which is carried on All the an affiliates along with a couple spots in which the women will introduce current and forthcoming Vixen singles As Well As promote the network. Gardner and Pedersen Are led into a recording Booth. Each has a a Black leather purse hanging from her shoulder and they look like a Cross Between heavy medallists and Valley girls on their Way to the mall. They Settle in chairs on either Side of a Large swinging microphone while Green slides in behind the control Board Vixen s album and a notebook in his hand. Without the ski jackets the women Are Petite even Skinny and attractive in a Pale halloween ish Way. Pedersen is wearing a Black Paris to shirt. A Silver Cross hangs from her neck and a studded Belt hugs her Waist. Gardner s fingernails Cheeks and lips Are Bright Pink and snakeskin boots adorn her feet. On her left Arm Are 10 or 15 Bangle bracelets. Both women Wear Black stretch pants. Green asks the usual questions about the tour the band the fans the image. Gardner and Pedersen answer him politely but shortly. They re tired. Skinner also asks a few questions. Then come the promos. There s not much to it. Each woman says her name this is and then they say the rest together from Vixen. You re listening to " but each time Pedersen bursts into laughter. Gardner finally gives her band mate an exasperated smile and leans toward the microphone. I this is Janet and a few moments later Pedersen gets herself under control and they finish quickly. The group then moves to the studio where disc jockey spec. Susan Hansen is doing her live radio show. Gardner and Pedersen Are prepared to say a few words but for. Some reason that plan Falls through. Forty five minutes after their arrival at an the two members of Vixen have completed another publicity visit. Green in t concerned about Pedersen s earlier silliness. Share said she Only got three hours of sleep last band members from left to right Roxy Petrucci Janet Gardner share Pedersen and Jan Kuehnemund. Emi night says the disc jockey. I Call it the Doorknob stage when you laugh at tour manager Bock who hooked up with Vixen through his management company the same one that handles Richard mar confesses Vixen has had trouble gaining acceptance As a hard Rock band despite inroads made by such notable women As the pretenders Chrissie Hynde heart s Ann and Nancy Wilson Pat Benatar and Lita Ford. A lot of people did t believe they could play. But acceptance gets easier each time says Bock. Of come on. A band does t get to headline for the scorpions unless it can drag out the heavy artillery. Bock smiles. It helps their credibility he allows. Ask Gardner and Pedersen who they Admire in the world of women rockers and they name among others guitarists Ford she has a lot of integrity in her music says Pedersen and their own Jan Kuehnemund. But neither will pick a number one. So where Are Roxy and Jan today resting yes Bock says shortly As they prepare to leave. Then after a moment he says grudgingly the other two Are Vixen performs As opening act for the scorpions in the following locations. Germany Kassel Eisse Orthall Jan. 22 Offenburg Ortenau Nalle feb. 8 Augsburg Schwabe Halle feb. 9 Friedrichs Hafen mess Halle 9 feb. 11 in Halle Mii Sterland feb. 14.miinstert top of the charts top pop singles 1. My prerogative Bobby Brown 2. Two hearts Phil Collins 3. Every Rose has its Thorn Poison 4. Don t Rush me Taylor Dayne 5. Armageddon it def Reppard 6. In your room bangles 7. Smooth criminal Michael Jackson 8.1 remember holding you boys club 9. Put a Little love in your heart a. Lennox & a. Green 10. The Way you love me Karyn White top up s 1. Giving you the Best that i got Anita Baker 2. Rattle and hum u2 3. Cocktail soundtrack 4. New Jersey Bon jovi5. Appetite for destruction guns & roses 6. Don t be cruel Bobby Brown 7. Hysteria def Leppard 8. Travelling wilbury travelling wilbury 9. Open up and say Ash Poison 10. Silhouette Kenny g. Top country singles 1. Change of heart the judds 2. She s crazy for leaving Rodney Crowell 3. Deeper than the holler Randy Travis 4. Blue Side of town Patty Loveless 5. All the reasons Why Highway 101 6. Hold on a Little longer Steve Wariner 7. What i d say Earl Thomas Conley 8. Burnin a Hole in my heart skip Ewing 9. Song of the South Alabama 10. Hold me top Black singles 1. Superwoman Karyn White 2. Pull Over Levert 3. Roni Bobby Brown 4. Him or me today 5. The Lover in me Sheena Easton 6. Can you read my lips z looke 7. Oasis Roberta Flack 8. It s my party Chaka Khan 9. Dont Stop your love Keith sweat 10. Sweet Sweet love Vesta top pop cd s 1. Travelling wilbury travelling wilbury 2. Rattle and hum u2 3. Delicate sound of Thunder Pink Floyd 4. Giving you the Best that i got Anita Baker 5. Silhouette Kenny g. 6. Greatest hits Fleetwood Mac 7. American dream Crosby stills Nash & Young 8. Shooting rubber bands at the stars Edie Brickell & new bohemians 0. Green . 10. A fresh Aire Christmas Mannheim steamroller wednesday january 11, 1989 the stars and stripes Page 17
