Joan Armatrading

Joan Armatrading (Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading, born 1950) is a British singer, songwriter and guitarist.

She was born in Basseterre on the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts, but has lived in the UK since the age of seven.

She was the first female UK artist to debut at number 1 in the Billboards Blues charts, and the first female UK artist to be nominated for a Grammy in the blues category. Her songs include Love And Affection, Willow, Drop The Pilot and Lovers Speak.

In April 2011, it was reported that Armatrading and her girlfriend Maggie Butler were to enter a civil partnership on 2 May 2011, in the Shetland Isles.