Amanda Blue Leigh
Amanda Blue Leigh also known as Amanda Blue is a South African-born American singer, songwriter, poet, and environmental activist. She is known for her musical career in the 1980s and her contributions to the music industry as an independent artist. Blue is also recognized for her involvement in environmental activism and her spiritual artistic expressions.
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Early life & Education
Amanda Blue Leigh was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Her parents are Ronald Cohen and Marlit Barnett. She later became an American citizen in the 1980s.
Career
Music Career
Blue began her music career in the early 70’s as a teenager in her hometown, Cape Town in a local band HAMMAK which included Anton Fig (from the Letterman show NYC). The core from that band, Anton Fig, Keith Lentin and Amanda went on to form the band Spider in New York City in 1979, signing recording contracts with Dreamland Records (Nikki Chinn/Michael Chapman) and Chrysalis Records (Terry Ellis). During this period, she released several albums and gained recognition for her unique vocal style. Notably, Blue sang the original version of "Better Be Good To Me," a song later covered by Tina Turner, who acknowledged Blue's original vocal style in the song. She worked with renowned producer Michael Chapman, and her talent attracted the attention of Gene Simmons from the band "Kiss," who managed her in the 1990s. Blue's versatile musical journey also included collaborations and live performances with artists such as Link Wray and Noel Redding (Jimi Hendrix).
Blue is currently part of the Amanda Blue Band, a vibrant musical group hailing from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2018, this band features a lineup of seasoned musicians and producers, including American drummer and percussionist Phil Jones, known for his work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Bob Dylan, as well as engineer and producer Steve Sykes, producer Fuzzbee Morse, and bassist Chad Watson.
Poetry and Artistic Expression
In addition to her musical pursuits, Amanda Blue Leigh is a poet. She studied poetry and Jungian healing work with Sir Laurens Van Der Post (a close family friend) in London, England and Helen Luke from Apple Farm, Michigan in the 90’s. She is currently writing a poetry book titled "Divine Fool - poems with a view," set to be published in a few years. Her poems have been published in the poetry magazine "Taj Mahal Review' from 2013-2017 out of India and they have requested the poetry book.
Blue's artistic expressions often intertwine with her healing activism, reflecting her deep connection to healing our personal emotional wounds, being in nature and the power of the spiritual realms to Love. She has garnered a significant following in India, Africa, and the Middle East through her Amanda Blue Band page on Facebook, where she shares her music, poetry, and photography.
Emotional/Trauma healing our bodies, healing our planet
Blue is actively involved in healing trauma, using her platform to raise awareness and advocate for the broken, depressed, lost and suffering among us who need an ear and a helping hand. She is also an activist for the preservation of the natural world. Her commitment to healing aligns with her spiritual beliefs, inspiring her to incorporate this awareness into her creative works.
Accolades
Amanda Blue Leigh's contributions to the music industry and her dedication to her healing work has brought her recognition and accolades among her peers. She was mentioned in an article in the New York Times 2020 and was voted the 21st best rock female singer of the 1980’s worldwide by AOR magazine in the UK.
