West Indies native Joan Armatrading settled in England with her family at the age of 7. After tickling the ivories, she switched to the guitar and, at the age of 14, started writing her own songs. After landing a small part in a touring production of Hair, she recorded her first solo album, Whatever's for Us (1972). The musician's 1976 eponymous album offered a fine mix of folk, jazz and rock, spawning a Top Ten single with Love and Affection and introducing her to a much larger audience. With Me Myself and I (1980), Armatrading took a commercial turn which some devoted fans didn't agree with - although her core following remained intact. The singer-songwriter carried on recording and touring regularly throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Into the Blues appeared in 2007, followed by This Charming Life in 2010.