Tonetta

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This article is about the Canadian entertainer. For other uses, see Tonetta (name).
Tonetta
Birth nameAnthony Jeffrey
Born (1949-02-17) February 17, 1949 (age 72)
Cabbagetown, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • visual artist
  • upholsterer
InstrumentsGuitar, bass, keyboards, vocals
Years active1983–present
Websitetonetta777.bandcamp.com

Anthony Jeffrey (born February 17, 1949), also known as Tonetta, is a Canadian singer-songwriter and visual artist[3] who, in the early 1980s, began living as a recluse and recording original music on cassettes after separating from his wife.[4] In 2008, he started his first YouTube channel, which led to his record label debut.[4] His YouTube account, as well as many subsequent accounts established under other usernames, have been banned repeatedly for violating the site's content rules.[2]

Life and career[]

Anthony Jeffrey was born on February 17, 1949 in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[5]

Style and recognition[]

According to Jeffrey, "Tonetta" refers more specifically to his female alter ego.[6] He said that many of his songs are inspired by real life people or incidents[4] and cited John Lennon as his primary influence.[7] Of his music tastes, he said: "I like the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson. I followed soul artists. ... After [Lennon] died, I didn't know who to follow anymore. It was around then I started writing anyway so it kinda worked out."[4]

Critics have variously described Tonetta as "the savior of lo-fi music", "a pure artist", and a combination of "repulsion and intrigue".[8] In the description of music writer Johnny Dee, "For every YouTube comment that finds Tonetta hilarious or repellent there are dozens from people who have discovered that, beyond the shock value, is a genuine outsider pop artist."[1] Tonetta is best known for his song "Pressure Zone". As of 2017, the music video was viewed over 2 million times on YouTube.[9]

Personal life[]

As of 2011, Jeffrey lived in Toronto, Ontario as a part-time upholsterer. He was previously married to a woman, until 1983, and has two sons.[4] He has not talked to his wife or seen his children since 1983, when his sons were eight and 10 years old respectively. One of his sons reconnected with him by email shortly after Jeffrey began posting music to YouTube in 2008, but stopped writing once Tonetta began "puttin’ on the dresses and stuff."[10] According to a witness at the 2009 Toronto Gay Pride Parade, Jeffrey stated that he is not gay.[11]

Discography[]

  • 777 Vol. 1 (2010)
    • My Bro
    • Still A Slave
    • A Really Big Cock
    • John and Yoko
    • Metal Man
    • God Treats You Right
    • I'm Gonna Marry a Prostitute
    • My $10 Axe
    • I'll Remain As I Am
    • Viral
    • Drugs Drugs Drugs
    • Peeping Tom
    • Crucify Me
    • Believe Me People
    • Red, White and Blue
    • You Got Too Much
    • Toronto Is Starting To Stink
    • Devil Devil
  • 777 Vol. 2 (2010)
    • The Charge
    • Hot Little Fuck
    • Big Rig
    • Just Like That
    • Kinja Kinja
    • Rape Victim
    • Death Sentence
    • G&B Showers
    • Dominate
    • Picking On Lennon
    • Ultimate Whore
    • Daddy's Little Boy
    • Doin' A Dyke Tonight
    • What Are Ya Worth?
    • Set A Flame
  • 777 Vol. 3 (2011)
    • Ride Me
    • Wild & Free
    • Obama's Prize
    • 3 In 1
    • Apache Woman
    • Maggots
    • Guitar Composition
    • Baby Face
    • Teach Me
    • Be My Concubine
    • On The Toilet
    • Two Annas & a Bri Bri
    • 81 Inch Prime Ass
    • Up Up
    • Skinheads vs. Me
    • Pressure Zone
    • Saddam
    • Yummy Yummy Pizza
    • No Lip
    • Glory Hole
    • Hell
    • Praise King
    • Sharmini
    • Flutter
    • Planet Lip Bush
    • This Old World
    • Knowing My Limits
    • Only Girl I Love
    • Hey, Does Anybody Know I'm Here?
  • Red Wine (2013)
    • Fathers
    • Big Cowboy
    • Is There Any Meaning to Love?
    • Hot Little Fuck
    • Pure Punk
    • A Beautiful Blonde
    • Royal Wedding
    • Little Girl
    • Drugs Drugs Drugs (v2)
    • Ruby Slipper
    • Sweet Dreams 777
    • Little Stars

South California rock band, The Growlers, has covered Jeffrey's song, "Drugs, Drugs, Drugs", during various live performances, notably their 2012 Coachella setlist.[12] Prior to reaching commercial success of their own, The Growlers had performed on stage with Jeffrey, on February 18, 2011, at the Show Cave in Los Angeles, California.[1][13] In 2014, Jeffrey featured on Hot Oinks, an album by Sacramento experimental lo-fi hip hop group, Period Tears.[14] Jeffrey now frequently puts out singles on his Bandcamp account.[15]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Dee, Johnny (July 16, 2010). "Taking over YouTube: the irresistible rise of Tonetta". The Guardian.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Weiss, Jeff (February 17, 2011). "Upcoming: The Growlers interpret the bizarre songs of Tonetta". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ^ Nickas, Bob (1 November 2010). "Tonetta".
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Traynor, Cian (December 6, 2011). "Hitler Would Have Loved You: Tonetta Interviewed". The Quietus.
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ Finn, Liam (March 9, 2014). "Tonetta". Magnet.
  7. ^ Frith, Anthony (December 7, 2011). "TONETTA-THE YOUTUBE SENSATION YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF". Infectious.
  8. ^ Martins, Chris (February 16, 2011). "NSFW YouTube Freak Phenom Tonetta Comes to L.A. ... Sorta". LA Weekly.
  9. ^ "tonetta_pressure_zone - YouTube". archive.is. 2017-07-11. Archived from the original on 2017-07-11. Retrieved 2017-07-11.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ^ "The Quietus | Features | A Quietus Interview | Hitler Would Have Loved You: Tonetta Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  11. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liDdir5FBr0&lc=UgyIXOEyxopDPRky4XZ4AaABAg
  12. ^ "Coachella 2012 - The Growlers - Weekend 1 - Day 3 - Outdoor Theatre "Drugs, Drugs, Drugs"". Youtube.
  13. ^ "The Growlers Archive". Tumblr. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  14. ^ "A Girl Named Beatrice, Period Tears Featuring Tonetta". Genius. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  15. ^ "TONETTA 777". TONETTA 777. Retrieved 2020-12-07.

External links[]

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