Biography
Who is Kim Carnes?
Early life and real name
Kim Carnes was born on July 20, 1945, in Los Angeles, United States. Her full name is Kim Carnes Ellingson. Her father, James Raymond Carnes, worked as an attorney, and her mother served as a hospital administrator. Growing up, she attended San Marino High School and Pasadena City College.
From the age of three, Kim knew she wanted to pursue a career as a singer and songwriter. Despite not coming from a musical household, she persisted in her passion. Her father initially doubted whether singing and writing could be considered a real job.
Career beginnings
Kim Carnes signed her initial publishing contract with producer Jimmy Bowen. During this early period, she recorded demos alongside fellow writers like Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and JD Souther. She also sang the track Nobody Knows for the 1971 film Vanishing Point and contributed her first songwriter cut to the project.
After signing with Amos Records, Kim released her debut studio album, Rest on Me, in 1971. Throughout the early 1970s, she also worked extensively as a session background singer with the Waters Sisters. She toured internationally as an opening act with David Cassidy, co-writing and providing backing vocals for several of his albums.
Breakthrough and Bette Davis Eyes
In 1980, Kim co-wrote songs for Kenny Rogers's concept album Gideon with her husband, David Ellingson. Their duet Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer reached high positions on the Billboard charts and earned a Grammy Award nomination. She also achieved a top-ten hit with her cover of Smokey Robinson's More Love.
Kim released her album Mistaken Identity in 1981, featuring the smash hit Bette Davis Eyes. The track spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, became the best-selling single of the year in the United States, and won Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The album itself reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Later musical projects
Following her big worldwide success, Kim Carnes continued releasing music and collaborating with well-known artists. She recorded songs such as Crazy in the Night, Voyeur, and Make No Mistake, He's Mine, which she sang as a duet with Barbra Streisand. She also co-wrote the number one duet The Heart Won't Lie, which was recorded by Vince Gill and Reba McEntire.
Her later work included contributions to film soundtracks and television projects. Her most recent studio album, Chasin' Wild Trains, was released in 2004. Throughout her decades-long career, she has explored genres including pop rock, soft rock, country music, and folk music.
Birthday and age
Kim Carnes was born on July 20, 1945, which makes Kim 81 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Kim shares the date with 31 other famous people.
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