Jo Armstead

Soul Singer-Songwriter and Producer

Soul singer, label owner, composer, producer, and actress, who often went by the nickname Joshie Armstead. Born October 8, 1944 in Yazoo City, Mississippi. In the early 1960's she was a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue as one of the original Ikettes. From 1964-1967 she was part of a songwriting team with Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, co-writing songs such as 'Let's Go Get Stoned' and 'I Don't Need No Doctor' by Ray Charles. Founded Giant Enterprises Inc. (also known as Giant Productions) with her husband Mel Collins (2) in 1967. The production team both leased records to larger firms and put out records on their own labels Giant Records (3), Gamma (11), and Globe Records (8). Their best successes were productions leased to other labels, most notably with Ruby Andrews, Shirley Wahls, and Garland Green. Mother of Chandra Armstead.