“From Randy Rhoads to Precious Metal, Lindsey Buckingham to John Carter Cash and all points in between – like a stint working with Meredith Brooks, Midge Ure or appearing with Monte Montgomery – the ongoing tale of guitarist/songwriter Janet Robin is a fascinating journey.”
– Pollstar
Janet Robin-Biography
A Southern California native, Robin’s musical path began at an early age and was profoundly shaped by her mentorship with legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads. Under his guidance, she developed a formidable command of the instrument along with a disciplined and deeply musical approach that would inform her work for decades to come. While still in high school, Robin translated that foundation into a professional career when she became the lead guitarist for the all-female rock band Precious Metal.
Discovered by Rodney Bingenheimer of KROQ, Precious Metal was signed to Polygram Records and later Chameleon/Capitol Records, releasing several albums and touring extensively. The band collaborated with prominent songwriters associated with Heart, Poison, and Cheap Trick, and earned both critical praise and a loyal fan base during the height of the Los Angeles rock scene. The experience established Robin as a commanding guitarist and seasoned performer early in her career.
Following the band’s dissolution, Robin was personally selected by Lindsey Buckingham to join his touring band in support of his solo album Out of the Cradle. Working closely with Buckingham proved to be a defining chapter, influencing her guitar style, songwriting sensibility, vocal approach, and overall artistic direction. Robin has often cited this period as pivotal in shaping her desire to pursue a solo career and refine her own musical voice.
That next chapter began with her debut solo album Open the Door, released on her independent label Little Sister Records. The record was met with critical acclaim and led to numerous song placements in film and television, including the popular series Felicity. Robin followed with multiple additional releases that continued to evolve her sound, blending acoustic intimacy with rock-driven energy. Ever a dedicated live performer, she toured relentlessly in support of her solo work, opening for artists such as Heart, Colin Hay, Loudon Wainwright III, and The Smithereens, while steadily building an international audience.
Robin’s career has been notably global in scope. She has toured extensively throughout Europe, headlining hundreds of solo acoustic shows as well as full-band performances at clubs and major festivals in countries including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Her European presence led to licensing and distribution deals abroad and ongoing collaborations with international artists and producers. She has also released albums recorded at historic studios, including Cash Cabin Studios in Tennessee, working closely with John Carter Cash, whose influence helped shape some of her most personal and powerful recordings.
Beyond her solo work, Robin has been sought after for collaborations across genres and formats. She has toured, recorded, written, or performed with an eclectic range of artists including Tommy Emmanuel, Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart), Steve Stevens, Meredith Brooks, Michelle Shocked, Maia Sharp, Colin Hay, and many others. Her adaptability and musicianship have also led to work in theater and film, including serving as the touring guitarist for Air Supply, performing in acclaimed musical theater productions, and coaching actors for major motion pictures. Notably, she worked closely with Jennifer Jason Leigh to prepare the actress for a guitar performance in Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight.
Robin’s creative output extends into composition and scoring as well. Her original songs and instrumental works have been featured in numerous television shows and films, and she has composed original scores for award-winning short films that have screened at major festivals. These projects reflect her broader artistic range and her ability to support narrative and emotion through music.
In recent years, Robin has gained renewed international recognition as a founding member of the acoustic guitar trio The String Revolution. The group brings together three distinct guitar voices to create a dynamic, orchestral approach to instrumental music. Their recordings have garnered millions of streams, consistent airplay on SiriusXM’s Instrumental Channel, and performances at venues such as the Grammy Museum and major festivals across the United States. Their EP Red Drops reached the Top 10 on Spotify’s Instrumental Charts.
In 2024, The String Revolution earned their first Grammy Award®, winning Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for their collaboration featuring Tommy Emmanuel, marking a major milestone in Robin’s career.
Across decades of recording, touring, collaboration, and composition, Janet Robin has remained steadfast in her commitment to music as a living, evolving practice. Whether performing solo, collaborating with iconic artists, composing for film, or exploring new instrumental forms, she continues to approach her work with curiosity, discipline, and heart-embodying the enduring definition at the center of her career: musician.
Grammy Award® Winning Guitarist, 2024
"Top Acoustic Guitarist" - Guitar Player Magazine, 2017
"Top 10 Female Guitarist" - Guitar World Magazine, 2012
“Working with Janet was an unforgettable experience. She followed her spirit – no limits. Janet’s love for her art is evident in her impassioned musicianship and inspired songwriting. The music we created together, vibrant and full of energy, encapsulates all that she is.”
Janet Robin conducts guitar workshops, has hosted DVD recordings for Alfred Music Publishing, and is a respected clinician for Turner-Renaissance Guitars and Line 6. She currently endorses Taylor Guitars, Fender Guitars, Martin Guitars and strings, Turner-Renaissance Guitars, Cordial Cables, Goldtone Instruments, Radial, Seymour Duncan, Sennheiser, Warm Audio, DR Strings, Clayton Picks, Jodi Head Straps, Visenut Cases, Case Xtreme, and the Thimble Slide, amongst others.
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