Vanessa was born in Atlanta, GA, to a textile worker and a housewife. After completing her elementary and secondary education, she moved to Athens to attend the University of Georgia, graduating with a BFA in 1978. In 1979, fellow students Randy Bewley, Michael Lachowski, and Curtis Crowe asked her to audition for their band, Pylon. This performance art project, initiated by three art students who barely knew how to play their instruments, aimed only to perform in New York City, inspired by the chart-breaking B-52’s, and then disband. However, after their supposed one-off performance at the Art Rock Festival and a write-up in Interview Magazine, they decided to continue as long as it was enjoyable. They opened for Gang of Four after many Athens bands encouraged Harrah’s in NYC to book them. From there, they traveled widely, playing alongside band ...