Janis Ian

At a time when her high school classmates were studying for exams or preparing book reports, Janis Ian was giving concerts, and appearing on television, and getting awards for her music.

From an early age, Janis Ian made a name for herself as a singer-songwriter. Among her biggest hits, Society’s Child, and At 17.

And in 1975 — 45 years ago this week, in fact, — Janis Ian was one of the two musical guests on the very first episode of Saturday Night Live.

I met her in 2008, when she wrote a memoir. So here now, from 2008, Janis Ian.

Janis Ian is 69 now. Her latest album was released in 2017.