Four Inane Questions with Planet Queen Records & Vintage’s Kimmie Queen

Courtesy of Kimmie Queen

In the immortal words of Madonna, music makes the people come together. And nobody knows that better than Kimmie Queen. Earlier this year, the Kansas City native opened up Planet Queen Records & Vintage with her life partner of 20 years, local musician Cody Wyoming. Their retro-tastic digs are located in Independence Square.

In addition to her on-stage theatrical performances, she’s also been instrumental in her six-piece rock ‘n’ roll band, The Philistines. (Pun intended.) “We’ve been playing for over 10 years now,” she says. 

If Queen looks familiar, it’s because she’s been a staple of retail record stores in the metro for years, including stints at Streetside Records, and Penny Lane in Westport. She’s also known for her DJ gigs, where she spins vinyl for the masses. You can catch her at Ragazza Food and Wine’s famed Sunday brunch on the second and fourth weekend of each month. 

We pinged the music aficionado with our jocose questionnaire as she headed out to catch another live band in town. She says live music is her jam. Bless. 

The Pitch: What supporting character would you play in a sitcom? 

Kimmie Queen: I would be Squiggy from Laverne & Shirley. That way I could be in the band Lenny and the Squigtones—and be a part of one of the all-time best scene-stealing, comedic duos. 

What—pray to tell—is the world’s most hideous album cover of all time? 

Courtesy of Kimmie Queen

Ugly album covers are pretty fun to me so this was kinda hard to answer. Gotta go with Ted Nugent’s Scream Dream. Sweaty Teddy in a loincloth is an image I can do without. 

If you could own it, what piece of music memorabilia would you covet the most?

I’ll just set musical instruments aside because that’s too difficult to narrow down. But, I’d really like to have Mike Nesmith of The Monkees‘ green wool hat. I wear a handmade, dead-ringer replica that was made for me by my boyfriend’s aunt. 

I’d also like the skirt Keith Haring designed for Madonna in the ’80s. Both pieces are timelessly cool. 

What plant (or flora) should be banished from the earth forever?  

Ragweed has been dragging me down my whole life. 

Bonus 5th Question: What Grammy category are you most likely to win?

Best New Old Artist!