The family, who also had an older daughter, Helena Elizabeth (born 1944), briefly moved to Italy, before relocating to London, Ontario, in 1948.
Disheartened by her mother's alcoholism and verbal abuse, Jones began "shoplifting, drinking and necking with guys that we just picked up.
As a teenager, Jones began to abuse alcohol, her school grades declined, and she ran away from home again.
In 1963, at 17 years old, Jones dropped out of high school and formed a band that toured mining towns in Ontario.
[3] She briefly worked as a strip-club hostess, before moving to Las Vegas to form the all-female rock band The Cover Girls.
The band toured throughout Nevada; impressed by Jones's performance, she was recruited by Wayne Newton as a background vocalist.
She experienced some success with comedy, winning the 1986 season of the TV talent show Star Search.
[5] This appearance boosted Jones's stand-up career, and she subsequently served as a supporting act for performers including Sammy Davis Jr., Engelbert Humperdinck, Kenny Loggins, Glen Campbell, Kool & the Gang, Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick, Gregory Hines, and Wayne Newton.
Billed as a "No Men Allowed" event, Jones sold out 10 consecutive shows and had her routine featured on 20/20.
[12] The jury initially found in favor of the victim's family; however, this judgment was reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Jones also donated a mobile mammography motor coach to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.
Jones later had her breast implants removed, and publicly spoke out against them in a cover story article in People.