Number 184

Estrogen Rock, Soul, & Pop

The other day at the gym I was listening to the Pretenders while I worked out. If you don't know, they are a band that has been around for over 40 years. Their lead singer and songwriter and de facto leader of the band for their entire existence is a woman by the name of Chrissie Hynde, ...

[Popular music, like society in general, has had a problem with institutionally ingrained sexism (racism, too, for that matter, but that's an issue for another day), that can best be summed up thusly: "Only men know how to rock." As a result of this marginalization, the vast majority of rock and pop music has been created and performed by (white) men. Sure, there have always been female performers, but for the most part they were denied the autonomy to control their own musical careers. Like I said, kinda like society in general. Slowly, it's getting better, but who knows how many brilliant musicians we missed out on just because they had a vagina.]

... a total badass who created great rock n' roll. Just like that, a blog entry devoted to women who thrived in a musical environment that was skewed against them popped into my head. And so, in no particular order, join me in praising:

Aretha Franklin: Just an absolutely thrilling vocalist. Listening to her will send shivers down your spine. She is the undisputed Queen of Soul.

Ann & Nancy Wilson: The heart of Heart. Despite playing with many different male musicians over the decades, Heart has always been their band.

The Go-Gos: They were the first group comprised solely of women who wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to have a number #1 album (The Beauty and the Beat).

Madonna: She brilliantly subverted society's expectations of what a female pop singer should be, became a cultural icon, and, in the process, paved the way for a lot of women behind her.

Chrissie Hynde: (see above)

Stevie Nicks: This sorceress has proven herself to be a peerless songwriter and performer.

Joan Jett: Don't fuck around with Joanie - she will leave you cut up and bleeding on the floor. She has rock and rolled on her own terms for decades. She is a total badass.

Janis Joplin: In the 60's, it was unheard of for a woman to be the leader of her own band, and yet, she (and her spellbinding vocals), did just that.

P!nk: I just love her. My daughters introduced me to her, and thank Goddess they did. A wonderful performer and songwriter who does things her way with zero fucks given.

Karen Carpenter: Don't dwell on the anorexia. Just listen to her sing. She had a stunningly beautiful voice.

Dolly Parton: For many, many years, she appeared to be the punchline to a joke. Weren't we all surprised when we learned she was the one telling it. She's a national treasure.

Lady GaGa: Madonna's most obvious heir apparent (and much better actress).

Ella Fitzgerald: She's not really a rock or pop singer, but she's a spiritual mentor to many of the women listed here. Just a fantastically, brilliant singer.

Carol Kaye: One of, if not the greatest, rock n' roll bassists ever. She mostly worked as a session musician, so you're excused if you've never heard of her. Her influence was massive.

Bonnie Raitt: One of the best slide guitarists anywhere.

Joni Mitchell: A one-of-a-kind singer songwriter who's had a massive influence on many performers - of all genders.

There are others, of course. There always are when it comes to lists like this. If I didn't mention your own personal favorite, my apologies - my intent was not to slight anyone. Instead I wanted to raise up the powerful, but relatively small (sigh), contribution that female musicians have played over the years.