Next up in my series of tunes that are not to be missed, I’d like to direct your attention to eight women who have broken through countless social barriers to bring women into a prominent place in rock and roll. A predominantly male scene, few women managed to break into the genre until the late 1970s and early 1980s. Today, the mainstream rock and alt scene features more women than ever before, thanks to those who spearheaded efforts to make women part of rock and those who continue to uphold that legacy.
1. Bad Reputation – Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
Recently inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recipient of the first Alternative Press Music Awards’ Icon Award, Joan Jett is a musical force to be reckoned with. Her initial success with The Runways followed by a stint with her own band, The Blackhearts, earned her three gold and platinum certified albums and a handful of hit singles.
2. Barracuda – Heart
Active since the early 1970s, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson have made Heart the iconic act that it is today. Heart also has a Canadian connection; the Seattle band was originally based out of Vancouver.
3. Love Bites (So Do I) – Halestorm
Halestorm first gained popular interest when Love Bites (So Do I) won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 2013. It was an especially significant win considering that Halestorm became the first female-fronted band to win in that category. Frontwoman Lzzy Hale has also performed with other artists like Lindsey Sterling and Eric Church and shows no sign of slowing down.
4. Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac
One of Rolling Stones’ 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and 1981 “Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll”, Stevie Nicks has enjoyed an illustrious career, from her time with Fleetwood Mac to a equally successful solo run.
5. Piece of My Heart – Janis Joplin (w/ Big Brother and The Holding Company)
One of rock’s most recognizable voices, Janis Joplin was one of the only female artists to perform at the legendary Woodstock Festival. She rose to fame with her time with psychedelic band Big Brother and The Holding Company in the mid-1960s. Unfortunately, she passed away in 1970 from a heroin overdose and is a member of the “27 Club” alongside other artists including Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse and Jim Morrison.
6. Proof – Paramore
One of today’s most prominent rock/pop-rock acts, Paramore has grown a lot since its inception in 2004. Hayley Williams is the only founding member to have remained with the band for its entire existence (bassist Jeremy Davis departed briefly in in 2005 but returned later). Williams’ vocals are without a doubt some of the best in the industry at present.
7. Heartbreaker – Pat Benatar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy-QmgdUVTI
Active since the late 1970s, Benatar has graced the ears of most modern music listeners of the past 30+ years. Seriously, if you’ve never heard Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Heartbreaker or Love is a Battlefield, you need to crawl out from the rock under which you have been living for your entire life.
8. Fire – PVRIS
PVRIS are a recent breakout band and yet have already found their place in music. Their debut album, White Noise, is very impressive to say the least. With Lynn Gunn’s incredible vocals at the helm, PVRIS is a band to watch moving into the next years of rock.
