Just a little tribute to the women in rock history. There are far too many important ones to limit to 25; expect a Part II at some point. There wasn't any real criteria beyond importance, talent, or influence, although I reserved the right to sneak a couple of favorites in. I decided to be fairly ruthless in defining "rock"; great women of soul, country, blues, jazz, pop, and non-English singers have been omitted. It's not a best-of, just an overview of sorts.
Some of the most important/influential women artists/songs include -in no particular order-:
1. Patti Smith: Gloria
In terms of rock history, few women performers achieved the mix of critical respect, influence, and adulation from her audience as Patti Smith. With her band, the Patti Smith Group, she was an intellectual punk, famous for her spoken poetry/psychobabble intros and tough, keening, expressive singing; the latter was undeniably borrowed by Deborah Harry of Blondie. Her peak was short; 1975-1979, a stage accident slowed her down in 1978. However, she continues to release good, interesting albums well into her autumn years on an irregular basis. "Gloria" readapts the Van Morrison original into an epic garage rocker of lesbian seduction. An audacious conceit that she gets away with completely; the G-L-O-R-I-A part still raises the hairs on the back of my neck for their intensity and subversive new context.
2. Big Brother & The Holding Co.: Ball and Chain
Speaking of history, Janis Joplin's showstopping performance of "Ball and Chain" at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 was a true milestone for women as well; Cheap Thrills (1968) was the first rock album with a female lead singer (mostly; the men in the band sang, too) to reach #1. Joplin abandoned the group upon her success and embarked on an erratic solo career that ended with her death in 1970. "Me and Bobbie McGee", written by Kris Kristofferson became her only #1 single, posthumously. "Ball and Chain" is from Cheap Thrills, which also includes her incredible versions of "Summertime", "Combination of The Two", "Piece of My Heart", "I Need A Man To Love", all pieces of some of the rawest, most original rock singing ever. Billie Holiday is probably her strongest influence, but she had plenty of Texas hillbilly in her voice as well. Big Brother was a great acid rock combo, a perfect compliment to her voice.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Tan The Man
Where's Cat Power? I would think that Joni's "Blue" album would be on here.
2 - wavesofeuphoria
Where is Stevie Nicks? k.d. lang?
3 - TerriOC
What, no Melissa Etheridge??!! That voice, those lyrics - a true inspiration.
4 - Mark Saleski
the funny thing about this is that i remember reading an article about Chrissie Hynde where she said something to the effect of "what is 'alternative', an alternative to music?"
not a fan, apparently.
p.s. i do love Maria McKee. i'm a little surprised you didn't pick "Ways To Be Wicked".
5 - Rob
- Ani Defranco should be on this list. She created her own underground movement and is still going strong and independant to this day.
-I have to agree, K.D. Lang should be on the list or get an honourable mention.
-Edie Brickell, mainly because I had such a big crush on her. She does have a great voice though.
-Alanis, for the same reason as Edie, and for Jagged Little Pill. That album feels so real and honest to me. Just great.
- Rickie Lee Jones, maybe?
6 - uao
Some names mentioned above almost made this list, among them Ethridge, Morissette, Rickie Lee Jones, Stevie Nicks, KD Lang.
I didn't think of Cat Power, but that's a good pick.
This was actually going to be a top-20, but I felt bad about leaving so many off, so I extended it to 25.
At some point soon, I'll compile 26-50. Still taking names.
7 - steve
where in the flying hell is Heart?!?!? C'ommon...Barracuda??!?!!?
8 - jones
Since my favorite is right at the top I can't complain. :)
9 - Guppusmaximus
That's an interesting list... There aren't too many female artists that I like but I think this woman should've made it:
Karen Carpenter (<-Not rock,you say?? She played drums and sang on all of The Carpenter's music)
10 - Guppusmaximus
Ohh..How could I forget??
Patsy Cline...Pure Brilliance
11 - LegendaryMonkey
I am just SO happy to see Neko Case here. She was the first person I thought of after I read the first few picks... her name just drifted into my head... and there she was! And PJ Harvey as well! Oh, this whole piece just makes me happy down to my toes.
12 - Zach
Nice to see Yoko on the list without the usual snarky bullshit...actually one of the better "top whatever" lists I've read in quite a while. Nice work. Good choice for Tina Turner, too!
13 - EZ
I agree twenty times over on Bjork's presence, Let's add Garbage (the first two albums) and Edie Brickell for sure. Heart ruined their Barracuda days with wussy What About Love? 80s songs...
14 - LegendaryMonkey
Oooh, seconded on Edie Brickell. I loved her, once upon a time, and when I catch a song here or there, I still have to stop and listen.
15 - EZ
Monkey, go buy Volcano, Edie Brickell. Ten years between this and the Picture Perfect Morning and she's still got her groove with smart lyrics to boot. I saw her live last year and she didn't let me down.
16 - Michael J. West
Well, I got no complaints about who is and isn't on this list, uao. I thought it was a GREAT list. (And the better for not having Melissa Etheridge on it.)
17 - Rob
Glad to see I'm not the only Edie Brickell fan out there. How about adding Sarah McLaughlin to the list? Great voice, musician, songwriter and created the Lilith Fair, which was no small feat.
18 - LegendaryMonkey
I shall tack it onto my list, EZ... I didn't even know there was something new!
19 - Vern Halen
Some other considerations:
Angela Bowie
Bianca Jagger
Myra Lewis
Priscilla Presley
Peggy Sue (Buddy Holly's lost love)
Patti Harrison
Linda McCartney
Sharon Osbourne (current queen of rock 'n'roll)
Elyssa (sp?) Perry
Maggie May
20 - godoggo
Exene.
I think that, on a good day, her lyrics (and I think I've got her contributions pretty well sorted out from Johns, which aren't quite as good) are as good as any in rock'n'roll, certainly better than anybody's on your list. And her, ahem, vocals, can be very powerful, again on a good day.
Fave 3 lyrics, in order, from best to least best.
1) The Once Over Twice
2) Because I Do
3) We're Desperate
Odd how many women I admire achieved fame in part because they were somebody's girlfriend, though.
21 - uao
Vern Halen: That's a really interesting take on the premise; it'd be interesting to try something like that.
Exene is another who came thisclose to being included.
22 - Sean
My nominees are:
1. Wanda Jackson - described by Nick Tosches as the greatest mensturating rock and roll singer ever.
2. The Slits - both Joe Strummer and Chrissie Hynde said they were the best punk band they'd ever heard.
3. X - for the reasons others have set forth.
4. Lydia Lunch - the queen of the NY underground until
5. Kim Gordon - came along and took the crown.
6. Esther Phillips - bad ass southern soul singer. Would have, and probably did, kick otis' ass.
7. Dusty Springfield - my loins still stir when I hear Son of a Preacher Man
23 - godoggo
Sandy Denny, just 'cause I like her voice.
24 - Baronius
Tina Weymouth
both Mamas (of The Mamas and The Papas)
25 - godoggo
Also just 'cause I like her voice, Marianne Faithful; even though I like her best singing something like Surabaya Johnny, she certainly qualifies as a rocker.
And also I read on SWINGINCHICKS.COM that some folks apparently blame/credit Pamela Morrison for the Lizard King's ultimate career move, which I should think would qualify her as influential.