When you hear the term “rock star,” who comes to mind first? Elvis Presley maybe, or The Rolling Stones? When I was little, I was introduced to Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, and Led Zeppelin. All male-based rock bands. When I stepped out of my parent-influenced taste in music – all while still loving them – I found the ladies. Heart, Joan Jett and Blondie were some of the earlier treats that made me realize rock music is not a man’s world after all. Later on, I grew up with Alanis Morisette, Courtney Love, and Gwen Stefani. All of whom made me aware of my feminist side and my teenage angst to be treated just the same as the boys. They made me look up to each of them and want to take on the world as I stared at my magazine cut-outs of them on my bedroom wall.
There are way too many amazingly talented females in the music industry that don’t get enough credit. A good chunk of them are rock musicians. There aren’t enough pages in the Advocate to fill with the fun facts about all these women. Narrowing it down was quite difficult. In the next few pages you will see some familiar faces with some interesting facts you may not know. You will, I’m sure, also find some unfamiliar faces that will leave you intrigued to learn more. I guarantee, after reading this, you’ll be heading over to YouTube.
Goldie & the Gingerbreads were one of the first all-female rock band signed to a major record label. 1962-1967 The Liverbirds were also among the first all-female rock bands. Based in Liverpool. 1963-1968 The Pleasure Seekers were a ’60s-era garage rock band from Detroit, Michigan. The band later changed their name to Cradle, switching direction musically. 1964–1973 Fanny was another of one the first all-female rock bands to sign with a major label and the first to release an album on a major label. 1969–1975 The Runaways, a Los Angeles rock group, came along in the second half of the ’70s and were a major hit in Japan. 1975–1979
1963 – Anne “Honey” Lantree – Anne Lantree, better known as Honey Lantree, is noted as one of the first female drummers in a rock band and one of the few female musicians to come out of the British Invasion. Originally a hair salon employee, Lantree and her coworker switched directions and birthed the pop group The Honeycombs in 1963.
1975 – Patti Smith – Pegged as the original female punk rocker, Patti Smith took on a whole new force within the punk rock movement. She debuted her first album in 1975 as a “punk poet laureate” who fused poetry with rock music. She was not afraid to voice certain words that hadn’t been voiced by a female musician before.
1987 – Aretha Fanklin – The soulful Aretha Franklin has a musical resume longer than a book. She has won 18 Grammy awards throughout her career. She is also considered one of the best selling artists of all time, selling over 75 million records worldwide. To add to her long list of essentials, she was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 198
1990s – Ani DiFranco – Ani DiFranco is one powerful woman. Not only is she a hugely successful and talented multi-instrumentalist, poet, songwriter, and businesswoman — but she is the feminist icon of our generation. Even from the earliest days of her career, DiFranco has made her name known and voiced her opinions over a wide range of benefit concerts, albums and speaking at rallies. She has supported controversial causes ranging from abortion rights to gay visibility. DiFranco, now 45, has managed to release 20 albums throughout her career so far, as well as owning her own label, Righteous Babe Records. She may just be immortal.
Contact Jen Levesque at jlevesque@valleyadvocate.com
