I cannot have any sense of credibility if I do not start this list with Aretha Frankin. One of the most powerful voices I have ever heard, Aretha really has no peer. Known the world over as The Queen of Soul, she started out as a kid singing gospel music in her father's church. In 1960, at the age of 18, Aretha started her solo career, but did not gain much notice until 1967 with "Respect." Additional hits "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "Think" helped her earn that much deserved title. She has built a long and amazing career, even performing at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009 at the young age of 67. I still love her in the movie "The Blues Brothers" and get a chuckle every time I hear Beyonce, Mariah Carey, or some other wanna be referred to as a "diva." No one--and I mean no one--holds a candle to Aretha.
Darlene Love made a very successful career singing back-up for some of the biggest names in rock after starting her career in the 1960's with the female singing group The Blossoms. She worked with Phil Spector on several hit singles, though song credits at the time were pretty obscure and she never received the recognition or financial compensation she deserved. Love also recorded songs with Sam Cooke, Johnny Rivers, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys,and Tom Jones. After taking a hiatus to raise a family she returned to the musical circus and worked with Bruce Springsteen and U2 among others.
Dusty Springfield was another pioneer in the female pop star arena, having been very successful in a very much "male dominated" world. Born in England, Dusty managed to record six top twenty singles and went on to become a successful producer as well before succumbing to cancer in 1999--just before her induction into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. Dusty sang background vocals on Elton John's Caribou album and also recorded with the Pet Shop Boys in the early 90's. In 1968 Dusty performed a duet of "Mockingbird" with Jimi Hendrix...wish I was in that audience...
Bonnie Raitt has had quite a career and is among the most respected musicians in the industry regardless of gender. Bonnie has played with icons such as John Lee Hooker, Roy Orbison, Keb Mo, Warren Zevon, and Norton Buffalo. She was also a founder of MUSE, an anti-nuke organization in the 1970's that spawned an incredible live album, "The Concert for No Nukes." Early in her career Bonnie was well received by critics and peers--but female guitar players were not the norm...thus, record sales of her early works were tepid. Her cover of Del Shannon's "Runaway" in 1977 brought her some commercial success but critical attack...I guess you can't have it both ways. Her career had a major resurgence starting in 1989 with the release of "Nick of Time," which led to much commercial and critical success...so maybe you can have it both ways--if you are willing to endure three decades on a tour bus. Bonnie has the distinction of being on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" at number 50, and the list of "100 Greatest Guitar Players" at number 89. Well played...
Bonnie Bramlett built a career similar to a wild roller coaster...lots of ups and downs. She and Delaney Bramlett led a great band; Delaney and Bonnie and Friends. Just that name oozes the feelings and attitude of the 1960's. Eric Clapton is an alum of the group and they put out some fantastic music--although somewhat under appreciated. Bonnie had one of those voices that was made for singing--not quite the Janis Joplin rasp but a sound that could cut through layers of stone and still melt like butter on an ear of corn...
No discussion of women in rock 'n' roll would be complete without mentioning Janis Joplin. Although her voice sounded like it came from a scotch soaked, cigarette scorched, life-long singer two weeks older than the planet, she was only 27 when she died. I still stop and what wonder "what if" every time I hear her belt out "Piece of My Heart." The song was not written for or by her--it was originally recorded in 1967 by Erma Franklin--but the cover by Joplin's band Big Brother and the Holding Company forever changed the music scene and made Janis a voice to be reckoned with.
Laurie Anderson is a singer who seems to defy definition and refuses to be categorized. Anderson is mainly recognized as an experimental performance artist...but that seems to me to just be a cop out on trying to pigeon hole someone who can do almost anything. From singles like, "O Superman," "Sharky's Day," and "Babydoll'" Laurie has recorded songs that could fit the experimental, progressive, pop, and electronic genres...and she didn't stop there. Laurie has collaborated with William S. Burroughs, Jean Michel Jarre, Philip Glass, Adrian Belew, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, and Lou Reed (whom she married in 2008) among others...the list of artists I am aware of--and I am sure I don't know them all--runs far too long to be included here.
Nona Hendryx is probably known to most as one third of LaBelle, the female singing group from the 60's and 70's. What is probably less known is LaBelle opened for The Who on tour in 1971 and The Rolling Stones in 1973. These ladies could definitely belt out a tune. Hendryx went on to a very successful solo career when LaBelle broke up in 1976. A few solo albums, leader of the "progressive art" group Zero Cool, collaboration with Talking Heads, and work on several soundtrack albums have enabled Nona to leave her mark in the music world.
Perhaps a lesser known artist I would like to mention here is Joanna Connor, an incredible guitar player and singer. I was fortunate enough to be starting my culinary career in Worcester MA. when Joanna was beginning to make her mark in the music world. I was not only able to see her perform live many times, but I also knew her personally as we worked together at a restaurant back in Wormtown. She is very well respected by those who know and her guitar playing is on a par with anyone regardless of gender.
I could go on seemingly forever with a grocery list of female artists...this list here consists mainly of women who made their most notable contribution in front of the mic...but many others have been just as successful playing in a group, writing, and/or producing. Carole King, Tina Turner, Ella Fitzgerald, Annie Lennox, Joni Mitchell, Tina Weymouth, Chrissie Hynde, Patti Smith, Rickie Lee Jones, Kate Bush, Mavis Staples...you get the point. Joan Jett formed The Runaways with the late Sandy West when she was 17 (Sandy was 15) and went on to later form Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Women have played a significant role in making rock 'n' roll the machine it is today. I salute and respect the women who blazed the early trail and enabled those who came later to be as successful as they are. I just hope that those coming up are exposed to and appreciate the work and efforts of their predecessors. Without the Aretha Franklins, Billie Holidays, Tina Turners, and Ella Fitzgeralds leading the way, the music world would never have known those who followed--and that would truly be a shame. As has been the case through history, the women have had to work twice as hard to gain half the respect.
I posted two videos here...mainly because I can. The first is Aretha Franklin...I was afraid the music gods would melt my vinyl if I did not include her. I also posted a clip of Joanna Connor for those who appreciate great musicians regardless of dressing room and may not have heard her play previously.
Dim the lights, close your eyes, and enjoy...
...and for the blues aficionados...
No comments:
Post a Comment