As rock music began to emerge in the late ’60s from its pop, folk, and blues roots to become a distinct genre, women played a key role in how it developed and who it influenced. Here are 10 of the most influential women from rock’s roots.
Pat Benatar
One of the first women associated with hard rock, Pat Benatar’s rise from bank teller to arena rock star was meteoric. Success began with her first album, “In the Heat of the Night” in 1979. Her second album, “Crimes of Passion” put her in an ideal position to become one of the first and most frequently played artists on MTV, which launched in 1981.
Watch a live performance of Benatar’s first Top 10 song, “Hit Me WIth Your Best Shot”
Debbie Harry
In 1974, Debbie Harry was singing in a little known folk rock group when she was recruited to join a band that would eventually become Blondie (thanks to Harry’s distinctive two-tone hair color.) It was their third album, “Parallel Lines” in 1978 that gave them worldwide recognition, and put them in the vanguard of the punk / new wave movement that flourished in the ’80s. After the bland split in 1982, Harry achieved success as a solo artist and actress, rejoining Blondie when they re-formed in 1997.
Watch a live performance of Blondie’s “One Way Or Another”
Chrissie Hynde
After spending much of the ’70s trying unsuccessfully to form or permanently join a band, Chrissie Hynde finally got her demo tape to a record label owner whose backing enabled her to put together the The Pretenders . On the strength their self-titled debut album in 1979, the band rode rock’s new wave movement through the ’80s, succeeding in spite of internal conflict and numerous personnel changes.
Watch a live performances of The Pretenders’ first hit, “Brass in Pocket”
Joan Jett
After success in the mid ’70s with one of the first all-female rock bands, The Runaways , Joan Jett went on to even greater success with her own band, The Blackhearts . Their first album, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” in 1981 became an immediate hit. In addition to her talent as a vocalist, Jett has distinguished herself as a guitarist, songwriter and producer.
Watch the original video for Joan Jett and The Blackhearts’ first hit, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”
Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin was one of the first female artists to break the “girl singer” mold that existed in folk and pop music in the mid ’60s. Her fusion of rock and blues influenced both male and female artists. Her breakthrough came after performing at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. She performed at Woodstock in 1969. She was approaching the height of her success in 1970 when she died of a drug/alcohol overdose.
Watch Janis Joplin in a live performance of “Piece Of My Heart”
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks established herself as a major vocal and songwriting talent with Fleetwood Mac , who she joined in 1975. While still a member of the band, she also launched a solo career in 1981. Artists in various genres have cited Nicks as a major influence on their music.
Watch a live performance of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” featuring Stevie Nicks
Grace Slick
Grace Slick’s sometimes haunting voice and “let it all hang out” lifestyle (she once removed her blouse on stage and performed topless because of the hot weather) made her a perfect fit for psychedelic rock pioneers Jefferson Airplane (and its successors, Jefferson Starship and Starship.) As a songwriter, Slick was responsible for two of the band’s best known songs, “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love.” She retired from the music business in 1989 and began painting and drawing professionally.
Watch Jefferson Airplane performing at Woodstock, featuring Grace Slick
Patti Smith
She has been nicknamed “Godmother of Punk” but the artists Patti Smith has influenced run the gamut from U2 to Shirley Manson. Her classic debut album, “Horses” (1975) has found a place on “greatest albums” lists of magazines like Rolling Stone, Time, and NME. In addition to performing, she is also a prolific author and social activist.
Watch Patti Smith perform “Because the Night”, which she so-wrote with Bruce Springsteen in 1978
Ann Wilson
Nancy Wilson
When Heart came along in 1976, it soon became clear that two attractive women (sisters, no less) fronting a rock band was way more than just a young man’s fantasy. After their debut album, “Dreamboat Annie” in 1975, Ann (lead vocalist) and Nancy (lead guitarist) Wilson, as Heart, have had Top 10 albums in every decade since.
Watch Heart in a 1977 live performance of “Crazy On You”
