In honor of March being Women’s History Month, these are a few of my favorite performers the music industry could not be the same without. These women have defined genres, inspired generations of artists, and ruled the charts over the past 80 years. Not only this, but they have broken down barriers for women and continue to empower them to this day.
The Queen of Soul
Named the greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone magazine–not once, but twice–Aretha Franklin is one of the most accomplished singers in history. Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, her mother a gospel singer, and her father a minister. She recorded her first album Songs of Faith at just 14 years old. At 18, she moved to New York City to find studio success. This was the beginning of a long, extraordinary career. In 1967, she released her version of Otis Redding’s (which was originally written from a misogynistic point of view,) “Respect.” In it, she demanded respect and acknowledgement for women, especially women of color. The song became an anthem for women empowerment and the civil rights movement. Throughout her life, Franklin performed, oftentimes for free, at benefits,protests for women’s rights, and covered the payroll of many civil rights groups. In January of 1987, Aretha Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was also awarded with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994, accumulating 18 Grammys throughout her career. Franklin is known as the “Queen of Soul,” but sang a plethora of genres, including jazz, R&B, gospel, and pop.
"Now this is a song to celebrate/The conscious liberation of the female state/Mothers, daughters and their daughters too, yeah/Woman to woman/We're singing with you.” – Sisters are Doin’ It for Themselves by Aretha Franklin & Eurythmics
Queens of Noise
The Runaways were one of the first all-girl bands to hit the rock scene back in the 1970s. Their band only lasted 5 years, but the impact they made is immeasurable. The band was formed in August of 1975–at the time, its 5 members were only 15-16 years old. They recorded their self-titled album in 1976. The hit single off the album, Cherry Bomb, found success in Japan. In the U.S., however, they faced much backlash and manipulation from the music industry who told them they had no place in rock and roll. The band rose to fame, but at the same time, radio stations were refusing to play their songs. The same men who refused to see them as musicians tried to take advantage of them. But in spite of the sexism and abuse they faced, they continued to sing about women empowerment and sexuality onstage. The group disbanded in 1979, largely due to the way they’d been treated and later creative differences. But, their influence on the 90s feminist punk movement is undeniable. Many groups from the time, including Bikini Kill, L7, The Donnas and Babes in Toyland have cited The Runaways as an inspiration. These groups encouraged women to stand up against misogyny, sexual harassment, and violence, and to get involved politically.
“I figured out it was a social thing, what women are allowed to do. At a very young age, I decided I was not going to follow women’s rules.” — Joan Jett
Sources/Further Reading:
11 Times Aretha Franklin Made Awards Show History
Aretha Franklin: The Powerful Meaning Behind Her Equality Anthem "Respect"
How The Runaways Changed The Lives Of 13 Women Rockers
The Runaways: Rock and Roll Provocateurs
Conclusion
These are just a few of the innumerable women who have changed music forever. They came at a time when women were shamed for wanting to express themselves. But they didn’t let that stop them from performing and the fight for representation. Now, women rule the charts, and are some of the most awarded musicians in history. Happy Women’s History Month <3.
“I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation/
Livin' in the past, it's a new generation/
A girl can do what she wants to do/
And that's what I'm gonna do” — Bad Reputation by Joan Jett
“A woman's only human/You should understand/She's not just a plaything/ She's flesh and blood just like her man” — Do Right Woman, Do Right Man by Aretha Franklin
