BY MIKEY MIGO
Over the past few weeks I've covered many of the best female vocalists in the history of rock. We covered the new breed of Paramore, Flyleaf, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. We touched on the ladies of the 90's with Alanis Morissette, The Cardigans, and others. Today we're going to cover the grandmothers of rock. I know it may seem like I'm being mean, but I say "grandmothers of rock" in the same respect that I'd say that James Brown is the "godfather of soul".
These women stepped up to the plate and smashed it. Rock is a boys club, but these pioneers broke the glass ceiling and are more respected than most of their male peers. It's safe to say that these female vocalists paved the way for many young ladies to step foot on a stage. I'm sure those I mentioned over the past few weeks would credit at least one of these women as influences on their career. I'm even sure there are many male rockers who took inspiration from the works of the grandmothers of rock.
I'm sure I won't list every performer that could be considered a trail blazer, but here's a few that I consider to of been the most influential.
Janis Joplin
Many would consider her the "queen of rock". In the late 60's she started gaining attention as the lead singer of Big Brother and The Holding Company, but it was her solo work that made this member of the "27 club" the icon that she was. I've listened to her studio albums, but that never did it for me. It was the random live spots of hers that made me see why her raspy blues voice and passionate outpour gave her the deserved status she receives. There has never been another like her and I don't see any potential protégés out there in the waiting. She's surely a true original.
Debbie Harry
The lead singer of "Blondie" owned the punk rock/new wave scene like no other has before or since. While the band was inducted to the Hall of Fame in recent years, I still don't feel that Harry gets her due respect. I don't think there'd be the same artistic punk rock girls out there or even a Madonna without her influence. She still has this mystic about her that makes you wonder what's going on under those bright blonde locks. The thing about her is that she never really let her creative sizzle die out. She just moved on to a wider spectrum of artistic mediums. She moved on to acting, solo albums, and just doing whatever she pleases. Respect.
Stevie Nicks
While I respect her talents and thing she's a very interesting person, the nasal sound of her vocals always bothered me. Maybe it's just my ears. This "Fleetwood Mac" vocalist has been apart of over FORTY Top 50 hits and has sold close to ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY MILLION albums. So to say she's successful is an understatement. But success doesn't automatically mean "the best", so what is it about this female rocker that makes her so special? While her vocal range is in the grouping of the deepest a female can have, she brings elegance and tenderness to the words she sings.
Annie Lennox
Annie gets a tenth of the respect she should. This Eurythmics vocalist and later solo artist always had a unique style, vocally and visually, that will always make her stand out in the "female rock" crowd. My favorite work of hers has always been her work with the Eurythmics. "Sweet Dreams" and "Here Comes the Rain Again" are probably two of my favorite female-sung and just flat out Top 100 Favorite songs of all time. Her style seems to often overshadow her soulful singing. She's like the female equivalent of a David Bowie. I mean that as the highest compliment possible.
Ann Wilson
This lead singer, flute player, and guitarist of Heart paved the way for women to enter the hard rock arena. When you're listening to the radio and a Heart track comes on, you'll notice that it's very very hard to turn the dial or leave the room. Ann's voice just rips off and owns your ears for the duration. Toss around song titles like "Crazy On You", "Magic Man", or "Barracuda" in a conversation about the classics of rock and you'll most likely get no arguments. Then from there you have to take into consideration her score work on her husband's, Cameron Crowe, movies. She's responsible for Jerry Maquire, Almost Famous, Elizabethtown, and Vanilla Sky. Top that off with the influence that she and her sister Nancy had on the Seattle music scene in the 90's. Yeah, this lady's "heart" will be beating in the music world long after she's gone.
Joan Jett
This is actually the only artist on the list today that I've had the pleasure of seeing perform live. That was only about two years ago, but even in this day and age Joan Jett kicked major ass. The pop-punk girls who are currently trying to dress and act all edgy are merely highly diluted impressions of Joan Jett. Her guitar playing skills are easily better than most male or female players out there. Her ear for melody is obvious. She's got a catalog of hits that include "I Love Rock N' Roll", "Bad Reputation", "Crimson and Clover", "Do You Want to Touch Me", "Light of Day", and "Love is All Around" that make her "Greatest Hits" collection all killer-no-filler. Joan Jett is that sexy bad ass girl you sat across from in English class that you were too afraid to make eye contact with in fear that she'd shank you. Twenty five years later, I don't think much has changed. Her voice and stage presence were still as strong and demanding as I saw in the videos as a child.
Joni Mitchell
Folk rock is still rock. Jazz rock is still rock. I know Joni doesn't have the "bad ass" image that the other ladies on this list have, but her musical contributions to rock music are undeniable. Take a listen to "Chelsea Morning", "Woodstock", and "Big Yellow Taxi" and tell me you don't hear her style being used out there today by many. Vocalist, pianist, guitarist, and songwriter are just the cusp of her musical resume. In her recent years she's been focusing more on her painting career.
Who are some of your favorite iconic female vocalist?
Who do you consider to be most influential female rocker of all time?
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