Rock’s Greatest Front Women
. . .
Front women are a special part of the world of rock and roll. They possess the raw energy and aggression of the average frontman and supplement it with a sensuality and an element of mystery unique to the female race. These women contributed to the rock scene not only as girls, but also as credible artists competing (and collaborating) with their male counterparts. Check out some of the greatest frontwomen of all time.
* * *
1. Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin is probably the most famous rock lady of all time. She was talented, cool, and very troubled, though she maintained a vulnerability that exposed her fans to her life through her music. She rose to stardom with the San Francisco psychedelic rock band called Big Brother and the Holding Company in the late ’60s, eventually leaving the band to pursue a solo career in 1968. Joplin’s most successful album was called “Pearl,” and would unfortunately be her last, as it was released after a heroine overdose claimed her life in 1970. Watch her perform “Ball and Chain” live in Germany.
. . .
2. Pat Benatar
At the dawn of MTV, Pat Benatar emerged onto the music scene. She was tough and loud, with a powerful voice and an impressive range (eventually covering 4 and a half octaves). She started off performing cabaret standards and show-tunes, but eventually incorporated rock and pop hits that started to generate buzz about her work in Greenwich Village. Benatar’s distinct sound grew famous after the release of “Heartbreaker” off her debut album with Neil Giraldo. Here she is performing “Heartbreaker” in 1979.
. . .
3. Grace Slick
As the lead singer of Jefferson Airplane and the follow up band Jefferson Starship, Grace Slick was at the forefront of the psychedelic rock movement and the ‘Summer of Love’. Slick’s haunting vocals on the hit singles, ‘Somebody To Love’ and ‘White Rabbit’ were a huge reason why the bands 1967 album ‘Surrealistic Pillow’ one of the defining albums of the late 60’s. Add Slick’s ‘F-Bomb’ dropping performance on the ‘Dick Cavett Show’ and we can more than forgive her for ‘We Built This City’. Here, Grace performs “White Rabbit” live at Woodstock in 1969.
. . .
4. Patti Smith
What would Punk Rock have become without Patti Smith and her highly influential work in the 1970’s? The exact opposite to the feathered hair and chic outfits of the disco scene, Smith used her anger and energy to propel her forward as the ‘Godmother of Punk’. With songs and poetry that bled anti establishment and religion, Patti Smith was the nightmare of every wholesome family, with a raw style that influenced others to step outside of the norm and cause trouble. Here’s Patti performing “Because the Night” in 1978.
. . .
5. Joan Jett
The Arrows song ‘I Love Rock N’ Roll’ is one of the most recognizable rock anthems ever written but it wouldn’t have become a hit without Joan Jett’s tough vocals and attitude. Jett played a pivotal role in creating a place for modern front women in hard rock to be able to hold their own in the genre of rock. With a rock mullet and runway body, Joan Jett is the epitome of the intimidating yet sexy woman who is still going hard into her fifties. Watch Joan perform “I Love Rock and Roll” in New Jersey.
. . .
6. Kim Gordon
Many rock front women are known for their signature style and some end up being known more for what they wear instead of their music. Kim Gordon was still able to stand out in thrift store clothes as the lead singer of the critically acclaimed alt-rock band, ‘Sonic Youth’. As a pioneer of the no-wave genre of rock, Gordon still plays as good as ever as she played a summer tour in CBGB’s final days. Watch Kim perform “Kool Thing” in 1993.
. . .
7. Lzzy Hale
The metal band Halestorm won the Grammy award for best Hard Rock/Metal performance for their song Love Bites (So Do I) becoming the first female led bad to win the award. . Led by Lzzy Hale, the band is set to break out big thanks to her poppy, hard rock vocals and guitar. Hale proves that women can rock just as hard as men even in today’s age where metal is harder and louder than ever. Watch Lzzy perform Love Bites.
* * *
.
.
.
.
.
.
* * *
