As Women’s History Month is coming to an end, we wanted to spotlight a few women who have made their mark on rock history (AKA women who rock!).
We’re kicking off the series with a woman who has been called the “Godmother of Punk” and the “Original Riot Grrrl,” Joan Jett. Jett is best known for founding the all-woman band The Runaways and as the frontwoman for the band Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Over the course of her career, Jett has created three albums that have been certified platinum or gold and earned a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Joan Jett is an American rock singer, songwriter, composer, and producer. She’s best known for her work as the frontwoman of her band Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.
Born in Wynnewood, PA (represent!), Jett got her first guitar at 13. Her family moved to California when she was a teenager and she frequented the venue English Disco, which featured the glam rock style she loved.
Prior to her work with The Blackhearts, Jett founded an all-woman band called The Runaways, which recored the hit song “Cherry Bomb.” The band toured around the world, opening for Cheap Trick, Ramones, Van Halen, and Tom Petty.
Jett founded The Blackhearts in 1980 by placing an ad in LA Weekly looking for “three good men.” They toured the US, slowly gaining a fan base. In ‘81, the band released “I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” earning a spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 for seven weeks in a row.
Over the course of her career, Jett has three albums that have been certified platinum or gold. In 2015, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jett has been touted as the “Godmother of Punk” and the “Original Riot Grrrl.”
Here are a few of Jett’s biggest hits:
Stevie Nicks is an American singer and songwriter known for her work with the band Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist. She is known for her distinctive voice, mystical stage persona, and poetic lyrics.
While in high school, Nicks met her future musical partner Lindsey Buckingham and the two began writing together through their psychedelic rock band called Fritz. Fritz opened for Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.
Nicks and Buckingham went on to join British band Fleetwood Mac, adding a pop influence to their blues-based rock. In 1975, Fleetwood Mac achieved worldwide success with the release of their self-titled album, of which Nicks penned the 2 most popular songs. Their subsequent Rumours was the best-selling album of year and, to date, has sold over 45 million copies worldwide.
While remaining a member of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks began a solo career in 1981. She’s since released eight studio albums including Bella Donna, which topped the Billboard 200 and has reached multi-platinum status.
Nicks was named one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time by Rolling Stone and is the only woman to have been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as member of Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist). Beyonce, Courtney Love, Mary J. Blige, Taylor Swift, and Lorde have all referenced Nicks as an inspiration.
Here are a few of Stevie’s biggest hits:
Sheila E. is an American percussionist and singer. She began her career with The George Duke Band, appearing on several of their albums.
Sheila made her recording debut at just 19 and went on to work with the likes of Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Ross in her early 20s.
Sheila met Prince after a concert in 1977. They later collaborated during the Purple Rain recording sessions, where she provided vocals to one of his songs. This prompted her to launch her own solo singing career.
In 1984, Sheila released her debut album The Glamorous Life. The album’s title track single peaked at number 7 on the Hot 100. She received two Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Performance. She toured as the opening act for Prince’s Purple Rain Tour.
In recent years, Sheila provided drums for Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s orchestral soundtrack to the blockbuster superhero films Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Sheila also cofounded Elevate Oakland, a nonprofit that uses music and art to serve the needs of youth in Oakland public schools.
Here are a few of Sheila’s biggest hits:
St. Vincent is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and producer. She’s known for complex arrangements and utilizing a wide array of instruments in her music.
St. Vincent began playing guitar at 12 years old and joined her first band, the Polyphonic Spree, at 21. In 2006, she toured as a part of Sufjan Stevens’ band.
The same year, she began recording under her stage name (which was inspired by a Nick Cave song). Her debut album was well received by critics, compared to Kate Bush and David Bowie.
Her subsequent albums have all been critical successes, each earning spots on Billboard 200 and numerous Grammy nominations. She won for “Best Alternative Music Album” in 2014 for Brass Tactics and for “Best Rock Song” in 2019 for Masseduction.
Recently, St. Vincent has collaborated with David Byrne, Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, The Chicks, and Gorillaz.
Her seventh studio album will be released May 14 of this year. The first single titled “Pay Your Way in Pain” was released earlier this month along with a music video.
Here are some of St. Vincent’s biggest hits:
Björk is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ. Over her four-decade career, she has developed an eclectic musical style that draws on electronic, pop, experimental, trip hop, and classical styles.
Born and raised in Reykjavík, Björk began her music career at age11and first gained international recognition as the lead singer of the alt rock band the Sugarcubes. After the band broke up in 1992, she embarked on a solo career. She rose to prominence with her albums Debut, Post, and Homogenic.
Several of Björk’s albums have reached the top 20 on Billboard 200 and she is reported to have sold between 20 and 40 million records worldwide. Over the course of her career, she’s received five BRIT Awards, 15 Grammy nominations, and was included in Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
In addition to her music career, Björk starred int he 2000 Lars von Trier film Dancer in the Dark, for which she won the Best Actress Award at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. A full-scale retrospective exhibition dedicated to the musician was held at New York’s Museum of Modern Art in 2015.
Here are some of Björk’s biggest hits: