SUPPLIED IMAGE Joan Jett, coming to the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede later this month, is an OG rocker, says Rock Ramblings columnist Melissa Thomas.
Since the beginning of rock’s popularity, women have been huge contributors to making it something that not only has lasted, but has become one of the most influential aspects of the 20th and 21st centuries so far. Women have helped shape and mold it into what it is now. And today, we’re going to talk about some of those OG ladies and just how heavy of an impact they’ve had on the rock n’ roll music scene.
1. Joan Jett
Joan Jett is a woman who needs no introduction. Born in 1958, she is best known for being the frontwoman of her band Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. The band went on to release many notable hit songs including “Bad Reputation,” “Crimson and Clover,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and perhaps most successfully, their version of the song “I Love Rock and Roll.” In 1982, that track was listed as No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks!
It’s no doubt that she’s had a massive influence on the sound of the generation. She’s cool, edgy and crazy talented!
If you want to catch Joan Jett & the Blackhearts live, they’ll be in Medicine Hat on July 28! Full ticket info at 1053rock.ca
2. Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin was one of the first women to break the mold of what it meant to be a female singer at the time. Her blues-rock influence captured the ear of male and female audiences alike and she quickly became an icon of her generation after performing in a few notable shows, including Woodstock in 1969. She was just reaching the height of her popularity when her life was tragically cut short in 1970 due to a drug overdose. In the time we had her, the impact she had on the music scene was astounding. Her style has bled into folk, blues, pop, rock and so much else. She was a true icon of rock n’ roll and was a massive contributor into shaping what it is today.
3. Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks has established herself as a major vocalist and songwriting talent. Since joining Fleetwood Mac in 1975, she became a major influence on multiple genres of music, as said by various artists including Sheryl Crow, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift and Dixie Chicks.
Fleetwood Mac has undoubtedly been one of the biggest groups of all time, releasing 16 albums and performing almost 20 tours. Stevie is undoubtedly one of the greatest female rock influences of all time.
4. Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar is one of the first women associated with hard rock. Her first album “In the Heat of the Night” brought her a lot of success, and her second “Crimes of Passion” put her in the position to become one of the most frequently played artists on MTV upon its 1981 launch. Not only is she edgy and creative, she’s insanely talented. Her likely best known track is “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” Benatar has two RIA-certified multi-platinum albums, three gold albums, five platinum albums and 15 Billboard Top 40 singles. Pretty safe to say she is a queen of the genre!
While these are just a few of rock’s most influential ladies, there are also so many more with amazing stories to tell. The mothers of rock n’ roll.
Melissa Thomas is a producer at 105.3 ROCK and on air Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday evenings on 105.3 FM and 1053rock.ca
