Women Who Rock!

Yes, we know this. March was Woman’s History Month and a worldwide celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. Over the eons of time there have been a countless number of women who have proven that accomplishing great things is not a gender limited thing to do.

However, when I say “rock” the one I’m talking about is the one connected to the roll. That’s right – Rock and Roll! We know all about the men who rock from Elvis and the Beatles to Jimi Hendrix and the Foo Fighters. But what about the women? Turns out there are plenty out there who have made and continue to make a mark in the artistry of the rock and roll music.

Did we say “artistry”? Yes, we did!  The ‘A’ in STEAM represents visual arts, social studies, history, physical arts, fine arts, AND music. Art is about using creativity and imagination to increase the development of STEM’s essential skills.

To honor that part of STEAM, which is art in music, and also learn a quick history lesson, here’s a brief look at five women you may have heard of:

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin was born in 1943 and became one of the successful rock stars of her era.  Her rise to fame came following an appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.  At the time, she was the lead singer of a rock band called Big Brother and the Holding Company.  After two albums she left Big Brother to be a solo artist with her own backing groups.  Notably five singles by Joplin reached the Billboard Hot 100, which was no small feat especially for a female artist at the time.  Unfortunately, she passed away in 1970 at 27 years of age.  However, her influence continues, and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 to honor her ongoing legacy and contribution to music.

Joan Jett

If you make a list of the 1980’s rock queens, Joan Jett is sure to be one at the top.  Jett is best known for her work as the frontwoman of her band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and before that a band known as the Runaways.  Though she’s had several hit songs, the most popular is her version of the song “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” released in late 1981. It became Jett's highest-charting hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the No. 3 song for 1982.  Since then, she’s been dubbed “The Queen of Rock’n’Roll”, and in 2015 she too was honored by induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tina Turner

Tina Turner is a world-renowned singer, songwriter, and actress known for her powerful vocals and energetic performances. Turner is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, winning numerous awards, including eight Grammy Awards.

Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock in Brownsville, Tennessee, in 1939. She began singing in church as a child. In the early 1950s, she met Ike Turner, a musician and record producer. The two married in 1962 and formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. The duo became one of the most successful R&B acts of the 1960s and 1970s.

After leaving Ike Turner, she went on to have a successful solo career, releasing hit albums such as Private Dancer in 1984 which was a major success. You may know one of her best-known hits “We Don’t Need Another Hero” from the 1985 film “Mad Max”, as the song is in heavy rotation on rock music stations. Though she retired from music in 2009, she continues to be an inspiration to fans around the world.

Some of Tina Turner's most notable achievements include being the first black artist and first female to grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, selling over 100 million records worldwide and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Turner is a survivor, an inspiration, a legend, and a role model for women everywhere. Indeed, Tina Turner is a true icon, and her legacy will continue to inspire people for years to come.

Pat Benatar

Pat Benatar is another top of the list 80’s rock queen.  With songs like “Heartbreaker”, “Hit me With Your Best Shot”, “Love is a Battlefield” and “We Belong”, Benatar has clearly established her status as rock and roll royalty and was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November 2022.  In 2023, she continues to perform with her husband/guitarist Neil Giraldo, showing she is still a formidable rock icon down to this day. https://youtu.be/fd_7jIC9180

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

For this one, we go back to the earliest days of rock and roll.  Sister Rosetta Tharpe is someone you probably haven’t heard of, or if so, very little.  But she was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, influencing the likes of early rock-and-roll musicians such as Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis among others.  Tharpe was an American singer and guitarist who gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s with her gospel recordings and became the first great recording star of gospel music.  She was also among the first gospel musicians to appeal to rhythm and blues and rock and roll audiences, later being referred to as "the original soul sister" and "the Godmother of rock and roll".  Tharpe was a trailblazer for sure and her place in rock history is now secure with her inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. https://youtu.be/3NFywQdeKSo

The women discussed here are only a handful in the pantheon of women rockers.  The list can go on and on.  And there is a countless number of women whose influence spans so many areas of life, including other areas of STEAM.