Monday, March 8th was International Women’s Day, and March is Women’s History Month. While we try to spotlight amazing musicians from every gender and ethnicity throughout the year, March is the perfect time to turn our focus on the incredible women who have made a lasting impact on the world of music!
Although the music industry has historically been male-dominated, there have been many innovative and groundbreaking female artists who have helped pave the way for women in today’s music. Without these women, we wouldn’t have techniques we consider standard, or songs we call classics today.
No matter the genre, from jazz to punk to hip hop, and everything in between, these are just some of the trailblazing women who carved out their won musical path and inspired new generations of female artists.
Ruth Brown
Ruth Brown started out singing under her choral-instructor father, but quickly rebelled against the church music in favour of the pop music she heard on the radio. Brown’s continued to grow until she was christened “Miss Rhythm.” Thanks to the weight and popularity of songs like “Teardrops From My Eyes,” Brown was able to use her influence to help reform the music industry’s royalties system, which resulted in the formation of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline is often credited with paving the way for female artists to become headliners in the country music industry. What’s more, Cline became the first solo artist – male or female – to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Her rich, full, and sophisticated voice became her hallmark, and enabled her to successfully crossover into pop music.
Nina Simone
Known as the “High Priestess of Soul,” Nina Simone was a volatile and legendary jazz and blues singer. She would go on to become a musical icon and the standard against which music in similar genres is constantly compared. Her distinctive contralto voice is one of the most instantly recognizable in all of music, and countless contemporary artists have claimed her as an influence.
Carole King
Responsible for over two dozen hits now considered standards, Carole King was the first woman to ever be awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by President Obama in 2013. Her album Tapestry held the record for most weeks at No.1 for a female artist for 20 years, until it was toppled by fellow legendary artist, Whitney Houston.
The Shirelles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3irmBv8h4Tw
In an example of women helping women, The Shirelles are credited with being the first African American girl group to reach the top spot on the Billboard Top 100 with “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” written and composed by the previous woman on our list, Carole King. The Shirelles talent and performances are also thought to have launched the “girl group” era and provided a framework for future female musicians to follow.
Diana Ross
With over 70 hit singles, both with the Supremes and as a solo artists, there’s no wondering why Diana Ross has been named Billboard’s “Female Entertainer of the Century” and has been called the most successful female artist in history. The Superemes, like the Shirelles before them, are credited with sparking a generation of black girl groups like Destiny’s Child, TLC, and the Pointer Sisters. Countless contemporary stars, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Beyonce, have cited her as an influence.
Dusty Springfield
With a sultry voice and a big, blonde bouffant, Dusty Springfield was a British musical icon of the sixties. Her seminal album, Dusty in Memphis, has since been named one of the best albums of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine. Springfield’s charm, style, and pioneering work as a soul singer earned her a place among Britain’s – and the world’s – most successful artists.
Cher
Born Cherilyn Sarkisian, the woman that would be known as Cher has been innovating and reinventing herself since her career began as a part of the husband-and-wife duo, Sonny & Cher. A high-school dropout, Cher has gone on to be recognized as one of the best-selling musicians of all time. What’s more, her hit single “Believe” pioneered the use of auto-tune, which later became known as the “Cher effect.” Cher’s talent and popularity is undeniable, as she is the only act, male or female, to have a No.1 single in every decade since the 1960s.
Janis Joplin
Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks called Janis Joplin her idol, and it’s easy to understand why. Joplin’s performances were called “electric” by fans, and renowned by fellow performers. She is widely credited with paving the way for future female rock artists, like Joan Jett, Gwen Stefani, Dolores O’Riordan, and of course, Stevie Nicks.
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell’s distinctive sound touched and captured the hearts of millions, and continues to do so today. Her unique fusion of jazz and soul, combined with raw, honest lyrics and melodious vocals allowed her to leave a musical legacy that is still unmatched.
Joan Jett
Often called an originator, innovator, and visionary, Joan Jett is easily one of the most influential artists of all time, but especially in the sphere of female rock artists. The story of her band, The Runaways, has spawned a successful movie adaptation – not to mention several hit songs. Jett is also one of only two women on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time – the other being Joni Mitchell.
Madonna
Madonna is, easily, the best-selling female recording artist of all time, and has arguably set the standard for being an independent, controversial, and successful woman artist. Over her illustrious career, Madonna has constantly reinvented herself, maintaining a distinctive identity with both her appearance and her music. There’s really no questioning why she’s known around the world as the “Queen of Pop,” and has inspired the next generation of powerful female artists, like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.
This is, of course, just a small selection of the incredible women that have left their mark on the music industry, and the world at large. Who is your favourite female musical artist? Who did we miss that you think should get a spotlight? Let us know in the comments!
Looking to start your own musical journey? Check out all The Music Studio’s programs, now available with interactive online lessons! It’s never to late – or too early – to start your musical education!
