Women's History Month, Part II
Breaking glass ceilings, shattering stereotypes and generally raising hell
If you missed Part I of this retrospective, here is the link:
Women’s History Month: Part I
From classical and jazz, to rock and metal, women have played a bigger role than our “official” musical histories would have you believe. Some of the major stars of the 1920's and ‘30’s were women, but after the Second World War they were retro-actively erased from official accounts of the time. Many of them were members of ethnic minorities, which just…
Some quotes from Part I:
From classical and jazz, to rock and metal, women have played a bigger role than our “official” musical histories would have you believe. Some of the major stars of the 1920's and ‘30’s were women, but after the Second World War they were retro-actively erased from official accounts of the time.
The inventor of rock and roll was a woman, and it took decades following her death for her to be recognized as such.
In the modern era, supposedly progressive media like Rolling Stone actively discounted the importance of women in music. It’s founder and publisher said that women and Black people were incapable of writing anything with philosophical depth. Well, I identify with people who have to fight twice as hard to get anywhere.
Still, I was not drawn to focus on women artists for political reasons. I was drawn in by artists like Tina Turner, Chrissie Hynde, Gail Ann Dorsey, Patricia Janečková, Nightwish, Band-Maid and so many more whose music moves me. They are simply great, and stand among the greatest of their respective eras.
Women have broken through as singer-songwriters. But women as composers, arrangers, producers, mixers or engineers; or as designers and players of instruments, are still considered a rarity. It is those roles which have been systematically denied to women by the music industry and media.
(Of course) there are women doing those things — they just need and deserve more visibility. So, welcome to my collection of articles featuring women in music. It’s heavy on rock and metal, but there’s all kinds of stuff here. I’ve written bits on classical, jazz, fusion, and more exotic fare.
Here is where the invitation comes in: I know some of my fellow writers are working on projects relating to women in music. I invite you to use this catalogue as a resource. I don’t want compensation. Likes, engagement and an acknowledgement if you use any of my material are all I ask.
And if you are not a writer, I hope you enjoy browsing through this list. Let me know if you find any surprising new favorites!
Thank you, Charles! Looking forward to checking out all of these.