March 8 is International Women’s Day whose mission is to celebrate the work of women creatives and elevate visibility for commercial projects and commissions.
And to celebrate the day, we’re honoring our favorite women creatives – women who rock.
Because there are so many who have contributed so much to the music we love, we’re breaking it down by decades. My choices are below, and I invite you to mull it over while sipping that first cup of coffee, and submit your favorites.
After all the goal is to shine the light on the women whose creativity has lit up the radio dial over the years.
The 60’s – With or without the Pips, Gladys Knight has always been my favorite soul singer from the 1960’s. Born and raised in Atlanta, she became known as the “Empress of Soul” (yes, Aretha was the indisputable “queen”).
And she went on to become a Motown artist. (The Pips lived in the Motor City.)
Of all her hits, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” is my all-time favorite. While brilliantly covered by Marvin Gaye and even Creedence Clearwater Revival, no one could bring it like Gladys.
“Nobody has a perfect anything.” – Gladys Knight
Amen.
The 70’s – And then came the decade of Classic Rock, and my top pick is a woman who made her name with Fleetwood Mac before going solo.
Steve Nicks was born in Phoenix, she went to school at San Jose State before hooking up with Lindsay Buckingham, and joining Fleetwood Mac in 1975. It was all multi-platinum from there.
My favorite Steve Nicks song? Her duo with Tom Petty, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.” While she will always be associated with Fleetwood Mac, her work with Petty (she toured him with, too) stands out to me as her best vocal performances.
“I was not going to be a stupid girl singer. I was going to be way more than that.” – Stevie Nicks
Of that there is no doubt.
The 80’s was the MTV era for music, the decade where the visuals became just as important as the music itself.
Not every performer enjoyed the transformation to the visual era, but the medium seemed perfect for the Eurythmics. The “band” was Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. But it was Lennox, the Scottish vocalist, who created the band’s signature sound.
The Eurythmics are best known for their biggest hit – “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” But to this consultant’s ears, it was “Would I Lie To You?” that showed off Lennox’s immense vocal talent and presence.
I got a chance to meet Annie at a promotional appearance and she was as gracious and nice as could be.
“Ask yourself: Have you been kind today?” – Annie Lennox
For radio, it was the 90’s that ushered in the Alternative era. While not struggling to find its footing in 2022, the music rules changed during the decade of Clinton.
While most people view the era as synonymous with Grunge, there were scores of female artists who emerged. Lilith Fair became as big a draw as Lollapalooza.
For me, the artist that was the 90’s showstopper was Canadian born Alanis Morissette. “Jagged Little Pill” was a monster album that spawned numerous hits, none bigger than this one, performed on the David Letterman Show.
“I found that the more truthful and vulnerable I was, the more empowering it was for me.” – Alanis Morissette
And then there are those “aughts,” a strange decade to be sure. And for this one, I’m going outside the conventional and making a pick that will raise an eyebrow or even stimulate a “WTF?!”
The White Stripes were a Detroit phenomenon that symbolized the times. With an Indie flair, Jack White and his sister, Meg White, were like the reverse Eurythmics.
He was the frenetic frontman, playing a raw guitar, occasional keyboards, and equipped with a blistering voice. Jack owned the stage.
Meg (who was Jack’s wife for a time) did what she did best – provided the band’s backbone on the drums. Her anxiety issues led to a halt in touring for the White Stripes, and eventually the band broke up.
Below is “Seven Nation Army” from Bonnaroo in 2007:
“We never really care about all the things that other people cared about, you know? Like, people recognizing me on the street never interested me. I’ve always been kind of suspicious of the world, anyway, so it’s pretty easy for me to live in my own little world.” – Meg White
That brings us to the present – a new music world that’s fragmented – thanks in no small part to exposure splintered across hundreds of platforms. Consumers can enjoy music in videos, on audio streaming platforms, and of course, on the radio.
My favorite female performer is Dorothy, a Hungarian born singer who evokes the greater 60’s rockers, while forging her own style. A few years back, Dorothy performed for an NAB event at CES.
Dorothy Martin is a dynamic performer, and my pick to go far this decade. “Rest in Peace” is her new single.
“I think the universe gives you only what you’re ready for.” – Dorothy
So, who are your picks?
The mission of International Women’s Day is to spread the joy of creative women in our world.
Make your choices by decade (with or without explanations), and leave them as “comments” below. Or visit me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and let’s talk about them there.
It was fun for me to dig through my musical archives (yes, my memory bank) to pull these together. What say you?
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Thanks for this! For about a decade, WEXT Radio has been celebrating today with our genre busting playlist. “The Women Who Rock” plays across from the thirties through today.
On my list, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ella Fitzgerald, Dolly Parton, Ann & Nancy Wilson, Madonna, Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Rickie Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell… is hard to stop. Such a great day of music!
Indeed, Chris. And I love the fact we have 0 duplication, a statement about just how many wonderful women have made/continue to make music. Thanks for the comment.
Great thought-starter today, Fred! Here’s myvpucks for WOMEN WHO ROCK:
The 60s-Grace Slick. Give it up for this incredibly talented rocker. One listen to White Rabbit, and you’re hooked.
The 70s: It’s tough not to include Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart…but I’ll give the gold to Pat Benetar. If you’ve ever seen her live, you’ll agree. If not, go outside the box and listen to “Hell is for Children”
The 80s: While her hits spanned 4 decades, the 80s cemented her super-star status. Tina Turner is the most soulful rocker ever!
The 90s: ok, this one’s out of left field, but I love this under rated pop-rocker: Fefe Dobson. One listen to “I want You” or “Bye bye Boyfriend” will give you bad-girl, rocker vibes(a la Joan Jett)
2000s+ no one can beat these ladies, imo.
Fred, thanks for introducing me to Dorthy Martin.
I’ll go with your pick of Gladys Knight, but I’ll move her to the ’70s and “I’ve Got To Use My Imagination.” When she kicks into the second verse, it’s like she becomes Teddy Pendergrass from his Harold Melvin days.
2000s pick for me is Amy Winehouse.
Great post to get our musical minds flowing this morning.
Appreciate it, Ron. BTW I loved Harold Melvin & those Blue Notes!
How fun! For me, 60’s Janis Joplin, 70’s Pat Benetar, 80’s Joan Jett, 90’s Gwen Stephani, and it’s a tie for me for now between Lizzy Hale and Maria Brink with an honorable mention for Taylor Momsen.
For radio women who rock: for me, I’d like to mention Charlye Parker. She was a radio boss when women weren’t radio bosses. She made me music director for a reporting station in the late 80’s, and she’s a major reason I’m sitting behind this board today.
Great comment, as always, Tammie. Yup, Taylor Momsen was on my initial list, too – talented and impactful.
Totally agree on Gladys having the very best version of “Grapevine”.
(Also included in the excellent “Summer of Soul” film and soundtrack.)
Right? Good to hear from you, Glenn.
I’m going to go outside both of our genres, Fred, for a country woman who rocks …
My pick for the 90s: Shania Twain, especially “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” which really is country with a heavy rock influence.
Now for the decades preceding, gotta agree with Jc for the 60s: Have to agree with Grace Slick from the Jefferson Airplane days. You can hear it in “Somebody To Love”.
70s: As much as I love Pat Benatar, I’ve always considered her to be an 80s rocker. So it’s gotta be the Wilson sisters, especially “Barracuda”.
80s: I endorse your choice of Annie Lennox, Fred, but it’s a four-way tie for me … probably since that’s the decade I specialize in with my own format. Tina Turner, Joan Jett and the aforementioned Ms. Benatar and Lennox.
Totally agree with you.
Joan was on my list at first, but I kept coming back to Annie. And oddly enough, I met them both. Thanks for the thoughtful list.
Dorothy is a great pick for a star on the rise.
I like the way you think, Keith.
Great post Fred!
90s: Gwen Stefani
2000s: Amy Winehouse, P!nk
2010s: Florence + The Machine, Lana Del Rey
Present day: Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo starting now and into the next generation
Thanks, Kevin. Yup, Billie and Olivia are definitely making waves.
Great tribute, Fred. Some overlaps, some not: ’60s Grace Slick, ’70s Sandy Denny, ’80s Bonnie Raitt, ’90s Sheryl Crow, ’00s Amy Winehouse, ’10s Bj⍤rk.
But, really, one outshines all others: Joni Mitchell, producing music through all six decades and doing it with consistent genius.
Great picks, John. Thought long and hard about Sheryl Crow. Sandy Denny – wow!
Great list! Highly recommend checking out The Dead Deads, an all female rock group out of Nashville. They have a unique sound that is genre defying! I would start with their “First Tooth” video from their recent album “Tell Your Girls It’s Alright” or their Songs “Fresh Kicks” or “Super Tiny.”
No shortage of music discovery on JacoBLOG today. Thanks, Paul.
I’m surprised that no-one yet has mentioned such groundbreakers as Chrissie Hynde, Debbie Harry, and Kim Gordon.
Meanwhile, here’s a very, very rough list of LatAm women from over the past few decades who likely deserve at least an honorable mention…
Andrea Echeverri
Francisca Valenzuela
Javiera Mena
Denisse Guerrero
Julieta Venegas
Mon Laferte
Natalia Lafourcade
Javiera Parra
Ximena Sariñana
Juliana Gattas
Was also thinking Brandi Carlile and Alison Krauss would’ve popped. And what about Suzi Quatro, dammit?!
Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Brenda Lee, Peggy Lee, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Carly Simon, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Diana Krall ….and on and on…
Good ones, Leo. Thanks for weighing in.
Need some Linda Rondstadt, Bonnie Raitt and Heart in there too. (Sorry a day behind, short staffed)
All were on my list, Vicky. It’s so hard to just name one woman per decade – which I suppose is the moral of the story, right? Hope your staffing problem eases up.