Women have an unfair advantage in the music industry – they’re sexualized, not taken as seriously, and preyed on by producers who promise them success. We’ve seen it occur countlessly, like what happened to Taylor Swift, Kesha, and Lady Gaga, to name a few. Yet, despite what women have to endure while trying to focus on their careers, they always come out stronger. So, in honour of Women’s History Month, I wanted to pay tribute to some of the most celebrated female musicians who have shaped history for future women aspiring to make it in the music industry. I’m only naming four because I would be writing a novel if I had to write about all of them.
1. Stevie Nicks
Not only did Stevie Nicks change rock music’s image with her voice, but with her lyrics and style as well. When we think of rock music, we think of leather pants, denim vests, and chunky black boots. But Nicks brought velvet, shawls, fingerless gloves, and top hats to the scene, making its mark on pop culture. Her lyrics are viewed as mystical and symbolic. In fact, the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame describes her as a mystic poet. She’s the first woman to be introduced into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame – twice. She’s one of my biggest musical influences because she praises individuality and isn’t afraid to be herself in such a male-dominated industry. Some of her famous songs include “Dreams” and “The Chain,” all from Fleetwood Mac’s top-selling album Rumours. From their self-titled album Fleetwood Mac, you probably recognize hits like “Landslide” and “Rhiannon.” She also has hit songs from her solo debut album, Bella Donna, such as “Edge Of Seventeen.”
2. Janis Joplin
Joplin is an American singer-songwriter and one of the most successful rock, blues, and soul singers of her era. Her legacy lives on as she has paved the way for aspiring female rock singers. She was titled the first queen of Rock ‘N’ Roll and introduced into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Born in 1943, Joplin refused to conform to the cookie-cutter social norms of the 50s. She was unique because her look was rough around the edges; she wasn’t pegged as conventionally beautiful and had difficulty fitting in with others. However, that didn’t stop her from expressing herself through her music. She is renowned for her powerful, raspy voice and lively stage presence – all of which went against the status quo and shaped her fame.
3. Aretha Franklin
The late 1960s and early 1970s represent the golden age of soul music, and Queen Aretha Franklin defined that era – as in, she was literally crowned ‘Queen of Soul.’ She was recognized as a vocal prodigy from a young age and left people mesmerized with her breathtaking performances. You may know her from her legendary cover of “Respect” – the original is a track by Ottis Redding – which came out as No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 100 chart and continues to be featured in numerous movie soundtracks. She is as relevant today as she was in the 60s; her song “I Say A Little Prayer” became a trending sound on TikTok throughout the pandemic, with Gen Z and Millenials creating dances to the tune. Franklin is still praised for the mark she made in the music industry, and most of her songs are considered classics.
4. Joni Mitchell
Last but certainly not least, Joni Mitchell – a fellow Canadian singer-songwriter who became the first Canadian woman to be inducted into the American Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of fame. In 2002, she was the first Canadian to receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Mitchell is a legendary performer who created songs that reflected social and philosophical meanings. She wrote about romance, womanhood, disillusionment, and joy. The Rolling Stone actually referred to her as “one of the greatest songwriters ever.” Her musical talents were recognized by prominent artists like Bob Dylan and Prince and had inspired female artists that came after her, like Alanis Morissette. She was one of the first female rock stars to have exceptional longevity and critical acclaim. She has motivated me to think outside of the box and step out of my comfort zone when writing music. Some songs you may recognize are “Big Yellow Taxi” and “River.”