We need some women rockers on here! If the selection below seems a little boomery, it's because back in the '60s and '70s, unlike today, "woman rocker" was practically an oxymoron. Seriously. There were hardly any women in rock when I was growing up. As a teenager, it was a bit hard for me to connect, personally, with Eleanor Roosevelt or Helen Keller, to see them as people who had anything to do with my life. But I could relate to rock and roll, and these women were true gutsy pioneers:
Grace Slick. My brother once slammed Jefferson Airplane, something about "Grace Slick howling into the microphone." I loved that, because it's true -- she does howl into the microphone! But that's just what I like about her.
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xhYk9PEmXA[/youtube]
Cher, pre-plastic surgery (or at least, mostly) and looking fabulous. The original Sonny and Cher were a bit too early even for me, but I sure remember their variety show, and Cher's perfect four-inch nails:
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lol6Z9rI408[/youtube]
Tina Turner, strong and powerful as always:
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GSKdC05hpA&feature=related[/youtube]
Chrissie Hynde, who I think about at least every third time I put on eyeliner:
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYZh5cY2Gsk&feature=related[/youtube]
Debbie Harry, looking so cute and young (as opposed to now, when she looks cute and middle-aged) I love the little face she makes at about 1:30, with the line "people stop and stare at me."
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95AEzyWZX8I[/youtube]
Of course, we have to have to have a
Madonna. I was never a big fan, but I loved this song -- perhaps because when it was popular I was crazy for someone (unwisely, as usual!
).
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puQBAprLe9A[/youtube]
Stevie Nicks. This is sort of anachronistic, because unlike the others this isn't from her earlier years -- it was recorded long after the song was a hit. But even though I'm not the hugest Fleetwood Mac fan, I think this version is so poignant. First, because it's more appropriate for her life stage (mine, as well!) and second, because it's a duet with the very person she must mainly be referring to:
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX6WHvxTYHs[/youtube]