Women of Rock: Icons Spanning From the Birth of Rock to the 1970s

Rock music has more or less always been a male-dominated genre. Though women have long been present in the rock scene, they are routinely left out of conversations when discussing the greats. We’d like to rectify that. Check out women who rocked every decade–from the birth of rock to the 1970s–below.

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Sister Rosetta Tharpe

First up on our list of women of rock, we have Sister Rosetta Tharpe. While many attribute the birth of rock & roll to Elvis Presley, there were many artists who laid the groundwork for him. One such artist was Tharpe. Her powerful guitar playing and frenetic movements were the driving force behind The King’s famous stage presence. When looking at the genealogy of rock music, Tharpe has many younger artists branching off of her legacy.

Tina Turner

Tina Turner is considered The “Queen of Rock & Roll”. Few artists have been able to produce the kind of vigor that Turner did on stage. From powerhouse vocals to impossibly catchy songs, Turner has no equal in the rock scene. Every rock artist who came after her has Turner to thank for setting a new standard.

Janis Joplin

As rock moved into the ’70s, the genre became more experimental, leaning on psychedelia. One of the premier voices of this movement was Janis Joplin. Her gruff voice paired perfectly with wailing guitars. To date, no one has been able to recreate Joplin’s signature, banshee-esque vocals. She holds a singular space in the world of women in rock.

Carole King

Though Carole King might be more readily lumped in with the folk crowd, there is a case to be made for her to be considered a woman of rock. Many rock artists made use of her songwriting abilities. Moreover, her penned songs have become standards in every genre. Save just rock music, music in general wouldn’t be the same without King‘s efforts.

Ann Wilson

Much is made about the high-flying vocals of Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant, but there are those that forget to mention the equally fantastic Ann Wilson. That’s not to say she’s unappreciated; Wilson is certainly revered in the rock community. However, we don’t hear her name brought up enough when talking about timeless rock vocalists. She has one of our favorite voices in terms of women in rock music.

Stevie Nicks

While Turner has earned the title of “Queen of Rock and Roll”, there are those that argue Stevie Nicks should have a similar title. Nicks changed the rock game forever. In a band with both men and women, she became the face. She pushed back on gender conventions in the genre, becoming a star in her own right. Not to mention, her being one of the most enduring women in rock.

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