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 | This page salutes the rise of professional female guitarists. Thanks to pioneers like Bonnie Raitt and Joan Jett, women have earned an equal place in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field. Info on them is still hard to find, though, so your suggestions for the content of this page are welcome! (text, images, URLs - yours or others). Meanwhile... |
Bonnie Raitt
| Joan Jett
| Melissa Etheridge
| Courtney Love
| Kat
| Ani DiFranco
| Indigo Girls
| Siouxsie
Christian Women: Miss Angie
| Jaci Velasquez
Australian Women Performers include:
Marie Wilson |
Judy Small |
Spiderbait |
Kylie Minogue |
Ruby Hunter
Classical Women Guitarists:
Lynn Harting-Ware |
Sharon Wayne |
Sharon Isbin
Women Of Country
Shania Twain
more Country Music
Women's Arts & Entertainment WebRing
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Bonnie Raitt "one hell of a blues lady"
Bonnie picked up the guitar at age nine, and was on her way toward mastering a unique folk and country blues style derived from listening to recordings by Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Mississippi Fred McDowell and John Hammond. Bonnie Raitt continues to be a unique presence in popular music, touring extensively, recording her own albums, as well as singing and playing on many others, and remaining a voice of conscience on myriad of social issues. |
| In the political arena, Bonnie has long been at the forefront of
bridging social consciousness and popular music. Coming
from a Quaker-activist background, she has performed many
concerts for women's organizations, and environmental, peace
and human rights groups, especially in support of opponents of
nuclear power and intervention in Central America.
As an active live performer, Raitt does more than a hundred concerts a year, dividing them between "acoustic" shows with her bass/guitar player Johnny Lee Schell, and shows with her full band featuring more R&B and rock 'n'roll. All-Music Guide Raitt entry Bonnie Showcase on iMusic Bonnie @ Ultimate Band List More Bonnie links @ Strat Guitar |
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Joan Jett
By playing pure and simple rock & roll without making an explicit issue of her gender, Joan Jett became a figurehead for several generations of female rockers. Jett's brand of rock & roll is loud and stripped down, yet with overpowering hooks -- a combination of the Stones' tough, sinewy image and beat, AC/DC chords and glam-rock hooks. As the numerous covers she has recorded show, she adheres both to rock tradition and breaks with it -- she plays classic three-chord rock & roll, yet she also loves the trashy elements (in particular, Gary Glitter) of it as well, and she plays with a defiant sneer. From her first band, the Runaways, through her hit-making days in the '80s with the Blackhearts right until her unexpected revival in the '90s, she hasn't changed her music, yet she's kept her quality control high, making one classic single ("I Love Rock-n-Roll") along the way. Joan Jett: UBL links | All-Music Guide bio Official Site | The Queen of Rock 'n' Roll | JJ by RJK | another fan page |
| Joan Jett has been one of the biggest influences for women in rock
music. Not only did she prove it could be done, but she took it to a new
level and has been an inspiration for many. She came, seemingly out of
nowhere, with the incredible hit "I Love Rock N Roll." While this may not
have been her first hit, it's certainly the one that had the most impact.
From there she went on to greatness. Her trademark black hair is now
blonde but she still has the attitude and the voice. She was inspired by the
likes of "Suzy Quatro" and the "Sex Pistols." Those who have been
inspired by her, are bands like "Nine Inch Nails" and "Lilith Fair." She's
collaborated with many outstanding bands and toured with an incredible
amount of stunning stars. This is one lady who's managed to make it to the
top in a time when girls in rock were shunned, and made the best of her
time in the spotlight.
Latest Album reviewed Feb 1998: "FIT TO BE TIED: Great Hits" (Mercury) 
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Deana Carter - Fenderworld interview
Inspiration came with equal doses of intimidation when Deana Carter was learning to play and write songs. Her father, Fred Carter Jr., was a highly regarded session player, working regularly with and befriending such legendary performers as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Gordon Lightfoot and Simon & Garfunkel. As such, Deana set high standards for her own music more... |
 Anita Cochran |
Once in a while an artist comes along that makes you wonder what you were doing
while they were practicing. You know the type: they can play circles around you on
your own instrument--and a half dozen others. Anita Cochran is one of those people.
Meredith Brooks claims to be a lot of things in her hit song “Bitch.” Ironically, she leaves “guitarist” off the list. Not that she needs to mention it; her playing speaks for itself. Still, a lot of listeners--imagining her simply a singer--might not be aware of Meredith’s six-string prowess. |
 Meredith Brooks |
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Ani DiFranco
A folkie in punk's clothing, Ani DiFranco battled successfully against the Goliath of corporate rock to emerge as one of the most influential and inspirational cult heroines of the 1990s. A resolute follower of D.I.Y. ethos, DiFranco released her records through her own indie label Righteous Babe, slowly but steadily building a devout grass-roots following on the strength of a relentless tour schedule; an ardent feminist and an open bisexual, her songs tackled issues like rape, abortion and sexism with insight and compassion, the music's empowering attitude and anger tempered by the poignant candor of singer-songwriter confessionalism. |
| Born in Buffalo, New York on September 23, 1970, DiFranco began her career at the age of nine, when her guitar teacher helped her land her first gig -- performing a set of Beatles covers -- at an area coffeehouse. Befriended by the likes of Suzanne Vega and Michelle Shocked, she later gave up music to study ballet, but at the age of 14 returned to the guitar and began composing her first songs. A year later, alienated from her crumbling family structure, she left home, living with friends while making the rounds of the Buffalo folk club circuit. | |
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Ani DiFranco: Just an Old-Fashioned Girl (with Blue Hair) (NY Rock)
Just who is Ani DiFranco anyway? Doc
Martin-clad punk-poet icon, do-it-yourself business
guru, feminist folksinger: there are so many sides to
this Buffalo girl from upstate New York that she’s
almost round.
DiFranco's latest recording, Little Plastic Castle, is soaked in vivid personal, social and political imagery. At the age of 27, Boston contemporary folk singer Ani DiFranco has 12 releases on her own label, Righteous Babe Records: an EP, a live double CD and 10 studio albums. read more... | Ani DiFranco@UBL
Ani DiFranco@All-Music Guide Ani DiFranco@Lyrics Server Ani TABs |
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Indigo Girls
Indigo Girls have always been pathfinders. In the past, they've worked with musicians as diverse as Michael Stipe, Jane Siberry, Jackson Browne, the Roches and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Impatient with labels, they've crafted memorable music from a tapestry of elements: folk, rock, world beat, indigenous music, choral tradition. The Indigosâ ongoing commitment to social as well as musical change was exem- plified by their 1995 "Honor The Earth" tour, a month-long, 21-stop benefit concert trek which raised more than $300,000 for Native American environmental groups; and by the release (on Amy Ray's own Daemon Records label) of an acc ompanying CD, Honor, featuring Bonnie Raitt, Soul Asylum and Victoria Williams among others. Check out their website at www.indigogirls.com |
Michelle Shocked
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"Short Sharp Shocked, produced by Pete Anderson in 1988, displayed talent, combining the informal, tradition-rooted folkiness of The Texas Campfire Tapes with a strong post-modern feminist perspective and punk attitude. The album quickly earned her respect among the alternative community and critics. In an unexpected move, Shocked returned in 1989 with Captain Swing, a '40s-style big-band swing outing that shocked her fans initially but had no shortage of strong material. In 1992, she took something of a step back with Arkansas Traveller, a rootsy collection of songs based on the blackface minstrelsy that covered all forms of early American, homegrown music. In 1993, Mercury finally became fed up with her confusing style jumping and refused to release her proposed gospel album. She then left on a solo tour..." more... |
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Born: 1962 in Dallas, Texas
Genres: Rock Styles: Urban-Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Alternative Pop/Rock, Folk-Rock Instruments: Guitar, Vocals |
Michelle Shocked@All-Music Guide
Michelle Shocked@UBL |
ROCKRGRL goal is to provide support and resources for women rockers. We believe female rock musicians usually get short shrift in the mainstream press because in the male-dominated music press, women rockers are still not considered "real" artists. E.g. Rolling Stone puts a lot more naked female television stars on its covers than clothed women musicians. And articles written about women musicians focus more on their gender than their artistry. You are far more likely to find articles about where Tracy Bonham buys her shoes than where she buys her guitars.
ChickClick girl sites that don't fake it
Women Composers and Women's Music
from William and Gayle Cook Music Library, Indiana University School of Music,
Worldwide Internet Music Resources
Article on Women Guitarists in the Mining Co. Guide to Guitar
| More Women Performers | Australian Women in Music |
Bonnie Raitt | Joan Jett | Melissa Etheridge | Courtney Love | Kat | Ani DiFranco | Siouxsie
Australian Women Performers include:
Marie Wilson | Judy Small | Spiderbait | Kylie Minogue | Ruby Hunter
Classical Women Guitarists: Lynn Harting-Ware | Sharon Wayne | Sharon Isbin
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