Women in Music History
Occasionally on twitter, I share the story of one woman in music history. Some of them shattered records, other blazed new trails, but all of them fought for their place in an industry dominated and ruled by men and corporate interests.
From there, her star began to rise. Her recording career had been sluggish up to this point but “Walkin After Midnight” became a smash hit, so did “Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces”. “Walkin After Midnight” became a crossover hit, #12 on the Hot 100 chart #WomenInMusicHistory
Hobby or not, Amy wanted to learn to compose. She went to the library and found books written by composition masters. The only problem? Bach had written his in German and Berlioz had written his in French. Amy spoke neither language. What's a girl to do?
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Well, Amy the Genius taught herself both languages, translated the books by Bach and Berlioz, then taught herself composition from the translated texts. Like a boss. #WomenInMusicHistory
One woman:
- introduced Bob Dylan to the world
- sang at MLK Jr's March on Washington for Jobs
- has recorded albums in eight languages and
- performed at Woodstock while visibly pregnant
That woman was Joan Baez.
It is important that we talk about Taylor's sales in terms of digital downloads; her audience has always skewed young, embracing new technology. She's a product of the digital age, to look at only her physical sales would be dismissing her core audience.
The first woman to write the entirety of her own debut album and have that album go platinum? Kate Bush.
The only woman to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame AND the Country Music Hall of Fame? Brenda Lee.
You probably know her as the girl who sang "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" though
The only woman to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame AND the Country Music Hall of Fame? Brenda Lee.
You probably know her as the girl who sang "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" though
A powerhouse vocalist, escaped an abusive marriage to a convicted murderer (who literally gave her twins as a Christmas present?), she toured with the Beatles and rode the girl-group wave through the 60s
Sing into your hairbrush tonight. She wants you to. #WomenInMusicHistory
How about some fabulous Black #WomenInMusicHistory for this, the first day of #Blackhistorymonth2022
First woman to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame?
Aretha Franklin (also the first artist whose death made me cry)