THE TOP 40
In response to VH-1's Top 100 women in rock,
I thought I'd put together my own list for
Boomers International. The criteria I used were:
hits, song -writing, influence, longevity and
originality. While all such lists are subjective
opinion, this was a thought out attempt to rank
and honor the women who helped shape
Rock and the Music Industry.
Artist's ranking is not necessarily
my personal preference.
You'll notice some surprises, both inclusions
and exclusions from the VH-1/ 100. Newer Artists
are not included as they need more time to
determine their place in rock history.
Admittedly I am a fan of Jewel , quirky lil'
Alanis and Cheryl Crowe but these ladies arrive
late in the rock timeline and their impact
on rock's history needs time to develop.
The Top 40
Women In Rock History:
1. Dianna Ross and The Supremes
(These ladies took on The Beatles
for chart positions. Their hits and style
made them one of the most
popular acts of the 60's.)
2. Janis Joplin
(Often imitated-Never duplicated.
Too short of Career)
3. Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes
(With Phil Spector's Wall Of Sound,
these girls influenced both
Motown and The Supremes.)
4. Dusty Springfield
(Rock's first female drummer, inspired
Karen Carpenter, had hits in several
genres including soul.)
5. Carole King
(Not only Tapestry but wrote an amazing
amount of rock classics)
6. Joni Mitchell
(Singer-Songwriter wrote Woodstock.
An original artist with a unique delivery.
Covered by CS&N and Judy Collins.)
7. Linda Rondstadt
(Queen of the torch-song,
gutsy unforgettable vocals.)
8. Joan Baez
(Lead the folk music scene, helped bring
Dylan to the forefront, used music for
social activism, singer songwriter.)
9. Carly Simon
(Singer-Songwriter with a string of hits.)
10. Laura Nyro
(Wrote Stoned Soul Picnic, Eli's Coming,
Wedding Bell Blues. Covered by The 5th
Dimension and 3 Dog Night)
11. Karen Carpenter
(Taking up where Dusty Springfield left off with
an incredible voice. Another female drummer!)
12. Big Momma Thornton
(Inspired Elvis and Janis, gave us Hound Dog)
13. Ma Rainey
(Her elaborate costumes, sexy sashays, props
and outrageous deliveries inspired everyone
that followed her.)
14. Martha & The Vandellas
15. The Shirelles
16. Dionne Warwicke
17. Merrilee Rush
(Angel Of The Morning- A huge Crossover hit.)
18. Lulu
19. Petula Clark
20. Billie Holiday
21. Marianne Faithful
22. Melanie
23. Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie
24. Bobbie Gentry
(Ode To Billie Joe, type it into a search engine )
25. Little Eva
(The Locomotion's durability over the years)
27. Grace Slick
28. Chrissie Hynde
29. Rickie Lee Jones
30. Tina Turner
31. Aretha Franklin
32. Joan Armatrading
33. Mavis Staples
34. Jeannie C. Riley
35. Cher
36. Bonnie Bramlette (Delaney and Bonnie)
37. Patti Smith
38. Bonnie Raitt
39. Emmylou Harriss
40. Barbara Streisand
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