Modern Musical Reolutionaries
Sarah Mizzen
From opera singers to pop sensations, these artists are just some of the incredible women in music who have paved the way for female musicians in the industry and helped shape American music into what it is today. Here are a few music titans who are all trailblazers in their own right.
Classical:
Marian Anderson:
Born February 27, 1897, opera singer Marian Anderson was one of the first black female international superstars. As a great cultural figure, Anderson broke down many racial barriers during her career. Most notably was in 1939, when she performed at Lincoln Memorial after not being permitted to sing for an integrated audience at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. The spectacle gathered a crowd of around 75,000, as well as the millions of radio listeners tuning in throughout the country. The DAR faced public embarrassment and scrutiny for denying Anderson after her triumphant public performance. However, she faced intense racial backlash after the fact and wouldn’t make her next big American debut until 1955, when she became the first African-American soloist to appear at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Many doors were closed for her in the U.S., so she spent most of her career in Europe where she was welcomed. Not only did the opera singer perform classical pieces, but she presented spirituals in the classical style as well. As a contralto, Marian could go deeper than other female singers, and she used that range to channel her emotions and bring experiences as a black woman of her time to her art.
Jazz:
Billie Holiday:
As one of the most famous jazz vocalists in history, Billie Holiday inspired the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, and Etta James with her unique styling and interpretation.
Billie Holiday became one of the first Black women to work with a white orchestra when she toured with Artie Shaw in the late 1930s. She rose to stardom through working with many jazz greats, such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Lester Young. Her successful career and innovative style have inspired many other performers who followed in her footsteps.
Youtube Link: Billie Holiday - "Strange Fruit" Live 1959 [Reelin' In The Years Archives]
Ella Fitzgerald:
Born in 1917, Ella Fitzgerald became arguably the most famous jazz singer in the world. She found comfort in singing after her rough childhood and debuted at age 17 at the Apollo theater. In 1958, Fitzgerald become the first black woman to win a Grammy award. She had an incredibly successful career, winning a total of 13 Grammys, and selling more than 40 million records. In the earlier years of her career, Fitzgerald toured with jazz drummer Chick Webb and his band. Following Webb’s death in 1939, she took over the band and became one of the first women to ever lead a bid band. After she left the group, Fitzgerald toured with jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespi and his Orchestra. It was at this time that she developed her famous “scat singing”, where she would improvise by mimicking different instruments with her voice. The technique became incredibly popularized and is widely used today. Her legacy and influence still shine bright as there are many awards, accolades, and scholarships named in her honor.
Youtube Link: Ella Fitzgerald- "How High The Moon/Epic scat" LIVE 1966 [RITY Archives]
Etta James
There is no doubt that the career of Etta James has left a lasting impression on the music world. She was a gospel prodigy, and after releasing “I’d Rather Go Blind,” and “At Last,” she soared to fame. She is considered one of history's most dynamic singers, as she was able to perform in the styles of blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz, and gospel confidently. In 1973, she earned a Grammy nomination for her album Etta James for its creative mixture of rock and funk. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and went on the win 3 Grammys in the early 2000s. To this day, James’s music is still vastly popular and is used in commercials, movies, and television.
Youtube Link: Etta James - Something's Got A Hold On Me (Live)
Soul/R&B:
Nina Simone
Born 1933, Nina Simone began her musical career as a classical pianist training at Julliard. Though she had to set aside her classical aspirations after her funds ran out. So in the ’50s, she started traveling around Atlantic City clubs, singing jazz and blues. Simone gained lots of attention for her powerful and emotional voice, eventually winning over such fans as Langston Hughs and James Baldwin. In the ’60s, she became a strong voice in the civil rights movement and wrote the song “Mississippi Goddam” in response to the assassination of Medgar Evers and the bombing of a Birmingham church that killed four young African American girls. Later, Simone would go on to write other anthems in response to the civil rights movement such as “Four Women,” “Young, Gifted, and Black,” and “Why (The King of Love is Dead)” after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. She left a lasting impression on music, art, and activism as she proudly announced her beliefs, grievances, and powerful emotions through her music.
Aretha Franklin
Known commonly as the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin produced countless hits during her career. Franklin, who was a naturally gifted pianist with a powerful voice, got her start singing gospel for her father's congregation in Detroit. At age 18, she moved to New York at produced her first Top 10 hits off of her new album Aretha. In the ’60s, Franklin dominated the charts with hit after hit. It earned her the title “Queen of Soul,” and she became a symbol of black empowerment in the civil rights movement as she captured the most important elements of American society in her music. Though Franklin had trouble staying on the charts as the new disco craze took over the nation, her various performances and cameos in popular films exposed her to a new generation of R&B lovers. Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and is also one of the most honored Grammy artists in history, winning a total of 18. In 2003, she also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and later became the second woman ever inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame. She inspired millions of people worldwide with the soulful passion she put into her music and influenced many artists to do the same.
Rock:
Janis Joplin
Dubbed the first queen of rock 'n' roll, Janis Joplin had a lasting impact on the world of Rock and Roll. She joined the band Big Brother in the late ’60s and with her unique, dynamic, bluesy style, their first album together Cheap Thrills (1968) was a huge success. She left the band that same year and started working on a solo album. Joplin passed away from an accidental overdose in 1970 before she could finish her album. It was completed by her producer, and Pearl was released the following year. It became a huge hit, and the track “Me and Bobby McGee'' reached the top of the charts. Despite her tragically short life, Joplin was able to establish herself as an influential voice and paved the way for countless women in rock.
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks became an overnight sensation after signing on with Fleetwood Mac in 1975. Nicks wrote many top hits for the band including “Riannon” and “Dreams.”After a successful few years with the band, Nicks took off on her solo career. She released her first solo album Bella Donna in 1981, which featured guest artists Tom Petty and Don Henley. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts for the hits “Edge of Seventeen,” and “Leather and Lace.” During the ’80s and ’90s, Nicks was simultaneously releasing both solo works and albums with Fleetwood Mac.
In 2019, Nicks became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, making history for female musicians. Her legacy of performance and songwriting that connects with the audience continues to set an example for newer artists today
Youtube Link: Stevie Nicks - Edge of Seventeen (Official Music Video)
Country:
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton, the country music icon, has had one of the most successful musical careers ever. She has won several major awards, 10 Grammys, and in 1999, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Parton has written several chart-toppers including “Jolene,” “I Will Alway Love You,” and “Here You Come Again.” The country star also has many acting credits and starred in the popular films 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias. At the peak of her mainstream career, Dolly Parton opened her own theme park in Tennessee named Dollywood which remains open today. She uses her success to give back to the community and she established her own foundation in 1996 to work with charitable organizations. Parton’s vast career helped to broaden the audience for country music as she continues to produce and support many projects.
Pop:
Diana Ross
Diana Ross began her career as the lead singer of the widely popular Motown group The Supremes. They became the first group ever to have five No. 1 songs in a row and helped shape the sound of Motown. After a successful 9 years, she left the Supremes for her solo career. The following year, she hit No. 1 with her single “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Ross produced several more platinum and top hits. Her powerful voice and presence inspired producers to cast Ross as Billie Holiday in the biopic Lady Sings the Blues (1972), earning her a Best Actress nomination. She became an even bigger hit in the disco era with hits such as “Upside Down,” and “I’m Coming Out.” The influence of Diana Ross is unquestionable, and she has been recognized time and time again for her impact on popular music. She has been awarded the B.E.T. lifetime achievement award (2007), the Grammy lifetime achievement award (2012), the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2016, and the A.M.A. lifetime achievement award (2017). As the first black female to cross over from the top of the R&B charts to the top of the pop charts, she set the bar high for women in the music industry.
Carole King
Born in 1942, popular singer/songwriter Carole King helped shape the sound of 60s and 70s pop music. King wrote many popular hits for other artists, most notably “You Make Me Feel ( Like a Natural Woman” for Aretha Franklin, "Pleasant Valley Sunday" for the Monkees, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" for The Shirelles, and "Goin' Back" for Dusty Springfield. After her eminent career as a writer, King released her solo album Tapestry in 1971. The album broke records, staying at No.1 for 15 weeks, and stayed on the charts for the next 6 years. King remains the most successful female songwriter of the 20th century, having written 118 songs that were on the Billboard Hot 100.
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson created a distinct music, dance, and performance style. She has been a blueprint for many other female pop artists including Lady Gaga, Brittany Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyonce, who have all cited her as an influence. Jackson has put out 10 No. 1 singles as well as several other widely popular tracks. She has been awarded 5 Grammys to date. As a black female, Jackson was central in changing the relationship between music labels and black artists. She also paved the path for better recording deals and distribution rights.
Her artistic influence is still evident today through the way they choreograph their videos, their vocal intonations, and their visual presentation.
