5 Female Artists Of The Past That Still Deserve A Standing Ovation
Start writing a post
Entertainment

5 Female Artists Of The Past That Still Deserve A Standing Ovation

There ain't no mountain high enough for these women.

121
5 Female Artists Of The Past That Still Deserve A Standing Ovation
Unsplash

With the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions around the corner, I think it's time we discussed some of music history's most beloved (and often forgotten) female musicians.

In a field dominated by men, these women rose through the charts and produced record-breaking albums which would later become iconic entries into the canon of music.

Without these women, we could never have artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, etc. Here is a short list of women who I think deserve a standing ovation.

1. Kate Bush

Certainly the oddball amongst her peers, Kate Bush established herself as an artist who was ahead of her time. A native of England, She exploded onto the music scene in 1978 at the tender age of 19 with her debut single "Wuthering Heights", which was based on the Emily Brontë novel. Kate would then go on to have a long, yet reclusive, career in which her albums broke records all around the world, many of them being a critical success. Unfortunately, American listeners considered her too weird, thus making it difficult for her to break into the American market.

Key Tracks: "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)", "Wuthering Heights", "Cloudbusting", "This Woman's Work", "Babooshka"

2. Stevie Nicks

Considered one of the most legendary women in rock music, Stevie Nicks was one of many who paved the way for women in music. Nicks found fame as the frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac, turning them into one of the most successful bands of all time. While still with Fleetwood Mac, Nicks embarked on a highly successful solo career, beginning with her 1981 debut album, "Bella Donna", which sold 6 million copies in the US alone. Stevie Nicks still writes, records, and produces music as well as tours with Fleetwood Mac and by herself, showing the world that a woman at age 69 can still rock and roll.

Key Tracks: "Rhiannon", "Dreams", "Edge of Seventeen", "Stand Back", "Landslide"

3. Annie Lennox

Known for her haunting vocals, androgynous style, and piercing eyes, Annie Lennox completely changed what it meant to be a woman in the music industry. She would find initial fame in the 80's as one-half of a New Wave duo known as the Eurythmics. After the band broke up in the early 90's, Annie became a successful solo artist with a number of hit records attached to her name. Later in life, Annie turned to AIDS activism and other philanthropic purists while still performing all around the world.

Key Tracks: "Here Comes the Rain Again", "Why", "No More I Love Yous", "Cold", "Walking on Broken Glass"

4. Tina Turner

If anyone should be given an award for survival, it should be Tina Turner. Turner began her musical career with her then-husband, Ike Turner. The two churned out some major hits in the 60's and 70's, turning Tina (and not Ike) into a superstar. Ike then became severely abusive towards Tina, so much so that Tina would eventually file for divorce and win the right to keep her stage name. Tina would then become one of the most successful female recording artists in history, selling over 180 million albums worldwide. Her rise to musical fame would be the subject of a biopic entitled "What's Love Got to Do With It?" starring Angela Bassett as Tina Turner and Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner.

Key Tracks: "Proud Mary", "Nutbush City Limits", "What's Love Got to Do With It", "Private Dancer", "River Deep, Mountain High"

5. Diana Ross

Diana 'The Boss' Ross is perhaps one of the most iconic singers in music history. Ross started out at Motown Records in the girl group The Supremes, becoming one of Motown's most popular musical groups. However, by the early 70's, the group dissolved and Ross stepped out to begin her own solo career. Ross also ventured into acting, her most notable role being Billie Holiday in "Lady Sings the Blues". In 1988, Ross was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Supremes, thus cementing her status as a music icon. Ross has sold over 100 million records world wide and has more than 70 hit singles to her name, making her one of the most successful female artists.

Key Tracks: "Stop! In the Name of Love", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "I Hear a Symphony", "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)", "I'm Coming Out"

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

14521
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

944732
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

121856
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments