Don’t Run Away From History, Jett

The trailer for The Runaways is causing excitement among the twi-hards and rock fans alike. One thing about it really stuck in my craw. It refers to them as “the first girls to rock.”

When standing on the shoulders of giants, it is polite to acknowledge them.

Women have not had an easy time in the rock and roll world but it is important to remember that they have always been there, giving it as hard as the men. They did just as many drugs, had just as much sex and were just as insane as their male counterparts. Let’s take a brief look at some of the great ladies of rock ‘n roll.

Janis Joplin

Grace Slick

Suzi Quatro

Martha Davis

Patti Smith

Debbie Harry

Ann and Nancy Wilson

Of course we can’t forget the debt owed to Nina Hagen, Carole Pope, Bonnie Raitt, Pat Benatar, Dusty Springfield, Bonnie Bramlett, Cher, Jackie DeShannon, Marianne Faithfull, Aretha Franklin, Joan Armatrading, Wanda Jackson, Carole King, Lulu, Joni Mitchell, Kim Carnes, Brenda Lee, Nico, Yoko Ono, Genya Ravan, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Baez, Linda Thompson, Tina Turner, Carly Simon, Maureen Tucker, Dale Bozzio, Mama Cass, Michelle Phillips, Signe Toly Anderson, Sandy Denny, Tina Weymouth, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, and many more.

Not that The Runaways didn’t make their own mark in rock history.