Rabz’ Radio Show March 2023: Rock Chicks


This post will no doubt be seen as either a desperate attempt to ensure some gender balance or an exercise in unrepentant sexism.

Quite frankly Cats, I couldn’t give a rodent’s.

The definitive “Rock Chick” when I was growing up was one Suzi Quattro. All that leather and attitude, as well those heavy guitar chords blasted out (by her all male band) very loudly. A path followed by the likes of the Runaways and one Joan Jett, whose definitive contribution to Rock’s canon was “I love Rock and Roll (so put another dime in the jukebox, baby)”.

Otherwise, I’ve not really got any favourite “Rock Chicks” as such, my preference for women in contemporary music being more about their magnificent voices and (any) physical desirability as an added bonus.

An aspiring Rock Chick should however recognise there is a “uniform”, undefined as it is. Some essentials might include tight jeans, tight tops, suede jackboots (black or tan) and a Brando, topped off with just about any possible edgy female hairstyle you could imagine (with additional points for the mighty Femullet).

Anyway, here’s this month’s two intro tracks.

Suzi Quattro – Can the Can

Zepparella – Kashmir

Again, barely scratching the surface here, Cats. No doubt there’s a whole heap of Rock Femmes that you’re just waiting to nominate in the comments thread. So, go for it Cats, you know you want to!

,

150 responses to “Rabz’ Radio Show March 2023: Rock Chicks”

  1. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    The mighty Pia Morris – her love of the music is just infectious.

  2. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    I tips me hat for a fine idea for a radio show! Yes, I did like Susi Q too when I was younger!

    Can do no more than put up the rock chick. She’s a babe.

    Rapture (1981)

  3. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare Avatar
    Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare

    I don’t think she was exactly a chick, Rabz, but Mumma Cass was quite the go in her day, before she stuff that fatal sandwich into her amble mouth.

    Janis Joplin though, now there was a real rock chick. Early days, an a fine screamer.
    Also died early.

  4. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    Two rock chicks are better than one.

    Veruca Salt – Volcano Girls (Live, 1997)

  5. Roger Avatar
    Roger

    Janis Joplin though, now there was a real rock chick. Early days, an a fine screamer.

    A very good interpreter of other’s songs when she wanted to be.

    Here she is with her rendition of a Bee Gees classic, live in a TV studio, which is a notoriously unfriendly environment for live music, which is why most just lip sync.

  6. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    The Bangles.

    Can’t beat four rock chicks. I doffs me hat. And a serenade of our bloglord too!

  7. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    Hard to conceive that Ann Wilson is 72. What an amazing voice. I’ll put this one up because some kind person recorded it off Rage, which almost makes me forgive the ABC for being a pack of arseholes.

    HEART – Magic Man (1976)

  8. Nelson_Kidd-Players Avatar

    More pop than rock, but this Brit managed for find her way to Australia on a Women’s Weekly discovery cruise, managed to stay here through a marriage of convenience* and managed to forge a career with a blaze of fame in a mid-tier local group.

    Groove.

    The one with the eye candy (something for everyone).

  9. Roger Avatar
    Roger

    More “folky” than “rock chick”, but I’ll sneak her in regardless.

    Great, great song : Who knows where the time goes?, Sandy Denny & Fairport Convention.

  10. Nelson_Kidd-Players Avatar

    Oops, forgot my *.

    * From her memoir. Cannot recall how explicitly it was stated, but the impression was clear in my recollection.

  11. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    Two green-eyed gals.

    Hole – Celebrity Skin (1998)

  12. P Avatar
    P

    One of the first female singers I can remember mentioning Rock and Roll,
    Kay Starr with her big hit of the mid fifties (1956 here in Aus) –
    Rock and Roll Waltz
    As the title suggests this novelty song is a waltz in triple metre, but it also contains a bass riff that is reminiscent of typical boogie woogie and rock and roll riffs. Wiki

  13. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    Speaking of Rock Chicks – Miss Ellie is just magnifique …

    Although she’s more of a Siren than a Rock Chick, despite her Telecaster* wielding pretensions.

    *Her Black Tele was inspired by Miss PJ.

  14. Crossie Avatar
    Crossie

    I love this lady, every one of the tracks from her self-titled album is great.

    Alannah Myles

  15. calli Avatar
    calli

    If we’re going for vocals, how about Cindy Wilson? Unique voice.

  16. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    Miss Polly Jean

    That whole album is something else. Many many hours listening to the CD, especially on long car trips.

  17. Crossie Avatar
    Crossie

    Let’s not forget Pat Benatar.

  18. eric hinton Avatar
    eric hinton

    The first joke I remember my younger sister cracking… updated to take advantage of a nuance not available to her at the time.

    What do you call a wardrobe malfunction?

    A 48 Crash

  19. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    Want Want

    Pure Pop Perfection.

  20. Roger Avatar
    Roger

    This young lady was “where it’s at” c. June, 1967.

    And unlike a lot of psychedelia, Surrealistic Pillow is still worth listening to nearly 60 years later, such is the quality of the songwriting & musicianship.

  21. Crossie Avatar
    Crossie

    The ultimate rock chick:

    Debbie Harry

  22. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    The rock chick track.

    Robert Palmer – Simply Irresistible (1988)

    So sue me…

  23. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    how about Cindy Wilson

    How about the mighty Kate P and Iggy?

    Speaking of pure pop perfection, Love Shack is a definitive example.

  24. Crossie Avatar
  25. Crossie Avatar
    Crossie

    Then there is Marie Fredriksson from Roxette who sadly is no longer with us.

    The Look

  26. Roger Avatar
  27. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    NKP – The Eurogliders were excellent.

    Eurogliders – City Of Soul (1985)

  28. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    No one has put up these fine ladies so I will rectify the error.

    The Breeders – Safari (1992)

  29. jupes Avatar
    jupes

    Here she is with her rendition of a Bee Gees classic, live in a TV studio, which is a notoriously unfriendly environment for live music, which is why most just lip sync.

    Superb.

    Here’s a modern rock chick who lived the quintessential rock chick’s life and went out at the same age as Janis.

    Amy Winehouse. Valerie

  30. Nelson_Kidd-Players Avatar

    Nothing dates your output by putting the year in the lyrics, Bruce! 😀

  31. hzhousewife Avatar
    hzhousewife

    Annie Lennox – Eurythmics

  32. Dragnet Avatar
    Dragnet

    The Runaways !
    Cherry Bomb !!

  33. Nelson_Kidd-Players Avatar

    Chrissie H. definitely deservers her place in this company, Rabz.

  34. Alamak! Avatar
    Alamak!

    Pleasure and Pain … when woman were allowed to sing about any topic they liked, not having to support the feminist elite party line.

  35. Frank Avatar
    Frank

    Detroit Cobras.

    Sadly the singer Rachel Nagy is no more. I heard the two girls interviewed on the radio in Sydney after they had been out for a night drinking with the Cosmic Psychos, a pair of real diamonds, in rough. Apparently rice for dinner is a killer as far as hangovers go.

  36. Dragnet Avatar
    Dragnet

    Suzi Quatro and her sisters in their first band

    The Pleasure Seekers

    What A Way To Go

  37. Frank Avatar
    Frank

    Again with more of the previous since maudlin is the theme for the evening at castle Frank.

  38. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    I love that Texas is from Scotland.

    I don’t want a lover – Texas – live 1990

  39. MatrixTransform Avatar
    MatrixTransform

    The Breeders

    speaking of Breeders … The Pixies

  40. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    BoN – The Hush

    H/T to young Cats – play this if you’re trying to impress a goil.

  41. Pogria Avatar
    Pogria

    Rabzsays:
    March 4, 2023 at 7:41 pm
    Sacré bleu – Je suis ta bombe cerise! ?

    Dragnetsays:
    March 4, 2023 at 9:03 pm
    The Runaways !
    Cherry Bomb !!

    Guys, I still have my “unscratched” vinyl copy of The Runaways I bought when I was sixteen. nyah nyaaaaaah!

    Crossie, I also have Parallel Lines on vinyl.

  42. rosie Avatar
    rosie

    I was looking to see if someone mentioned Cherry Bomb.

  43. Frank Avatar
    Frank

    Susan Tedeschi doing The Letter by the Box Tops. Notable for the exuberance of the trombone player at the end.

  44. Pogria Avatar
    Pogria

    There is not a Rock Chick alive, dead or composting that will ever out rock chick Chrissie Amphlett.

  45. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    speaking of Breeders … The Pixies

    Speaking of the Pixies…Ms Paz Lenchantin, rock chick in two epic bands.

    Pixies – Gigantic (Paz Lenchantin vocals) – Tulsa, OK March 27, 2019

    A Perfect Circle – Judith (2000)

    Fine bass guitarist!

  46. eric hinton Avatar
    eric hinton

    Suze di baby animal

    Early Warning

  47. C.L. Avatar
    C.L.

    Imelda May (with a dude named Jeff Beck guesting on lead)…

    Stunning performance:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF5mtyPo-Wk

  48. C.L. Avatar
    C.L.

    We have to include the late, great, sexy Renee:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x92Trn2pMBs

  49. Pogria Avatar
    Pogria

    Not exactly Hard Rock Chicks, but Bloody Hell they could sing and they were definitely easy on the eye.

  50. Crossie Avatar
    Crossie

    I first heard this singer and guitar player when my granddaughter gave me a lift, it was on her playlist.

    Orianthi

  51. MatrixTransform Avatar
    MatrixTransform
  52. Tintarella di Luna Avatar
    Tintarella di Luna

    Excellent

  53. Pogria Avatar
    Pogria

    Suzi Quatro appeared on the very first episode of Countdown. Showing my age now, but I watched it!

    She lost a bit of street cred though when she portrayed “Pinky Tuscadero” on Happy Days.

  54. Pogria Avatar
    Pogria

    Oops!, Suzi Quatro was “Leather Tuscadero” on Happy Days. My bad. Still stands though, she lost street cred.
    Too many G & T’s tonight.

  55. eric hinton Avatar
    eric hinton

    Supremes (top fillum clip)

  56. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    On the hot and crazy matrix this lady is off the scale.

    Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl (US Version)

    Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl (UK Version)

    The UK version is surreal, whoever did it I think was on interesting mushrooms.

  57. Bar Beach Swimmer Avatar
    Bar Beach Swimmer

    Rabz, that girl can’t sing Kashmir for nuts!

  58. P Avatar
    P

    Supremes (top fillum clip)

    The Supremes in Paris in 1965, singing their first # 1 hit: Where Did Our Love Go? – Dancing and skipping through the streets of Paris.

  59. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    Pogs – they were sisters, apparently.

    Suzi Q as Leather Tuscadero.

  60. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    At the age of 37, she realised …

    For some reason known only to my hindbrain Marianne Faithfull always reminds me of Jerry Hall.

    Bryan Ferry – Let’s Stick Together (1976)

    It’s fun that Rupert Murdoch made an honest woman of her, at age 60.
    For a while at least. 😀

  61. Bar Beach Swimmer Avatar
    Bar Beach Swimmer

    Rabz, in my yoof I liked Suzie Quattro but now I appreciate the pure voice. Think Judith Durham, Karen Carpenter, or Doris Day, to name a few.

    https://youtu.be/z4ZipKdI1sY

    https://youtu.be/wc7g96GYBx0

  62. MatrixTransform Avatar
    MatrixTransform

    Hot Crazy Awesome

    Fiona Apple – Not About Love

    she’s banned from polite society like Ryan Adams is

  63. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    Three music producers one day got sick of the bland stuff coming across their desks. They thought they could do better. There was a small problem though…none of them could sing. So they found a rock chick by watching television.

    Garbage – Stupid Girl (1994)

    They’re still going 30 years and 17 million album sales later.

  64. eric hinton Avatar
    eric hinton

    Marianne Faithfull and Godard girl with large excursion eye movements

    As tears go by

  65. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    Supremes

    Wow – how awesome is Di Ross’s voice. Honey is nowhere near as sweet.

  66. Bar Beach Swimmer Avatar
    Bar Beach Swimmer

    Crossiesays:
    March 4, 2023 at 9:47 pm

    +1 for that one!

  67. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    Speaking of honey, Gladys – just bloody magnificent … 🙂

  68. Bar Beach Swimmer Avatar
    Bar Beach Swimmer
  69. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    If you could attached a copper cable to Ms Apple you could power a whole civilization.
    Some ladies are live wires.

    Fiona Apple – Sleep to Dream

  70. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    Speaking of Rock Chicks, as introduced by Angry of Mayfair – “She is the sickest thang in this whole damn woild”

    Look at that Stupid Goil

  71. MatrixTransform Avatar
    MatrixTransform

    Ms Apple has been haunting me for about 15 years

  72. Makka Avatar
    Makka

    These chicks aren’t singing but they do qualify as “rock chicks”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcATvu5f9vE&ab_channel=RobertPalmerVEVO

  73. Bar Beach Swimmer Avatar
    Bar Beach Swimmer

    Rogersays:
    March 4, 2023 at 8:23 pm

    Roger, that goil looks like she’s straight out of The Handmaid’s Tale!

  74. MatrixTransform Avatar
    MatrixTransform

    Ryan gets a raw deal from industry

    you fight the system and the best you get is to be anti-hero

    vale Jonny Cash

    Sweet Carolina

    Ashes and Fire

  75. Bruce of Newcastle Avatar
    Bruce of Newcastle

    Makka – I think the guitar solo is by a guy in a dress.

  76. Bar Beach Swimmer Avatar
    Bar Beach Swimmer

    I saw Robert Palmer in Sydney; the Eurogliders were the intro!

  77. Makka Avatar
    Makka

    She’s no spring chicken, but when younger Margo Timmins was a knock out.

    Truly, she has the voice of an Angel;

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9D2yvD9Frk&ab_channel=dafnitin

  78. Makka Avatar
    Makka

    Geez, don’t spoil it Bruce!

  79. Bar Beach Swimmer Avatar
    Bar Beach Swimmer
  80. Bar Beach Swimmer Avatar
    Bar Beach Swimmer

    When will I be loved?

    https://youtu.be/wYGK3GvgaII

  81. Makka Avatar
    Makka

    Back in ’86, it was THE flick, with the hottest chick;

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx51eegLTY8&ab_channel=BerlinVEVO

  82. Bar Beach Swimmer Avatar
    Bar Beach Swimmer

    My older sister had this record – I loved it!

    https://youtu.be/8LhkyyCvUHk

  83. Makka Avatar
  84. Black Ball Avatar
    Black Ball

    Does Kate Bush qualify?

  85. Black Ball Avatar
    Black Ball

    On Rage just now,
    Heart, Alone

  86. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Voice of an angel: Linda Ronstadt, Blue Bayou (original studio version with those gorgeous country guitar licks).

  87. WolfmanOz Avatar
    WolfmanOz

    Great post Rabz.

    Still have a place in my heart for the great Suzi Q.

  88. miltonf Avatar
    miltonf

    thanks Rabz- great fun

  89. Pogria Avatar
    Pogria

    Kim Wilde still rockin’ it in Paris last year.
    Note the huge difference between Kim and Mad Donna re their looks. Kim is a super hot woman of a certain age, Mads is Alien Resurrection.

  90. Figures Avatar
    Figures

    Lana Del Ray.

    She might be the greatest of all except I can’t play any of her songs when the young’ns are around.

  91. Figures Avatar
    Figures

    Del Rey even.

    As she would say “**** **** ****”

  92. calli Avatar
    calli

    It’s old, it’s grainy, and it’s 1967 baby!

    Here’s amazing Grace.

  93. Bruce Avatar
    Bruce

    Here in Briz Vegas, we had “Railroad Gin”, fronted by Carol Lloyd.

    A bunch of us used to go to their gigs in the original Brisbane Botanical Gardens. Early / mid 1970s.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-KCzJ2ZTro

    The late Renee Geyer? More “soul and blues”? Maybe.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuwlXlb5AFM

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoXsluwOKPg

  94. Bruce Avatar
    Bruce

    Speaking of Grace Slick:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7dJ3a-U6WQ

    Duetting with Mickey Kantor, 1981:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwxCqrpucR0

    That is a very tasty bit of guitar work from Craig Chaquico.

    And now; a playlist of others:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwrnQxZQAAs&list=PL8aIynMubrGJqAHS2_n07jymfrqklYX9b

    I have most of their albums on the original vinyl; very few seem to b available on CD. They get an occasional “outing”, but not everyone appreciates the music.

  95. jupes Avatar
    jupes

    Couple of rock chicks in this band.

    Fleetwood Mac – Rhiannon

  96. pete of perth Avatar
    pete of perth

    Does twisted sister count?

  97. jupes Avatar
    jupes

    Does twisted sister count?

    About as much as Alice Cooper.

  98. C.L. Avatar
    C.L.

    Does Kate Bush qualify?

    Hell, yes.

    Any point linking to the greatest video of all time?

    You know what it is.

  99. areff Avatar
    areff

    Jayne ‘Man enough to be a Woman’ County?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSd6QjCDY9g

  100. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Victoria’s greatest horse-racing tipster, Deane Lester, who was born with spina bifida and lived most of his life in a wheelchair without complaint, died last week, aged 54, after his final health battle with cancer.

    On Deano’s deathbed, surrounded by friends and family, he requested the timeless classic composed by Fleetwood Mac’s Christie McVie, Songbird. Rest in peace, Deano: your legacy for me was planting this beautiful creation in my mind.

  101. johanna Avatar
    johanna

    As usual, I was not around for Saturday night – standing engagement, and it is rude to be playing on one’s phone while your hosts/friends are being hosts and friends.

    But my goodness, what a wonderful array of Rock Chicks. Cats and kittehs have that genre well and truly covered. 🙂

    I was delighted to see plenty of Chrissie Hynde, Janis and Grace. And more.

    Another favourite is Kim Carnes, most famous for Bette Davis Eyes.

    But I prefer this one. Draw of the Cards.

    That is hawt!

    More to come.

  102. johanna Avatar
    johanna

    Someone mentioned Nina Hagen, which is right and proper. But the thread lacks her astonishing evocation of New York. Once heard, never forgotten.

    Glad to see the recognition of Heart, who were both talented and driven, especially out of Canada. It used to be a place where talented musicians got out there and made a career. There were plenty of them. k d lang, Gordon Lightfoot and Heart. Oh, and that terminaly depressed bloke.

    Nowadays, it seems to be all about self pity and blaming others.

    Oh, and those black gels. The Divine Diana, and many others.

    Maybe Rabz should consider doing a post about The Brill Building.

  103. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    Does Kate Bush qualify and is there any point linking to the greatest video of all time?

    Red Dress

    White Dress

    🙂

  104. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    a post about The Brill Building

    Where pure pop was manufactured … 🙂

  105. Rabz Avatar
    Rabz

    The mighty Kate belting out one of the most beautiful love songs of all time, assisted by Dave G of the Punk Floyd …

  106. Louis Litt Avatar

    Linda Day George – I can’t link her greatest hits here – her voice is brill.
    She used to teach voice in Melbourne . This life seemed idealism. Teach voice and then tram it home in the suburbs.

  107. eric hinton Avatar
    eric hinton

    P. Smith 25th floor

    Dusty introduces Martha and the V’s Nowhere to run

  108. Bruce Avatar
    Bruce

    But WAIT!

    There’s MORE!

    Patti Smith
    Carolyn Mas
    Thelma Houston (with “Pressure Cooker)
    Annie Lennox
    Pat Bennatar?
    Ann and Nancy Wilson

    I’ll see if I can find some of my “Euro” stuff. There was a Berlin-based “rock musical” called “Linie Eins”, set in the carriages of the Berlin subways. The show toured Oz in 1988 (pre the fall of the wall), as part of the “Expo on Stage” activities in Brisbane. The main female protagonist / vocalist knew how to work a song or two.

  109. Bruce in WA Avatar
    Bruce in WA

    Suzi Quattro’s old man used to use her as a private punching bag until a group of … motorcycle enthusiasts intimated they would not be too happy if he did it anymore.

  110. Alamak! Avatar
    Alamak!

    and stretching the definition of a rock chick slightly … Maria Callas

  111. Bruce Avatar
    Bruce

    Definitely NOT “Rock Chicks”, but this is how to keep a big crowd happy.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFpZFnJ6ZT8

  112. backburn Avatar
    backburn

    How about a modern Aussie Punk Chick?

    Amy Taylor from “Amyl and the Sniffers”

    Freaks To The Front (Live)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V65Ot9vuJc

  113. Pogria Avatar
    Pogria

    Rabz,
    I would have thought Babuska would be more to your liking. You get to see a LOT MORE of Miss Bush! 😉

  114. Angus Black Avatar
    Angus Black

    There’s no doubt Suzi Quattro was a total honey in her day – I well remember her performance (as a support act) at a Union Ball (Hull Uni, longer ago than I like to think).

    A Pocket Rocket, no question.

    Does anyone remember a TV show called Rock Follies (mid 70s) – the manufactured band was called the Little Ladies and was led by Julie Covington (also Charlotte Cornwell, Ruka Lenska) who really did turn the power up.

    Slightly more recently, it’s hard to go past Jenny Lewis who fronted Rilo Kylie early this century.

  115. Nelson_Kidd-Players Avatar

    Yep, overlooked Annie. She definitely deserves a place on this page.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhpu2N4rQZM

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