Thursday Thirteen #35: Unsung Women of Popular Music

Thirteen Unsung Women of Popular Music
In honor of National Women's History Month, I decided to devote this week's T13 to some of the unsung, unheralded (and any other "un" that fits) females of popular music. Since much has been written about women such as Aretha, Madonna, Ella, and Janis, I thought it would be fun to instead focus on some who aren't quite as known. Some of the ladies below are relatively obscure while others have received some acclaim, but not nearly as much as they deserve.

1. LaVern Baker















One of the biggest female stars of the early rock era, Baker's chart run lasted from 1955's "Tweedlee Dee" through the 1966 single "Think Twice" (a duet with Jackie Wilson). Baker was equally at home singing uptempo tunes ("See See Rider") as she was mournful ballads ("I Cried A Tear").


2. Eva Cassidy















Like most people, I didn't discover the music of Eva Cassidy until after her death from melanoma in 1996 at the age of 33. A master song stylist, she interpreted tunes made famous by artists such as The Box Tops (The Letter), Cyndi Lauper (Time After Time), Bill Withers (Ain't No Sunshine), and The Impressions (People Get Ready). The lovely voice of Eva goes perfectly with your beverage of choice on a weekend morning.


3. Fanny










Formed in the late 1960s, Fanny was a band I first discovered while watching the 10-part A&E documentary "The Golden Age of Rock and Roll" back in the early 1990s. True pioneers in the women's rock movement, they were the first all-female band to sign with a major label (Reprise Records).


4. Millie Jackson











A singer whose sexy persona preceded rappers like Foxy Brown and Lil' Kim, Millie was known for including long, humorous, and explicit spoken sections in her music. Although her forte was R&B, Millie also recorded disco and country-styled songs as well.


5. Labelle















Although most people remember "Lady Marmalade", Labelle released some other quality material during their time together. Starting out as a conventional girl group in the early 1960s (under the name The Bluebelles), they updated their image and sound in 1970. In addition to releasing a string of critically acclaimed albums in the early to mid 1970s, Labelle also toured with The Who. According to reports, Labelle is working on a new album (with Lenny Kravitz producing) and plans to tour this year.


6. Darlene Love















Most people today probably know Darlene Love from her appearances in the "Lethal Weapon" movies (she played the wife of Danny Glover's character). However, she was one of the most prolific females of early rock and roll. Working with Phil Spector, Love sang lead with The Blossoms and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans. Although credited to The Crystals, the hits "He's A Rebel" and "He's Sure the Boy I Love" were actually recorded by The Blossoms.


7. The Luv'd Ones















I first heard this Michigan rock band after purchasing the superb boxed set "One Kiss Lead To Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost & Found" a few years ago. The Luv'd Ones were fronted by Char Vinnedge, who was the band's driving force. Not only did she write all their songs and design their artwork, Char even drove their tour van as well! Featuring distorted guitar work, a strong backbeat, and Char's icy lead vocal, their 1966 single "Up Down Sue" was well ahead of its time.

8. The Marvelettes














Often playing third fiddle to their Motown label mates The Supremes and Martha & the Vandellas, the Marvelettes' distinguished themselves by having two capable lead singers (Gladys Horton and Wanda Young). They were also the first Motown act to have a #1 hit on the Billboard Pop Singles chart (1961's "Please Mr. Postman").


9. Poe













Even more than introducing others to new music, I love it when someone turns me on to an artist that I haven't heard. Back when I was employed at a bookstore in the early part of the decade, two of my former co-workers would play the 1995 CD "Hello" by Poe. I was struck by Poe's unique combination of folk, rock, and electronica, as well as her offbeat lyrics.



10. Sylvia Robinson















As one half of the duo Mickey and Sylvia, Robinson had a hit back in 1957 called "Love Is Strange" (a song that gained new life when it was included in the film "Dirty Dancing"). In addition to her recording career, Robinson also deserves credit for bringing rap to the mainstream. In the 1970s, she co-founded Sugarhill Records and was instrumental in the formation of The Sugarhill Gang (whose song "Rapper's Delight" was the first hip hop tune to hit the Top 40).


11. Evie Sands















Evie Sands is another artist that I discovered from the box set "One Kiss Lead To Another". Launching her career in the 1960s, Sands recorded the original version of "Angel of the Morning" (which became a hit for Merilee Rush and the Turnabouts). Although Sands never had a major hit, her songs have been recorded by artists such as Streisand, Gladys Knight, and Dusty Springfield. Speaking of Dusty, Evie Sands' soulful voice reminds me of Ms. Springfield.


12. Judee Sill















The story of Judee Sill is one of music's saddest. Her delicate, melodic songs belie the hard life that she led. Losing her father and older brother in separate incidents when she was young, Judee eventually landed in reform school for robbery. After a stint in college, she spent time in jail for narcotics and passing forged checks. It was during this period that she honed her songwriting skills. In 1970, Judee was the first artist to sign with Asylum Records (which later became home to The Eagles, Jackson Browne, and Linda Ronstadt among others). After recording two critically acclaimed (but poor selling) albums, Judee dropped out of the music biz in the mid 1970s. Falling prey to cocaine and heroin addiction, Judee was involved in a car accident that left her in extreme pain. She died in 1979 of a cocaine overdose at the age of 35.

13. Timi Yuro















As a kid in the early 80s, I immersed myself in the oldies of the 50s and 60s. When I first heard the amazing voice of Timi Yuro, I thought I was listening to a black blues belter. As you can probably tell from the picture, I was wrong. Timi counted among her fans Elvis (who had a Top 10 country hit with his 1976 version of her biggest hit "Hurt") and Morrissey (who described her as his favorite singer).


Are there any female recording artists that you don't think have gotten enough credit?

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