Queens of Early Rock n' Roll: 9 Empowering Songs by Revolutionary Women

From the groundbreaking riffs of Sister Rosetta Tharpe to the electrifying Janis Joplin, these nine fearless women were true pioneers of Rock n’ Roll, and heroes in the fight for equality and women’s rights everywhere.

Music is movement. 

Great songs have the power and capacity to change the world, and these nine legendary women and their iconic feminist rock anthems are 

Case. In. Point.

Simply put, without these badass and heroic ladies, music would not be what it is today - 

And rock n’ roll literally wouldn’t even exist.

It’s the women.

It’s always the women.

As a continuation of our Queens of Music series celebrating Women’s History Month here at Ascent, we’ve compiled the following nine influential early rock n’ roll jams by gorgeous and inspiring women from the 50s and 60s: 

The ladies who birthed and pioneered the revolution.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Strange Things Are Happening Every Day 

In case you weren’t aware…

Rock n’ Roll was invented by a queer, Black woman.

Yes. That’s right.

It all began with Sister Rosetta, the “Godmother of Rock n’ Roll.”

The style, swagger, and rhythmic drive that she brought to her blues and gospel tunes in the 30s and 40s had simply never been heard before.

Audiences were straight mesmerized with her unique fingerpicking, bending and slide techniques. 

Tharpe was a true innovator… and she owned the stage.

Pairing the groundbreaking guitar techniques with her powerful, soaring voice and charismatic presence, she left a lasting impression on all who saw her perform.

Rosetta was something new. Something fresh. 

Something wild.

And twenty years later, her style is what came to be known as Rock n’ Roll.

Released in 1944, “Strange Things Are Happening Every Day” is one of her signature jams, reflecting on the unpredictability of life through the lens of her deep and abiding faith.

Inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2018 for her contributions as an early influence, it just simply doesn’t get more rock n’ roll than Sister Rosetta Tharpe: 

The OG rockstar.

Wanda Jackson: Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad

The leather. The sass. 

The world wasn’t ready for it in the mid 50s when Wanda Jackson hit the spotlight.

With her rebellious and edgy style, The Queen of Rockabilly shared the stage with the likes of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee and Buddy Holly, smashing through gender stereotypes and cementing herself as an essential player in early rock n’ roll.

Bold, brash, and unwilling to bow down to conventional norms, Jackson’s powerful voice and energetic performances were legendary, shoving the doors open for women in the genre, and inspiring women everywhere she went.

The playful, “Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad,” one of Jackson’s signature songs, is a flirty little bop of female empowerment, where Wanda pushes back against a boyfriend who’s trying to control her by going out on a date… with his best friend! 

She’s not about to be taken for granted.

The song contributed to Jackson’s rising popularity, and is considered a classic and enduring favorite among fans of rockabilly. 

She was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2009, recognizing her enduring impact on the genre. 

And her sassy style lives on in all the bold women in leather who have come after her.

Big Mama Thornton: Hound Dog

Yea… It didn’t start with Elvis.

In 1952, Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton - 

A badass, openly queer, Black woman - 

Released one of the quintessential songs that launched rock n’ roll.

With utter contempt and disregard for any and everything she was supposed to be, Big Mama broke every rule and pushed every boundary, tearing down gender norms and all expectations of what women, and particularly Black women, were expected to be as she took command of her music, her image, and the stage, as a force to be reckoned with.

Big Mama’s “Hound Dog,” hits from the perspective of a powerful woman who is in command and is unwilling to put up with any bullshit from a lowlife, “hound dog” of a man who’s snoopin’ round her door. She sees through him. She’s not about to have it. And she’s letting him know about it. 

Obviously that wasn’t a song Elvis could sing.

(If you’d like a little more about Big Mama, click here to read our tribute to her from our Pride Song of the Day series.)

Brenda Lee: Dum Dum

Brenda is legendary. 

In every sense of the word.

With an astonishing career, in which she first hit the charts at age 11, and became the oldest person at 78 to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (with Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree in December of 2023, 65 years after its original release), her iconic music reaches across the generations.

An artist beyond category, with her powerful and versatile voice, she effortlessly floated between early rock n’ roll, pop and country, making significant contributions in each along the way.

“Dum Dum,” one of her uptempo rock and roll tunes, released in 1961, is about a relationship with a dude who is… well, dumb. Foolish. A dum dum. 

Over the lively beat, Brenda tells the story of a young woman who knows what she wants: she’s ready for love… but her man is dragging his feet!

Dripping with attitude and energy (as so many of her classics are), “Dum Dum” is just one of the many timeless entries in Brenda’s prolific catalog, solidifying her as one of the leading female voices in early rock n’ roll.

Janis Martin: All Right, Baby

“The Female Elvis.”

The nickname that turned out to be more of a curse than a compliment.

Another leading lady of rockabilly and early rock n’ roll, the dynamic and energetic Janis Martin was another woman at the center of the developing genre, actively pushing back against the barriers of the male-dominated music industry in the 50s.

A shadow that hung over her career, the comparison with Elvis came about as a result of her upbeat melodies, catchy rhythms and bold lyrics, which reflected the rebellious spirit of the rockabilly genre. 

But she was a woman… and ladies, especially, weren’t supposed to be edgy…

(Ugh.)

So it was a continual fight throughout her career to be seen in her own right, on her own terms, for her groundbreaking talent and versatility as a performer.

The spirited “All Right Baby,” is an empowering anthem about a woman who knows her worth - and that the man she’s dating (who wants to see other people) is expendable. 

If that’s how it’s gonna be, there’s other fish in the sea. 

And she’ll find hers.

The song features Martin’s signature rockabilly style, commanding vocals, and rebellious spirit, and is a highlight of her lasting contribution(s) to the genre.

Tina Turner: River Deep - Mountain High

The Queen of Rock.

Undisputed.

While it all started with Sister Rosetta, it is Tina who has come to define everything that is rock n’ roll.

And her electrifying performance in River Deep - Mountain High has become synonymous with the genre, a defining moment for rock n’ roll, and popular music at large.

Tina’s rousing vocal set the standard for every rock vocalist to come after her. Whether on the stage or in the studio, it is her passion, her fire, her power and mystique that everyone aims for. It is the cornerstone upon which all rock performances are built upon.

Symbolized by the river deep and mountain high, over the legendary production of Phil Spector, the song celebrates the transformative power of love, and the sense of awe and wonder it inspires. And Tina’s command of the song powerfully conveys the deep sense of passion, devotion and emotional depth of romantic relationships.

With Ike sitting on the sidelines in this one, this moment was Tina’s bold arrival, where it all became so clear: 

It’s all Tina. 

It was the glimpse into how high she would soar, and foreshadowing how far she would take rock n’ roll as she stepped into the spotlight. 

All hail the Queen!

Grace Slick - Somebody To Love

It doesn’t get more quintessential.

Grace Slick changed the game.

The Acid Queen, and her band Jefferson Airplane, are synonymous with the counter-cultural shift of the 1960s, and ushered in a radical and dynamic new era in rock n’ roll. 

Grace was dangerous. Disruptive. And unapologetic. 

A brash and outspoken political activist.

As a radical feminist, environmentalist and anti-war advocate, Slick was a revolutionary social change agent - and the causes she stood for were infused in her groundbreaking brand of rock n’ roll.

In “Somebody To Love,” the countercultural anthem that defined the Summer of Love, Grace’s conviction and passion are on full display. On the powerful jam, over its driving rhythm, Slick delivers a fiery vocal, expressing her generation's yearning for love and connection in a world filled with uncertainty and confusion. 

A massive hit and timeless classic, Grace’s artistry and “Somebody to Love” live on as iconic milestones in the history of rock, and are synonymous with the larger counterculture movement from which they emerged.

Linda Ronstadt: Different Drum

The launch of a legend.

Emerging from the southern California folk-rock explosion in the mid sixties were Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys and their massive, iconic hit, “Different Drum,” in 1967. 

When the First Lady of Rock joined the band in 1966, she immediately became the focal point, helping the Poneys achieve their breakout hit, hitting number 13 on the charts.

An enduring sixties folk-rock classic, the song was only the beginning for the emerging Ronstadt, who would go on to become one of the most influential and successful singers in all of music history. 

With her striking looks, charismatic stage presence, and sultry vocals, Linda captured the attention of audiences worldwide.

Hotness overload.

One of the most decorated women in music history, Linda’s accolades are historic. With 11 Grammys total, and the only woman to ever win the Grammy for Best Female Pop performance four straight years from 1975-1978, she is a cultural phenomenon, and a defining voice of her generation.

And the measure of Linda’s impact goes far beyond the music…

In addition, Ronstadt has been an outspoken advocate on a wide range of important social issues, including environmental conservation, women’s rights and immigration reform.

Her voice has changed the world - in all the ways.

By every metric, Linda Ronstadt remains one of the most important and iconic figures in the history of popular music, 

Marching to the beat of a different drum.

Janis Joplin: Piece Of My Heart

Forming the holy trinity of 60s female countercultural rock icons, alongside Linda and Grace, we have, “Pearl”...

The fearless Janis Joplin. 

Given her nickname due to the smooth, lustrous quality of her voice (as well as a nod to her aptly titled, posthumous solo-debut, “Pearl” in ‘71), Janis was the epitome of power and passion.

She was pure dynamite. A serious force to be reckoned with.

And she inspired an entire generation of rockers.

Storming onto the scene as the charismatic lead singer of the psychedelic, blues-rock outfit, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Joplin’s performances were characterized by her raw emotion and uninhibited stage presence. And she became a defining icon of 60s rock n’ roll, and the broader counterculture movement at large.

When she belted the line, “I’m gonna show you baby, that a woman can be tough…” in “Piece of My Heart,” she was channeling the anguish and vulnerability of women in painful relationships everywhere, always.

The ballad is a transcendent, spiritual experience.

With her raspy, blues vocals conveying an emotional intensity that resonated so universally, “Piece of My Heart” became a definite anthem of the era, and a rallying cry that has empowered throughout the generations, offering comfort and solidarity to the brokenhearted. 

And that wail at the end… (good God…)

It reverberates to this day. She will always be with us.

Breaking The Barriers

What these nine gorgeous women accomplished, what they overcame to bring these legendary feminist anthems into the world is utterly heroic.

As true innovators, they birthed a movement. 

The phenomenon we call rock n’ roll.

Their tireless work, dedication and sacrifice has inspired the generations of beautiful women in rock n’ roll who follow in their footsteps, and helped empower and pave the way for women in society and the advancement of women’s rights worldwide.

Who are some of YOUR favorite ladies (or songs!) in early rock n’ roll? Let us know in the comments below! (We’re adding to the library all the time!)

Let’s radio together.

We’re spinning these nine tracks all month on Ascent, alongside hundreds of other beautiful and inspiring women across the generations, as a part of our Women’s History Month playlist. 

All women. All month long.

While centering women’s voices is a core commitment in our programming year round, we celebrate Women’s History Month with nothing but ladies. 

And it’s straight fire! So don’t miss out.

To tune in with us, download the free Ascent Radio app (available in both the Apple and Google Play stores), our Alexa skill or Google action, or click on the web player below to stream directly from our website!

Ascent Radio is: Music for a Better World.

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