Videos of the Week - Favorite Women's Bands

Ok, time to do a Videos of the Week feature and instead of doing sports, I’ll be doing a music video post. Haven’t done one in a while. This one will feature some of my favorite all-female or female-led bands over the years. There’s some good music here so get ready to enjoy.

I’ll begin with The Go Go’s which consists of Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Gina Shock. This is my favorite song from them, Head Over Heels.

Following the success of The Go Go’s in the early 1980’s, came The Bangles with Susanna Hoffs, Michael Steele, Debbi and Vicky Peterson. Their biggest hit was Walk Like an Eygptian, but Eternal Flame was also big.

We move to the 1990’s and the great riotgrrl band, L7 led by the wonderful Donita Sparks. I wanted to marry Donita Sparks at one time. Anyway, this is Pretend We’re Dead.

This brings us to Luscious Jackson, which used to back The Beastie Boys, then branched out on their own. I saw them live in Providence and I loved every minute of their concert. I bring you City Song.

Shonen Knife from Japan got big in the United States when Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain asked them to open for his tour for “Nevermind”. I really got to love this band and it’s still going strong to this day. This is Tomato Head.

That brings me to another Japanese women’s group, Cibo Matto. Their biggest supporter was Sean Lennon, son of John. I love Sci-Fi Wasabi and so should you. Know Your Chicken.

Tanya Donnelly of Newport, RI was in a series of groups including Throwing Muses and her own band, Belly. I love Tanya. I’ll give you a live performance of Gepetto on the BBC from the early 1990’s. Tonya rocks. Did I tell you that I love Tanya?

Moving to current times, I just love Flyleaf and Lacey Mosley’s voice. I can listen to Flyleaf all day and not get sick of them. Here’s I’m So Sick. Doesn’t describe me at all.

Can’t go without mentioning The Ting Tings with Katie White on the vocals. Their songs are so infectious and this is Shut Up And Let Me Go (Hey!).

I can’t go without a mention of all-girl bands without a video from The Runaways which featured Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, Lita Ford, Sandy West and Jackie Fox. They were big in the 1970’s and I look forward to seeing the movie on the band soon. This is Cherry Bomb.

I would be remiss if I didn’t post a video from Heart. This is Ann and Nancy Wilson performing live in their hometown Seattle in 2002. Great performance. I love the Wilson sisters.

The band that paved the way for women in rock was Fanny. You may not have heard of them, but they rocked. Those in music know of their influence to women in rock and if you don’t know who they are, I suggest you find out. Before Heart, The Runaways, The Go Go’s, The Bangles and any of the bands I featured here could get played, it was Fanny who showed them the way. Here they are appearing on the Sonny & Cher Show in 1971 doing their biggest hit, Charity Ball.

One more from Fanny, a rare appearance and great quality video from the BBC doing Stephen Stills’ Special Care.

I could do so many more bands like Throwing Muses, the Breeders, Veruca Salt, and Hole but I’ve run out of room and time. Maybe I’ll do another all-women’s group Videos of the Week down the road. I hope you enjoyed this look at all-female and female-led bands.

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Videos of the Week – Favorite Women’s Bands

Alan Draper

Alan Draper

Alan Draper