Rockin’ Thursday LIV

This month is Women’s History Month, so I wanted to do something special to highlight the enormous contributions women have made to Rock & Roll. During my research, I discovered four pioneering women who were early influences on the genre. These four women were Sister Rosetta Tharpe (the Godmother of Rock & Roll), Wanda Jackson (the Queen of Rockabilly), Janis Joplin, and Grace Slick.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s with her gospel recordings, characterized by a unique blend of spiritual lyrics and electric guitar. She was the first major gospel recording star and was among the first gospel musicians to appeal to rhythm and blues and rock and roll audiences. She was later referred to as “the original soul sister” and “the Godmother of Rock and Roll.” Tharpe influenced early rock-and-roll musicians, including Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis, as well as later artists such as Eric Clapton and Tina Turner.1

Wanda Jackson is an American retired singer and songwriter. Since the 1950s, she has recorded and released music in the genres of rock, country, and gospel. She was among the first women to establish a career in rock and roll, recording a series of 1950s singles that earned her the nickname “The Queen of Rockabilly.” She is also recognized as one of the first female stars in country music.2

Janis Joplin was an American singer and songwriter. One of the most iconic and successful rock performers of her era, she was known for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and electrifying stage presence.3

Grace Slick is an American painter and retired musician whose career spanned four decades. She was a prominent figure in San Francisco’s psychedelic music scene from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. Slick rose to fame as the lead singer and frontwoman of Jefferson Airplane and its subsequent spinoff bands, Jefferson Starship and Starship. She and Jefferson Airplane achieved significant success with their 1967 studio album Surrealistic Pillow, which included the top-ten U.S. Billboard hits “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love.”4

For today’s Rockin’ Thursday, I’m featuring “Somebody to Love”, performed by Grace Slick and Jefferson Airplane. The song was released in 1967 and reached the top five in both Canada and the United States that same year.5

To all the women in my community, Happy Women’s History Month! Thank you for everything you do and for the incredible impact you make every day. I hope you enjoy the video and have a wonderful Rockin’ Thursday!

Jefferson Airplane – Somebody to Love

You can access the lyrics here.

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister_Rosetta_Tharpe ↩︎
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanda_Jackson ↩︎
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janis_Joplin ↩︎
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Slick ↩︎
  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somebody_to_Love_(Jefferson_Airplane_song) ↩︎

53 thoughts on “Rockin’ Thursday LIV”

    1. Thank you. I was thinking the same thing while reading the background information for this post. It’s amazing how they broke through barriers to create the kind of music we enjoy today.

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  11. What a stellar choice. Grace Slick is the consummate female icon as not only is she diversely talented, but she chose to allow herself to age in kind with her nature and I will forever admire her as a forerunner.

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  14. This is a wonderful piece Edward, a great tribute to the women that made history on their own in music. It’s a celebration that shouldn’t be just for one month but celebrated all year long. I appreciate your enthusiasm! Wonderful to see that even Mickey Mouse stepped aside at Disneyland for Minnie Mouse’s face to appear on the huge flower garden in front of the train. Everyone can get in on this special month!

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    1. Yes, coffee to celebrate! I just finished a cup, so I need to wait a little before the next one to avoid eye twitching. 😆 You’re welcome, and like I mentioned to Vicki, women are the backbone of this country.

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  17. Oh my goodness…these clips…you find the best vintage clips of the best songs! Thank you for recognizing Women’s History Month…especially this year when so many accomplishments are being sidelined. Cheers to good music and to you, Edward! 🥰😎🥰

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