Music Nerdery

WetRats

Expanding from "Blathering About The Beatles", let's gush, gripe and go on and on about our favorite (and least favorite if you insist) musicians. [@Paul French, we need you here!]

Starting subject for debate: Who's the greatest female rocker of all time?

WetRats

To begin, I nominate the mighty Chrissie Hynde:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9-CUHi4CpA

Paul

Given that my first choice has been taken (nobody beats Chrissie in my book), I'd have to go with Pat Benatar. Before Love became a battlefield, she and her band were all rock. The first rock guitar song played on MTV was her cover of the Rascals song You Better Run.

My mind still bears the memory of seeing her swing her mic stand around singing the end of Hell Is For Children.. To me. Second only to Chrissie!

WetRats

Pat was no slouch.

I wish The Bangles had been allowed to stay The Bangs. This is such a cruel tease of the band that could have been.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxrwImCJCqk

Greg

Joan Jett is the first lady rocker that comes to my mind, but that may really be because she's one of, if not the most well known lady rocker out there and she is still cranking out new tunes.

Not sure if that's my final answer,

kiwijase

I'd nominate Aimee Mann, though she leans more towards the poppy side of things.

WetRats

And let's not forget Dreamboat Annie Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7vppIUNBbg

Greg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQOmDUnt8Hs

....couldn't help it, still laughing at it. I'm sorry, so very sorry.

At least I know that @Torchsong will appreciate it.

Paul

WetRats said:

And let's not forget Dreamboat Annie Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7vppIUNBbg

It's Ann AND Nancy. Can't mention one without the other!

Here they are KILLING on Stairway at last year's Kennedy Center ceremony:

http://youtu.be/JK_DOJa99oo

kiwijase

Greg said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQOmDUnt8Hs

....couldn't help it, still laughing at it. I'm sorry, so very sorry.

At I know that @Torchsong will appreciate it.

Well... She doesn't look any sillier than the men of that era.

WetRats

Here's a dark horse:

Tina Weymouth.

Not in the front, but damn solid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RpcR2ueY_s

WetRats

Speaking of bassists: I give you Sara Lee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO6MrliMv6E

WetRats

We certainly can't ignore a certain Ms. Annie Lennox:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhpu2N4rQZM

Greg

Gabriela Quintero :x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENBX_v1Po1Y&list=UU2aEvw7VlapqdI6TB6AMjNQ

nweathington

14 comments in and no one’s mentioned Patti Smith or Janis Joplin? C’mon, guys!

I do like Chrissie (and Joan Jett), though. Saw The Pretenders in concert back in ’87 on a bill with Big Audio Dynamite II, Lou Reed, and U2, and they held their own. I will also throw Debbie Harry and Siouxie Sioux in the mix.

As for bassists, look no further than Carol Kaye. Look her up. I’d also take Tracy Wormworth over Weymouth.

John_Steed

Carole King, Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell - great voices AND songwriters

John_Steed

I've met Patti Smith in person. For a while she performed in tiny venues all over Switzerland. It was part spoken word and rocking the joint. Just her voice and guitar. She saw it as vacationing in Switzerland.

John_Steed

Alanis Morisette is being played quite often at our place. My wife loves her and knows (and sings along) every word. I don't mind.

John_Steed

Top 5 Lady singers that appeared in my dirty dreams back in the day :

5. Sheena Easton
4. Jane Birkin
3. Stevie Nicks
2. Agnetha Fältskog
1. Kate Bush

WetRats

nweathington said:

14 comments in and no one’s mentioned Patti Smith or Janis Joplin? C’mon, guys!

Trying to leave some room for participation.

WetRats

John_Steed said:

Top 5 Lady singers that appeared in my dirty dreams back in the day :

5. Sheena Easton
4. Jane Birkin
3. Stevie Nicks
2. Agnetha Fältskog
1. Kate Bush

I'm trying to have a conversation about pure rock and roll, and you've gotta bring sex into it?

Pervert!

:))

5. Ronnie Spector
4. Cindy Wilson
3. Bonnie Raitt
2. Annie Lennox
1. Kate Bush

kiwijase

How about Neko Case? She's amazing!

John_Steed

she ruled our charts (and with our I mean European)

http://youtu.be/xYoogY-UGio

SolitaireRose

No love for the Amazing Aimee Mann?

You all disappoint me.

Paul

SolitaireRose said:

No love for the Amazing Aimee Mann?

You all disappoint me.

She got a mention in post number 6.

Torchsong

Johnnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Her voice *is* the sound of a soul breaking. It's like gargling gravel with a shot of tequila and a Tecate with lime chaser. Somewhere, sometime, someone absolutely crushed her romantically, and we owe that person a debt of thanks because her voice, poured like thick syrup over her songs, was the end result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6KG743DP-o

There were better singers. There were prettier singers. There were more accomplished musicians. None of it matters...Johnnette was...and is...the real deal.

John_Steed

SolitaireRose said:

No love for the Amazing Aimee Mann?

You all disappoint me.

I dig all her records. And she's damn funny on top of it.

SolitaireRose

John_Steed said:

SolitaireRose said:

No love for the Amazing Aimee Mann?

You all disappoint me.

I dig all her records. And she's damn funny on top of it.

I have seen her in concert a couple of times, and the first time, she won me over. It was at First Ave, and she was touring on the "I'm With Stupid" album. Now, if you have BEEN to First Ave, it's not as nice as it looks in the movie Purple Rain. You could hear people talking at the bar during her songs, and after about 3 or 4 songs, she stopped in the middle of one and told the people trying to talk over the music to get the fuck out so she could perform.

The next song, you could still hear them talking, and she stopped again and went on a wonderful rant about how people had paid to hear her, if you paid to just hang out and yell over the music, she would refund your money if you left NOW, otherwise, she'd have the bouncers toss you out.

A few people were removed.

And the show was amazing.

SolitaireRose

Torchsong said:

Johnnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Her voice *is* the sound of a soul breaking. It's like gargling gravel with a shot of tequila and a Tecate with lime chaser. Somewhere, sometime, someone absolutely crushed her romantically, and we owe that person a debt of thanks because her voice, poured like thick syrup over her songs, was the end result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6KG743DP-o

There were better singers. There were prettier singers. There were more accomplished musicians. None of it matters...Johnnette was...and is...the real deal.

She's one of the few singers who can bring me to tears every time I hear certain songs. Such power in her singing.

Paul

SolitaireRose said:

John_Steed said:

SolitaireRose said:

No love for the Amazing Aimee Mann?

You all disappoint me.

I dig all her records. And she's damn funny on top of it.

I have seen her in concert a couple of times, and the first time, she won me over. It was at First Ave, and she was touring on the "I'm With Stupid" album. Now, if you have BEEN to First Ave, it's not as nice as it looks in the movie Purple Rain. You could hear people talking at the bar during her songs, and after about 3 or 4 songs, she stopped in the middle of one and told the people trying to talk over the music to get the fuck out so she could perform.

The next song, you could still hear them talking, and she stopped again and went on a wonderful rant about how people had paid to hear her, if you paid to just hang out and yell over the music, she would refund your money if you left NOW, otherwise, she'd have the bouncers toss you out.

A few people were removed.

And the show was amazing.

I love me some Aimee Mann and this story just makes me love her all the more. Thanks for that one, Solly!

Paul

SolitaireRose said:

Torchsong said:

Johnnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Her voice *is* the sound of a soul breaking. It's like gargling gravel with a shot of tequila and a Tecate with lime chaser. Somewhere, sometime, someone absolutely crushed her romantically, and we owe that person a debt of thanks because her voice, poured like thick syrup over her songs, was the end result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6KG743DP-o

There were better singers. There were prettier singers. There were more accomplished musicians. None of it matters...Johnnette was...and is...the real deal.

She's one of the few singers who can bring me to tears every time I hear certain songs. Such power in her singing.

Blasted forum won't let me both Like and Agree, but yeah totally with you on this, and Torch, your description of her voice is both on point and beautiful!