The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will open a groundbreaking and provocative new exhibit that will illustrate the important roles women have played in rock and roll, from its inception through today.
Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power, will highlight the flash points, the firsts, the best, the celebrated, and sometimes lesser-known women, who moved rock and roll music and American culture forward. The most influential women in rock and roll history, all of which representing their distinctive musical genre and generation, will signify the growth, struggles, and movements of female musicians.
I Will Survive: The 1970s – Rockers To Disco Divas – Women are in the center of the 1970s mainstream, from Joan Jett and the Runaways, Heart and Fleetwood Mac to Donna Summer. The gains of the feminist movement throughout the 1970s enabled women working in all areas of the music industry to assume more control over their careers.
Dance This Mess Around: Punk And Post Punk – Chrissie Hynde said, “That was the beauty of the punk thing: [Sexual] discrimination didn’t exist in that scene.” The DIY aspect of punk rock made it easier for a woman to find a place in music. Highlighted artists will include Yoko Ono, Siouxsie Sioux, Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson of the B-52s, Deborah Harry, Tina Weymouth, Kim Deal and Marianne Faithful.
Causing A Commotion: Madonna And The Pop Explosion, Madonna unapologetically celebrated and monetized her sexuality and physicality, paving the way for female performers to explore previously taboo roles and take control of their image and career. Highlighted artists will include Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani and Janet Jackson. Just a taste of what this legendary exhibit will begin to display in terms of music’s most beloved heroines. The museum will be more than just a place to showcase some of music’s best talents. Throughout the year, it will offer educational programming that will explore the role that women have played in rock and roll, including interviews, performances, panel discussions, a symposium, and classes for K-12 and university students. Women Who Rock will open to the public on Friday, May 13, 2011 at the museum in Ohio. Looks as though I may need to take a trip to the Midwest asap!
