Wow! eBook
The Lost Women of Rock Music: Female Musicians of the Punk Era 2nd Revised edition
Author(s): Helen Reddington (Author)
- Publisher: Equinox Publishing Ltd
- Publication Date: 1 April 2012
- Edition: 2nd Revised edition
- Language: English
- Print length: 272 pages
- ISBN-10: 9781845539573
- ISBN-13: 9781845539573
Book Description
For background and an interview with the author go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/aug/08/gender.arts In the late 1970s and early 1980s a new phenomenon emerged in UK popular music female guitarists, bass-players, keyboard-players and drummers began playing in bands. Before this time, women s presence in rock bands, with a few notable exceptions, had always been as vocalists. This sudden influx of female musicians into the male domain of rock music was brought about by the enabling ethic of punk rock ( anybody can do it! ) and by the impact of the Sex Discrimination Act. With the demise of the punk scene, interest in these musicians evaporated and other priorities became important to music audiences. This book investigates the social and commercial reasons why these women became lost from the rock music record, and rewrites this period of popular music history. In addition to a wealth of original interview material with key protagonists, including the late John Peel, Geoff Travis, The Raincoats and Poison Girls, this new edition has been updated to include interviews with members of Birmingham-based band The Au Pairs, Leeds-based band Delta 5 and Viv Albertine of The Slits. Lucy Whitman (aka Lucy Toothpaste), who started the fanzine Jolt and later wrote for Spare Rib, also provides enlightening words on the relationship between female punk band members and feminism. The author also draws on her own experience as bass-player in a punk band.
Editorial Reviews
Review
‘An entertaining and important book.’ –Mojo
‘A fascinating social and cultural history –Popular Music
About the Author
Helen Reddington teaches at the School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies, at the University of East London, UK.
