Female artists have always played a huge of the Rock n Roll scene, so what better time to celebrate them than International Women’s Day? Here’s our (and your!) favourite Rock n Roll ladies:

Sister Rosetta Tharpe:

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a gospel preacher during the 1930’s and ‘40s who some claim recorded the first rock and roll record. Her 1944 recording for the US Decca label “Strange Things Happening Every Day” was the first gospel record to cross over and become a hit on the “race records” chart, the term then used for what later became the R&B chart, and reached #2 on the Billboard “race” chart in April 1945. Her influence was felt by early rock-and-roll musicians, including Tina Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis. She is also often referred to as the “Godmother Of Rock And Roll” and her use of the electric guitar even influenced UK Blues artists of the 1960s and such diverse performers as Meat Loaf, Neil Sedaka, and Karen Carpenter have attested to the influence of Tharpe in the rhythmic energy she emanated in her performances. – DJ Jailhouse John

The most important woman in Rock n Roll! – Kev King, Surfin Wombatz

Thee Merry Widows:
(Eva Von Slut, Nikki Nightbreed, Andrea, Mistress Mandy, Jenna Ferocious, Nishone)

My favourite female Psychobilly band are without doubt Thee Merry Widows. I bought the albums ‘ Revenge Served Cold’ and ‘ The Devils Outlaws’ on spec from a shop in Camden having never heard them. The songs are melodic, catchy and full of tongue in cheek horror, mainly from a woman’s perspective. Song subjects ranging from serial killers ( Aileen ) to famous horror movies ( All of them Witches , The Bride ) ,monsters ( The Howl) famous weird events ( Elena’s Empty Tomb – look that one up). Just great ,slightly poppy sounding, rockabilly based psycho. Since then I have met the band, gigged with them and am pleased to call them friends – Steve Young, Surfin Wombatz

Ruth Brown:

 Ruth Brown is the defacto female jump blues and dancing crowd favourite when the needle hits the groove – DJ Woof

You can’t get much more legendary than Rose Brown. The Grammy winner, Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee and fully acknowledged Queen of RnB had twenty one top ten hits in the fiftes and was still touring aged seventy eight! – Kate Allvey

Poison Ivy (The Cramps):

Poison Ivy and Joan Jett radiate the same fierce energy — raw charisma, unapologetic strength, and rebellious sensuality. Both are iconic symbols of power who challenge norms and own their edge – Nad Renou (Pix Biel & Rock n Roll)

Emanuela Hutter:

What a talent. What a voice!! She could make any song better – Tia Peet

The songwriter might be best known as the voice of The Hillbilly Moon Explosion, but she’s an absolute force in her own right, bringing her own fabulous style to anything she touches – Kate Allvey

Imelda May:

Her voice is just incredible. There is nothing this woman cannot sing. – Jane Rose

She’s a rockabilly superstar and a total icon who brings a whole load of cool to every single one of her songs – Kate Allvey

Wanda Jackson:

As I saw Wanda Jackson live in a little club in Germany and had a little talk with her afterwards, she’ll stay one of my favourites forever. She was not able to walk the few steps up to the stage on her own, but when she was on stage… WOW! This old, tiny, almost broken woman turned back into the queen of Rockabilly with a powerful young-sounding voice and a lot of funny stories, like how Elvis told her to try this new music – Tom Toxic

Lady Luck Lexy:

Lady Luck Lexy is the ultimate Rock n Roll multihyphenate – DJ, Singer, MC, Drummer, Pool Party Queen and Radio Host – who brings her own brand of sultry neo-rockabilly to every area of her musical life. Where would we be without her?! – Kate Allvey

Cordell Jackson:

Probably the first woman to produce, engineer, arrange and promote music on her own label, Cordell Jackson only released one solo record but she’s an absolute inspiration to us all – Kate Allvey

La Perra Blanco:

La Perra Blanco has a positively electrifying presence onstage, she is a relentless bundle of energy who is all over the fretboard. She is also a fine songwriter that has a very credible claim to the title of the modern day queen of rockabilly – Nick Kemp

Jane Rose:

Ameripolitan Winner and Gretsch Artist, Jane Rose’s ferocious wail and red hot licks have earned her fans across the globe! She’s our ‘Queen Bee’ of Rock n Roll for sure.- Kate Allvey

Honourable mention also goes to…

Gladys Love Smith

 She was born on April 25, 1912 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi.  On June 17, 1933, when she was 21, she married a 17 year old Vernon Pressley. Vernon’s surname on the marriage certificate was misspelled as “Presley” and the that’s the way it stayed. Less than two years after their wedding, Gladys made her massive contribution to rock and roll when on January 8, 1935 she gave birth to Elvis and the rest, as they say “is history”. Although she did witness her son’s rise to worldwide prominence, she sadly died at age 46 on August 14, 1958. – DJ Jailhouse John

Listen to our favourites and more on our playlist: