This list is by no means comprehensive, but it’s a tribute to some of the black women who have paved the way for rock musicians or who are involved in rock music in the present:

Getrude Malissa Nix Pridgett Rainey, better known as “Ma Rainey”

(April 26, 1886 – December 22, 1939)

Known as “the Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey was one of the first professional blues singers to record. This Georgia native was outspoken about women’s issues and a need for women to have control over their careers. She frequently collaborated with other artists, including Louis Armstrong, and is the subject of August Wilson’s play about her career entitled “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” One of her most popular songs is “See See Rider Blues,” which is best known as “See See Rider” in its more than 100 cover versions.

Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton

(December 11, 1926 – July 25, 1984)

This Alabama-born minister’s daughter who taught herself how to play the drums and the harmonica while still a child blessed us with the blues. Her songs “Hound Dog” and “Ball & Chain,” were later covered by Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin, respectively.

Ruth Brown


(January 12, 1928 – November 17, 2006)

Best known to modern audiences for her role as Motormouth Maybelle in the original John Waters-directed 1988 film Hairspray, Ruth Brown was a popular R&B singer during the 1950s. Her influence is noted by blues guitarist Bonnie Raitt and many are grateful for her work for musician’s rights during the 1980s, which led to the founding of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1993.








Anna Mae Bullock, best known as Tina Turner


(born November 26, 1939)

Known as the Queen of Rock & Roll, Tina Turner is long-time rock icon. Though she began in the shadow of abusive former manager and performer Ike Turner, her vivacious personality and determination propelled her music career. Her dance style greatly influenced Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger, and her music remains unforgettable. In 1993, Angela Bassett portrayed Turner in the film What’s Love Got to Do with It? further cementing her international popularity.








Reeves


(born July 18, 1941)

This Alabama-born lead singer of the Motown group Martha & the Vandelles landed several hit singles including “Dancing in the Street,’ “Heat Wave,” and “Nowhere to Run.”








Ronnie Spector


(born August 10, 1943)

Born Veronica Yvette Bennett to a black and Native American mother and an Irish-American father, Ronnie Spector and her all-girl group the Ronnettes were one of the few multiracial groups in the 1960s. Though known for her hit “Be My Baby,” she also recorded rockabilly tracks and went on to collaborate with Joey Ramone, the Misfits, Patti Smith, and Keith Richards. Performers like Ronnie Spector are considered to have directly influenced singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse’s fashion sense and personal style.







Betty Davis


(born July 26, 1945)





North Carolina-born rock and funk performer and model who, as his second wife, greatly influenced the music of Miles Davis, having encouraged him to explore more musical genres to enhance his own sound, including collaborative work with Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone.








Grace Mendoza, better known as Grace Jones


(born May 19, 1948)





Though she is not as well known in the U.S. for her music as she is in the U.K., Grace Jones is truly a woman who can “party like a rock star.” Her androgynous style during the 1980s helped ring in a new decade of fashion and her killer good looks and bold character led to her fantastic career abroad and her sex symbol status in the U.S.








Cindy Blackman


(born October 18, 1959)





Most people know Cindy Blackman as the afro and bell bottoms-clad drummer for Lenny Kravitz, but her work goes beyond funk rock as she has collaborated with several jazz artists during her years as a performer. She also has released her own instructional drumming video entitled Multiplicity.








Tracy Chapman


(born March 30, 1964)








Michelle Lynn Johnson


(born August 29, 1968)





Professionally known as Meshell Ndegeocello, this is a woman who knows how to rock. Known for having revived soul music, Meshell has been featured on numerous soundtracks and collaborative projects with Madonna and John Cougar Mellencamp as well as other artists from multiple genres, ranging from rock and funk to rap, soul, and even house. Known for her androgynous appearance and bisexual identity, Meshell has been considered a positive role model for the black lgbt community.








Felicia Lynn (Fefe) Dobson


(born February 28, 1985)





This Canadian-born pop rock songstress was discovered in 2000 and immediately signed by Jive Records, but soon left the record company as they wanted Fefe to be a little more pop and a lot less rock. In her efforts to present herself more accurately, Dobson went to Island Records, where she was allowed to perform the rock-influenced songs that she had written. She is an anti-war and anti-poverty activist and is open about her biracial (black Jamaican/white English/Dutch/Irish) heritage, stating that the adversity she faced as a child was a great influence on her desire to succeed and to serve as a role model for others who had similar experiences.