Popular 70s Girl Bands

The 1970s saw a wave of female musicians take the stage, playing their own instruments and writing their own songs. These bands, known as girl bands, broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations of female musicians. The following are some of the most popular girl bands of the 1970s that left a significant impact on the music industry.

The Runaways

The Runaways were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1975. The band consisted of Joan Jett (guitar, vocals), Cherie Currie (lead vocals), Lita Ford (guitar), Jackie Fox (bass), and Sandy West (drums). They were known for their rebellious image and their catchy, hard-rocking songs. The Runaways released four albums during their career, and their most popular songs include “Cherry Bomb”, “I Love Rock and Roll”, and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”.

The Runaways was one of the first all-female rock bands to gain worldwide recognition. They challenged gender norms and defied expectations by playing loud, aggressive rock music. Joan Jett, one of the founding members of The Runaways, went on to have a successful solo career and became a role model for many aspiring female musicians.

The Bangles

The Bangles were an American new wave band formed in Los Angeles in 1981. The band consisted of Susanna Hoffs (guitar, vocals), Vicki Peterson (guitar, vocals), Debbi Peterson (drums, vocals), and Michael Steele (bass, vocals). They were known for their catchy, melodic songs and their harmonies. The Bangles released six albums during their career, and their most popular songs include “Walk Like an Egyptian”, “Manic Monday”, and “Eternal Flame”.

The Bangles started out as a garage band and quickly rose to fame with their infectious pop songs. They were one of the first bands to fuse pop and rock music, and their music appealed to a wide audience. The Bangles inspired many young women to pick up a guitar and start their own bands.

The Go-Go’s

The Go-Go’s were an American new wave band formed in Los Angeles in 1978. The band consisted of Belinda Carlisle (lead vocals), Jane Wiedlin (guitar, vocals), Gina Schock (drums), Kathy Valentine (bass), and Charlotte Caffey (keyboards, vocals). They were known for their fun, upbeat songs and their energetic live performances. The Go-Go’s released three albums during their career, and their most popular songs include “We Got the Beat”, “Our Lips Are Sealed”, and “Vacation”.

The Go-Go’s were trailblazers for female musicians in the punk and new wave movements. They played their own instruments and wrote their own songs, challenging the male-dominated music industry. The Go-Go’s paved the way for future generations of female punk rockers and inspired many women to pursue careers in music.

The Pointer Sisters

The Pointer Sisters were an American disco, RB, and pop vocal group formed in Oakland, California in 1970. The band consisted of Anita Pointer (lead vocals), Bonnie Pointer (vocals), June Pointer (vocals), and Ruth Pointer (vocals). They were known for their four-part harmonies and their catchy, danceable songs. The Pointer Sisters released 15 albums during their career, and their most popular songs include “Jump (For My Love)”, “I’m So Excited”, and “Automatic”.

The Pointer Sisters were one of the most successful girl groups of the 1970s. They blended different genres of music, including disco, RB, and pop, to create a unique sound that appealed to a broad audience. The Pointer Sisters broke down racial barriers in the music industry by achieving success as an all-female African American group.

Sister Sledge

Sister Sledge were an American disco and RB group formed in Philadelphia in 1971. The band consisted of sisters Debbie Sledge (lead vocals), Joni Sledge (vocals), Kim Sledge (vocals), and Kathy Sledge (vocals). They were known for their smooth, disco-pop sound and their positive, uplifting lyrics. Sister Sledge released 7 albums during their career, and their most popular songs include “We Are Family”, “He’s the Greatest Dancer”, and “Lost in Music”.

Sister Sledge was one of the first girl groups to write and produce their own music. They emphasized the importance of family and sisterhood in their music, which resonated with audiences across the world. Sister Sledge broke down gender and racial barriers in the music industry and inspired many young women to pursue careers in music.

Conclusion

The 1970s was a decade of great change and upheaval in the music industry, and girl bands played a significant role in that transformation. These five girl bands, The Runaways, The Bangles, The Go-Go’s, The Pointer Sisters, and Sister Sledge, challenged gender norms, broke down barriers, and paved the way for future generations of female musicians.

Girl bands in the 1970s played their own instruments, wrote their own songs, and carved out a space for themselves in the male-dominated music industry. They inspired many young women to pick up an instrument and start their own bands. Girl bands showed that women could rock just as hard as men and brought a fresh perspective to music.

Each of the girl bands mentioned above had a unique sound and style, but they all shared a common goal: to break down barriers and inspire others to pursue their dreams. These girl bands defied societal expectations and proved that there was a place for women in the music industry.

In conclusion, the 1970s was a decade of significant change in the music industry, and girl bands played a crucial role in that transformation. The impact of these girl bands is still felt today, as they continue to inspire and empower women around the world to pursue their passion for music.