Women's History Month: Women Who Changed Music History

The first day of March marks the beginning of Women's History Month: a time of year where worldwide, we reflect on women's history while recognising and celebrating the role women have played.

While not without struggle and adversity, within the music industry women have found space to thrive and become some of the biggest-selling and most successful acts of all time. Today, we're shining a light on some of our favourite female artists throughout history who's surpassed all obstacles and expectations to become revolutionaries and record-breakers. Check it out!

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Beyoncé

It's impossible to deny the superstardom and cultural impact that Beyoncé has had on the world - as a musician, businesswoman and philanthropist.

Beyoncé's career since the age of 17 - when she was part of the now-legendary girl group Destiny's Child - has been fruitful and recordbreaking, elevating her to become the true cultural icon she is today. Having seen over 200 million record sales to date, multiple chart-topping studio albums, and world tours that have touched each corner of the globe to sold-out crowds, Beyoncé has continued to surpass her own achievements and only seems to be gaining momentum with time.

Continually breaking records and inspiring women of colour worldwide, Beyoncé became the first black woman in history to headline the iconic Coachella Festival as documented in her live music documentary released in 2019 "Homecoming". Most recently, with the Renaissance World Tour, Beyoncé broke ticket sales records worldwide and was crowned the highest-grossing tour ever by a female artist, and by a black artist, in history. To add to her list of achievements, last year she became the most awarded artist in Grammy Award history, picking up a staggering 32 awards during her career so far - and we're willing to bet it won't be the last.

Outside of her career accolades, Beyoncé has been praised for her philanthropic efforts, having founded the BeyGOOD foundation: a public charity foundation which helps organizations, institutions, and people work to transform their communities into places of well-being, economic prosperity, generosity, and justice.

 

Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks is known best for her work as part of Fleetwood Mac, which she joined in 1975. Nicks is cited as being one of the band's driving forces, leading Fleetwood Mac to becoming one of the most successful music acts of all time with over 120 million records sold worldwide.

Her legacy is clear: a number of hugely successful female artists have followed in her footsteps and named her as a key influence, including Beyoncé and Destiny's Child, Courtney Love, Belinda Carlisle, The Chicks, Mary J. Blige, Taylor Swift and countless more.

Alongside praise from her peers, Stevie Nicks has garnered widespread acclaim from the music press for over four decades. Rolling Stone name Nicks as the "Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll", as well as one of the Top 100 Greatest Singers and Songwriters of all time. The Fleetwood Mac album Rumours was also rated the seventh-greatest album of all time in their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. Multiple songs from Fleetwood Mac and her solo career were mentioned in list of the Rolling Stone Greatest Songs of All Time.

Notably, Stevie Nicks made history in 2019 when she became the first woman to have been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: first as a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and then as a solo artist in 2019.

The breadth of Stevie Nicks achievements is almost impossible to summarise from her long and esteemed career. But it's undeniable that Nicks will go down in history as one of the all-time greats, and a truly iconic female artist.

 

Hayley Williams

Since co-founding alt-rock band Paramore 20 years ago, Hayley Williams has become a legendary and formidable force in rock music, and one of the most distinctive female singers of a generation.

Having released multiple chart-topping albums as part of Paramore (including their 2013 self-titled record, and most recent release This Is Why), plus two successful solo albums, Hayley Williams continues to push the boundaries of rock and alternative music and has been a key part of pushing Paramore to the height of their success.

Ten years ago, Billboard made Hayley Williams the recipient of the inaugural Trailblazer Award at their Women in Music Awards, thanks to her resilience and outspokenness regarding sexism in the music industry and her achievements as a female musician. To date, she has broken records in music by becoming the the first female to top the Billboard Rock chart as both a solo artist and a member of a band, after the release of her solo debut Petals For Armor. More recently at the 2024 Grammy Awards, Paramore became the first female-fronted act to win Best Rock Album - making it the band's third Grammy Award win so far. She was also the youngest inclusion on Billboard's 50 Greatest Rock Lead Singers of All Time, coming in at No.13 with the only women ahead of her being Stevie Nicks and Debbie Harry.

Outside of music, Hayley Williams is co-founder of hair dye company Good Dye Young, and has been involved in multiple forms of activism, as well as being a vocal advocate for mental health, commonly sharing stories of her own struggles. Continuing in the footsteps of her idols and predecessors, Hayley Williams is a generational female talent and inspiration to young women worldwide.

 

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has revolutionised music history through her innovative approach to music, fashion, and performance and redefining pop culture over the years.

Her music reaches all genres, seamlessly blending pop, dance, rock, and electronic elements to create a sound uniquely her own. Rising to fame with hits "Just Dance" and "Poker Face”. Her avant-garde fashion sense has also contributed in shaping her brand and has inspired artists and designers across the globe to push creative limits. 

Gaga's advocacy for inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights has resonated deeply with her fanbase, growing a sense of empowerment and acceptance to a wider audience.

In 2019, Lady Gaga achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to win an Oscar, Grammy, BAFTA, and Golden Globe in the same year, a testament to her unparalleled impact on the music industry. Today, she continues to push boundaries and inspire generations of artists to embrace their individuality.

 

Whitney Houston

 

Whitney Houston's revolutionary impact on music history is recognised by her remarkable achievements and accolades, including eight Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards. She made history as the first artist to receive a BET Lifetime Achievement Award, a testament to her enduring influence and significance within the African-American community and beyond.

Houston's unprecedented success on the Billboard Hot 100 chart solidified her status as a chart-topping powerhouse. She remains the only artist to achieve the remarkable feat of seven consecutive No.1 hits on the Hot 100 chart. This not only earned her the revered title of "The Voice" but also left an impact, inspiring countless singers across diverse musical genres for generations to come.

Her impact extended beyond her music. As an actress, she starred in films like "The Bodyguard," where her rendition of "I Will Always Love You" became one of the best-selling singles of all time. These milestones not only cement Houston's legacy as one of the greatest voices in music history but also highlight her trailblazing impact on the industry. 

 

Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell is an unparalleled figure in the annals of music history, leaving an indelible mark on both the sonic landscape and the cultural zeitgeist. With her boundless creativity, poetic lyricism, and innovative musical arrangements, Mitchell redefined the singer-songwriter genre and inspired countless artists across generations. Her distinctive voice, characterised by its ethereal quality and emotive depth, continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, solidifying her status as a true icon.

Mitchell's seminal albums, including Blue, Court and Spark, and Hejira, are hailed as masterpieces, showcasing her ability to weave intricate narratives and evoke raw emotion through her music. Mitchell's 1971 album Blue is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time, and Rolling Stone called her "one of the greatest songwriters ever".

Mitchell holds the record for the most Juno Awards won by a female artist, with a staggering seven wins. Remarkably, Mitchell won Best Folk Album at the 66th Grammy Awards this year at the age of 80, adding to her impressive list of accolades, which includes 11 Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

Beyond her musical achievements, Mitchell's unwavering commitment to authenticity and artistic integrity has earned her widespread acclaim and admiration.

 

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton stands as an iconic figure in today's music and cultural landscape. Her multifaceted talent, boundless creativity, and unwavering authenticity have solidified her status as a legend. Remarkably, she wrote two of the most iconic love songs of her generation - "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" - on the same day.

As a prolific songwriter, her compositions form the heart and soul of her legacy, with timeless classics like "9 to 5" transcending generations and genres. Parton's distinctive voice, marked by its warmth and emotional depth, has captivated audiences worldwide, leading her to break numerous country singer records, such as Most Decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart and Most No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist.

Beyond her musical prowess, she has become a cultural icon, known for her larger-than-life persona, philanthropic efforts, and unwavering commitment to empowering others. From her humble beginnings in rural Tennessee to her meteoric rise to superstardom, Dolly Parton's influence extends far beyond music, shaping the fabric of popular culture and leaving an indelible legacy that will endure for generations.