Twelve Musicians - Twelve Women
Elle magazine had chosen twelve best female guitar players in the history of music. The whole list was set up and published on the magazine’s website, and particularly dedicated to “It Might Get Loud” documentary. It was produced by Davis Guggenheim and tells about the history of electric guitar, specifically focusing upon The Edge (U2), Jack White (White Stripes) and Jimmy Page. However, this news is not about a documentary itself, but Elle’s list, which includes many of the famous names. It includes Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Jennifer Batten, Donita Sparks (L7), Kelley Deal (The Breeders), Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney), Poison Ivy (The Cramps), Ruyter Suys (Nashville Pussy), The Great Kat, Marnie Stern and Orianthi. Elle notes that female guitar players are always standing in the shadow of their male bandmates, also giving an example of the similar list made by The Rolling Stone in 2003; it contains one hundred guitarists where only two are women – Joan Jett and Joni Mitchell. “I think we do exist, but in a different capacity. Guys really like to hear themselves talk. Women guitarists seem more song-oriented. What they choose to play contributes to making the song better, not just riffing all over it. It’s a deeper relationship”, said Kelley Deal. She definitely made a good note, women musicians can be absolutely great.