Celebrating Women’s History Month With Female Blues Rock and Roots Musicians Playlist image

Female musicians

By Martine Ehrenclou

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women for their achievements. Not only do we celebrate female blues, rock and roots artists, but we celebrate all women in music, culture, science, art, entertainment, education, politics and more. From the female music pioneers to current artists making their mark on the music industry, we celebrate their talents, power, strength and all around badassery.

Women’s History Month began 40 years ago when Congress passed legislation to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Over the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, Congress designated the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”

I compiled 45 songs for Women’s History Month with music by female blues, rock and roots artists, from some of the pioneers through to many current celebrated artists. Vocalists, singer/songwriters, guitarists, pianists, and more. From Ella Fitzgerald to Bonnie Raitt to Beth Hart, Samantha Fish, Sheryl Crow and many more, it’s time to celebrate women who inspire us through their greatness.

This is a way to honor those women who helped pave the way and those who are continuing to blast the doors off packed venues. This is a pretty epic playlist. The 45 female artists included are Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Janice Joplin, Joni Mitchell, Susan Tedeschi, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Beth Hart, Heart, Carolyn Wonderland, Samantha Fish, Ana Popovic, Koko Taylor, Joanna Connor, Shemekia Copeland, Mavis Staples, Grace Slick, Larkin Poe, Sue Foley, Ruthie Foster, Deborah Coleman, Melissa Etheridge, Chrissie Hynde, Debbie Davies, Nita Strauss, Stevie Nicks, Rory Bloch, Jennifer Batten, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Diana Ross, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Lita Ford, Lisa Mann, Hurricane Ruth, Marcia Ball, Michelle Malone, Dani Wilde, Grace Potter, Sheryl Crow, Linda Ronstadt, Blondie, Sarah Vaughan, Ruth Brown, and more.

Let’s continue to celebrate Women’s History Month by listening to these female musicians. Blues, rock and roots music (particularly guitarists) still seems to be a male dominated field but the women are catching up. Let’s show them some love by listening to their music.

Enjoy the playlist below!