b-sides

On B-Sides last month, Sara Kantner introduced us to the pioneering female rock star Suzie Quatro. But before Suzie and her sister Patti brought girls that rock to the public's (and Joan Jett's!) attention in the 1970's, Genya Ravan founded Goldie & the Gingerbreads, the first all-girl rock band to be signed to a major label. After the band's breakup in 1967, Ravan went on to become one of the first female producers in the music industry and hosts "Chick & Broads" on Sirius Satelitte Radio. She may not get as much credit as Joan Jett, Cherie Curie and the Quatro sisters, but Genya Ravan is an essential trailblazer for women in rock music.

Image: Nona Hendryx

Nona Hendryx broke into the music world as one third of legendary group Labelle. Hendryx, Patti LaBelle and Sarah Dash became known for their groundbreaking ability to make glam-funk music, as well as their larger-than-life stage shows and glittery space-aged costumes.

After three gold albums and number-one hit "Lady Marmalade", the band went their separate ways, and Nona Hendryx began to establish herself as an amazingly versatile and creative artist.

Boys aren't the only ones who play air guitar. Granted, I didn't pretend I was David Lee Roth, but I'm sure I shamefully mimicked those epic "Free Bird" riffs. If you're like me and still haven't grown out of the pantomime instrument routine, you're in luck.