Book contents
- The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar
- Cambridge Companions to Music
- The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- 1 Introduction
- Part I History
- Part II Technology and Timbre
- Part III Musical Style and Technique
- Part IV The Electric Guitar in Society
- Personal Take IV: Pamela Cole
- 12 Trailblazers, Self-Creators, and Provers: Celebrating Women in Electric Guitar
- 13 Black Women: Race, Gender, Genre, and the Electric Guitar
- 14 Ecological Entanglements: Following the Electric Guitar from Factory to Forest
- 15 Electro-Collectives: Virtual Guitar Communities
- Part V The Global Instrument
- Index
- References
12 - Trailblazers, Self-Creators, and Provers: Celebrating Women in Electric Guitar
from Part IV - The Electric Guitar in Society
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 November 2024
- The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar
- Cambridge Companions to Music
- The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- 1 Introduction
- Part I History
- Part II Technology and Timbre
- Part III Musical Style and Technique
- Part IV The Electric Guitar in Society
- Personal Take IV: Pamela Cole
- 12 Trailblazers, Self-Creators, and Provers: Celebrating Women in Electric Guitar
- 13 Black Women: Race, Gender, Genre, and the Electric Guitar
- 14 Ecological Entanglements: Following the Electric Guitar from Factory to Forest
- 15 Electro-Collectives: Virtual Guitar Communities
- Part V The Global Instrument
- Index
- References
Summary
The electric guitar has long been a symbol of artistic prowess and cultural rebellion, primarily associated with male guitar legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, and Jimmy Page. This prevalent gender disparity in electric guitar culture has perpetuated the belief that men not only pioneered its creation but have also historically dominated it. However, this perception is challenged by the notable contribution of women to the field. From iconic figures such as Memphis Minnie and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, to trailblazers such as Jennifer Batten and Bonnie Raitt, women have defied conventional expectations related to gender, culture, and class, while utilizing their guitars as instruments of personal expression. This investigation delves into the contributions, struggles, and achievements of women players, shedding light on their vital role in shaping the history of the electric guitar. It is conducted through the lens of guitarist Sue Foley, who sought inspiration from these heroines to light her own path while navigating the rugged landscape of electric guitar culture. Foley has invested decades of research into interviewing female guitarists, studying and learning the styles and methods of many of the pioneering women guitar players, while pursuing her career as a professional blues guitarist and recording artist.
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- Information
- The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar , pp. 211 - 228Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2024