All-female band

An all-female band is a musical group in popular music that has only female musicians. This is different from a girl group, where the women are only singers and do not play instruments.

Even though bands with only men are common in rock and pop music, bands with only women are less often seen. These bands have helped music history and shown that women can do well in all parts of making music, not just singing.

1920s–1950s

During the Jazz Age and the 1930s, many fun all-female bands played music for people to enjoy. Groups like the Blue Belles, the Parisian Redheads (later called the Bricktops), and Lil-Hardin's All-Girl Band were very popular. These bands played jazz and swing music in vaudeville shows and early sound films.

Famous leaders of these bands included Blanche Calloway, sister of Cab Calloway, who led a band called Blanche Calloway and Her Joy Boys, and Ina Ray Hutton, who led an all-female band called the Melodears. Other bands, like Ivy Benson's "All Girls Band," traveled for many years, sharing their lively music with audiences.

1960s

Bands made up only of women started to appear when rock and roll became popular. Some of the first all-female rock bands to get signed to record labels were Goldie and the Gingerbreads in 1964, the Pleasure Seekers with Suzi Quatro in 1964, the Feminine Complex in 1968, and Fanny in 1969. Other bands from this time included the Liverbirds, the Ace of Cups, the Heart Beats, and Ariel.

The Pandoras, an all-girl band from 1964 to 1968, played their own songs and popular songs at concerts in New England. They later signed with Liberty Records and performed across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and even opened for famous acts like the Kingsmen and the Byrds. The Shaggs, an all-female family band, became known for their unique style and later gained attention when their album Philosophy of the World was released widely.

1970s

The film Beyond the Valley of the Dolls helped inspire many all-female rock bands. At the time, bands with only female members were rare, but they started to appear more often after the film.

Fanny became the first all-female rock band to release an album on a major record label. On November 6, 1971, Fanny got high on the music charts with their song "Charity Ball." In 1975, the Canadian sisters Kate & Anna McGarrigle began making albums, sometimes with their sister Jane. The Runaways, an early successful all-female hard rock band, released their first album in 1976. In the United Kingdom, the rise of punk music in the late 1970s led to bands like the Slits, the Raincoats, and the Pretenders, where women played important parts. In Australia, Sweet Jayne began performing regularly in 1977 and became known for their rock music. The heavy metal band Girlschool formed in 1978 in South London. The Deadly Nightshade, a rock and country band, signed with a big record company in 1974 and released two albums.

1980s and 1990s

The 1980s was an important time for all-female bands. Bands like Joan Jett and the Go-Go's showed that women could play instruments and attract big crowds. This helped change people's ideas, even though it was still unusual for women to lead rock and pop bands.

In the 1990s, more all-female bands appeared in different styles, like heavy metal, punk, and Christian rock. These bands challenged old ideas and proved that women could make strong and important music. Many of these musicians later joined other successful projects, opening more doors for female artists in the music world.

2000s and 2010s

In Japan, the 2010s saw many all-female heavy metal bands become popular. Aldious helped start this trend with their album Deep Exceed in 2010. Another famous band, Cyntia, joined a big record company in 2013. Other well-known bands from this time include Mary's Blood, Fate Gear, and Lovebites, who won an award in 2018.

Some all-female bands in the 2010s talked about why they were called "all-female" or "girl bands" and not "all-male bands." They felt this was unfair. Bands like American pop rock trio Haim shared these thoughts.

Outside pop music

All-female bands play many kinds of music, not just popular songs. For example, the British/Australian string quartet Bond plays classical music. They use instruments like the first and second violin, viola, and cello. There are also all-female bands in other styles, such as the psychedelic folk group Spires That in the Sunset Rise.