INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

...Well, for one thing, you're not going to see us do a Men In Rock special—so that's probably the point.

Inside these pages, CREEM Close-Up takes a look at the women who've been making waves since rock 'n' roll's early days. Writer Jim Feldman focuses on the '60s girl-group phenomenon”—a topic so interesting that, as Feldman points out, Alan Betrock recently wrote a book on the subject. We supply an overview of rock's leading women from the '60s—Lesley Gore, anyone?—through the 70s— Linda Ronstadt?—to current '80s champs, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett and more. Toby Goldstein has collected some interesting quotes made by—and about—women during the past few years, and gradually it becomes clear that what was once an oddity, a diversion, ("women in rock," indeed)—is in fact a tradition and, with every day, becoming the norm. In other words, the term "Women In Rock" is on the verge of becoming entirely redundant, and it’s about time.

With the current success of Pat Benatar, the Go-Go’s, Blondie, and of course Joan Jett—who most people agree actually deserves success most, after the Runaways—it's becoming increasingly clear that playing air guitar isn't just for little boys anymore, that there's a whole generation of young rock ’n’ roll fans—female and male—who draw upon Chrissie Hynde, Martha Davis and others for personal inspiration...which is a far cry from big sister swooning over John, Paul, George & Ringo, to say the least.

So: a sociological study it isn't, but this edition of CREEM Close-Up will hopefully explain some things to some people who might've been in the dark otherwise. And, uh, that's the way it is, etc...Enjoy.

The Editors