All-female bands have been a part of the global music scene for quite a while. While the presence of female musicians was always noted in genres like blues, jazz, and gospel, it was only in the 1960s that all-female bands started getting popular. Since then, many of them have delivered chart-topping tracks and performed at sold-out concerts. Certain iconic groups have also left a remarkable impact on the music industry as well as popular culture.
1. The Ronettes
The original members of The Ronettes were the sisters Ronnie Spector and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley. Other members—Elaine Mayes, Chip Fields, Denise Edwards, and Diane Linton—later joined in to create a legendary all-female band in the 1960s. The group also got to tour with the Beatles! Their biggest hit was “Be My Baby,” now known as one of the top classics of that era. While they only had one album (Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes featuring Veronica), which was released in 1964, The Ronettes made a huge impact on female artists who came after them. Amy Winehouse, Lana Del Rey, and Madonna are some popular artists The Ronettes influenced. It was not just the music and Spector’s husky vocals but also the aesthetics of the band, for instance, the eyeliner flicks with half-bouffant updos, that inspired many artists.
2. The Supremes
Contemporary girl groups have to give a lot of credit to The Supremes. This legendary trio was one of the original all-female bands that ushered in the golden age of girl groups in the music industry back in the 1960s. The Supremes was made up of Diane Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson. The trio became the premier act of the record label Motown and one of its greatest commercial successes over the years. This band had 12 Billboard no. 1 singles—a record that had been hard to break for many artists.
3. The Go-Go’s
This all-female band had a short-lived collective glory in its early days. Members Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine, Margot Olavarria, Elissa Bello, and Paula Jean Brown came together to form the band in 1978. They became quite popular in the 80s but then broke up in 1985. They occasionally got together in the 90s, which was followed by sporadic legal actions brought on by infighting between the band members. Then, in the early 2000s, there was a reconciliation, resulting in new material. The band’s early years gave fans chart-toppers like “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “We Got the Beat” and a multi-platinum record. That said, the Go-Go’s comeback was marked by a number of career milestones, including sold-out tours, induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and a documentary film.
4. The Bangles
The 1980s saw a lot of artists and groups releasing music that is still popular today. Among the artists responsible for such timeless music was the all-female band the Bangles. With members Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, Debbi Peterson, and Michael Steele, this group delivered some of the most memorable songs like “Walk Like an Egyptian,” “Eternal Flame,” and “Manic Monday.” These songs were everywhere, propelling the group to superstardom and giving them multi-platinum success. However, infighting began among the members of the group, and they disbanded toward the end of the 1980s. It was only a decade later that they reunited, making an official appearance together in 1999 at a tribute concert for The Beatles that took place at the Hollywood Bowl. After this, the band remained active till 2005.
5. Destiny’s Child
The origin story of this famous girl group started in 1990 when Beyoncé Knowles got together with her childhood friends and formed the group Girls Tyme. The group’s name was tweaked in 1997 to Destiny’s Child, and there was a change in the lineup as well. The new members now included Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett. Another member, Michelle Williams, joined the group in 2000. The group gave fans some of the chart-topping hits like “Say My Name” and “Survivor.” They then went on to become a three-time Grammy Award-winning American pop and R&B girl group. Besides, the group is responsible for one of the most influential contemporary pop figures, which is Beyoncé. The members went their separate ways in 2006, with brief reunions for the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show and 2018’s historic Beychella moment, where Beyoncé reunited with Rowland and Williams.
6. Spice Girls
In the ‘90s, the Spice Girls were a global phenomenon. The group was made up of Mel B, Melanie C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, and Victoria Beckham, who were famously known as Scary Spice, Sporty Spice, Baby Spice, Ginger Spice, and Posh Spice, respectively. They became pop icons instantly with the release of their debut single, “Wannabe,” in 1996. The song became a hit and topped the British singles chart. It spent four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and then got certified platinum status within and outside the country. With consecutive albums released over the years, Spice Girls became one of the top-selling girl groups of all time. They finally split up in 2001.