LibGuides: Black History Month Resources: African-American Women in Rock

Search for Archival Materials

Search through the Rock Hall's archival collections here, including photographs, manuscripts, business records, posters, handbills, recordings, and much more from performers, bands, record label executives, recording studios, and the fans themselves!

African-American Women Inductees

These links take you to the artist biography pages on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website.

Databases

These are subscription databases available only within the Library & Archives.

Audio

The Library & Archives can help you learn more about these artists via our audio collection. Some suggestions, below.

Amazing grace by Aretha Franklin
Call Number: CD FRAN-A AMAZ 1990 Rock Hall Stacks 2
ISBN: 0075678132421
Publication Date: 1990
Recorded live at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 1972
Be my baby : the very best of the Ronettes by The Ronettes
Call Number: CD RONE BE-MY 2011 Rock Hall Stacks 2
ISBN: 0886976128623
Publication Date: 2011
Tracks originally released 1963-1969
Program notes, written by Lenny Kaye, inserted in container
So much love [sound recording] : a Darlene Love anthology, 1958-1998 by Darlene Love
Call Number: CD LOVE SOMU 2008 Rock Hall Stacks 2
ISBN: 0029667030021
Publication Date: 2008
Darlene Love, vocals ; with various artists
The essential Bessie Smith by Bessie Smith
Call Number: CD SMIT-B ESSE 1997 Rock Hall Stacks 2
ISBN: 0074646492222
Publication Date: 1997
Recorded on various dates between April 11, 1923 and November 24, 1933 in New York City

Books

African American music : an introduction by edited by Mellonee V. Burnim, Portia K. Maultsby
Call Number: Rock Hall Reference ML3556 .A37 2006
ISBN: 9780415941389
Publication Date: 2006
Designed for an introductory course in African American music, this title focuses on musical genres and styles, moving chronologically from folk traditions to modern forms. A final section discusses the aesthetics of African-American culture and music.
Amazing grace by Aaron Cohen
Call Number: ML420.F7362 C64 2011
ISBN: 9781441148889
Publication Date: 2011
A fascinating and thoroughly researched exploration of the best-selling gospel album of all time.
Aretha : from these roots by Aretha Franklin and David Ritz
Call Number: ML420.F7362 F73 1999
ISBN: 0375500332
Publication Date: 1999
This biography provides an account of Franklin's life and trailblazing recording career.
Black pearls : blues queens of the 1920's by Daphne Duval Harrison
Call Number: ML3521 .H37 1990
ISBN: 9780813512808
Publication Date: 1990
Blues singers profiled in this book include Sippie Wallace, Victoria Spivey, Edith Wilson, and Alberta Hunter.
Electric ladyland : women and rock culture by Lisa L. Rhodes
Call Number: ML82 .R47 2005
ISBN: 0812238400
Contents: The tenor of the times -- Women rockers on the printed page -- Rock women who wrote -- Baron Wolman's photo gallery of rock women from the 1960s -- The birth of the groupie -- Groupies take the national stage -- Second-generation groupies -- Conclusion
Encyclopedia of African American music by Emmett G. Price III, executive editor ; Tammy L. Kernodle and Horace J. Maxile, Jr., associate editors
Call Number: Rock Hall Reference ML101.U6 E53 2011
ISBN: 0313341990
Publication Date: 2011
Editors Price, Kernodle, and Maxile provide balanced representation of various individuals, groups and ensembles associated with diverse religious beliefs, political affiliations, and perspectives. Also highlighted are the major record labels, institutions of higher learning, and various cultural venues that have had a tremendous impact on the development and preservation of African American music.
Encyclopedia of Pop Rock and Soul by Irwin Stambler
Call Number: Rock Hall Reference ML102.P66 S83 1989
ISBN: 0312043104
Publication Date: 1989
Featuring more than 600 entries in all, this reference book covers four decades of popular music, providing information on artists' career histories, vital statistics, chart positions, and influences on the music world.
Icons of R & B and soul : an encyclopedia of the artists who revolutionized rhythm by Bob Gulla
Call Number: Rock Hall Reference ML3521 .G85 2008
ISBN: 0313340447
Publication Date: 2008
Through substantial entries on the chief architects and innovators, Icons of R&B and Soul offers a vibrant overview of impact of R&B and soul in American culture. Numerous significant female performers are profiled.
Keep on pushing : Black power music from blues to hip-hop by Denise Sullivan
Call Number: ML3556 .S94 2011
ISBN: 9781556528170
Publication Date: 2011
Freedom now -- Everybody knows about Mississippi-- goddam! -- The rhythm of the rebel : the sound of Black power -- Movin' on up : Black power rising -- Rainbow politics, Woodstock, and revolution rock -- The revolution will not be realized : the sound of Black power goes mainstream -- Move on over : women's and gay liberation and the punky reggae disco party -- Everybody say hey! ho! let's go : punk rock meets hip-hop -- Power to the peaceful : hip-hop at the foot of the mountaintop
Rage to survive : the Etta James story by Etta James ; and David Ritz
Call Number: ML420.J364 A3 2003
ISBN: 9780306812620
Publication Date: 2003
One of the great women of American music, equally at home singing blues and jazz, Etta regales us with tales of her chaotic childhood, the stars she has known, and her troubled trip to stardom in this mesmerizing autobiography.
We gotta get out of this place : the true, tough story of women in rock by Gerri Hirshey
Call Number: ML3534 .H57 2001
ISBN: 9780802138996
Publication Date: 2001
Contents: Mothers of invention -- The sixties : from shoop shoop to Lady Soul -- The seventies : sirens, punks, and disco queens -- The eighties : provocateurs, boy toys, and fierce MCs -- The nineties : riot grrls and Mack mamas, troubadours and pissed-off hippie spawn -- Day of the divas -- The anti-divas : Po-Mo, mamas and heaven-sent bitches