Whatever happened to all those mad female vocalists?

[Tannhauser]

Whatever happened to all those crazy female singers that blossomed from the late seventies? Yelping and mugging at the camera and waving their arms or jumping around? They were a mixed bunch. Most of them couldn't sing for toffee, but they were at least interesting. And a couple were very talented musicians. In this thread, I'll post up a few.

1. Poly Styrene

Musicality – 2/10. When Punk came in, apparently young Poly decided that it couldn't be very difficult, and that she would have a go. That screamy voice has been stuck in my mind for 30 years: 'I-DENT-IT-EEE!'

[Tannhauser]

2. Kate Bush

Musicality – 8/10. A genuine prodigy, who wrote 'The Man With The Child in his Eyes' aged fourteen. Mad-eyed, arm-waving sonstress.

[Tannhauser]

3. Linda Perry

Musicality 9/10 Has written some terrific songs and more to the point, has the biggest mouth of any land mammal, and almost as large as a basking shark. Not really the same era, but still.

[Tannhauser]

4. Laurie Anderson

Musicality – 10/10. Relive the weirdly hypnotic 'O Superman'. I saw her a few years back and she has some very brilliant and innovative musical ideas, like her semi-improvised monologues that she accompanies on keyboards

[Tannhauser]

5. Hazel O'Connor

Musicality 5/10. I just love this video. She has a voice like a cat's breakfast, but I love that Tron costume.

[Tannhauser]

6. Wendy O'Williams

Musicality 0/10 No discernible musical ability, but shouts and runs around with things on her nipples, which counts for a lot. What a racket.

[Tannhauser]

7. Lene Lovitch

And to round us out for now, completely bonkers Lene Lovitch. Urr-oh-eh-oh.

Musicality – unknown/10

[Tannhauser]

If Steve spots this post:

Would you mind editing the typo on my thread title? Thanks.

[Goat]

Tann you are a strange bird, O'Williams best of the bunch.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Tannhauser

Whatever happened to all those crazy female singers that blossomed from the late seventies? Yelping and mugging at the camera and waving their arms or jumping around? They were a mixed bunch. Most of them couldn't sing for toffee, but they were at least interesting. And a couple were very talented musicians. In this thread, I'll post up a few.

1. Poly Styrene

Musicality – 2/10. When Punk came in, apparently young Poly decided that it couldn't be very difficult, and that she would have a go. That screamy voice has been stuck in my mind for 30 years: 'I-DENT-IT-EEE!'

Love the horns.

That's actually better than 90% of the rage punk I've heard. I can see that growing on me.