Who was the first female to...

ChiroDoc

ChiroDoc

Senior Member
Location
The Dixie Riviera
Who was the first female singer to reach a top ten spot in the rock 'n roll single charts?
And if you know that, you'll know the song. The answer surprised me.
 

Billboard did not start a Rock and Roll category chart until March 21, 1981 though and the question specifically does say rock and roll singles chart. I'm probably overthinking the question though.

But based on that information I would guess Joan Jett.
 
Last edited:
LaVern Baker is likely the first female singer to hit a top ten spot on a rock 'n roll-relevant chart with "Tweedle Dee" in 1955.

LaVern Baker, an R&B singer with a powerful voice, scored a major hit with her single "Tweedle Dee", which peaked at #14 on the Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart in early 1955. More notably, it reached #4 on the Most Played in Juke Boxes chart, a key indicator of popularity at the time. These charts were precursors to the modern pop and rock charts, and "Tweedle Dee" is widely considered a rock 'n roll-influenced track due to its upbeat tempo and crossover appeal. This success came during the genre’s formative years, when rock 'n roll was evolving from rhythm and blues.
 
MarkinPhx said:
Billboard did not start a Rock and Roll category chart until March 21, 1981 though and the question specifically does say rock and roll singles chart. I'm probably overthinking the question though.

But based on that information I would guess Joan Jett.
Click to expand...
Joan would have been my fourth guess, Janis Joplin, fifth.
 
CallMeKate said:
I'm thinking maybe AI screwed up again.
Click to expand...
Again, I am probably overthinking the question but....

Mainstream Rock (chart) - Wikipedia


"Mainstream Rock is a music chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States, which that being a administrative category that combines the business formats of "active rock" and "heritage rock". The chart was launched in March 1981 as Rock Albums & Top Tracks. The name changed multiple times afterwards: first to Top Rock Tracks, then to Album Rock Tracks, and finally to its current Mainstream Rock in 1996. The first number-one song on this particular chart was "I Can't Stand It", which was a single released by the musician Eric Clapton that earned that slot on March 21, 1981."
 
The op asked for Charts.

Google puts Areatha Franklin at the top 10
ChiroDoc said:
Who was the first female singer to reach a top ten spot in the rock 'n roll single charts?
And if you know that, you'll know the song. The answer surprised me.
Click to expand...
with Respect

The first artist to peak at every spot on the Billboard top 10
Tim Coffman
@timmusic13
Sat 24 February 2024 14:32, UK
Before recording a single note of music, most musicians harbour dreams of success. While reaching the top of the charts seems effortless for some, many bands face numerous setbacks in their quest to establish themselves. Some may only achieve limited success, with one song cracking the top ten. However, Aretha Franklin made history as the first woman to occupy all ten places on the CHARTS during her illustrious career.

The first artist to peak at every spot on the top 10
 
Last edited:
Well this is downright crazy. One AI said Kay Starr. CoPilot said Brenda Lee. ChatGPT said Wanda Jackson.
To steal a phrase from a younger generation, AI sucks! :rolleyes:
EDIT: And I should add that each one of them was asked in the same way, with the OP's exact question pasted in.
EDIT #2 from Gemini AI. Good gracious! Who the heck is Ruth Brown?!
While there is no definitive answer to this question, there are a few singers who are often cited as the first female singer to reach a top ten spot in the rock 'n roll single charts. One of the most popular contenders is Ruth Brown who reached the top of the R&B charts with her song "Teardrops from My Eyes" in 1950. However, this was before the rock 'n' roll charts were established, so it is difficult to say definitively whether she was the first.
 
So much of the information put on the Internet is “researched” by 20 somethings …. and it’s only as good as who is putting it out.


Wanda Jackson was on the charts in 1953-55…... She was more rockabilly ?

Brenda Lee was more late 1950’s … 1958. and on. She had a slew of hits, starting at age 10. (1955)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top