Real Punk Music and Punk Rock Women

When punk rock music was in its heyday, many women contributed to the scene. From music to management, women have always been alongside some of the biggest names in the punk rock music scene. In the glory days of punk music when bands like Iggy Pop and the Stooges and the Velvet Underground were paving new roads, women were rocking out and pushing the movement forward.

Today, many people toss around the phrase "punk" or "punk music" without having any true concept of what it actually is or the roots that spurred its creation. It is more likely today to have people referring to pop music, who have never heard of bands like The Dead Kennedys, Richard Hell or Johnny Thunders.

This list is a nod to the many women who contributed to the scene when the scene was new, and when punk was in the early stages of creation. These women supported these bands, and produced music alongside of them. Many had the challenging job of being managers to some of these bands, and getting them to shows when some would have rather been high on copious amounts of drugs or other distractions.

For a complete understanding of their contributions, it is necessary to do reading and research, or listen firsthand to their music.

Nico

Nico was the singer for the Velvet Underground, and contributed her beautiful vocals to punk history. To hear a prime example of her work, try listening to, "I'll Be Your Mirror." In the sixties, she was a model who was popular for the blonde, banged look. She was quite beautiful in the days of her youth, but it is apparent that the lifestyle she lead may have contributed to some of the changes in her appearance.

Bebe Buell

Bebe Buell was a model, as well as a singer and manager. She is the mother of the actress Liv Tyler, and was partying alongside the best of them since the beginning. She is the author of Rebel Heart: An American Rock and Roll Journey. If you want to know about punk music inside and out, learn about it from someone who was there, firsthand. Her writing is frank, open and honest, and will make you wish you were born in a different era.

Sylvia Reed

Sylvia Reed was a manager and writer. The is the ex wife and manager of Lou Reed.

Tish and Snookie

Tish and Snookie Belamo are a pair of sister entrepreneurs, and were backup singers for the Sick Fucks and Elda and the Stilletos with Debbie Harry. You may be more familiar with them if you are a fan of dying your hair, as they are the creators and owners of Manic Panic hairdye.

Stephanie Chernikowski

Stephanie Chernikowski is a photographer who has witnessed a great deal of punk history. Her works include Dream Baby Dream and Burn Baby Burn: Images from the Blank Generation, whose title is a nod to the Richard Hell and the Voidoids album of the same title.

Angela Bowie

Angela Bowie was the wife of David Bowie, and is probably witness to some of the craziest parties on the planet. David and Angela had quite an open relationship, and in the days of David Bowie hanging out and creating music with Iggy Pop, Angela was on the scene.

Patti Smith

Patti Smith is a poet and singer for the Patti Smith Group. One of her most well known works is the album Horses. She was a talented musician in her own right, and was present for the formation of many famous punk bands. That may sound trivial, but she was influenced by many valid sources due to her presence at this time period, and was a progressive poet and musician in her own right.