Four women– Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott and Chaka Khan– are among the artists inducted into this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
This is a big deal considering that previously, the total amount of female inductees was barely at 8 per cent. In a recent opinion piece published by The Guardian, Courtney Love criticised the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s lack of female representation and highlighted that only 61 of its 700+ inductees are women.
Now, with four more women inductees, the total has inched up to 65.
Fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Stevie Nicks took to Instagram to share her excitement for her friend, Crow’s achievement in joining the “very elite club for us women”.
Penning a heartfelt note, Nick’s wrote: “Dearest Sheryl~ Yes, you can call me psychic. I have been listening to Sheryl Crow radio on Pandora for the last 4 days. So many of our memories came flooding back.”
“And so my friend- Congratulations, Miz Crow for your upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I am so proud of you.”
“It’s a very elite club for us women. I found out at 4 o’clock this morning and had to dance around my room for you. See you on the road! Love you, Stevie.”
In an equally heartfelt response highlighting the importance of female representation in the music industry, Crow commented on Nicks’ post saying, “If it were not for you, Stevie Nicks, there would be no me. You inspire me and you make me want to inspire others. I love you and I’m blessed to know you.”
#RockHall2023 Inductee @SherylCrow reacts to the news and gives kudos the the musicians who have influenced her musical journey. Watch the full interview: https://t.co/uNo2IAUGin pic.twitter.com/uBEIymClLA
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) May 3, 2023
American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer Melissa Elliott, better known as Missy Elliott is the first woman in rap to be included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“I want to say this is HUGE not for just me but all my Sisters in HIPHOP this door is now OPEN to showcase the hard work that many of us women contribute to MUSIC. I have cried all day because I am GRATEFUL,” Elliott wrote in an emotion-filled Instagram post about the induction announcement.
Also included in the 2023 induction is American singer songwriter Yvette Stevens, better known by her stage name Chaka Khan, who was one of the most accomplished artists to debut during the early ‘70s as the lead vocalist of the band Rufus. Going solo in 1978 with Ashford & Simpson’s “I’m Every Woman”, Khan’s career has spanned more than five decades, with ten Grammy wins. She continues to be one of the most prolific singers there is.
And after three previous nominations to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Kate Bush, an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer has finally been inducted.
Bush earned a new and passionate fanbase in 2022 after her song “Running Up That Hill” was used in the popular hit Netflix series Stranger Things, with the song reaching No 1 in the UK charts and No 3 in the US.
Throughout her career, Bush has been known for her unique sound in rock and ability to experiment with literary themes.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame says, “Bush threw open doors for female artists to experiment more radically with music, image and theatricality, inspiring Björk, Solange, St. Vincent, and numerous others. She is not only a rock superstar, but a legend.”