The Runaways
Having just had an introductory lecture about women in pop music and the somewhat derivative avenues for female singers/musicians to enter into the music industry, I find self pondering the topics of music, sexuality and gender stereotypes.
As we were getting a background on this, most of the music we focused on was from the 60s-70s which, incidental, is my favourite period for music. I was interested and a little concerned to find out the my favourtie bands - Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Stones, Hendrix etc - are what is, or was, known as "cock rock" and is aimed at men with a large percentage of the audience at a gig being male. I cringed a little when I was told that "women's music" was "teeny bop" and consists of Donny Osmond and the like! Now I have always been aware of what "cock rock" and "teeny bop" are and which artists fall into their categories but when exploring this in my teen days I made the assumption that "teeny bop" was for young teens say 10-15 and "cock rock" was for older teens and adults, 16+. Despite the overtly masculine name, the question of gender never crossed my mind. To continue liking "teeny bop" when you were a grown woman, in my mind, is absurd! It lacks all the excitement, rebellion and promise of a good time which "cock rock" exudes. It is parties, wild nights, extravagance and adventures. In comparison "Teeny Bop" is good table manners, cardigans, sunday school and in bed by ten. Why should women not want a bit of excitement? Yes, generally women want to settle down, nice house, married with kids. But there is a period before that when you are growing up which is about rebellion, waving the middle finger at rules and authority and just having fun. "Cock rock" is the sound track to that. I mean can you really imagine sneaking out to a friends house party, staying up all night, getting wasted, meeting boys and blaring out of the stereo is not "Whole Lotta Love", " My Generation" or even "Paradise City" or "Kickstart My Heart" but "Puppy Love"? No. It just doesn't work.
