FEATURE STORY
Making it in the Music Trade - Female Drummers Who Made Noise
Statistics show that only 10,09% of percussionists are women, yet those who decided to drum their way through the music industry left a significant mark in the history of this instrument. That's why, in honor of the Women in Trade Day Worldwide event, we've decided to shed light on them and curate a brief history of women in drumming.
Drumbeating Through Time: The Ancient Roots of Female Drumming
Although drums have been known as a male-dominant instrument throughout history until today, the first percussionists were actually women. In ancient depictions of kettledrums and frame drums all the way from Egypt to Ancient Greece and Rome, percussionists were always women.
Yet today, when we look at photos of the most famous drummers, women are noticeably absent. As the music industry and drumming evolved, fewer women found their place behind the drum kit.
Drumming Her Story: 5 Women Who Pounded Their Way Into Music History
Viola Smith
American drummer Viola Clara Smith became known as one of the first female drumming stars. She was part of an all-female band formed by her father, who taught each of her six sisters a different instrument to perform in his dance hall. Viola got the drums, and the rest was history. From 1920 to 1975, she drummed in swing bands and big orchestras and got the nickname "fastest girl drummer in the world."
Karen Carpenter
Another American drummer (and singer), Karen Carpenter, became the most famous female drummer and a true icon, paving the road for other girls in the world of drumsticks. Although she died very young, at the age of 32, Karen achieved great success together with her brother and their duo, The Carpenters, during the 70s.
Sandy West
Sandy West was only 15 years old when she formed The Runaways with Joan Jett and Kim Fowleyshe. They were the first all-female hard rock teenage band from the 1970s to achieve massive success. After the band fell apart, she continued drumming with her own band, the Sandy West Band.
Sheila E.
When she was only 5 years old, Sheila Escovedo performed a drum solo on the stage alongside her dad. At the beginning of the 1980s, she was touring with big names like Prince, Marvin Gaye, and Ringo Starr. This queen of percussion is still making beats - from Academy Awards to American Idol, Sheila E. is a living drumming icon.
Patty Schemel
During the 90s grunge era, female drummers were on the rise, and one of them was American drummer Patty Schemel. She rose to fame with the rock band Hole, which entered a new era after she joined. Kurt Cobain, who introduced her to Courtney Love and Hole, even considered her for Nirvana.
The Beat Goes On
Thanks to the internet, the music industry is in its most democratic era, providing opportunities for young female drummers to showcase their talent and find their own spaces in the music world. As we celebrate the women who drummed the way, we look also forward to a future where female drummers continue to thrive and inspire, proving that the beat truly goes on.