Category Archives: Guitarists
Tetrarch – “Freak”
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Beverly “Guitar” Watkins | Live at Northside Tavern (Atlanta, GA)
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Black History Month: Barbara Lynn

Barbara Lynn (born January 16, 1942 in Beaumont, TX) is a left-guitarist, songwriter and vocalist best known for the song “You’ll Lose a Good Thing“, which was recorded and released in 1962. The single was a number 1 on the US Billboard R&B Charts, as well as a Top 10 single in the Billboard Hot 100 list of 1962. The song was re-recorded by Aretha Franklin, as well as country musician Freddy Fender. Barbara Lynn played piano as a child, but later switched to guitar. Before making her big break she played in an all-female band called Bobbie Lynn and Her Idols. She was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues foundation in 1999. (Wikipedia)
Etta Baker
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“Washington Blues” and “I’m Going Away” by Elizabeth Cotten (1965) – YouTube
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Sylvia Robinson – “Love is Strange” (Mickey and Sylvia)
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Bea Booze – “See See Rider”
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Deborah Coleman – I Got To Know – YouTube
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Thank you to David Rowinski (@bolekaja1001 on Twitter) for the tip on Deborah Coleman!
Any black women artists that should be on this blog, but haven’t been featured yet? Hit me up on social media, or email me at jaleesa@blackwomeninrock.info!
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Sometimes I forget that some people don’t know the full impact that black women had on rock n roll. If you didn’t know it was epic. Without the talent and energy of many wonderful women the state of music today would be blander than Cliff Richard eating a cucumber sandwich.
Read More: Mixtape Alert | History of Black Female Guitarists | Don’t Dance Her Down Boys