Until lately, notable female rock groups have been about as numerous as girl goalies in the National Hockey League.
Which is understandable. Today's rock climate is far removed from the sugary days of Phil Spitalny and his all-girl orchestra. There is nothing particularly feminine about strumming a deafening electric guitar, flailing with feet and hands at an electric keyboard, or stomping the stage shouting overamplified sex lyrics. The few females to succeed in rock (Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Genya Ravan) have usually been singers in all-male bands.
Now, partly as a result of the...