The ’60s can be considered a milestone in many ways, and its impact on modern music is undeniable. The period encouraged the evolution of various genres, from rock and roll to folk, R&B, and much more. Many of the most important contributions of that era were made by female singers, although it was still a male-dominated industry.
In line with the several political developments of the period, the counterculture movement and its transformative power on rock and roll soon became apparent. The rock genre and countercultural ideas seemed to be a perfect match due to their rebellious spirit and rejection of conformism. In that sense, rock music played a unifying role, bringing together disparate groups.
During the 1960s music scene, Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick and Janis Joplin stood out as the two counterculture icons of the time with their radical presence. The two pioneering women also built a strong friendship which lasted until Joplin’s death from a heroin overdose in 1970. Yet, the two female leads were not so close in terms of musical styles, as Slick also disclosed in a previous interview.
“I think she was better at baring her soul than I am,” Grace Slick said when asked if there was any fundamental difference between her and Janis Joplin regarding their singing styles. “Literally and figuratively. I’m more Scandinavian. I’m the ice, and Janis was the fire.”
The singer continued, “We’re both in-your-face, but Janis was in-you-face in a different way than I am. Her sound was rhythm and blues, and mine was hard rock.” So, according to Grace, she embraced a hard rock singing style, while Joplin predominantly sang in blues tones. Slick also thinks Janis had a more soulful way of singing than her cold manner.
Despite their musical differences, both vocalists made history by embracing the rebellious atmosphere of the period and changing how society viewed female musicians. They proved that women could be rock stars too and inspired the upcoming female generation. Grace Slick and Janis Joplin deserve a special place in rock music history with their unique voices, off-stage personas, and contributions to female empowerment.
