By Audrey Anderson
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The talented Retro Politan Duo rocked the Walpole Public Library with a fun and informative program focusing on the “Pioneering Women of Rock and Roll.” Jill Goldman (lead vocals and u-bass and Ron Politan (guitar and backup vocals) played with infectious energy and encouraged the audience to sign and dance to the music, as they told the stories and sang the songs of early women rockers.
Goldman’s beautiful, strong voice hit the nuances of each rocker’s style, and her bass playing added so much to the music. Politano’s Gretsh hollow-body guitar created a rhythmic 50s sound, and his backup vocals were spot-on.
According to Retro Politan, rock and roll was created by “a mixture of country, blues, swing, and rhythm and blues.” The early women rockers of the 50s and 60s were “multiracial, diverse, and gay.” There were so many obstacles for them to overcome to be successful in rock and roll. To audiences in the 50s, it didn’t seem proper for a woman to stand on a stage, playing a guitar and singing. Black women on tour had a hard time finding places to eat and sleep in the Jim Crow era. Male artists “copied” women’s songs and made them popular, while the women were left uncompensated. Lesbian women had to hide their relationships. Women rockers pushed ahead anyway and found varying levels of success.
The Duo honored 15 women of early rock and roll, some familiar and others less familiar to the audience. Among the rockers presented were Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Etta James, The Poni-Tails, Connie Francis, and Goldie and the Gingerbreads. Politano told stories about their careers. Sister Rosetta Tharpe was known as the Godmother of Rock and Roll. Ruth Brown founded Atlantic Records. Wanda Jackson toured with and dated Elvis. Janis Martin was called “The Female Elvis.” The Poni-Tails named their band to parallel the Crew Cuts. 4’9” Brenda Lee was the first women rocker to tour internationally. The Beatles were her opening act in Germany. Peggy Lee was called the “Queen of American Pop Music.” The Shirelles were the first all-girl group to hit #1. Jackie De Shannon opened for the Beatles. Goldie and the Gingerbreads were the first all-female band signed to a major label.
Kudos to the Retro Politan Duo for so ably bringing women rockers’ stories to light and their music to life for today’s audiences. You can find out more about Retro Politan at retropolitan.com.
