Undersung heroines
by Tracy Zollinger Turner
A version of this story originally appeared in the Columbus Dispatch, 1997.

The phrase "women in rock" evokes memories of magazine covers and Grammy ceremonies, suggesting momentary flashes of hype that bundle all female musicians into one faddish debutante package.

The stamp, a source of frustration to performers and fans alike, tends to dilute the diverse musical contributions that women have made.

With the release of Trouble Girls: the Rolling Stone Book of Women in Rock , editor Barbara O'Dair confronts the tension that

exists between the tendency to pigeonhole female artists and the desire to cement their rightful place in history. The hefty paperback includes perceptions from more than 40 female writers and photographers of legendary artists, cultural icons (or iconoclasts), songwriters, producers, and pop divas.

Far from being simply a pep rally for women's achievements, Trouble Girls examines its subjects with a critical eye, recognizing the differences between women who have made their mark on the business of music-making and those who have contributed to or left an artistic legacy.

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