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The 3 Queens of Classic Rock
Grace, Linda and Janis are unforgettable icons of the era
As I look back on the time when rock ’n’ roll was in its glory, I’m still in awe of musical artists who somehow stood out from the large pool of talent that existed in the Sixties. Three of them — Grace Slick, Linda Ronstadt and Janis Joplin — started with bands and then broke out as solo artists. I consider them the 3 Queens of Classic Rock.
Grace Slick
Grace Wing Slick started her career as a model for a San Francisco department store, wound up marrying Jerry Slick, and became a singer in Jerry and his brother Darby’s rock band, The Great Society. When the band veered into raga-influenced psychedelic music, Grace became disillusioned with the band and her marriage.
In 1966, Jefferson Airplane, an up-and-coming rock band that formed a year earlier, lost its lead singer. This opened an opportunity for Grace to join the band. With the 1967 release of their album, Surrealistic Pillow, Jefferson Airplane became one of the most popular musical acts in the U.S. The album produced two Top 10 singles, “Somebody to Love,” which had been written by Darby Slick, and “White Rabbit,” a song composed by Grace Slick.
