Girlschool

This article is about the band. For girls' schools, see single-sex education. For the song by Britny Fox, see Britny Fox (album).

Girlschool
Girlschool playing live in London in 2009
Girlschool playing live in London in 2009
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active1978–present
Labels
Spinoffs
  • She-Devils
  • Strange Girls
MembersKim McAuliffe
Denise Dufort
Tracey Lamb
Jackie Chambers
Past membersKelly Johnson
Gil Weston
Cris Bonacci
Jackie Bodimead
Jackie Carrera
Enid Williams
Websitegirlschool.co.uk

Girlschool are a British rock band that formed in the new wave of British heavy metal scene in 1978. Frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead, they are the longest-running all-female rock band, still active after more than 40 years.[3][4] Formed from a school band called Painted Lady, Girlschool enjoyed strong media exposure and commercial success in the UK in the early 1980s with three albums of "punk-tinged metal"[5] and a few singles, but lost their momentum in the following years.[6]

In the 1990s and 2000s, Girlschool focused on shows and tours and made few studio albums. During their career they travelled the world, playing in many rock and metal festivals and co-headlining with or supporting important hard rock and heavy metal bands. They maintain a worldwide cult following, and are an inspiration for many female rock musicians.[7] Despite frequent changes of line-up, all original members who are still alive—Kim McAuliffe, Enid Williams and Denise Dufort—had been in the band until 2019, when Willams quit. Original lead guitarist and singer Kelly Johnson died of cancer in 2007.[8]

  1. ^ McIver, Joel. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.
  2. ^ Beaumont, Mark (5 August 2016). "Girlschool - Nightmare At Maple Cross / Take A Bite album review". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 23 September 2018. Failing to graduate alongside contemporaries Motörhead and Maiden, come 1986 they went looking for rejuvenation in their biker metal roots.
  3. ^ "Reviews". Classic Rock. Girlschool official website. December 2004. Archived from the original on 25 December 2006. Retrieved 3 September 2010. ...apparently listed in The Guinness Book Of Records for being the world's longest-surviving all-female rock band
  4. ^ "Girlschool biography". Girlschool Official Website. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  5. ^ Corich, Robert M. (1998). The Collection (CD booklet). Girlschool. England: Sanctuary Records (CMDD014).
  6. ^ Various (1992). "Appendix to Performers / Girlschool". In Lisa Dyer (ed.). New Illustrated Rock Handbook. London, UK: Salamander Books Limited. p. 201. ISBN 0-86101-595-9.
  7. ^ Graff, Gary (1997). King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Girlschool (CD booklet). Girlschool. New York, NY: King Biscuit Flower Hour Records. 70710-88032-2.
  8. ^ Tunzi, Kristina (25 August 2007). "Mileposts". Billboard. Vol. 119, no. 34. p. 68. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 31 January 2014.