Bayton, Mavis (1989) How women become rock musicians. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis is about women rock musicians in the U.K. It is based on in-depth interviews with 36 female rock musicians in the 1980s. Firstly, it examines the relative absence of women in rock music-making and explains this in terms of gender socialisation and a number of social constraints operating on women. Secondly, it looks at those women who, despite all the obstacles, do become rock musicians. A number of variables are put forward which, it is suggested, have helped these women overcome gender constraints. These factors are conceptualised as "escape routes" into rock music-making. Thirdly, all-women bands are examined, and the individual careers of the women who constitute them. An ideal-type model is constructed of the stages of a female band's career. It is concluded that, compared to male bands, there are a whole set of factors which make it more difficult for women's bands to be set up and continue along the career path. These factors have the strongest effect in the early career stages. Lastly, some non-typical career patterns are investigated, and particularly the strategies developed by feminist musicians as alternatives to the mainstream commercial path.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology M Music and Books on Music > ML Literature of music
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Women rock musicians -- Great Britain
Date:	May 1989
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Sociology
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Extent:	ii, 603 leaves
Language:	eng
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/34719

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