In this episode of Rock of Aging, Dave and Erika dig into the often-overlooked contributions of women who shaped 80s metal, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. We talk honestly about what it meant to be a woman in a genre that frequently celebrated rebellion—while resisting equality.
We explore trailblazers who didn’t just participate in the scene, but helped define it:
Gerri Miller, editor of Metal Edge Magazine, who helped launch and legitimize countless metal careers while navigating a male-dominated media landscape
Sharon Osbourne, one of the most powerful managers in rock, reshaping artist management while enduring relentless scrutiny
Penelope Spheeris, whose films captured the grit, danger, and authenticity of metal culture—often better than the men writing about it
Girlschool, the UK band that proved women could be every bit as loud, heavy, and uncompromising as their male peers
Vixen, a band forced to walk the impossible line between musicianship and marketability
Wendy O. Williams, a confrontational, fearless icon who shattered expectations—and paid a heavy personal price
We talk about sexism, double standards, credibility tests, image policing, and the emotional toll of surviving in a scene that often treated women as novelties, props, or problems. At the same time, we celebrate the resilience, creativity, and impact these women had on metal culture—whether they were holding guitars, cameras, clipboards, or the editorial pen.
This isn’t a revisionist history lesson—it’s a real conversation about how the music we love was shaped, who had to fight harder to be heard, and why their stories still matter today.
Because metal history isn’t complete without them. 🤘
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyHjhVnQ2P3y6FAhuJ6JZ-lScX5WpL4td&si=_2pJsnR-cTWungwZ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockofaging
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582584991887
40 mins