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Goldie and the Gingerbreads - Bio PDF Print E-mail

THE FIRST ALL-FEMALE BAND TO HIT THE CHARTS

"Goldie and the Gingerbreads are as famous in England as the Beatles are in America."
Teen Trend, 1966


Formed in 1963, at a time when the very idea of women playing their own instruments in rock bands was unheard of, Goldie and The Gingerbreads, whose pioneering spirit and significant contribution to the evolution of women in music we honor today, stand out among all the other "girl groups" of that era: they played just as well as they sang.


Signed to Atlantic Records in 1964 by visionary Ahmet Ertegun, the group toured throughout Europe with The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, and the Hollies, among others, Their first single, "Can't you Hear My Heartbeat?," enjoyed weeks at the top of the charts in the UK in 1965 before Hermans's Hermits recorded their version for the American market.

Goldie and the Gingerbreads' first engagement was at New York City's notorious Peppermint Lounge, During a stint at the Wagon Wheel on 45th Street, Eric Burdon, The Animals, and their manager, Mike Jeffries, dropped in after having been lured by the music they heard coming from the club, "There was so much feeling in Goldie's voice that I was stunned to find such a "black" sound could be produced by a group of white girls," said Eric Burdon. Alan Price, the Animals keyboard player who would go on to produce "Can't you Hear My Heart Beat?" for the girls in 1965, agreed: When I heard Margo play the organ, I felt like going out and getting drunk." Shortly thereafter, the group took up Jeffries's offer to manage them and within weeks Goldie and the Gingerbreads were on a steamer to England.

 

bottom left: Carol MacDonald, top left: Margo Lewis,
middle: (Goldie) Genya Ravan, right: Ginger Bianco


"When the Kinks toured Britain last May, another group on their show created quite a stir everywhere they went. Not surprising, considering they were four very attractive girls and great musicians in the bargain! They really knocked us out!" -International Press, 1965

"Ginger is one of the best female drummers in America!" -Teen Trend,1966

"They're great!" -Ringo Starr

"They're Fab!" -Brian Jones

"I discovered Goldie and the Gingerbreads!" -Keith Richards

Goldie and The Gingerbreads blazed the trail for generations of female musicians including the Go-Gos, the Bangles, The Runaways, and Luscious Jackson. Over time, the group has been immortalized in various rock music anthologies and most recently in The Rolling Stone Book of Women In Rock (Random House, 1997). We honor Goldie and the Gingerbreads for their vision, for breaking down barriers, and for laying the ground work for women musicians everywhere.

 

The TOUCHSTONE AWARD symbolizes the visionary spirit of women in music who make a difference through their pioneering mission of service to the music industry.
Like touchstones, each of the honorees has provided ongoing inspiration and guidance and has set a standard of excellence for others to follow.

Goldie & The Gingerbreads were honored in the Second Annual Women in Music Touchstone Awards recognizing Women Who Made a Difference
Tuesday, February 3, 1998 New York Marriott Marquis

First Major Label All-Female Rock Band
With their first single, "Can't You Hear My Heart Beat?" this trailblazing '60s quartet earned a #25 hit in England and a place on concert bills with The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and The Yardbirds. In doing so, Goldie & the Gingerbreads broke new ground for all subsequent women rockers. The group was recently immortalized in rock music history by The Rolling Stone Book of Women in Rock (Random House).