Kiwi Rock Chicks, Pop Stars and Trailblazers

From Dinah Lee and The Chicks to Bic and Boh Runga, from Sharon O'Neill to Ladi6, kiwi rock chicks have never taken a back seat. Strong sheilas with big, soulful voices and even bigger stage personalities have long been a feature of our local music scene, and for the first time we celebrate their contribution to the jukebox in our heads, or the i-tunes on our phones, depending on our age. Sassy, talented, tragic and triumphant, the girls are here to strut their stuff through the pages of their own piece of recording history.

Ian Chapman, himself a performing muso and expert on contemporary music, has drawn together a series of profiles and personal recollections from a personal selection of the best of our female modern-music divas. With stunning photographs, insightful commentary and personal contributions from many of the subjects, this will be the rock publishing event of 2010, without a doubt. Competition for inclusion has been white hot, and some may be disappointed - but even more will be delighted to see a fabulous parade of talent and determination. While some have cut it on the international scene, others have been world-famous in New Zealand, providing a consistent counterbalance to the crazy boys and their contribution is finally acknowledged. Kia kaha, wahine toa!