July 23, 1999

Posted July 23, 1999

Billboard reports: "In celebration of women's contributions to popular music, VH1 will present "The 100 Greatest Women Of Rock'N'Roll" July 26th-August 1st. The special is a countdown based on results of a survey conducted by VH1. According to the network, those who voted were female entertainers, writers, photographers, industry executives, and politicians." The program will air from 10-11PM each evening.

VH1 has announced the names (in alphabetical order only) of the Top 20 women in the countdown, and they are Patsy Cline, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Debbie Harry, Billie Holiday, Chrissie Hynde, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Chaka Khan, Carole King, Gladys Knight, Annie Lennox, Madonna, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt, Grace Slick, Patti Smith, The Supremes, and Tina Turner. This gets interesting because inside sources have let leak the fact that Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin are in the Top 3!

As for Joni's placing, my bet is that she'll make the Top 10, ranking perhaps as high as #5. Remember that VH1 did a similar show to this one last year called "The 100 Greatest Artists Of Rock'N'Roll," where Joni placed as the fourth highest ranked female act (I'm counting Fleetwood Mac as female because Stevie Nicks is on the new list, and will most likely place higher than Joni in the Top 100).

Among those who will be hosting the programs are TV actresses Julianna Margulies of NBC's top-rated show "ER" and Courteney Cox of "Friends," and film actress Susan Sarandon.