Yesterday, rocker Courtney Love celebrated her 43rd birthday by playing an intimate show at London’s Bush Hall. Raise your hand if there were times you worried that Courtney might not make it to another birthday. Of all the celebrity train wrecks, the former Hole front woman was one I always rooted for to right herself and get back on track.

Say what you will about her personal life, but Courtney’s music has rarely wavered. At her best, she has the uncommon ability to mix primal rock with accessible melodies. What results is at once hummable and hardcore. Still, throughout her career her talents have been sadly overshadowed by the specter of her late husband, Kurt Cobain. The idolization of his myth often came at the demonization of her survival. … continue reading

Prince's halftime show notwithstanding, I don't think guitars are necessarily phallic. Men have dominated the guitar world (especially when it comes to smashing things and jumping off amp towers), but who says it has to stay that way?

Here are some axe-wielding women who sound as good as they look.

1. Pioneers: Without them, this blog post wouldn't exist.

Wanda Jackson [pictured]
Bonnie Raitt
Nancy Wilson (Heart)

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