Guitar Women : Life Lessons from Forty Six-String Heroines

Intimate and inspiring interviews with six-string legends Bonnie Raitt, Nancy Wilson, Suzi Quattro, Jennifer Batten, Kay Dyson, Orianthi, and many more...

In 1989, guitarist Sue Foley left home in Ottawa for the music capital of the world, Austin, Texas, where she landed a gig at Antone’s, the famous blues label and nightclub. Over twenty albums and thousands of performances later, she established herself as one of the world’s great blues guitarists and a serious student of her instrument. Increasingly curious about the lives and careers of women guitarists who preceded her, she interviewed more than a hundred of them across every musical genre, including folk-blues pioneer Joan Armatrading to classical star Liona Boyd.

The result is Guitar Women, a compelling account of the cultural and personal struggles faced by women playing an instrument associated with masculine prowess in a male-dominated industry. Through personal essays and intimate interviews, Foley highlights the resilience, determination, and creativity of her six-string heroines, celebrating their achievements and honoring their influence on her own life and career.