Unsung: A History of Women in American Music

by Christine Ammer

(Amadeus). In this edition of the classic text in the field, Christine Ammer surveys a full 200 years of women active in American music. From the earliest organists to contemporary innovators in jazz, succinct biographical sketches show the influences of and influences on hundreds of musicians. Adding significantly to the list, Ammer now chronicles important strides women musicians have made in the last 20 years.

Genres: Music, Womens, History

368 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1980

About the author

Christine Ammer is the author of more than three dozen reference books, on subjects ranging from classical music to women's health. Her books on words and phrases include Facts on File Dictionary of Clichés; Seeing Red or Tickled Pink; Fighting Words from War, Rebellion, and Other Combative Capers; Southpaws and Sunday Punches; Cool Cats and Top Dogs; and Fruitcakes and Couch Potatoes. She lives in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like this book to begin with a disclaimer regarding how Ammer defines America and which women musicians are included, such as white, indigenous, Black, wealthy, poor, etc. This is a dense and well-researched history, so if you are looking for a woman who played or composed but was not only a singer, you may well find some details about her life here.