TOM RYUGO ....
Janis Joplin (1943–1970). A popular and influential singer, member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Why wouldn’t she make it today?
Janis Joplin, like it or not, wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous. Like it or not, for the past 40 odd years, the music industry has insisted that female singers be sex kittens. Look back at the most popular female singers of the 80s and beyond and you’ll see that they’re all dressed up with makeup and clothing to look like models or centerfolds. From Agnetha Faltskog of ABBA to Madonna and Mariah Carey to Shakira, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Taylor Swift, the music industry only wants beauties. Plain Janes need not apply.
Mama Cass Elliot (1941–1974) of the Mamas & Pappas.
Same reasoning applies. The music industry would say she’s too fat and too homely and never give her a record contract.
Men in rock music can be plain looking, fat, or ugly - Meat Loaf, Steven Tyler, and Angus Young come to mind - but a woman like that won’t make it in today’s music business.
