Diary 💗 10 Influential women drummers
A brief and fun history of women who drum
Grace’s Diary is a monthly series of personal stories and deep-cut discoveries by TSCML’s Editor-in-Chief, Grace Lilly.
🏆 A top-read post
The first time I realized it
I was thirteen when I decided there’s something undeniably wonderful about a woman playing drums. I was in New York City at my first ever concert: MIKA, the British pop star I’d gotten really into the thanks to some French exchange students at my school.
He played with a woman drummer, Cherisse Osei, and I’d never seen anyone like her. She slammed on the drums with a strength that was hard to understand at her petite 5’2” stature. I was hooked.
Ever since then, I’ve always had a special affinity for women drummers. So in their honor, I wanted to share some fun facts about ten of the most influential women drummers in history. I don’t cover everyone of course, but some people that I especially like ✨ Enjoy!
1. Viola Smith
American drummer
When: 1930s-1940s, the Swing Era
The basics
b. 1912 - 2020 (age 107 years)
One of the first professional female drummers ever
Started the highly successful all-female orchestra, The Coquettes, with her sister Mildred
Best known for her work in swing bands, orchestras, and popular music
Her drumming
Highly distinctive speed, power, and showmanship
Billed as “The Fastest Girl Drummer in the World”
Played a massive, 12-piece drum kit
Her theatrical flair & throwing her sticks in the air
Why she’s important
One of very few women drummers to reach worldwide success, paving the way for others to follow
Was an advocate for women in the music industry
The world’s longest lived female drummer — she died at the age of 107 in October 2020
Watch Viola Smith drum
Live in 1939
2. Honey Lantree
English drummer
When: 1960s, British Invasion
