4 Non Blondes

4 Non Blondes, an American rock band from San Francisco, California, was formed in 1989. The band consisted of four members and gained local attention for their energetic performances and powerful ballad "What's Up?". The group quickly attracted record labels, leading to the release of their debut album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More! in 1992. The album garnered widespread critical acclaim, showcasing the band's unique style and earning them a spot among the leading rock bands of the decade. 4 Non Blondes broke multiple boundaries, becoming the first openly lesbian group to achieve significant mainstream success, and providing a rare voice for the LGBTQ+ community in the rock scene.

About 4 Non Blondes

4 Non Blondes began as a group of four lesbians hailing from San Francisco, with Christa Hillhouse on bass guitar, Shaunna Hall on lead guitar, Linda Perry as the lead vocalist, and Wanda Day on drums. The group gained a large following in their hometown, thanks to their high-energy live shows and widespread press coverage. It was during this time that they caught the attention of numerous record labels, and they ultimately signed with Interscope Records to record their first album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More!

The band's debut album was filled with powerful rock ballads and showcased the unique vocal talents of Linda Perry. The album received widespread critical acclaim and quickly gained a large following, thanks to hits like “Dear Mr. President” and “What’s Up?”. Shortly after the release of their album, drummer Wanda Day left the band due to drug problems, and she was replaced by Dawn Richardson. Richardson and the rest of the band continued to tour, playing sold-out shows across the US and Europe.

Following the success of their hit single "What's Up?", 4 Non Blondes became an international success, selling millions of copies of their album worldwide. The album, which eventually went platinum, cemented their reputation as one of the most exciting new bands of the decade. Despite this, tensions began to grow within the group, with disagreements regarding the direction of their music. Linda Perry had begun to develop a penchant for melancholic music, while the rest of the band wanted to stick to their rock roots.

The band's tensions eventually boiled over, leading to Linda Perry's departure from 4 Non Blondes. Despite the band's success, Perry became increasingly unhappy with their label's demands and eventually parted ways with the band. She released two solo albums on Interscope Records but found limited success. Perry soon found herself in financial trouble and had to part with the money she earned from 4 Non Blondes. During this time, P!nk contacted Perry, and the two formed a lucrative songwriting partnership, helping Perry to regain her financial and musical success.

4 Non Blondes' brief but exciting reign as one of the most important bands of the 1990s ended with Perry's departure from the band. Their legacy, however, continues to inspire and excite new generations of rock fans. With their unique sound, energetic live shows, and forthright lyrics, 4 Non Blondes broke boundaries and provided a much-needed voice for the LGBTQ+ community in the rock scene. These factors made the band, especially Linda Perry, influential in shaping the future of rock music and inspiring other musicians to raise their voices against inequality and social injustice.

In 2011, Perry revealed that she disliked the band's signature tune, "What's Up?", which overshone her other songs and made the band's identity too one-dimensional. Perry is known for being an outsider in most of the projects she's involved in, and the ever-growing popularity of her song's meaning quickly made the song a parody for Karaoke, causing Perry to lose interest in it due to overexposure. Perry's music is still being consumed today and continues to inspire hundreds of fans worldwide. Her voice has been missed and is revered as one of the most powerful of the era.

Concluding thoughts

4 Non Blondes were one of the most influential bands of the 1990s, with their unique sound and vocal talent earning them a place among the greatest rock bands of all time. Despite their brief stint, they left an unforgettable mark on the music industry, inspiring generations of musicians to come. With Linda Perry's powerful vocals and unparalleled songwriting abilities, they pushed boundaries and challenged the status quo - providing a much-needed voice for the LGBTQ+ community in the rock scene. It is no surprise that 4 Non Blondes' music continues to be popular today, with fans of all ages embracing their powerful sound and inspiring message.