What's Up?

What's Up? Monday Mood

A band that I loved awhile back that was a major influence on my taste in music. I've listened to them for years and still do, even though they are no longer together. This is my Monday Mood. I put a link to the song on Instagram and FB but thought the 4 Non-Blondes deserved more words. I thought Linda Perry was the coolest front person. Everything from her powerful voice and her style. Absolutely loved this band. 3 female singers and a man made some fantastic tunes and I've been Queening on them for years! Three of them are still around and one sadly passed away. 

Here's WHAT'S UP

The commercial success of 'What's Up?, one of their most popular songs, launched the band into international fame. 4 Non Blondes toured the world, opening for such rock legends as Aerosmith, Neil Young, Pearl Jam, and Prince and performed live on television shows including The Dave Letterman show, The Late Show with Conan O’Brien, Arsenio Hall, The Billboard Music Awards, MTV’s Beach House, Jon Stewart’s pilot show on MTV, the E Channel, and England’s Top of the Pops (2x). In 1993, they were nominated for numerous awards, including an MTV video award in the category of alternative rock, and nominated for Best New Band in Rolling Stone Magazine Reader’s Pole (singer Linda Perry did win the award for Best New Female Singer). Their debut recording Bigger, Better, Faster, More! climbed up the Billboard Charts during the summer of 1993, peaking at #11. Ahhh, the summer of 1993! I was living in London, England that year. They also did the soundtrack recordings for Wayne World 2 and Airheads, and included a jingle for Levi Strauss to our credits. They accumulated a huge international fan base and received gold and platinum awards for sales of the album and single in the United States, all over Europe and beyond. However, in the midst of 4 Non Blondes recording their second album in 1995, the group disbanded after making music history.

Lead vocalist Linda Perry, an American singer, a rock star with the powerful voice and great stage presence, went on to pursue a solo career, which eventually led her towards a successful career in production and songwriting. Remember the infamous feud between Pink and Christina Aguilera back in the day? One thing that added fuel to the fire was that Pink felt betrayed that Perry decided to work in the studio with Xtina. Perry has also worked with artists like Gwen Stefani and Alicia Keys -- but don't expect her to work with Katy Perry any time soon, whose music Linda Perry referred to as "crap." Not that I want to slag Pink or anything. I just like that Linda Perry was a straight shooter. That showed in her music and her style. Linda has worked with, written with, written for, performed with so many amazing artists from the ones listed above to Jewel, Courtney Love, Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys, Celine Dion, Blaque, Sugababes, Lillix, Robbie Williams, Melissa Etheridge, Sierra Swan, Solange Knowles, Gavin Rossdale, Juliette and the Licks, Lisa Marie Presley, Fischerspooner, Unwritten Law, L.P., Kelly Osbourne, James Blunt, Cheap Trick, Ben Jelen, Enrique Iglesias, Giusy Ferreri, Brittany Spears, Gina Gershon and Dolly Parton. Linda Perry was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. Linda's career is fantastically never-ending, which is so great to know, hear and read about.

The remaining members of 4 Non Blondes have also continued to find happiness in the music industry. Former guitarist Shauna Hall tours with funk band George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, while fellow 4NB guitarist Roger Rocha also continues to tour and make music with his band the Goldenhearts. Despite their '90s success, bassist Christa Hillhouse has settled into the 21st century comfortably, working as a graphic and web designer at her company CHILLHOUSEmedia. Sadly, the original drummer in 4 Non Blondes, Wanda Day, passed away in 1997 due to a drug overdose.

 4 Non Blonds made rock history in my mind and that is what we are about at Dead Queens - highlighting the history of women - Sister's of the Arts and spreading the word(s).

Crank up your lovely Monday morning rock music & sing like a Queen!

Update: *Click the link to view on YouTube - the video is now only available on YouTube at request of the video owner.

Lyrics below: