Girlschool

At the heart of the 1980s British heavy metal movement stood Girlschool, an all-female group determined to prove that they could rock as hard as any of the boys. Originally formed in Tooting, South London by school friends Kim McAuliffe and Enid Williams, they took their name from a Wings B-side and soon started making waves on the underground rock scene. Motörheadfront man Lemmy took an instant liking, taking them on tour with him and helping them sign to Bronze Records in 1979. Debut album Demolition (1980) was followed by the successful split EP St Valentine's Day Massacre with Motörhead, before the girls hit their peak with second album Hit and Run (1981) reaching Number 5. A storming set as headliners of the Reading Festival in 1981 was followed by the hard rocking classics Screaming Blue Murder (1982) and Play Dirty (1983) but, despite regular tours and a loyal fanbase, mainstream recognition slipped away over the years. Still maintaining a healthy cult following, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the album Legacy (2008) and remains active.