Valkyrie

Back in the 80s, Heavy Metal was a musical genre lacking a feminine touch. Of course, there were artists such as Ann and Nancy Wilson, Pat Benator or Joan Jett but they were more rock gals as opposed to 'proper' ladies of metal.

  An exception was Doro Pesch, frontlady of German head bangers Warlock. With Valkyresque looks and a line in slinky black leather, Doro was something of an icon for spotty adolescent rock fans such as myself. Sugary pop chicks such as Sinitta or Kylie (as she was then) just didn't cut it compared to this metal maid.

  Easy on the eye, Doro could also belt out a few tunes, whether screaming like a banshee on anthems such as 'All we are!' or showing her melodic side on the haunting ballad 'Fur Immer'.

  I saw Warlock back in 87, (my first gig!) when they opened for Ronnie Dio (RIP) in Birmingham at the NEC. Nearly three decades on, Doro is still recording/performing and - apart from the odd foray into classical - still rocking.

 Whether you love or loath Heavy Metal, Doro deserves some respect for surviving in the fickle music business - long may she continue.

Picture by rock photographer, Ray Palmer (1955-2002), it (or something very similar) probably graced my bedroom wall, circa 1988.