Fanny: The Groundbreaking All-Female Rock Band That Paved the Way for Women in Music
In the male-dominated rock landscape of the early 1970s, Fanny emerged as trailblazers who would forever change the perception of women in rock music. Founded by sisters June and Jean Millington, who had moved from the Philippines to California in 1961, the band began as a way for the siblings to make friends through music, starting with simple ukuleles in their new homeland.
The Millington sisters' journey to rock stardom began in high school with their all-female band the Svelts, which eventually evolved into Wild Honey. After years of struggling for recognition in Los Angeles' competitive music scene, fate intervened during what was planned as their final performance at the legendary Troubadour Club in 1969. Producer Richard Perry's secretary spotted the band, leading to a contract with Reprise Records and a transformation into Fanny – a name chosen to represent female spirit rather than any sexual connotation.
Warner Bros. Records installed the band in a mansion formerly owned by Hollywood legend Hedy Lamarr, where they crafted their sound with the classic lineup of June on guitar, Jean on bass, drummer Alice de Buhr, and keyboardist Nickey Barclay. Their self-titled debut album Fanny in 1970 made history as one of the first full-length albums by an all-female rock band on a major label, with their cover of Cream's Badge earning significant radio play.
Fanny quickly proved they were far more than a novelty act. Their 1971 album Charity Ball produced their first Top 40 hit with the title track reaching number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band's musical prowess caught the attention of major artists – they served as session musicians for Barbra Streisand's albums Stoney End and Barbra Joan Streisand, while David Bowie became such a devoted fan that he invited them to parties and taught them mime techniques.
Their international appeal flourished as they toured worldwide, opening for major acts like Jethro Tull, Humble Pie, and Slade. With engineer Leslie Ann Jones as their road manager, Fanny found particular success in the UK and Europe, where audiences embraced their music without the gender-based skepticism they often faced in America. Their 1972 album Fanny Hill, produced with Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick, showcased their versatility with covers ranging from the Beatles' Hey Bulldog to Marvin Gaye's Ain't That Peculiar.
The band's musical evolution continued with 1973's Mothers Pride, produced by Todd Rundgren, but internal tensions were mounting. June Millington felt constrained by the record label's attempts to dictate their image and sound, leading to her departure to study Buddhism in Woodstock. Her exit, along with drummer Alice de Buhr's departure, marked the end of the original lineup, though the band continued with Patti Quatro (sister of Suzi Quatro) on guitar and returning member Brie Brandt on drums.
This reconstituted Fanny signed with Casablanca Records and released their final album, Rock and Roll Survivors, in 1974. Ironically, their biggest commercial success came as the band was dissolving – Butter Boy, Jean's tribute to David Bowie, reached number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975, just as the group officially disbanded.
Fanny's influence extended far beyond their chart positions. They deliberately rejected typical girl group styling and sex appeal, focusing instead on musical credibility and technical skill. June Millington's guitar work earned particular acclaim, with Guitar Player magazine describing her as the hottest female guitar player in the industry. Their refusal to conform to industry expectations of how female musicians should look and behave paved the way for countless artists who followed.
The band's legacy lived on through their influence on later all-female groups including the Go-Go's, the Bangles, and the Runaways, all of whom cited Fanny as a key inspiration. After decades apart, the surviving members reunited for various projects, culminating in the formation of Fanny Walked the Earth in 2018, which released an album marking the first time June, Jean, and Brie had recorded together in nearly 50 years.
In 2021, the documentary Fanny: The Right to Rock brought their story to a new generation, cementing their place in rock history. David Bowie's assessment remains the most fitting tribute: "They were one of the finest fucking rock bands of their time... They're as important as anybody else who's ever been, ever; it just wasn't their time." Today, it's clear that Fanny's time has finally come, with their groundbreaking achievements receiving the recognition they always deserved.