Evelyn McDonnell

Evelyn McDonnell is a music journalist, critic, and author known for her extensive coverage of women in rock music and popular culture. She has written several books exploring the intersection of gender, music, and social movements. McDonnell served as a pop music critic for The Miami Herald and has contributed to publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, and Rolling Stone. Her work frequently focuses on groundbreaking female musicians and the cultural impact of popular music. The author's notable books include "Queens of Noise: The Real Story of the Runaways" and "Women Who Rock: Bessie to Beyoncé, Girl Groups to Riot Grrrl." She has also co-edited collections including "Rock She Wrote: Women Write About Rock, Pop and Rap" and "Stars Don't Stand Still in the Sky: Music and Myth." Currently, McDonnell directs the journalism program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where she continues to write about music, gender, and culture. Her academic work examines the relationship between popular music and social movements, particularly focusing on feminist perspectives in music criticism.

Readers value McDonnell's attention to detail and thorough research in documenting women's contributions to music history. Multiple reviews cite her ability to balance academic analysis with accessible writing. What readers liked: - Deep research and interviews that uncover new information - Focus on overlooked or underreported aspects of music history - Clear writing style that avoids academic jargon - Balanced perspective on controversial topics, particularly in "Queens of Noise" What readers disliked: - Some sections can become too academic or theoretical - Occasional repetition of information across chapters - A few readers wanted more personal narratives from artists Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Queens of Noise" - 3.9/5 (500+ ratings) "Women Who Rock" - 4.1/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon: "Queens of Noise" - 4.2/5 "Women Who Rock" - 4.4/5 One reader noted: "McDonnell fills crucial gaps in rock history without sacrificing readability." Another commented: "Her research is impeccable, though some chapters could be more concise."

Queens of Noise: The Real Story of the Runaways (2013) A biographical account of the 1970s all-female rock band The Runaways, including interviews with band members and detailed coverage of their formation, success, and dissolution.

Army of She: Icelandic, Iconoclastic, Irrepressible Björk (2001) A biography of musician Björk Guðmundsdóttir, examining her life from childhood in Iceland through her career with The Sugarcubes and as a solo artist.

Mamarama: A Memoir of Sex, Kids, and Rock 'n' Roll (2007) A personal memoir detailing McDonnell's experiences balancing motherhood with her career as a music journalist.

Rock She Wrote: Women Write About Rock, Pop and Rap (1995) An anthology co-edited with Ann Powers, collecting writings by female journalists and critics about popular music from the 1960s through the 1990s.

Ellen Willis wrote groundbreaking music criticism for publications like The New Yorker and Rolling Stone in the 1960s-70s. Her work combined cultural analysis with personal narrative, examining rock music through a feminist lens.

Lisa Robinson covered the rock scene from the 1970s onward as a journalist for publications like NME and Creem. She conducted interviews with major artists like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones while documenting the changing music industry.

Lucy O'Brien writes about women's contributions to popular music and the intersection of gender and music culture. Her books include biographies of female artists and examinations of feminist movements in music.

Holly George-Warren produces biographies and histories focused on American popular music and culture. Her work covers artists like Alex Chilton and Gene Autry while exploring broader musical movements and scenes.

Ann Powers analyzes popular music's connection to gender, sexuality, and American society through her criticism and books. She combines historical research with cultural criticism in her examination of music's social impact.