BIRTHA -"FREE SPIRIT" (1972)



Uploaded by: funknroll
Video Description:
During World War II, women ran America. They built the planes, ships, and equipment to win the war. They built the economy that pulled the country out of the Depression and then emerge as a new Superpower. For the first time they integrated into the work force, the military, and the society. They were expected to give all that up at the war's end. Having tasted freedom, many Americans refused to surrender for themselves what they had been fighting for abroad. The Civil Rights movement, the farm rights activism of Cesar Chavez, the Counterculture, Stonewall, the American Indian Movement, and Feminism are the children of that democratic spirit of freedom for all.
Birtha's first album shows an apt metaphor; a 1948 jukebox being shook righteously with their music. Mothers from WWII wanted more for their daughters. That hope flourished in the 60's and 70's when their children rose to the challenge of bettering society. It's a shake-up that reverberates to this day.
Since we are the sum of our memories and experience, the diner herein reflects that mutual arc. Included are idealized women in pin-ups by such artists as Alberto Vargas and Joyce Ballantyne (who was her own model; 00:42); the real Rosie the Riveters and Wendy the Welders who made the country stable; the integrated work forces that opened up the future of civil rights; the Japanese Americans who were interned in concentration camps by their own nation; and the Counterculture opening all the doors of progress. Free your spirit...
About BIRTHA: In the mid-60's, bassist Rosemary Butler was in The Ladybirds, an all-female band who toured opening for The Rolling Stones. She hooked up with guitarist friend Shele Pinizzotto in the Los Angeles psychedelic group, The Daisy Chain. By the early 70's they became Birtha, with keyboardist Sherry Hagler and drummer Olivia "Liver" Favela. Fanny had just broken through as the first all-female rock band making major label LPs. Dunhill Records responded by pairing Birtha up with Gabriel Mekler, producer of label mates Steppenwolf. Their especially hard, heavy sound provoked the infamous ad campaign, "Birtha Has Balls", which shocked Playboy so much they wouldn't print it. But the T-shirts were a smash. "When (Birtha) played the 1972 Rockingham Festival, members of Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac and the James Gang all chose to wear them for their own sets," writes reviewer Mrs. Ahab, "and revelers could clearly see the logo disappear from view as Alice left the arena hanging out of a helicopter still sporting his Birtha shirt. " Billboard gasped, "they project more power and drive than most male groups," with astonishment. Birtha made two albums but despite touring with the hardest and playing harder, they didn't break through and broke apart. Almost immediately on their heels would be The Runaways and the Punk grrrls to carry the torch.
Shele Pinizzotto (guitar, vocals)
Rosemary Butler (bass, vocals)
Sherry Hagler (keyboards)
Liver Favela (drums, lead vocals on "Free Spirit")
http://www.birtharocks.com/
http://www.myspace.com/birthasite
http://www.myspace.com/rosemarybutler
http://www.rosemarybutler.com/
http://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/review/1439
http://www.guitaristka.ru/zapad-birtha.shtml
http://www.sundazed.com/artists/daisy-chain.html
http://www.fannyrocks.com/
http://www.itsaboutmusic.com/isis.html
(All rights reserved by the copyright owners. Fan-made video to promote the artist.)
http://www.youtube.com/funknroll
tym stevens


Tags for this video: Birtha Fanny Girlschool Hole Isis JamesGang JanisJoplin Kittie L7 Luv'dOnes RiotGrrrl Steppenwolf TheRunaways TheWho

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I believe they were ... ( 1 year ago by vkoo32)
I believe they were harder rocking then Suzi Quatro. This sounds similar to Uriah Heep
Great clip :) ( 1 year ago by freespirit1975)
Great clip :)
Which Fanny member ... ( 1 year ago by superatech)
Which Fanny member are you?
wow, i thought i ... ( 1 year ago by guybombardo)
wow, i thought i knew a lot about rock and here, this previously unheard of band totally smacked me upside the ignoramus. good diggin, sister. way to shed the light.
THANK YOU THANK YOU ... ( 1 year ago by Talymaya)
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
I am one of your long lost daughters, thinking that Joan was the one, but now I know Birtha!
This classic was ... ( 11 months ago by therealdonm)
This classic was released on CD as a twofer with their other release "Can't Stop The Madness" It has been on regular rotation in my car for years. Great heavy album regardless of gender......seek it out to be sure !
Good to have Birtha ... ( 11 months ago by paulkearvell)
Good to have Birtha on Youtube.Seem to have been largely forgotten.One or two photos I hadn`t seen before.Other than Rosemary I`ve never heard a word on the others since.Whatever happened to Liver?An excellent heavy band with strong vocals regardless of gender.
thanks pal,new to ... ( 11 months ago by Thenewnorthernscene)
thanks pal,new to me ,result ,dont know about the gender comments just tunes man
Array ( 11 months ago by greekyboy123)
Hi;
It was great to rediscover your single 'Young and Dumb' recently on Youtube - and to find it still sounds great after all these years. I seem to remember that Fanny and Birtha came to the UK at about the same time. What was that more 'poppy' song you recorded about spending summer on the beach?
I am the original ... ( 11 months ago by ADDIElilqueenie)
I am the original member who was signed to Warner Bros. with them and worked hard all those years to make it happen.. Go check out my video....ADDIE..
Shelly, From Birtha and I worked together a lot back in the day. We did a band together for a minute and I used her on vocals many times in the studio.
Love her and all the girl to pieces.. Last I heard Shelly moved down under to New Zealand with the keyboard player.
I still think their rock holds up today.
They smoked the place.
ADDIE
Addie Girl! You're ... ( 11 months ago by superatech)
Addie Girl! You're the real thing! Awesome.
I was a HUGE Fanny fan in the early 70's.
My sister and I played with Isis in '76. Check out "Ain't No Backin' Up Now" on U Tube.
Whew! you are seriously excellent!
Im French . Great ... ( 10 months ago by alaintherocker)
Im French . Great very great Birtha. But i prefer fine talking man, and i can't find it.Who can transfer it on you tube ?
WOW this brought ... ( 10 months ago by g1underground)
WOW this brought back memories, THANKS
Great find!!
Nice video and ... ( 10 months ago by kinglonewolf104)
Nice video and pretty good music too (I'm more into pop, dance and country normally).&eB
Just a mind bender! ... ( 10 months ago by spotswoodthenewt)
Just a mind bender!
Outrageously good.
why can't we see ... ( 9 months ago by legatou)
why can't we see those sexy Birtha womene? allways love the big one (vocals I think) in the black & white foto in the first album opengatefold sleeve...one of the best 70's rock album ever!...and that scream!!!! Ahhhh..jesus, i'm crazy looking for the see-for-miles CD, but it's very dificult to find (i'm a DJ and I need original CDs to play at discos and partys, and believe me I play birtha today!!!)
Well, you've done ... ( 7 months ago by unadin)
Well, you've done it again Funknroll. I don't know where you find this stuff but I gotta get me some of it. Which album(s) would you recommend? I also like your Isis videos. What should I get by them? By the way, I'm still listening to Fanny and still forcing everyone I know to listen to it. You rule.
This is a really ... ( 7 months ago by lizterrybee)
This is a really good track that would not sound out of place if released in 2008
Array ( 7 months ago by funknroll)
See also:
-FANNY-"BORROWED TIME" (1971)
-FANNY-"YOUNG AND DUMB" (1971)
-FANNY-"I'M SATISFIED" (1973)
-SHARON TANDY -"DAUGHTER OF THE SUN" (1968)
-THE RUNAWAYS -"QUEENS OF NOISE" (1977)
-SHOCKING BLUE-"HARLEY DAVIDSON/ GET IT ON" (69/75)
-GIRLSCHOOL -"20th CENTURY BOY" (1983)
Always loved Fanny ... ( 4 months ago by kevinandrewmoore)
Always loved Fanny and Birtha as a young teen back in the 70's...who'd have thought Id end up as a pro muso doing shows with Suzie Quatro!!?
Hell, there is soo ... ( 2 months ago by imaratsfan)
Hell, there is soo much good music out there. Even at my age i'm hearing new things.where have I been?
hey, must be ages ... ( 1 month ago by vladgromek)
hey, must be ages since I last heard that tune! well, not everything's bad that lies around unheeded for years. Birtha used to be sort of heavy ladies as far as I remember...
drums:NICE!!! good ... ( 1 month ago by lumbia33)
drums:NICE!!! good stuff... one of the better musics of the 70s rock era.
why there's no ... ( 1 day ago by legatou)
why there's no Birtha live videos or video clips in youtube? it's been 2 or 3 years that i'm allways trying to find it, and nothing...I would love to see the fabulouse vocalist singing




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