A collective biography of ten outstanding women singers of popular music in the twentieth century, including Sophie Tucker, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ethel Merman, Judy Garland, Anita O'Day, Joan Baez, Bette Midler, Madonna and Lucinda Williams.

The 1900s : Sophie Tucker, the last of the red-hot mamas -- The 1910s : Ma Rainey, mother of the blues -- The 1920s : Bessie Smith, empress of the blues -- The 1930s : Ethel Merman, la Merm -- The 1940s : Judy Garland, the girl next door -- The 1950s : Anita O'Day, jazz gypsy -- The 60s : Joan Baez, sibyl with guitar -- The 1970s : Bette Midler, the last of the real tacky ladies -- The 1980s : Madonna, material girl -- The 1990s : Lucinda Williams, ramblin' woman.