4 Non Blondes

4 Non Blondes was an American rock band formed in 1989 with bassist Christa Hillhouse, guitarist Shaunna Hall, drummer Wanda Day and vocalist Linda Perry. Prior to the release of their first album, Roger Rocha replaced Hall on guitar, and Dawn Richardson replaced Day on drums. They hit the charts in 1993 with "What's Up", their only hit. Perry left the band in 1995 to begin a solo career, and the remaining members disbanded soon thereafter. They represented American alternative rock genre of music.

Founding of the group

Bassist Christa Hillhouse knew guitarist Shaunna Hall for many years in San Francisco. They met drummer Wanda Day, and after witnessing Linda Perry sing solo at a club they convinced her to join the band. In an interesting coincidence, October 17, 1989 was the day of the massive earthquake that hit San Francisco and was supposed to be their first day of rehearsal.

The band picked the name, 4 Non Blondes, after an incident in a San Francisco park where the band members were having pizza. Apparently, a family was walking by, and their little boy wanted to grab some left over pizza to feed the birds. He was told by his parents, "No, don't touch that, that's dirty from all the birds and people around here,” and they proceeded to give the band members a dirty look. The family was supposedly "very Blonde", so decided to call themselves 4 Non Blondes.

Wanda Day was fired from 4 non Blondes because of drug use shortly before the making of the album Bigger, Better, Faster, More! (she died in 1997). While promoting the song "What's Up", lesbian lead singer Linda Perry, who wrote the song, displayed a "dyke" sticker prominently plastered on her guitar for a performance on "Late Night with David Letterman".

Dawn Richardson replaced Day, after being introduced to the group by mutual friend Cherie Lovedog; but as the recording of their first album progressed, producer David Tickle replaced Hall with a session guitarist. Roger joined after the recording was completed.

Musical Success

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Lead vocalist Perry went solo in 1996 and the group disbanded after recording, but not releasing, their second album. Perry has since released solo work, and produced songs on hit albums by Pink and Christina Aguilera.

In 1995, 4 Non Blondes contributed the song "Misty Mountain Hop" to the Encomium tribute album to Led Zeppelin.

In 2007, lesbian musicians Kitty Rose and Christa Hillhouse started working with Carolyn Gage on a five-woman rock musical called How to Write a Country-Western Song.

Guitarist Roger Rocha recorded an unreleased record with the hard rocking Dolorosa in 1995 and then in 1997, joined psychedelic pop group, Mockingbirds on Guitar. Rocha then recorded two CD's with El Destroyo, "the Latest Drag" 1999 and "Power of my Mind" released in 2002. The later was produced and featured the bass guitar of founding member of the Violent Femmes, Brian Ritchie. Rocha recorded "Roger Rocha has..."the Blues!"" in 2006. Roger is currently living, singing, writing and performing in the San Francisco Bay Area and working on the upcoming recording "Is There Love On Mars?".

Discography

Albums

• Bigger, Better, Faster, More! (1992)
• Dear Mr. President (Live In Italy) (1993)

Singles

• "Dear Mr. President" (1993)
• "What's Up" (1993)
• "Spaceman" (1993)
• "Superfly" (1993)

External links

• "4 Non Blondes" Lyrics
• "4 Non Blondes" Guitar chords and tabs
• Shaunna Hall's website
• Christa Hillhouse's website
• Dawn Richardson's website
• Roger Rocha's myspace page

Articles & Interviews

• 4 Non Blondes '1st' interview July '91
• Christa Hillhouse interview at BassGirls.Com
• SF Bay Guardian Article & reference to Wanda Day

This article is based on a GNU FDL LGBT Wikia article: Non Blondes 4 Non Blondes

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