This piece profiles three rock frontwomen of the 1970s who stepped away from their bands to build careers as solo artists, highlighting how each carved out a distinctive path in the male-dominated rock scene of the era. Patti Smith, Nico and Suzi Quatro each moved between group and solo work at different points, and all three remain influential figures whose reputations rest heavily on their individual output.

Patti Smith released her acclaimed debut solo album Horses in 1975, briefly recorded as part of The Patti Smith Group in the late 1970s, then returned to solo work from 1988 to 2012. German-born Nico first found fame on The Velvet Underground's 1967 debut before releasing six solo albums between 1967 and 1985. Suzi Quatro left the all-girl group The Pleasure Seekers, which she had joined with her sister aged 14, to launch a solo career with her 1973 self-titled album, going on to release 19 further solo records, including Freedom this year.