ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

That’s why ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Manchester’s Manchester Music Show is setting aside the usual mix of old and new Manc tunes to celebrate the girls who helped make Manc music great.

There’s been a myriad of women who’ve sang for Greater Manchester, from Gracie Fields right through to Sarah Harding, but who’s your favourite? Here’s six of the finest to choose from:

Denise Johnson

Denise Johnson

One of the most recognisable voices in Manchester, Denise has worked with such luminaries as Ian Brown and Bernard Butler, had a successful solo career, and provided vocals on the legendary Primal Scream album, Screamadelica. More recently, she appeared alongside The Charlatans and Paul Weller at Manchester Versus Cancer and played Mary in the Manchester Passion.

Diane Charlemagne

Diane Charlemagne

Diane was the voice of possibly the finest drum and bass album ever, Goldie’s Timeless, found massive chart success as part of Urban Cookie Collective, and toured with Moby for his Play and 18 albums, which included an appearance at the top of the bill at Glastonbury. She’s currently working on a solo album with Simply Red and Ian Brown producer Sylvan Richardson.

Elkie Brooks

Elkie Brooks

19 albums, countless singles and a successful career that spans five decades, Elkie first came to prominence in Vinegar Joe, alongside Robert Palmer, and has been successful ever since. In fact, her track record is so impressive, she’s actually in the Guinness Book of Records as the most charted British female album artist of the last 30 years, and she was recently called β€œone of the great British voices” in a Guardian review.

Jane Weaver

Jane Weaver

A stalwart of the Manchester music scene, Jane has been producing beautiful sounds for the past decade. A prolific chanteuse, her lengthy CV includes stints as a DJ, remixer and guest vocalist, alongside her Misty Dixon and solo albums. She also fronted indie outfit Kill Laura and released critically acclaimed solo EPs in the 90s on Rob Gretton's Manchester Records.

Lisa Stansfield

Lisa Stansfield

Lisa hit the top spot with her first single, All Around The World, and never looked back. She’s had six successful albums and won a BRIT award for best British female solo artist. She’s also found some success in acting, playing opposite Hugo Speer in Swing and recently joining the cast of The Edge Of Love, which also stars Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller.

Stella Grundy

Stella Grundy

Lead singer of the somewhat legendary Intastella, who’s blissed-out pop provided a soundtrack for 90s Manchester, Stella is currently taking on the role of the iconic Nico in the play, Nico Icon, and has a new project Stella and The Dogs, featuring former members of The Smiths, Gabrielles Wish, Vinny Peculiar and The Fall.