The 16 Global Girl Groups That Changed The Face Of Music and Pop Culture As We Know It

The first K-pop girl group in history made its debut in 1935.

The music business is notorious for being one of the most cut-throat industries out there. Despite this, women have broken barriers, overcome obstacles, and fought for their rightful seat at the table and on the charts. This didn’t—and still doesn’t—come easy though.

Male-led groups like The Beatles, The Monkees, The Jacksons, and more were at the forefront of the music industry in the 20th century, but the '40s, '50s, and '60s brought in a new wave of female-fronted music, with bands like The Chordettes and The Supremes stealing hearts and topping charts. This surge in popularity made a lasting impact on the female presence in the industry, and gave way to the formation of a plethora of girl groups across all genres, to the rise of K-pop.

The music business is no longer the boys’ club it once was. Today, thanks to the feats endured by their predecessors, girl groups like Haim, Little Mix, and Blackpink, exist in an entirely different industry. In celebration of Women’s History Month, L’OFFICIEL looks back on music’s most influential girl groups who contributed to the diversification of the industry and paved the way for today’s artists.

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The Jegori Sisters are believed to be the first K-pop girl group in modern history. Formed in 1935, the four-member band comprised of Lee Nan-young, Jang Se-jeong, Park Hyang-rim and Lee Hwa-ja, and earned fame with a series of hits, including “Tears of Mokpo,” and “My brother is a Strolling Singer.” They even performed in Japan.

LaVerne Sofia Andrews, Maxene Angelyn Andrews, and Patricia Marie Andrews made up The Andrews Sisters, America’s most loved singing trio of the ‘40s. The three sisters rose to fame before and during the second World War. In a time as bleak and grim as it was, the sisters brought joy to servicemen and working-class folk alike with their unique blend of soprano and alto voices.

The Kim Sisters were the first Korean girl band to play in the USA in the 1950s, backed by the popularity amongst US forces there and even served as forerunners of hallyu. The trio formed in 1953 by famous singer Lee Nan-young and her teenage daughters and their cousin.

With hits like “Lollipop” and “Mr. Sandman,” The Chordettes will forever be remembered for their harmonious, catchy bops. The Sheboyan, Wisconsin quartet got their big break in 1949, when they landed an audition spot on Arthur Godfrey’s talent contest show, “Talent Scouts.” They soon after rose to fame and embodied the quintessential ‘50s sound they’re known for today.

The Supremes, formerly known as The Primettes, were one of the many great acts birthed by Motown Records during the ‘60s, alongside The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and more. The trio included Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and most notably, Diana Ross. With several number-one songs under their belt, the trio remains America’s most successful female vocal group.

The Pearl Sisters was a legendary duo that debuted in 1968. They signaled a new era of K-pop girl groups characterized by visually pleasing musicians giving flashy performances, a move from previous stationary and music-centered performances. After this period, the 1980s saw a decline Korean girl groups.

Labelle was the product of the breakups of two girl groups in the early ‘60s, the Ordettes and the Del-Capris. After a little rearranging and few name changes, The Bluebelles, later Labelle, was formed. With feminist anthems like “Touch Me All Over,” the group was considered wildly progressive in their day, and paved the way for groups like En Vogue and Destiny’s Child.

Los Angeles bred group The Bangles formed in guitarist and vocalist Susanna Hoffs’ basement. With hits like “Manic Monday” and “Walk Like An Egyptian,” the iconic band swept the nation during their height in the ‘80s. Though the group suffered its fair share of breakups and tension, they’re still together today, playing shows sporadically, much to the excitement of their longtime fans.

Composed entirely of teenage girls, The Runaways made music history in becoming one of the first and youngest all-female rock groups. Despite having undergone several internal challenges, which later led to their short-lived run, the group remains an exemplary force in the punk rock scene, having served as inspiration for the succeeding Riot Grrrl genre.

New York City-based Salt-N-Pepa entered the rap scene in the mid-’80s, making them one of the first all-female rap groups. The trio was ahead of their time, and known mostly for their brazen attitude towards men and sex. With songs like “None of Your Business” and “Let’s Talk About Sex”, Salt, Pepa, and DJ Spinderella broke barriers with their unbridled femininity.

En Vogue was one of the many R&B groups to take off in the early ‘90s. With songs like “Free Your Mind,” the group touched on the many judgements placed on women, specifically Black women, by society. Though they too encountered their fair share of troubles internally, the group still stands today, and is remembered for their contribution to the R&B genre.

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, better known as TLC, took flight in the early ‘90s. The trio’s blend of alto, tenor, and soprano voices, coupled with their unique sound consisting of both pop and R&B influences, made them an instant hit. The songs featured on their second studio album, “CrazySexyCool,” were iconic in their overarching theme of female empowerment.

S.E.S was a Korean girl group trio formed by S.M. Entertainment in 1997, with Basa, Eugene and Shoo. Their debut album, I’m Your Girl, became the second best-selling album by a female group in South Korea, with follow up albums also quickly becoming bestsellers.

Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Chrisholm, and Victoria Beckham, better known as Scary, Baby, Ginger, Sporty, and Posh Spice, formed The Spice Girls in 1994. The English pop group was most recognized for its association with the ‘Girl Power’ movement, which affirmed the importance of sisterhood and female friendships.

Destiny’s Child is arguably one of the most iconic girl groups to date. The group is known for launching the later solo careers of Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, and Beyoncé Knowles. With songs like “Independent Women” and “Survivor,” the three brought about a new attitude of female empowerment, something seldom seen at the time.

Also known as SNSD, this eight (formerly nine) member girl band represents a sweet, softer side of K-Pop. Girls’ Generation officially debuted in August 2007 with their hit single ‘Into the New World,’ and catapulted into fame in 2009 with their single ‘Gee,’ which also made for the first ever music video by a girl group to gain more than 100 million views on Youtube. They gained a global fan base and awarded with Video of the Year at the Youtube Music Awards, and as well as appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman and Live! With Kelly.