In 1993, a band named 4 Non Blondes came onto the scene with one of the best songs of the 1990s and quite possibly of that year. What’s Up? was played everywhere. Radio stations, television shows and adverts could not get enough of this song.

The band split up shortly after, and in 1996 Linda Perry released her first solo album called In Flight, it wasn’t really successful(it was also self published) but in 2005 it was re-released by Custard Records and Kill Rock Stars (who have previously put out records by Gossip)Linda Perry seems to now be known as one of the best songwriters in music today. She has worked with a whole bunch of people ranging from Alicia Keys to Celine Dion to Courtney Love to Britney Spears. 

This year should hopefully see the release of Courtney Love’s new album, Nobody’s Daughter which Linda Perry has written and produced tracks for. This album could well be one of the best of the year. Both are powerful female musicians with a lot of  musical history (not together) and the ability to write lyrics that will blow you away. They previously worked together on Courtney Love’s 2004 release, America’s Sweetheart.

So why is Linda Perry so damn important? Well, although she has worked with some awful acts who shall remain nameless, she has worked with some fantastic artists too. Linda Perry has quite possibly written at least one song that sums up how you feel. She may not have sang it, but she wrote it. There is no denying how beautiful her singing voice is either. It’s strong, big and powerful. 4 Non Blondes may not have lasted as long as us fans wanted them to, but what came out of it is truly lovely!

She once said Courtney Love should be mentioned alongside Bob Dylan with regard to best songwriters of all time. Although I agree, Linda Perry’s name should be there also.

In Flight was re-released 3 years ago, if you have a copy-treasure it and hold it near. Linda Perry is more than “the one that was in that band that sang What’s Up” and she is more than “the one that Pink worked with.” She’s something a lot of singers aspire to be.