Lesbian rocker tops Cool List

Nov 22 2006
Written by Marc Shoffman

A lesbian punk rocker has topped a ‘Cool List’ of music icons.

Beth Ditto, the larger than life lead singer of US band Gossip, beat big names such as Lily Allen, Jarvis Cocker and Liam Gallagher to become the first woman to top music magazine NME’s Cool List.

Ditto is an outspoken advocate for gay rights and has used her songs to back gay marriage legislation in the US.

She recently caused controversy when blamed school shootings on a lack of help for depressed students.

This year’s list was unusually dominated by female artists, NME editor Conor McNicholas, said it shows a new wave of talent, “From Beth to Lily, they’ve brought new energy to a scene dominated by men.

“They’re also living proof that you can still rock a crowd when you’re wearing stilettos.”

The full list is below…

The NME’s Cool List 2006

1 Beth Ditto

The Gossip

2 Faris Rotter, The Horrors

3 Lily Allen

4 Jarvis Cocker

5 Karen O

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

6 Kieren Webster

The View