In mid-April 1982, photographer Paul Natkin captured several prominent images of the British heavy metal band Girlschool during their visit to Chicago, Illinois. These sessions included both staged promotional portraits and live concert photography. Classic early-1980s metal look with leather, denim, and big hair, his 1982 portraits often featured the classic lineup of Kim McAuliffe (guitar/vocals), Kelly Johnson (guitar), Denise Dufort (drums), and Gil Weston (bass).
In the early 1980s, Girlschool was a pioneering force in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). They were known for a raw, “punk-tinged” metal sound and were one of the first all-female bands to achieve major commercial success in the genre. Their sound was fast and aggressive, often described as “punk-tinged metal.” Unlike many of their peers, the classic lineup shared lead vocal duties between McAuliffe, Williams, and Johnson.
The band had a legendary friendship and working relationship with Motörhead, who often called them their “kid sisters.” In 1981, they joined forces under the name Headgirl for the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre EP. Their joint cover of Johnny Kidd & The Pirates’ “Please Don’t Touch” became a UK Top 5 hit and remains one of their most famous recordings.
Early on, the band avoided the “glam” look, preferring a “biker-girl” style of leather and denim. While often championed as pioneers for women in rock, the members famously preferred to be judged as musicians rather than “female musicians,” aiming to level the playing field through high-energy live performance. By 1982, they were playing stadium shows in the U.S. as a supporting act for bands like Iron Maiden and Scorpions.
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