narrator
June Millington (b. 1948), a musician, songwriter, guitarist, producer, activist, educator, and queer/lesbian music icon. She is most known for Fanny, where she co-founded the band in 1969 with her sister Jean. She is a Filipina-American born in Manila in 1948 and moved to California when she was 13, June could totally understand her mother’s root language, Tagalog; still, her mother’s side of the family also spoke English. Her mother is a Filipina socialite, and her father was born in Vermont and was a naval officer, which is why they returned to the U.S. after their marriage in Manila; along with Jean, she also had five other siblings. Her family was upper class in the Philippines, and when they moved to Sacramento, their family ended up as middle class. They started playing ukulele and had little concerts in their backyards, which then gained their popularity as the only non-white kids in the neighborhood. After having a band in her school called Wild Honey, they were discovered by Richard Perry. Later, they were signed to Reprise Records, which is under Warner Bros. Records, Fanny became one of the first all-female rock bands to release an album on a major label. Even though the name of their band has sexual connotations in the UK, their female spirit and the all-female band energy show the opposite. The band, known for its powerful sound and tight musicianship, was praised by legends like David Bowie, who once said, “They were one of the finest rock bands of their time,” and David Bowie has long supported Fanny. As the lead guitarist, June is innovative with her music and presence and has also been the lead vocalist and writer for many music pieces for Fanny. Despite critical acclaim and a strong fan base, Fanny faced sexism in the music industry, which limited their commercial success. June left the band in 1973, feeling frustrated with the industry’s pressures. The band has been active from 1969 to 1975, from 2003 to 2018, and from 2024 to the present. Nevertheless, just post-Fanny, June met the love of her life, Anne Hackler, who was the main driving force for moving to MA. Aside from Fanny’s life, Millington continued her musical career as a solo artist and producer. She became deeply involved in the women’s music movement, helping to create safe spaces for female artists in an industry dominated by men. In 1986, June founded the Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA) in CA, but later moved to Goshen, MA in 2001. The mission of the IMA was to support girls in music and guide women after them. The IMA runs music camps, workshops, and recording programs, providing a space for young female and nonbinary musicians; they intend to stay here forever and pass the IMA on to the next generation. June is widely recognized as a trailblazer for women in rock. Her influence can be seen in later all-female and female-fronted bands. She is also very involved with the LGBTQ+ community, finds her connections through music, and has played at almost every Pride. The IMA also has regular concerts and venues that feature members of the community. Fanny was a band that was so ahead of their time. She has received multiple honors for her contributions to music, and her autobiography, “Land of a Thousand Bridges: Island Girl in a Rock & Roll World,” was published in 2021. Last but not least, before the age of 19, June was aware of her sexuality but avoided thinking about it, and it took a lot of courage to be bi-sexual and then come out around when she was 19. Moreover, her religion and beliefs transferred from Catholicism to Buddhism and have had a huge impact since her late 20s. Last but not least, she played in Hawaii in the 80s and 90s for many years, which influenced her.
abstract
In this interview, June Millington reflects on her multicultural upbringing and the influence of her Filipino heritage as she navigates her way from Manila to California, navigating cultural identity and invisibility as one of the few non-white children in her community. She shares her groundbreaking journey as co-founder of Fanny, one of the first all-female rock bands signed to a major label in the 1970s, and the sexism they faced despite acclaim from icons like David Bowie. Millington discusses leaving Fanny to join the women’s music movement, where she found liberation collaborating with artists like Cris Williamson and embracing her queer identity. She recounts meeting her life partner, Ann Hackler. Hackler joined the interview midway through. Together, Millington and Hackler shared their founding of the Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women and nonbinary musicians. She and Hackler reflect on building IMA as a radical, feminist space in Goshen, Massachusetts, adapting through the pandemic, and fostering intergenerational mentorship. In addition, she discussed her involvement in Western Mass and the role of IMA in the Pioneer Valley. Later, Millington explores the intersection of her Filipino heritage, Buddhist spirituality, and activism, detailing how these forces shaped her resilience against industry marginalization and health struggles, including her recent cancer diagnosis. Further, Millington expressed her concerns and anger towards the current political administration. She emphasizes the urgency of art as resistance amid political backlash, sharing new music addressing systemic oppression. The interview closes with her wisdom for LGBTQ+ youth and artists of color.