She was born 3 years after Krupa, 5 years before Rich and 36 years before Bonham. She was using ariel toms at least 50 years before Appice and kettle drums at least 40 years before BonhamNot that it means anything, but it makes her stand out as an innovator because a woman has never been respected like her male counterparts.

Viola Smith was not only one of the pioneering women instrumentalists of American popular music, she was an advocate for the rights of all women musicians trying to make a living in the sexist music business