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- Throughout rock history, there have been numerous pioneering female musicians. Memphis Minnie and Sister Rosetta Tharpe inspired the genre and some of its biggest musicians. Generations of female listeners picked up the bass guitar because of Suzi Quatro and Kim Deal.
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- Alanis Morissette, ‘Jagged Little Pill’ Maverick, 1995. The jagged little Canadian with the jagged little voice manages to make sensuality and rage act like kissing cousins.
- The Breeders, ‘Last Splash’ 4AD/Elektra, 1993. The Pixies' Kim Deal eclipses her old band – if only for one album – with loud, crazy songs about summer, sex and cars – plus her twin sister Kelly on guitar.
- Bonnie Raitt, ‘Give It Up’ Warner Bros., 1972. This scrappy redhead has been singing and playing the blues for almost half a century, but the blueprint for her whole journey is right here on her second album.
- Lucinda Williams, ‘Car Wheels on a Gravel Road’ Mercury, 1998. This country-rock veteran spent years fighting to make music her own way, turning ordinary lives into poetic ruminations with her melancholy yet indomitable voice.
- Briony Edwards
- Patti Smith. The so-called poet laureate of punk, Patti Smith’s unapologetic, razor-sharp lyrics and guttural protopunk sound provided the template not just for the burgeoning 70s New York punk scene, but for legions of alternative bands that followed.
- Carol Kaye. You couldn’t put together a list like this (or hell, any compilation of real rock’n’roll legends) without mentioning Carol Kaye. Having started out as a jazz guitarist in the 50s, Kaye went on to become one of the most prolific, respected session bassists in rock – as well as contributing guitar parts (six- and 12-string) for the likes of The Beach Boys and Frank Zappa.
- Kim Deal. As The Pixies’ original bassist and long-time Breeders frontwoman, Kim Deal’s played a hand in creating some of rock’s most celebrated music. While Kurt Cobain famously cited The Pixies as the abiding influence behind super-duper mega-hit Smells Like Teen Spirit, Breeders’ breakthrough album Last Splash was certified platinum, with The Prodigy using a sample from album track S.O.S.
- Suzi Quatro. Five feet of leather-clad ferocity, Detroit-born Suzi Quatro found fame and fortune in the UK during the age of Glam. Hitting the upper reaches of the chart with Can The Can and Devil Gate Drive, she inspired a generation of women to pick up the bass guitar.
- Sharon Van Etten
- St. Vincent
- Hayley Williams
- Kate Pierson
- Donita Sparks
- Alice Bag
- Gwen Stefani
- Dolores O’Riordan
- Brittany Howard
- Jenny Lewis
Sharon Van Etten didn’t get widespread recognition until her third studio album, Tramp, landed in 2012, but when she did, she had the kind of viral success most singer-songwriters are rarely afforded. Stunning listeners with her emotional candor, Van Etten sang songs about abusive relationships, love and self-discovery. She has since grown as a mus...
The only thing more agile than St Vincent’s legendary guitar playing is her exquisite vocals. For over a decade, Annie Clark has traversed different styles and sounds, and is equally at home in singer-songwriter mode as she is recording avant-rock concept albums with David Byrne. A musical shape-shifter, Clark takes on a new persona with each album...
In the male-dominated pop-punk scene, Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams felt like she was starting a revolution with her music and attitude, inspiring other girls and women to play in bands. Now five albums deep into her 15-year career, Williams has grown up and become more eclectic in her tastes with the group’s 2017 release, After Laughter, br...
As one of the founding members of The B-52s, Kate Pierson’s infectious pop-rock vocals made party tracks such as “Love Shack” and “Roam” what they are today. Alongside her vocal prowess, the singer-songwriter’s campy image and charming persona has made her one of rock’s beloved cult icons. When not touring with The B-52s, Pierson has also fostered ...
In 1992, L7’s Donita Sparks threw her bloody tampon at festival-goers after they berated the band onstage. In her career with the pioneering all-female group L7, she’s always defied expectations both inside and outside of music. It doesn’t get any more rock’n’roll than that.
As one of the only Latina musicians from the first wave of 70s LA punk, Alice Bag became an icon and an inspiration. As lead singer of The Bags, she has used her platform to bring representation center-stage, sending messages to survivors of abuse and addressing the detainment of immigrants.
Before Gwen Stefani branched out into pop stardom, she was known as the alluring lead singer of early 90s ska and punk-rock band No Doubt. With early songs “Just A Girl” and “Spiderwebs,” from their breakthrough record Tragic Kingdom, Stefani proved she wasn’t going to play by the rules and quickly became one of the best female rock singers of the ...
With her lofty Limerick accent, Dolores O’Riordan made some of the greatest rock songs of the 90s with her band, The Cranberries. From “Linger” to “Zombie,” O’Riordan’s emotive range and Gaelic lilt made the band stand out. What made her even more of a rock star? Speaking openly about her battle with bipolar disorder in 2017. The outpouring of emot...
As lead singer for Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard is best known for her soulful, blues-tinged vocals. Since the Shakes took off, Howard started Bermuda Triangle, a side project with Becca Mancari and Jesse Lafser. Being the badass she is, Howard is also lead singer of rock band Thunderbitch, who rarely do live appearances. An unstoppable force amo...
While she got her start over 20 years ago as the frontwoman of Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis has gone onto have an even more esteemed solo career. The actress-turned-musician is a master of storytelling, praised for her vulnerable songwriting about love, sexuality, relationships, and coming of age. Lewis has garnered a cult fanbase for her lyrical wisdom...
- Ilana Kaplan
- 4 min
- Wanda Jackson. Early rocker Wanda Jackson had a robust career. She shared the stage with Elvis Presley in the mid-’50s and became known as the Queen of Rockabilly.
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Sometimes called “the Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Sister Rosetta Tharpe was the daughter of two cotton pickers who were also singers.
- Ruth Brown. Ruth Brown was an R&B singer who was born in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1928. When she was a teenager, her friends pooled their money and sent her to New York to a talent contest at the Apollo Theater where she came in first place.
- LaVern Baker. LaVern Baker (born 1929) was another R&B singer signed to Atlantic who crossed over to rock ‘n’ roll. She began singing in the clubs of Chicago.
- Stevie Nicks. 15,983 votes. Ethereal, mystical, and hauntingly beautiful are just a few ways to describe the enchanting voice of Stevie Nicks. As the frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac and as a successful solo artist, Nicks dominated the rock scene with her signature blend of folk-rock and poetic lyrics.
- Ann Wilson. 14,093 votes. An extraordinary voice coupled with a mesmerizing stage presence allowed Ann Wilson to etch her name into the annals of rock history.
- Pat Benatar. 12,468 votes. Armed with a powerful and passionate soprano voice, Pat Benatar stormed onto the rock scene in the late 1970s and left an indelible mark.
- Janis Joplin. 12,132 votes. A raw, emotive, and uninhibited force of nature, Janis Joplin was a transcendent talent that set the world ablaze. Her unmistakable raspy voice brought songs like "Piece of My Heart" to life, capturing the pain and longing within every note.
Play all. A celebration of the most influential women in rock and roll, with Ruth Brown, Etta James, Tina Turner, Darlene Love, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Jan...
Feb 16, 2023 · Vicky Jessop February 16, 2023. Think of any rock band, and chances are a male-dominated one will spring to mind: The Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin.
