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- 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.
- 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
- Stevie Nicks. Topping our list, we have Arizona native Stevie Nicks. Growing up in the ’50s, she got her start in music by singing duets with her grandfather.
- Janis Joplin. Born in 1943 in Texas, Janis Joplin’s name is nearly synonymous with rock. Joplin originally began singing with a band but became famous as a solo artist for her exciting concerts.
- Tina Turner. Widely referred to as the Queen of Rock and Roll, Tina Turner’s career has had its ups and downs. Born Anna Mae Bullock in 1939, she was the youngest daughter of a Tennessee family.
- Joan Jett. Born in 1958, Joan Jett offered an exciting new era of rock and roll. She came to fame with the all-girl band The Runaways and their song “Cherry Bomb.”
Mar 13, 2024 · Women have long dominated the rock scene, whether they’ve been properly acknowledged for their achievements or not. While countless women have shaped the history of music, here we’ve highlighted 30 of the best female rock singers.
- Stevie Nicks. There’s a reason Stevie Nicks is considered one of the most influential female rock singers in the world. She is best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac – Nicks joined the band in 1975, and helped it become one of the greatest bands in history.
- Janis Joplin. Without a doubt, Janis Joplin is one of the best female rock artists of all time. She was known for her incredible vocals, authentic style, and immense talent.
- Joan Jett. Best known as the frontwoman of her band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Joan Jett is surely one of the most famous female rock stars of her generation.
- Etta James. When thinking about famous rock stars, Etta James probably isn’t the first name that comes to mind. However, James was known for combining different music genres, including rock and roll.
Dec 19, 2023 · Welcome to the 40 best female rock singers of all time! This list includes some of the most talented and successful women in rock music history. From classic rockers like Janis Joplin to modern-day stars like Taylor Swift, these singers have all made their mark on the industry.
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Excerpted from Steve Morse’s Berklee Online course Rock History, this list chronicles some of the most influential females up to the turn of the century. You will find links to the music of most of these artists in the article, but we also recommend checking out our playlist.
