Back in the day, there used to be a vague notion that rock was a genre that catered towards males. A large majority of great rock singers emerged during the 1960s and 1970s. Then, it was a rare sight to find a rock show not led by a man. At that time, many people thought that the delicate voice of a female didn’t go well with the rock genre but that didn’t stop these powerful women from paving a path for themselves in the world of music.
Today we are going to tell you about some amazing women who rocked the music industry. They came on the rock scene and slayed with their brilliant talent and kickass attitudes. Their astounding vocals were enough to shut down the mouth of the haters. These women penned and performed some of the greatest songs of the rock genre. Continue reading further to learn the names of the top 10 female rock singers of all time.
A look at the 10 best female rock singers of all time
1. Stevie Nicks
When we talk about the best female rock singers of all time, it’s impossible for us to not take the name of Stevie Nicks. The full name of the rock star is Stephanie Lynn Nicks. She is an American singer, songwriter and producer best noted for her work with the band Fleetwood Mac.
The 74-year-old Arizona native became the lead singer of the band Fleetwood Mac in 1975. Nearly a few years later, she started to pursue her career as a solo artist. She has incredible songwriting skills and exceptional vocals. Some of her popular hits include Dreams, Planets of the Universe and Talk to Me.
2. Ann Wilson
Ann Wilson is a famous singer most noted for being the lead singer of the rock band Heart. The group shot to fame in the 1970s. At that point, she was one of the female singers who came on the stage and blew the audience away with her strong voice. The dynamic range and raw emotion in her voice were loved by the fans.
3. Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin was an American singer who shot to fame in the late 1960s. The Texas-born singer had a riveting stage presence and intriguing bluesy vocals. She was the lead singer of the then little-known San Francisco psychedelic rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She was one of the most successful and widely known rock stars of her era. A few of her greatest songs are as follows: Piece of my Heart, Cry Baby, Ball and Chain, and Summertime.
4. Joan Jett
During the mid to late 70s, Joan Marie Larkin was a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. She is one of the greatest rock singers of all time. She is the frontwoman of her band Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. Her unique mezzo-soprano voice and glam rock fetish bagged her a spot as the lead singer of her first band, The Runaways. A couple of her notable tracks include I Love Rock ‘n Roll, Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah), and I Hate Myself For Loving You.
5. Pat Benatar
Patricia Mae Giraldo popularly known as Pat Benatar is one of the greatest females in rock music. She is well-known by fans for her pop-infused sound. During the early days of her career, she trained as an operatic singer. Some of her popular hits include Hit Me With Your Best Shot, We Live for Love, All Fired Up, Heartbreaker, Love Is a Battlefield and Sex as a Weapon.
6. Debbie Harry
Deborah Ann Harry (born Angela Trimble) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is known as the lead singer of the popular rock band Blondie. She kicked off her career in the late 60s as a background vocalist in a folk rock band, The Wind in the Willows. She co-founded the band Blondie in 1974. A few of her popular tunes include Heart of Glass, Call Me, Dreaming, and One Way or Another.
7. Linda Ronstadt
In the 1960s, Linda Ronstadt was one of the female rock singers who experimented with different genres such as rock, country, light opera, and Latin. She began singing at the young age of 14 with her siblings in a folk trio. At 18, she moved to Los Angeles and joined the band The Stone Poneys. And the rest is history.
8. Tina Turner
Anna Mae Bullock popularly known by her stage name Tina Turner is the ‘Queen of Rock n Roll.’ She is recognised for her electrifying stage presence and raspy and intense vocals. When a Tina Turner song plays, you instantly know it.
Tina began performing with her former husband Ike Turner, in their musical duo in the year 1960. Soon after, in 1984, she rose to prominence as a solo artist. A couple of her famous songs include What’s Love Got To Do With It, Typical Male, and Proud Mary.
9. Chrissie Hynde
Chrissie Hynde is another brilliant female rock singer. She is the founding member and the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band the Pretenders. She formed the band the Pretenders in the year 1978. The group garnered the attention of the public after releasing their song Brass in Public. Some of the band’s other smashing singles include Talk of the Town, Don’t Get Me Wrong, I’ll Stand by You and My Baby.
10. Hayley Williams
Put your hands up for Hayley Williams, the lead vocalist of the popular rock band Paramore. This rock star is known for her powerful belting ability, energetic performances, and dedication to the punk scene. She was discovered at the young age of 14 in the year 2003. She dropped her debut solo album Petals for Armor in 2020. You must have heard her songs like Misery Business, That’s What You Get, Decode, Last Hope, and Ain’t It Fun.
Who is your favourite female rock singer from the list given above? Kindly share your thoughts on the same in the comments section below. Don’t forget to check this space for more updates.
