Top Ten Best Female Guitarists
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was born on March 20, 1915, and died on October 9, 1973. She was known for her unique blend of gospel music and electric guitar playing. Tharpe's work strongly influenced the development of rock and roll and inspired artists... read more
Joan Marie Larkin, known professionally by her stage name Joan Jett, is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and occasional actress. She is best known for her work with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, including the hit song "I Love Rock 'n Roll." Before that, she found success with... read more The rowdiest, raunchiest (in a good way), rawest rock guitar player in the studio and on stage. Her chops and chord approach probably helped the big boys in thrash metal gain some confidence in their early playing. All attitude and loud guitar - that's Joan Jett!
Two words: pure epicness. Joan Jett is a major influence on young women in the music business.
She's also one of the top punk guitarists.
Nancy Lamoureaux Wilson is an American musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and composer. She rose to fame alongside her older sister Ann Wilson as a guitarist and backing vocalist in the rock band Heart, which she joined in 1974. Over the years, she has also composed scores for film and television... read more When Nancy Wilson picks up her guitar, you know you're going to be blown away by her dynamic, aggressive acoustic playing or her raunchy rock rhythms on the electric. Her amazing picking styles add to her dynamic persona on stage, making her the ultimate guitar queen.
Her songwriting and magical voice make her a complete artist. She's been rocking and creating music for a good 40 years. If Nancy Wilson had been male, she would have made "God" status by now. Respect to guitar goddess Nancy Wilson.
The beauty plays like a beast. Not limited to one presentation, she personifies electricity as she moves like a wild cheerleader. Yet she does nothing but homage to the guitar, electric or acoustic. Thank you for all you've done for music. Love you, kid!
Orianthi Panagaris, known professionally as Orianthi, is an Australian musician, singer, and songwriter. She was born on January 22, 1985, in Adelaide, South Australia. She is best known for her exceptional guitar skills and her work with major artists such as Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper, and Carlos... read more Only 4% votes? She's literally the only singer on this list who plays her guitar in every one of her songs and videos. Plus, she was actually going to be Michael Jackson's guitarist for his This Is It tour, and she's currently Alice Cooper's guitarist!
She is my most favorite Queen of Guitarists. Hope I can bring her to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a concert to honor her amazing skills. She is awesome with lots of experience and confidence when on stage. She really rocks.
If you listen just once, you have to put her at the top or close to it! I don't know how she is left off any top 10 list.
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter, musician, and activist. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of albums that blended blues, rock, folk, and country influences. She achieved commercial success and critical acclaim with her 1989 album Nick of Time, which won three Grammy... read more The one and only woman on slide blues guitar is Bonnie Raitt. She's got the sound that many women try to capture and emulate. Many blues men have hailed her as one of the finest voices and guitar players out there. She always gives us something to talk about.
One of the best guitarists, period.
Also known as "Dany," she plays lead guitar in her band, The Warning, along with her two sisters on drums and bass. They're from Monterrey, Mexico.
Roberta Joan Mitchell, professionally known as Joni Mitchell, is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Drawing from folk, pop, rock, and jazz, Mitchell's songs often reflect social and environmental ideals as well as her feelings about romance, confusion, disillusionment, and joy. Her 1971 album Blue is frequently... read more Something is really wrong with y'all if you let Joni Mitchell lose against Avril Lavigne and Taylor Swift.
Joni's tuning and technique of playing were groundbreaking.
Lita Rossana Ford is an English-born American rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. She was the lead guitarist for The Runaways, an all-female rock band formed in the late 1970s by Joan Jett and Sandy West. Ford launched a solo career in the 1980s, becoming known for her hard rock sound and hits... read more Hi there, Lita. I love three things about you: 1) Your great microphone skills, 2) Your singing, especially Close My Eyes Forever, and 3) Your great guitar skills. It only goes to show you're a rockin' darling. I love you.
It's Joeysworld.
Listen to "Close My Eyes Forever" and get back to me. P.S. I don't think Swift qualifies.
The Newcomers
Miranda Leigh Lambert (born November 10, 1983) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is primarily known for her solo career and is also a founding member of the country group Pistol Annies. Lambert has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammys and Country Music Association awards... read more
Christine Ellen Hynde, born on September 7, 1951, is an American-British musician. She is the founding member, lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band The Pretenders. Along with drummer Martin Chambers, she is one of the band's two remaining original members... read more Probably one of the biggest influences for any female guitarist starting out in the '80s and '90s. She is raw, real, and what you see is what you get. On stage, her guitar is as much a part of her as the lyrics she sings. The Pretenders paved a wider freeway for women to travel.
And an excellent, engaging vocalist and performer.
Avril Ramona Lavigne (born September 27, 1984) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and actress. At age 14, she won a radio contest singing with Shania Twain, performing before a large arena crowd. By age 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records reportedly worth over $2 million... read more
Anne Erin "Annie" Clark, better known by her stage name St. Vincent, is an American musician and multi-instrumentalist. She is also a singer-songwriter known for her genre-blending music and innovative guitar work. St. Vincent has received multiple awards, including a Grammy for Best Alternative Music... read more
Joan Chandos Baez is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist whose contemporary folk music often includes themes of protest and social justice. She emerged in the American folk music revival of the early 1960s and became known for her distinctive voice and political activism. Baez has... read more
Melissa Lou Etheridge is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. Her self-titled debut album, Melissa Etheridge, was released in 1988 and became an underground success. Known for her raspy vocals and confessional lyrics, she won two Grammy Awards and has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights... read more She came onto the scene and was quickly heard all over the radio. Another woman who can take the guitar to another level. Who else have you heard or seen make the guitar practically scream aggression? Then Melissa can take you to a slow 2 miles per hour when she picks her strings from her heart.
Sometimes I think she is to the 12-string what Charlie Daniels is to the fiddle. Yet another woman on the list who not only plays guitar but also sings.
Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter, born on December 13, 1989, in Reading, Pennsylvania. She developed a strong interest in country music around the age of nine after watching a Faith Hill documentary. Swift moved to Nashville as a teenager and, after signing with RCA Records, began... read more
She really rocks. Control Chaos. Looking forward to new stuff. Hope to see her again soon, solo UK tour or with Alice Cooper.
This girl can really shred! Should be in the top ten.
Shania Twain (born Eilleen Regina Edwards on August 28, 1965) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, she is the best-selling female artist in country music history and one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Her 1997 album Come On Over remains the... read more
One of the most underrated guitarists ever! And not just because she's a female. Great guitarist, period!
Should be top ten. Also, the sexiest guitarist ever.
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and visual artist who became a highly influential figure in the New York City punk rock movement. Her 1975 debut album Horses is widely regarded as one of the most important albums in the genre. She has also received numerous accolades,... read more