Top 10 Female Bassists in Rock and Metal

The Top Ten
1 Alejandra Villarreal

Yeah, Tal played with Jeff Beck for a while, but I still consider her more of a jazz musician. Sean is awesome, but Ale is technically better. Ale's playing on both "XXI Century Blood" and "Queen of the Murder Scene" carried and filled the void of each song.

While Pau was everyone's darling because of her earlier videos on the drums, Ale showed the world by crushing the bass line of Muse's "Hysteria" at the age of 11. Today, while a bit more toned down, she's grown into the ultimate professional musician, commanding both the stage and the respect of her peers.

2 Suzi Quatro Susan Kay "Suzi" Quatro is an American hard rock singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actress. She was the first female bass player to become a major rock star, breaking a barrier to women's participation in rock music.

She was the first female bassist to become a major rock star in the '70s. Probably she isn't the most technical female bassist today, but I thought she deserved the #1 spot because she opened the door for many female bassists.

She's also a lead singer, and I like her raspy hard rock voice. There are lists with her songs on TTT.

The first, the one, the only!

A pioneer in rock music!

3 Wanda Ortiz

What can you say? She can play Steve Harris's lines flawlessly and has done it for years.

4 Gail Ann Dorsey

David Bowie's bassist.

5 Rhonda Smith

Played for Prince and Jeff Beck. She is on this list for her work with Jeff Beck, who's a rock musician (Prince is not a typical rocker).

6 Jo Bench

She played death metal for Bolt Thrower from 1987-2016 (30 years).

7 Melanie Sisneros

Also known as Steve Heiress (in The Iron Maidens) and as Mellefson (in Hangar 18, a Megadeth tribute band). So she can play the bass lines of Steve Harris and David Ellefson.

8 Melissa Auf der Maur

Played for Smashing Pumpkins and Hole.

9 Sean Yseult

White Zombie

White Zombie!

10 Fernanda Lira

She is such a beast. I had the privilege to meet her before a show once. Super sweet lady and absolutely incredible on stage. Don't miss Crypta if you get a chance to see them.

Brazilian thrash metal girl - bassist and lead singer for Nervosa.

The Contenders
11 Misa (Band-Maid)

Such a badass bass player. Misa is a virtuous player with such rare talent these days. Her skills are second to none.

Love her bass solos and guitar/bass battles.

Smooth, versatile skills, and a fun stage presence.

12 Tal Wilkenfeld

One of the best bass players I've seen playing with Jeff Beck. Her work since is also very inspiring!

She is truly outstanding.

Tal is just a bass badass.

13 Ida Evileye

Crucified Barbara

14 D'arcy Wretzky

She plays bass on the best albums of Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie, Siamese Dream, Gish, and Adore.

Very good bassist.

15 Emma Anzai

Amazing bassist. Plays with a lot of feeling.

Super talented!

16 Tina Weymouth

Much more important musically and historically than Suzi Quatro, though she did appear slightly later in time. Her "cred" was ironclad. How could she not be the first name when this list was created?

17 Victoria De Angelis

Great work with MÃ¥neskin.

18 Fami (Lovebites)

Fami has really shown herself to be a worthy replacement in Lovebites.

19 Daisy Pepper
20 Ashley Suppa
21 Karin Axelsson A Swedish musician, Karin Axelsson is known as the former bassist for the metal band Sonic Syndicate. She has received attention for her musical abilities and stage presence, contributing to the band's albums and international tours.

Sonic Syndicate

22 Paz Lenchantin
23 Areum (Rolling Quartz)
24 Kristen Pfaff
25 Nandi Bushell
8Load More
PSearch List