Top 10 Best Female Rock Singers of All Time
Amy Lynn Hartzler, known professionally as Amy Lee, is an American singer-songwriter, classically trained pianist and composer. She is also the lead singer to the Arkansas band Evanescence. Amy Lee is an outstanding vocalist with incredible talent. Not only does her voice sound gorgeous, but she also has incredible skills with the piano, harp, and guitar. Overall, the one thing that stands out the most is her perfect intonation. I've tested many of her songs, both live and studio, and I have never seen any artist hit the notes with exact hertz at decimal point value for about 80%-100% of the entire song. It's like hearing the perfect sound of a tuning fork at every note she hits. That is something no other artist has been able to accomplish so far. Plus, her songs are powerful and deep. All in all, Amy Lee is without a doubt the Queen of Rock!
I don't know enough words to describe the incredible artist Amy Lee is. She is passionate about her music, her work, and pretty much anything and everything she does. She's a perfectionist but also knows how to let go. She's original, everything from her lyrics, her notes, heck, even her clothing and the sound of her tunes, whether in the band (Evanescence) or any music she composes on her own for any general purpose. There are many great female rock artists who are very talented as well, but in my opinion, none more talented and driven than her. Amy Lee's got it all, and more!
Ann Dustin Wilson (born June 19, 1950) is an American musician, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the hard rock band Heart. Ann is in the Rock Hall of Fame with Heart, and is listed as one of the best metal singers of all time by Hit Parader. She is widely viewed as one of, if not the greatest female hard rock singer of all time. On record, she's great, but in a live performance, no one comes close to Ann Wilson. I say that because most vocalists don't sound as good live (especially in challenging passages) as they do on record. Most recorded tracks are 'sweetened' up to correct pitch issues and to digitally construct a song from start to finish. However, with Ms. Wilson, her voice is even better live than it is on record because she lets loose far more often than on a controlled recording. Her pitch is impeccable, and she can go from tender, quiet folk to raging metal with (seeming) ease. She is one of the few vocalists that can sing all of her hits in the same key today as when they were written.
There may be other bands with songs I prefer, but when it comes to pure technical skill as a vocalist, no one is better than Ann Wilson.
I always liked Heart since they first came out, but I wasn't a hardcore fan by any means. Before a recent Heart concert I was going to, I started listening to a lot of Heart albums, and for the first time, I guess, I really listened to Ann Wilson's voice. Oh my God! She has the best voice I have ever heard! She can sing quite beautifully, but then rear back and yell some lines that I have never heard anyone else do. She has a wide range and has a way of controlling her pitch like no other. I truly think she has the best voice I have ever heard.
Joan Marie Larkin known professionally by her stage name Joan Jett, is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and occasional actress, best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, preceded by success with The Runaways, including their hit song "Cherry Bomb". Joan Jett is probably the best female rocker, but she owes it to the true pioneer of female rock and rollers: Suzi Quatro. Suzi was there before Joan, Pat, Ann, Stevie, Deborah Harry, Lita Ford, and others, playing her big bass guitar and belting out rock as good as men. Joan cites Suzi as a major influence. Suzi is the queen and pioneer of women in rock and roll.
Rock me, Joan Jett, all night long. She is one of the most extremely hot and very classy female artists of all time. I've seen her in concert several times and would love to see her again. For now, I guess I'll put another dime in the jukebox, baby. Rock on, Joan Jett!
The Godmother of Punk! She is the reason women have an accepted place in rock and roll, and more than that, she changed the genre. She still sounds just as good today as she always has. Look up her singing "Smells Like Teen Spirit" alongside Nirvana and tell me she doesn't deserve to be number 1.
Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer and songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums. How many female rockers has Stevie Nicks not influenced? She was so beautiful that every girl wanted to look like her, and every guy just wanted to look at her. Who couldn't help but notice the unique and beautiful tone of her voice? Some of her live performances are up there with the best live moments of all time. What I love is that she just rocked and let the music overtake her. There was no attention to whether she looked beautiful or ethereal when she got into it. No lip-syncing ever. And while this has nothing to do with her actual singing, her songwriting skills are also superb.
I grew up hearing Stevie Nicks through my aunts, uncles, and cousins who were all young back then, and through my teenage years, I considered this 70s generation lame. But as I've gotten older, I've come to realize that this music symbolizes my childhood, and I actually love Stevie Nicks. Every album of Fleetwood Mac represents a chapter of my younger years, and Stevie Nicks' solo music, especially Bella Donna, strikes a sensitive chord within me about those years before kindergarten when I did not understand the adults around me but can certainly now identify with.
Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was an American singer who rose to fame as the main singer of acid band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She was known for her eccentric hippie style and psychedelic rock music. Janis made it possible for all other females to even attempt to enter the rock world! Remember, it wasn't easy back then, as female artists were kind of pushed aside. But there was no pushing Janis back. She was so very comfortable singing and performing. SHE was herself and always courageous!
None of these rockers were in the same league as Janis Joplin. She was a talent through and through. If you are talking about rock, Janis rules. If you are talking about pop, these other musicians were great. In terms of the best female rocker, Janis was in a class of her own.
Technique, skill, mastery - all of that is very well, but for me, the most powerful part of an artist's voice is the ability to reach into your soul and move the earth. It is not a quality that can be measured or defined - it just is. This woman had it in spades.
Elizabeth Mae "Lzzy" Hale is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She is best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the American hard rock band Halestorm, which she co-founded in 1997. Just when you think Rock and Roll is dead, along comes a band and a singer that reminds us what it should be about. I can't find a song by this lady that is anywhere near average - they all beat anything I've ever heard. Her voice just goes straight through your heart and rips your spine out. I defy anyone with a soul to not have a visceral reaction to this voice. Power, range, subtlety, dynamically brilliant - any style, any song. Who can ever make any cover song sound better than the original? - let alone 2 discs of them!
If Pat Benatar and Janis Joplin had a love child and it was raised by Joan Jett and Alanis Morissette, she would be Lzzy, and she would be the Queen of Rock. More talent than attitude, and the attitude is something to behold. The real deal. Rock on. Right to the top.
Every time you think rock has died, you have a shining star that comes out, and that's Lzzy Hale. Lzzy is probably the hardest working woman in music. (Actually giving shows and not creating her own controversy.) You can easily find weekly new videos of her recorded by fans on YouTube, including multiple duets with some of the biggest names in music, where she easily steals the spotlight: (Disturbed, Eric Church, the Hollywood Vampires, to name a few). She actually sounds the same live as she does on albums (hard to find these days) and she can literally sing anything from Whitney Houston to AC/DC. She either makes it equal or better than the original. Lzzy was probably born 20 to 30 years too late to be truly famous, but that does not take away from her undeniable raw talent that even living legends praise.
Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen-Cabuli (born August 17, 1977), generally known as Tarja Turunen or simply Tarja, is a Finnish singer-songwriter. She is a soprano and has a vocal range of three octaves.Turunen studied singing at Sibelius Academy and Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe. She is well known as a professional classical lied singer but best known as the former lead vocalist of the Finnish... read more
I believe there are many singers who have beautiful voices and create music that makes the world a better place. But only Tarja copes perfectly both with classical and rock repertoire. From the first moment, you can hear that she can sing (in comparison with some so-called "artists" who only think they can sing). If you listen for a longer while, you can notice that not only does she have a beautiful timbre, but she also controls her voice professionally. And that's because she is a professional! Some of you may know her from Nightwish, but now her voice is even better! Her voice still evolves and becomes better and better. I don't know any other female singer with such a vocal range and who would use all that range so easily!
Tarja isn't just a common classically-trained soprano. She's the most perfectionist, workaholic, and passionate artist of her generation. She lends her powerful voice to many genres, including metal, classical music, electronic, and folk, besides singing in several languages. This creates a unique style of singing that has influenced many female singers. With two decades of experience, she's one of the most charismatic and beloved artists in rock. Her live performances are almost legendary. She has one of the most beautiful tones in the world. Humble and unafraid of experimenting, she has been touring extensively and successfully with her solo career. She deserves the top of this list!
Patricia Mae Andrzejewski, known professionally by her stage name Pat Benatar, is an American singer, songwriter, and four-time Grammy Award winner. I rediscovered her music after many years and realized in retrospect that her magnificent singing and her husband's fabulous guitar licks have weathered time better than any other woman-led vocal rock group. They shine like a bright diamond to this day. I like her better than when I was younger. Like fine wine, her music took time to age on the vine of time. Pat Benatar's singing has a dynamic mix of beauty and attack with a wide vocal and dynamic range, excellent emotional resonance, fantastic sustain and vibrato, and a mix of power and strength contrasted with feminine sensitivity and vulnerability. Her opera training gives her a dramatic flair and marvelous technique.
Pat Benatar at #6 is a travesty! She is #1 without a doubt! Look through her list of songs. So many amazing songs, great range, personality, and attitude. Joan Jett, Janis Joplin, and Ann Wilson are okay, but definitely don't belong above Pat unless this is Bizarro World! I would put Stevie Nicks about equal with Pat Benatar. Amy Lee is great too, but not nearly as versatile as Pat... maybe #3 behind Pat Benatar and Stevie Nicks.
Tina Turner, née Anna Mae Bullock, was a singer, dancer, actress and author, whose career spanned more than half a century, earning her widespread recognition and numerous awards. While in the US, this woman might be more known for her R'n'B signature tune What's Love Got to Do with It, this woman is arguably THE rock 'n' roll icon in the rest of the world. With her energetic stage presence, even into her 60s, and her iconic rock songs, covers, and collaborations, Tina Turner has ultimately been the first lady of rock'n'roll for decades and remains simply the best in her field.
I can't believe Tina is only 22, she definitely should be top 5. Such a long career and such power. She belongs when music wasn't so much about the look and much more about feelings and emotions.
Tina Turner is only 18?! You people put these new singers in front of the Goddess?! This list is far from legit and was probably created by someone under the age of 21 who wears Hello Kitty attire with black and considers herself punk, shaking my head.
Lita Rossana Ford is an English-born American rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who was the lead guitarist for The Runaways in the late 1970s, an all-female rock band formed by Joan Jett and Sandy West. In the 1980s Lita Ford embarked on a solo career. Member of the Runaways, along with Joan Jett. Had a very successful career after the Runaways.
She should be in the top ten!
Some of the great rock singers haven't had the best voices, but they know how to sing rock n roll. Some singers with a good voice don't know how to sing rock music, Lita does! She's top ten easy.
Lacey Nicole Sturm is an American singer and songwriter from Homestead, Florida, raised in Arlington, Texas. She is co-founder and former lead vocalist of the hard rock band Flyleaf. Her voice is just... amazing. So passionate, so powerful, so penetrating. She can sing the same song in different ways, either softly or with great intensity (look at her singing "All Around Me" in album & acoustic versions). I've listened a lot of times to old Flyleaf albums, but Lacey's voice in some songs is still breathtaking to me.
Her acoustic songs are really free and don't sound like any other female singer. She has a tone in her voice that makes you listen. Flyleaf will always rock with or without Lacey!
"I'm so sick," how she goes from calm vocals to screaming, seemingly effortlessly. I get goosebumps every time. Lacey, along with Tarja Turunen, should be splitting number 1 easily.
Hayley Nichole Williams is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She is best known as the lead vocalist, occasional keyboardist and primary songwriter of the American rock band Paramore. In 2020 she started a solo career. You've inspired me in every possible way. The songs Paramore brings out are so real and original, not some kind of lovey-dovey stuff. They deal with reality. Love is not the only emotion a human experiences, and they understand it. Songs like Ignorance, Misery Business, Day Dreaming, Careful, Fences, Breathe, Misguided Ghost are so relatable. Just love them. Love her.
Hayley Williams is by far the best LIVE female vocalist... Unmatched stage presence and sheer vocal stamina live. Paramore's popularity is a reflection of Williams's live talent - a definite female all-timer!
She's the best in my opinion, she's a brilliant songwriter as well, and she should be in the top 5 at least. She's beautiful and amazing, she also saved my life with her music, along with others, but yeah, she's amazing.
Floor Jansen is a Dutch singer-songwriter and vocal coach. She is currently vocalist of Nightwish and leader of Revamp. The true force of nature, Floor Jansen started working in symphonic metal at a very young age but only gained broader exposure after joining Nightwish (right in the middle of a tour, with only a 2-day warning). Blessed with a crystal-clear voice and massive range, she is the most powerful and most versatile singer in her style. She's easily in contention for both titles in all of non-classical music as well: from operatics to growls, she excels at everything. A charismatic and lovable frontwoman, she achieved the nearly impossible task of reunifying the war-torn Nightwish fanbase, mastering the songs of her predecessors right away and never looking back.
Floor Jansen is an amazing vocalist. For stunning opera vocals, listen to Monolith of Doubt, where she holds an A5 note for 10 whole seconds at the end. For growls, listen to Wild Card or Yours Is an Empty Hope by Nightwish. For everything in between, there's After Forever, Revamp, and Endless Forms Most Beautiful. I had the pleasure of seeing Floor Jansen live last year with Nightwish, and Ghost Love Score has been the fans' standard for measuring the ability of the band's vocalists. Oh my god, I saw the DVD version of Floor singing Ghost Love Score on Showtime, Storytime and I was impressed, but that's nothing compared to seeing and hearing it live and in person. I think tears welled up in my eyes, and I finally understood the meaning of FLOORGASM.
Sharon den Adel, Dutch singer and the vocalist of symphonic rock band Within Temptation.Together with her partner, Robert Westerholt, den Adel is one of the founding members of Within Temptation. She has defined their work as epic and cinematic. Her vocals play a major role in the band's sound, despite having never received formal vocal training. Den Adel sings in the mezzo-soprano range but... read more
"You don't simply like Sharon den Adel... You worship her!"
As others have posted, she is not a singer, she is a goddess. Her range is outstanding, and she can deliver the most beautiful and haunting rendition followed by a raunchy or powerful rock song, each with consummate ease. Her voice is possibly the only thing in music that transcends her physical beauty, and if this vote was for the most beautiful woman, she would also get my vote. She is also total class and takes the time for fans in a way that is so rare with other 'so-called' stars.
She is our goddess, and we are not worthy.
I have a lot of respect for all these ladies, but think that Sharon has something special. Her voice moves me like no other, and she can sing almost any style. It also might help that she's a Goddess and seems so down to earth and sweet it's ridiculous! Hang on, I think I might be a little in love with this woman! Anyway, it's a hard call to make, and is very subjective, but I can't go past Sharon - she's PERFECT!
Doro Pesch is a German hard rock singer that started her career in native Düsseldorf in the early 80s with the underground bands Snakebite and Beast. Awesome power in her voice, listen to Touch Of Evil if you need convincing! Plus, she's gorgeous as well!
The best female singer of all time, her voice is awesome and powerful. She really kicks ass!
Germany's queen of metal for over 25 years. Still going strong and kicking butt.
Deborah Ann "Debbie" Harry is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known as the lead singer of the new wave and punk rock band Blondie. Debbie Harry smokes all the competition. I mean, really? Siouxsie Sioux, Pat Benatar, Hayley Williams, Tarja Turunen, Pink, Avril Lavigne? None of these women hold a candle to Debbie Harry. Sexy, sassy, super-smart, charismatic, cool… She was an icon. She RULED the late '70s and early '80s. She was at the top of her game when her man (Blondie guitarist, Chris Stein) was struck down with a rare disease. She put everything on hold, folded the band, so that she could stay by his side and care for him when he needed her most.
Not sure what the voters are thinking when they fail to mention Debbie as one of the best female performers. She paved the way for many. She was rocking with the best of them back in the CBGB days. Iconic to the hilt. The voice, the style, the looks, she had it all. Oh yeah, not to mention topping the charts 4 times with a rap song, a dance song, a reggae-ish song, and a movie theme song that ranked #1 for the year. Top 5 for sure!
Taylor Michel Momsen is an American musician, singer, model, and former actress. She is known for portraying the character of Jenny Humphrey on the CW teen drama series Gossip Girl and Cindy Lou Who in the film How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. If you're going for vocals, Taylor may not be the most impressive, but she and the Pretty Reckless have a great sense of music, rhythm, and melody that can be reminiscent of the Rolling Stones composition-wise, with a much heavier sound. They are one of the very few newer rock bands that still have a clue about what they are doing and where they are going.
Her voice is so crisp and fresh. Taylor is really the only person I can relate to sometimes. She speaks to me like no other singer. And on the plus side, she is absolutely beautiful! I love what she wears and I love the fact she doesn't care! I wouldn't compare her to anyone. Miss Momsen is my idol!
One of the few actual rock singers on this list, still very young and praised by Amy Lee for having such a good voice. This girl is going to be way closer to the top of these lists by the time she is done. It also helps that The Pretty Reckless are an incredible band anyway.
Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan was an Irish musician, singer and songwriter. She was the vocalist for rock band The Cranberries from 1990 until their break-up in 2003, later reuniting with her band in 2009, which she led until her death in 2018. I don't know how I didn't find her on this list. She is the best female vocalist I've heard in a rock band, and yes, including Evanescence. Just listen to The Cranberries - Zombie. Simply the greatest female vocalist in a rock band.
One of the best rock singers, period. The Cranberries are a great group, and her vocals are what set them so high up among my favorites. Really dynamic and powerful vocalist.
She has so much dimension in her vocals! It always gives me the chills to listen to her music. Dolores should automatically be number 1 in my opinion.
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian–French singer-songwriter and actress. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more than $2 million. She is just a beautiful woman who has complete rock talent. Listen to her successful pop rock singles "Complicated", "Sk8er Boi", "I'm With You", and a harder rock single "Losing Grip" from her first album "Let Go". Then, listen to her alternative rock singles "Don't Tell Me" and "My Happy Ending" from "Under My Skin". You can also hear her pop rock ballad singles from "The Best Damn Thing" and "Goodbye Lullaby", such as "When You're Gone", "Keep Holding On", "Wish You Were Here", etc. Also, her harder rock single from "Goodbye Lullaby" with "What The Hell" and "Smile". And finally, in her newest self-titled album, we can hear her "Let Go" style in "Here's To Never Growing Up", then her nu metal song, "Bad Girl". Also, her cover songs "Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett and "How You Remind Me" by Nickelback. Thank you.
To those of you who say that Avril isn't rock: you obviously don't know what rock is. Half of the women on this list that are above Avril are less rock than she is, and the other half are only as rock. Screaming your lungs out does not qualify as rock music, I'm sorry to say. That just means that you likely don't have a voice worth using. That being said, Avril is one of the most deserving rock and roll artists on this list... And should be much higher than 16th. Try 1st.
Look out, people - this chick is the real deal! All aspiring ladies out there, (and a few guys too), start studying and taking notes. Even so, this kind of voice isn't something that can be taught or learned in some fancy music school. You either have it or you don't, simple. And to be honest, there's not many out there who have what Meghan Krauss has, which just makes her that much more, in a world of mediocrity and force-fed radio fodder. See and hear for yourself.
Meghan has the best voice that I have heard in a long time. I love her voice. She possesses an amazing talent that came naturally to her. I have had the great opportunity to hang out with her, and my daughter adores her. She has inspired my daughter to want to become a singer. She not only has great vocal talent but is also a wonderful person inside and out. She loves what she does and enjoys making others happy. I loved listening to her when she was playing for Hyjinx, and I enjoy listening to her now in the band Maragold as well. Speaking of Maragold, check out the CD 'Evergreen is Golder' by Maragold (Meghan Krauss' band). I enjoy listening to every song.
Maria Diane Brink is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the frontwoman of American metalcore band In This Moment. I love Maria Brink! Her voice does things most girls can only dream of doing. She's got a snarl that sends chills down my spine. Not to mention, she owns her looks and body in every way. She definitely deserves to be further up there on this list.
How is she not higher than Avril Lavigne? Maria can SCREAM. She is infinitely talented and should be up there with Lzzy Hale.
Maria Brink is the best. Hands down. She can sing, scream, snarl... She does it all and does it well, all while being beautiful.
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American alternative rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. The range from rage and anger to softer lyrics she can sing is truly unique. I can't think of another singer with her range and versatility. She should be in the top 15 at least.
A hauntingly beautiful voice. Her vocals on Uninvited live may be one of the best single performances I've ever seen.
Great voice. I definitely liked her pixie haircut more than her long hair.
Kimberly Freeman of One-Eyed Doll has a great voice and is multi-talented.
One hell of a fun concert! She has pipes!
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. Suzi showed the rest what could be. She was the first. She broke down barriers so other women could see what was possible. That rasp is what makes for a great rock singer. There is also a big range at work here, maybe not as noticeable as others, but it is extraordinary. She should be in the top 10, no doubt. A true legend!
Trailblazer of her day. Still enjoy her work, and she deserves to be higher on this list.
Wow, how can she be so far down! One of the best and most versatile female voices.
Polly Jean Harvey, known as PJ Harvey, is an English musician, singer-songwriter, writer, poet, and composer. A girl who can really play guitar (not like Joan Baez) is like a girl who really knows how to throw a baseball. She has a great voice and is too underrated.
She's got more talent, edge, and raw power than Hayley Williams and Avril Lavigne combined.
PJ is the queen. Almost everyone else on this list isn't fit to stand in her shadow.