Top 10 Best Female Rock Guitarists

Your favorite guitar goddess is here to shred, not smile politely from the sidelines. This list isn't about who looked cool holding a guitar in a music video. It's about the ones who actually play, the women whose fingers fly across frets like lightning and whose riffs could make stadium walls shake.

You're not voting for a novelty or giving a pat on the head for "trying." You're here to recognize skill. Raw, practiced, genre-defining skill. Maybe it's the technical finesse of a classically trained virtuoso. Maybe it's someone who plays with such reckless abandon that you're pretty sure her strings fear her. From the queens of arena rock to the DIY legends you discovered at 3 a.m., this list is built by people like you who know what a great guitarist sounds like.

The Top Ten

Nancy Wilson

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

I never paid much attention to Heart until recently. Now, after seeing Nancy through her career from raw, to record-label-forced mainstream, and now back into her own, I see she has unparalleled talent.
Looking back into her videos over the years shows she's done everything, even though she's been held mostly to acoustic and rhythm guitar. She's so perfect, Nancy could have been a very highly paid session guitarist. Nancy nailed the intro to the live "Stairway To Heaven" at the Kennedy Center Awards. It shows how artistically and perfectly she plays.
Besides that, Nancy is very cool, has a great stage presence, and hasn't appeared to have led a self-destructive lifestyle. Nancy and Ann are amazing, accomplished artists with the greatest talent and depth. They can make almost any song better. "Love Reign O'er Me" is just one example.
Jennifer Batten

The best only serve the best of the best, and Jennifer is a perfect example. She rocks!

She's amazing. She worked with the King on three world tours and the Super Bowl.

The queen of tapping. The Beat It solo she performed was stunning!
Orianthi

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

No one touches Orianthi. I like some of the others as performers, but Orianthi is an absolute shredder. If you don't know who she is, like I am sure most of the people on this board, you best check her out on YouTube. Contest over.

An absolute natural. Shreds with the best but can play any style with ease. Mentored by Steve Vai and Carlos Santana and now considered their equal. Seen her play live twice. Blown away!

With guitar solos and rock slowly vanishing, Orianthi is truly an inspiration for young people to realize how amazing rock music is. At her young age, she plays like none other!
Malina Moye

She is a rockstar, and she has an incredible groove. She has her own style, and it's really amazing to see her play.

#TeamMalinaMoye. She plays with such heart and soul. Malina Moye: She Rocks the Planet!

Malina Moye is the "sauce" that is needed in today's music!
Kimberly Freeman

Duh, she's the greatest!
Lita Ford

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

First of all, it is admittedly somewhat of a tough decision to make, given the vast amount of excellent female singers and performers, including guitarists, out there. However, I would be lying if I didn't say that Lita Ford TOTALLY KICKS ASS! I mean, there is just no other way of putting it.
But then again, there are hardly words in any language strong enough to describe her and her art. In fact, I am currently working on mastering the electric guitar myself, and Lita is a mentor and role model for me all the way! I LOVE YOU LITA FORD!

Lita is a real rock chick. She was listening to Deep Purple at a very young age and can play better solos than a lot of male guitarists. I've been playing guitar for 30 years, so I hope I know what I'm talking about. When it comes to playing rock, she's number one.
Bonnie Raitt

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 Awards... read more

No doubt about it, Bonnie is the best to ever pick up a guitar! Her longevity in the business is proof of that as she only gets better!

Bonnie strums and picks along with the big boys!

Saw her in Vienna tonight. She still has it at 63!
Susan Tedeschi

I discovered Susan and her virtuoso guitar playing while listening to many other great blues guitarists. The blues is about emotion, feeling, and self-expression in every note. I enjoy hearing her choices with the guitar on every one of her songs.
There are many great guitarists on this list, and the blues players in particular get better with age and experience. Whether on her own or with the Tedeschi-Trucks Band, her guitar playing continues to evolve into a fantastic form of self-expression the rest of us can enjoy.

I think she is the best current blues guitarist and singer. Check out "Midnight in Harlem" and "Everybody's Talkin'." The Tedeschi Trucks Band is unbelievable.
Ana Popovic

She can play any song with ease. She doesn't show her true talents at every show.

Saw Ana in Key West, Florida at the Green Parrot in October 2012. This girl rocks!

The best female blues guitarist. Also mostly plays her own music.
Joan Jett

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

Another of those Runaway guitarists who could really make a guitar sing.

Dude, it's Joan Jett, okay? Don't even question it, just vote. She sang Bad Reputation, people, come on.

Influential, but technically not as good of a player as, say, Lita Ford.

The Newcomers

?
Juliana Hatfield
?
Lia Marie Johnson

Lia Marie Johnson, born on November 23, 1996, is an American internet personality, actress, and singer. She rose to fame through her appearances in web series created by the Fine Brothers, including Kids React, Teens React, and YouTubers React. In addition to her YouTube presence, she starred in the... read more

The Contenders

Jan Kuehnemund

For those that don't know, Jan was the lead guitarist for Vixen. One of the most underrated female guitarists! RIP Jan.

The rock world lost a great one. A true inspiration. May she rest in peace.

Truly amazing guitarist from one of my all-time favorite female rock bands. Love her!
Allison Robertson
St. Vincent

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

How is she not at LEAST in the top ten? She's certainly better than Demi Lovato!

One of the weirdest and most amazing guitarists I've ever heard.

The most eccentric guitarist I've heard. Love her!
Chrissie Hynde

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

Love Chrissie Hynde. Fan since the first album hit the streets. Always a great show when they hit Detroit.

One of my all-time favorites! Her singing rules too.

One of the best rhythm players, male or female.
Melissa Etheridge

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

Incredibly exciting rock guitarist, songwriter, and singer who can pound the strings off a 12-string guitar and play electric or acoustic. Plus, she plays a few other instruments. I've seen Heart in concert, and they are awesome, but so is Melissa.

The whole package! Writes music, great singer and live performer, and can play any guitar put in her hands. Every cover song she makes her own. Number 1 on my list by far.

Had the privilege to see Joan Jett, Heart, Bonnie Raitt, and Melissa all in concert. Melissa always puts on a 3-hour concert and leaves you screaming for more. Awesome solo riffs and endurance to match.
So for me, Melissa first, then Bonnie. I love Bonnie's attitude - a whole lotta attitude!
Lzzy Hale

Elizabeth Mae "Lzzy" Hale is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She's best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the hard rock band Halestorm, which she co-founded in 1997.
She's received Grammy Awards and is recognized for her powerful voice and commanding stage presence

Lzzy needs to be higher on the list. She has the voice of an angel. If anyone in today's time could channel Janis Joplin, it's Lzzy. Extraordinary guitar player, and a very naturally beautiful woman! Nothing fake about Lzzy!

Lzzy Hale is a great guitarist and also very beautiful.

Even her name screams badass.
Nita Strauss

Can't say anything other than she's just an amazing guitarist!

Absolutely the best by far!

Absolutely amazing!
Joni Mitchell

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

Joni is from a different breed. She has more of a folk style than female guitarists today. I couldn't put her at 12. Once, a poll from Rolling Stone magazine listed the top 100 best guitarists, and Joni was the only female guitarist on the list. I would put her at 4.

She practically reinvents the guitar with every album and spends months learning the new chord structures each new tuning produces. No one comes close.
Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Her music incorporates elements of pop, rock, folk, country, and blues. She has won multiple Grammy Awards and has released several successful albums over her career.

Bass, acoustic, electric... Name it, she plays it and she plays them well.
Pat Benatar
Demi Lovato

Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After appearing on the children's television series Barney & Friends as a child, she received her breakthrough role as Mitchie Torres in the Disney Channel television film Camp Rock and its sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam... read more

Way too underrated, but very talented.
Suzi Gardner
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 achieve major rock stardom, breaking barriers for women in rock music. Quatro gained popularity in the 1970s with chart-topping hits such as "Can the Can" and... read more

Celluloid queen.
Korey Cooper

Korey rocks! She can rock out with all the other guys (and even girls!) and she also plays awesome keyboards! Korey is a great guitarist overall, and no other female guitarist can beat her.

Korey is amazing. She rocks the guitar, keyboards, and vocals and looks gorgeous doing it!

Absolutely amazing woman, deserves so much more love than she receives.
Gretchen Menn

Just saw the video of her new song "Scrap Metal." It blew me away.

Just discovered her. Playing Oleo Strut on YouTube is as good as it gets for me.

Great guitarist! Lead guitar for Zeparella for years - just so good!