Top 10 Best Female Fronted Rock Bands
From hard-hitting vocals to raw emotion and dynamic performances, these frontwomen bring a unique edge to the genre. This list highlights some of the best female-fronted rock bands out there, and it's up to you to help rank them. Whether you're drawn to soaring ballads, gritty alternative anthems, or full-on rock assaults, there's no shortage of talent here. Each band has built a reputation not just for their sound, but for the energy and passion their lead vocalists bring to the stage.Which bands do you think deserve the top spots? Which performances have stuck with you or inspired you over the years?
Evanescence is an American heavy alternative/alternative metal band. It was founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. A great hard-rocking band. Amy Lee is the best rock vocalist of the 21st century, aside from when Kelly Clarkson recorded several rock bangers on her first three albums.
What can I even say about Evanescence? Though Amy Lee is the sole founding member still in the band, I love everything they have done, including their new album Synthesis. They never fail to amaze me!
Amy Lee is the most talented voice of the 21st century. She has such a large range and so much power! She sings higher than any of us ever could (see: Weight of the World, right after the second chorus) while still maintaining that same level of power.
No band will ever top Evanescence for me. Additionally, their spinoff, We Are The Fallen, is amazing too. Everything that comes out of them is great!
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, guitarist Taylor York, and drummer Zac Farro. In my opinion, Paramore is the best. They're unique and versatile, and their songs are really relatable and emotional without being whiny. Instead of just letting the entire song focus on a problem someone is going through, they also offer solutions to the problem.
Honestly, I don't think they are overrated at all. Most people say that because Hayley is usually compared to Amy Lee. Not saying Evanescence is bad, but without Amy, not many people would care for them, and most of their praise is due to her vocals. A reminder, Amy is not the entire band (same with Paramore, Jeremy and Taylor are great too). Besides, I think a lot of Evanescence songs are kind of similar to each other, but I'm not a huge fan. I mainly know their popular songs.
Additionally, the members of Paramore sound amazing live and are good role models. They don't ignore their fans and have shown their gratitude for the fans many times. Also, they make mistakes but can own up to them and are generally positive people. They have also been through many emotional times and changes but have only grown stronger.
Paramore will always have a special place in my heart. See what I did there.
Halestorm is an American hard rock band from Red Lion, Pennsylvania, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Lzzy Hale, her brother drummer and percussionist Arejay Hale, guitarist Joe Hottinger, and bassist Josh Smith. Halestorm is one of the best live acts among active rock bands. The effort and energy they put into their concerts are amazing. The whole thing is pulled forward by crazy Arejay on drums while Lzzy brings out her incredible vocals. Yes, there are better female singers, but most of them can't do it live. Lzzy Hale does it live 200+ times a year with great consistency.
The group, and mainly Lzzy, haven't yet managed to properly capture their live brilliance on a studio record, even admitting the first record was overthought. The members have repeatedly acknowledged this and are working on it. They're aiming for less production and time, more roughness and rawness, for the next record. They would be a perfect candidate for an analog, mic-to-tape record.
Finally, Halestorm's approach to fans is extraordinary.
EXTRAORDINARY.
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California, that formed in 1986. Since 1994, the group has consisted of vocalist Gwen Stefani, bassist and keyboardist Tony Kanal, guitarist and keyboardist Tom Dumont, and drummer Adrian Young. I have never heard of 90% of the bands on this list. No Doubt were one of the shining stars of the '90s and are still kicking ass today! They have many different styles, but Tragic Kingdom was the first album to kick-start their careers.
They are AMAZING, and all these random bands are no match for Tom Dumont, Tony Kanal, Eric Stefani, Adrian Young, etc., and the queen herself, Gwen Stefani. Amazing music, amazing lyrics, amazing voice.
What is going on? Something is wrong here. I have never even heard of most of the bands on this list. No Doubt is one of the biggest and best bands of all time. No Doubt has more top 10 charting songs than any other band on this list. They should be number 1.
This actually makes me mad.
The Pretty Reckless has been my favorite band for five years. Taylor is an amazing performer, and she is passionate about what she does. She lives and breathes her music and is constantly inspired by the music around her.
Taylor Momsen has a great voice. It's so raw and original. For example, there's no difference between her stage voice and recorded voice (just like Andy Biersack), and that's what I look for in rock bands. She sings both hardcore and slower music, but personally, I don't care because I listen to TPR just to hear Taylor's voice.
I highly recommend you listen to her too.
The Cranberries are an Irish rock band who formed in Limerick in 1989. The band consists of lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler. Dolores is the queen of rock, and the band is unique and has its own personal vibe nobody else does.
People are dumb to think that any singer is better than the vocalist of The Cranberries.
Nineteen is definitely too low for The Cranberries. Best music, best vocals, and best lyrics.
Fleetwood Mac are a British-American rock band formed in July 1967, in London. The band have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. Although Fleetwood Mac is not an entirely female-fronted band, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie are undoubtedly among the top ten best female power-pop vocalists and songwriters.
Stevie pretty much influenced everyone else on this list, and she has the most unique voice that blends well with the others in the band. Don't forget Christine, though. She is very underrated. They should be #1.
Stevie Nicks is the Queen of Rock and Roll. She is probably the influence of everyone on this list. People are just too stupid to realize their favorite isn't the best!
Blondie is an American rock band founded by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American new wave and punk scenes of the mid-late 1970s. I know this isn't really related, but it has struck me as interesting that there are so many female-fronted bands but hardly any women in other positions in bands.
Besides that, though, from what I have listened to, Blondie were a really good band that I ought to check out more.
In my opinion, Blondie is a great band, and Debbie Harry and Blondie should be at the top of your list because the new groups are definite runner-ups. They are popular for a while until the next fad group comes along.
Check out how long Blondie was in the top place with super music and concerts.
Yes, I have to admit, Paramore and Evanescence are pretty cool, plus Otep and Sirenia aren't to be ignored. But you forgot all about One-Eyed Doll. Kimberly Freeman has a beautiful rocker voice that could blast a hole of love into your heart, and Junior's drumming is super epic!
This two-piece band is awesome. I highly recommend them to anyone who likes a bit of goth-punk.
Kimberly is awesome. If you get a chance to see One-Eyed Doll in concert, you definitely should.
Nightwish is a symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and lead singer Tarja Turunen. It's currently formed by Tuomas, Emppu, lead vocalist Floor Jansen, bassist and vocalist Marco Hietala,... read more Nightwish is unbelievably astounding! Tarja's voice may have been better than Anette's, but at least Anette wasn't as greedy. Anette still has a very sweet-sounding voice. I know the fans favor Tarja over Anette, unlike me.
If the fans would quit being so rude to Anette, maybe she wouldn't have left. They want Nightwish to survive, but it will die if they can't accept a new lead singer. Tarja was fired for a reason, though.
Anyway, Nightwish is good enough to rise all the way up to my number two spot. Even though I prefer Anette Olzon, my favorite song by them was sung by Tarja Turunen.
The Newcomers
These girls really deserve to be on the list.
From studio to stage to the written page, The Nearly Deads continue to forge a new path dotted with passion, charisma, talent, hard work, and messages of positivity and empowerment. The band's genuine nature and generosity towards their supporters have fueled the ascension of their "Zombie Nation" fandom.
Rock, punk, grunge... Call it what you want, but it's good music.
Really? Nobody else? Wow. I won't even attempt to explain the superlatives they deserve. Educate yourselves, please!
This band is amazing, and Justine deserves more recognition for her voice and her guitar-playing abilities!
Heart is an American rock band that first found success in Canada and later in the United States and worldwide. All I want to say is that Heart should be at the top of the list. Honestly, Paramore isn't even a rock band. Most of their songs are extremely pop-sounding, and just because they have a few "hard rocking" songs doesn't make them a "rock" band. I mean, come on, think about it.
Heart beats everything on the list. They write their own music, are fantastic singers (one of the very best in rock), and they can play multiple instruments better than most people.
Unlike a lot of rock bands on the list and in general, they never butchered their style and music to be trendy. Their music had soul! They put their everything completely into their music. It wasn't just about catchy songs and trendy music videos to them. It was about the music, which in itself makes them one of the best rock bands in history.
Hole was an American alternative rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1989 by singer and guitarist Courtney Love and lead guitarist Eric Erlandson. Hole is awesome. Their music is just perfect. And their stage presence is incredible. I know most people hate Courtney, but I think she's pretty awesome.
I'm not saying I support everything she does or has done, but I love how loud and opinionated she is.
Courtney loved Kurt so much, and the reason Hole is so underrated is that Nirvana fans wanted to blame her for Kurt's death. Live Through This is iconic. Celebrity Skin is just as good!
Too much Courtney hate. Live Through This is as good as Nevermind, if not better.
Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded in April 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. Having recently discovered Within Temptation, I have been working my way through their back catalog in reverse. I have been hearing and seeing many comments on how their older stuff is better. While I do not totally agree with this, I think they have just matured into the excellent band they are now. On saying that, I can understand why people think this way when you listen to songs like Restless, Enter, Grace, Candles, Caged, and Deceiver of Fools. Sharon's voice is so haunting and melodic.
Then there is The Dance (a song that took me ages to get into), but now I can't get it out of my head. It's absolutely stunning. I can't wait to see them live.
Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, originally a supergroup, from Halmstad, formed in 1996. Its members were in bands such as Carcass, Armageddon, Carnage, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, and Eucharist.
Flyleaf is an American rock band formed in Bell County, Texas, in 2002. The band has charted in the mainstream rock, Christian rock, and Christian metal genres... read more Without Flyleaf, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I'm going to be a happily socially over-expressive guy for the rest of my life because Flyleaf taught me to follow my dreams and be who I am. The people who keep you happy are the ones just like you. How are they going to find you when you want to be somebody else?
My favorite song by Flyleaf is such an inspiration to everything I do. Just interpreting the true meaning behind that and every other song, they flow personally from the heart.
It doesn't hurt too much to see Lacey Sturm move on. I mean, it's been such a long journey for her and the members of Flyleaf that she even had her name changed. Not like I don't want her around when I first hear of her, besides the fact I would be going to every one of her concerts. Lacey rescued herself from her own insecurities and surely did the same for many people like me everywhere. I'd totally have a major crush if I met her in person, even a glimpse.
If you don't vote for Flyleaf's talent, vote for what she's done for me and could be doing for all of you who haven't even tried giving Flyleaf a chance yet. Music is forever, and even though Lacey is disbanded from Flyleaf for the time being, she would want you to hear her story and trust in your faith and be her and everyone's friend. She knows what you could be going through and wants you to live.
Even if Flyleaf had used autotuning software at some point, all rock bands, especially, have two goals: sound great and share your lessons learned. Flyleaf excels in both of these immensely. I love Flyleaf for making our world a better place. Favorite band and coolest lady.
Ah, yes, now we're into classic rock. Joan Jett, the most amazing female rocker of the 20th century, I would say. Sadly, she's gone downhill this century. She's lost her mind-blowingly good voice. I miss the old days of her career.
I'm glad she left The Runaways to form her own awesome band. She's far more talented than Cherie Currie. So, in conclusion, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts may be one of the best rock 'n' roll bands of all time.
It's really fun to listen to their music because back then it was amazing. I wanted to meet Joan Jett in person because she used to sing "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." It sounded great. I love that.
Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band, founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen after his departure from After Forever. Simone Simons definitely has a gift with her operatic voice. The beauty of her voice is just so... different, unique... something along that line. But it is unique in a good way. It isn't just a good voice. It's talent.
Their music can be boring, but that doesn't mean I don't like it or that it's not good.
They are a metal band and still get high on the rock list! Proves just how epic they are!
Such power! Her note range is incredible, and her music is creative and amazing.
Garbage is an American-Scottish alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1993. The group consists of Scottish musician Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig. Very few bands out there where I like every song on the albums. Garbage is the best, with a great balance between guitars, bass, keyboards/synths, and drums. What I like about the vocals is that she is not squeaky or high-pitched (this irritates me after 2 or 3 songs in other bands).
They invented a style and can be recognized instantly, despite all songs being different.
Garbage should be in the top 10. They're one of the coolest '90s bands. They could be a part of both the rock and pop crowds and had a very unique style. Shirley is one of the most iconic figures in music, from her voice to her style.
I don't remember who I was listening to right before I thought I'd check them out. I think it was Motionless In White. They are on the same record label, so it's likely Tonight Alive was in the suggestions. But I distinctly remember listening to Lonely Girl and instantly falling in love.
At first, they were just this band where I only cared for one song. However, over a year or two, I gradually listened to and cared for all of their songs. They're such amazing, talented people.
If you want to know what they're like live, they're phenomenal. I saw them last May at the Future Hearts Tour. They were the only band in the lineup I was excited for, besides All Time Low. I'd never listened to State Champs before, and I barely listen to Issues. They played exactly how I expected they would. They were just so energetic, and I would love to see them again.
In my opinion, they tie with Blondie as the most influential and underrated female rock bands. Just listen to a couple of The Runaways' songs. They were rather ahead of their time.
Ever heard of the song "Cherry Bomb"? That's The Runaways.
Cherie Currie, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Jackie Fox, and Sandy West. A band way ahead of their time. True legends.
Bikini Kill was an American punk rock band formed in Olympia, Washington, in October 1990. The group consisted of singer and songwriter Kathleen Hanna, guitarist Billy Karren, bassist Kathi Wilcox, and drummer Tobi Vail. Kathleen Hanna is the coolest woman on the face of the earth.
I have more than one favorite, but they have such a low rank! Bikini Kill is a badass band. Basically, any Riot Grrrl band is, though.
Kathleen Hanna is seriously badass!
Icon for Hire is an American rock band from Decatur, Illinois. Formed in 2007, the band's current lineup consists of singer Ariel Bloomer and lead guitarist Shawn Jump. They released two EPs independently before signing to Tooth & Nail Records, through which they released their first two albums: Scripted... read more I actually came here to find some bands to listen to with Icon For Hire and Halestorm. No one I know has ever heard of Icon For Hire, but many like Paramore. They're okay, but I much prefer Icon For Hire.
I'm not here to say that they're the best female-fronted rock band ever, just that they're my favorite and well deserve to be high up this list.
Icon for Hire isn't just your run-of-the-mill band. Their lyrics always have a deep meaning of their opinions, and the musical aspect is like an onion. They have so many layers to create each song. Their heavy rock riffs and the candy pop tech sound make them unique and hard to forget.
Otep is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1995. They have released two EPs, eight studio albums, and one live album. I, much to my chagrin, have only discovered this band very recently, and I must say that Otep is extremely awesome. Personally, I enjoy music that gives you something to think about while your brain is being tossed back and forth in a violent manner.
She has such a strong voice, and the music is hardcore! Did I mention that the lyrics have very strong and important messages? I love Otep. It should really be higher on this list.
One of my all-time favorite female-led bands!
Kim Deal is by far the most talented musician ever and is incredibly underrated. She releases music for the sake of art, not money.
Kim Deal's amazing post-Pixies band influenced Nirvana!
Jefferson Airplane was a San Francisco, California-based band who pioneered the American counterculture movement as well as psychedelic rock.Members: Grace Slick - vocals, piano, organ, recorder
Marty Balin - vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar
Paul Kantner - rhythm guitar, lead... read more
How is Jefferson Airplane ranked at 30 when bands like Halestorm are in the top 10? These guys are legends.
OK, I'm not even going to look beyond the top 100. This band needs to be in the top 10. What is wrong with you people?