Originally by Ranker MusicList RulesVote up the female bands and musicians of all time, regardless of genre.
When it comes to the best female musicians of all time, there's a long list of female powerhouses that could be considered the greatest of all time. Whether it be a female-led band like Blondie or a group of female singers like the Supremes, music has seen some incredible females throughout its history. Of course, you also have to consider all the single ladies out there. You know, the top female vocalists like Etta James, Mariah Carey, Adele and P!nk, who made careers of their very own (among a great deal of others).
So, while you may have a favorite female singer of all-women band, it's time to rank the top female musicians of all time. That means any genre, any type of group, and any type of woman. From the girl groups of the 60s and 70s to the top female singers out right now, you certainly have your work cut out for you. Some of the greatest musical acts of all time have been led by females and some have been exclusively female. In fact, some even led bands and had successful solo careers—and both can be found on this list. That means if you like Gwen Stefani's music more than No Doubt, vote accordingly!
Check out the extensive list of female musicians below and vote up your favorites, or those who you think are the absolute best. In short, who made the best music? Keep in mind, you can vote any female bands and singers down, as well as add your own picks to the list if they're missing.
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Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter,... more on Wikipedia685730Aretha Franklin
Pop music, Rock music
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Eunice Kathleen Waymon (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003), known professionally as Nina... more on Wikipedia261213Nina Simone
Folk music, Rhythm and blues3
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer and... more on Wikipedia915983Whitney Houston
Pop music, Dance-pop4
Stephanie Lynn Nicks (born May 26, 1948) is an American singer and songwriter. Nicks is best... more on Wikipedia533570Stevie Nicks
Classic rock, Pop music5
Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011) was an English singer and songwriter.... more on Wikipedia470498Amy Winehouse
Doo-wop, Pop music6
Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins; January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012) was an American... more on Wikipedia283292Etta James
Rock music, Rhythm and blues7
Eleanora Fagan (April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959), better known as Billie Holiday, was an... more on Wikipedia438477Billie Holiday
Torch song, Ballad8
Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American rock, soul, and blues... more on Wikipedia429466Janis Joplin
Blues-rock, Rock music9
Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an African-American jazz singer... more on Wikipedia395431Ella Fitzgerald
Ballad, Swing music10
Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock, November 26, 1939) is an internationally recognized... more on Wikipedia430470Tina Turner
Rock music, Dance-pop11
Mariah Carey (born March 27, 1970) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, record... more on Wikipedia625666Mariah Carey
Pop, Contemporary R&B12
Catherine Bush (born 30 July 1958) is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. In... more on Wikipedia225169Kate Bush
Synthpop, Pop rock13
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter (born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter and... more on Wikipedia558574Beyoncé Knowles
R&B, Pop14
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 5 May 1988) is an English singer-songwriter. After graduating... more on Wikipedia560623Adele
Pop, R&B15
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter,... more on Wikipedia611640Dolly Parton
Ballad, Country pop16
Heart is a rock band that first found success in Canada and later in the United States and... more on Wikipedia285313Heart
Pop music, Rock music17
Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944), known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American... more on Wikipedia174172Gladys Knight
Rhythm and blues, Soul music18
Alicia Augello Cook (born January 25, 1981), known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an ... more on Wikipedia490558Alicia Keys
Hip hop music, Pop music19
The Cranberries were an Irish rock band formed in Limerick, Ireland in 1989 by lead singer... more on Wikipedia217224The Cranberries
Jangle pop, New Wave20
Norah Jones (born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar; March 30, 1979) is an American singer,... more on Wikipedia176182Norah Jones
Vocal jazz, Jazz blues21
Toni Michelle Braxton (born October 7, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, pianist,... more on Wikipedia272216Toni Braxton
Hip hop music, Adult contemporary music22
Patsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley; September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) was an... more on Wikipedia256277Patsy Cline
Rock music, Swing music23
Patricia Mae Giraldo (née Andrzejewski; born January 10, 1953), who goes by the stage name Pat... more on Wikipedia208232Pat Benatar
New Wave, Rock music24
Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer. Nicknamed... more on Wikipedia11098Sarah Vaughan
Cool jazz, Traditional pop music25
Minnie Julia Riperton-Rudolph (November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979), was an American... more on Wikipedia11175Minnie Riperton
Pop music, Rock music
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