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.
1
713743Aretha Franklin
Pop music, Rock musicAretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter,... more
2
282251Nina Simone
Folk music, Rhythm and bluesEunice Kathleen Waymon (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003), known professionally as Nina... more3
560591Stevie Nicks
Classic rock, Pop musicStephanie Lynn Nicks (born May 26, 1948) is an American singer and songwriter. Nicks is best... more4
452483Tina Turner
Rock music, Dance-popTina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock, November 26, 1939) is an internationally recognized... more5
913982Whitney Houston
Pop music, Dance-popWhitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer and... more6
408436Ella Fitzgerald
Ballad, Swing musicElla Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an African-American jazz singer... more7
446478Janis Joplin
Blues-rock, Rock musicJanis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American rock, soul, and blues... more8
198192Gladys Knight
Rhythm and blues, Soul musicGladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944), known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American... more9
447481Billie Holiday
Torch song, BalladEleanora Fagan (April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959), better known as Billie Holiday, was an... more10
489527Amy Winehouse
Doo-wop, Pop musicAmy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011) was an English singer and songwriter.... more11
590590Beyoncé Knowles
R&B, PopBeyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter (born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter and... more12
304325Heart
Pop music, Rock musicHeart is a rock band that first found success in Canada and later in the United States and... more13
623626Dolly Parton
Ballad, Country popDolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter,... more14
245197Kate Bush
Synthpop, Pop rockCatherine Bush (born 30 July 1958) is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. In... more15
579639Adele
Pop, R&BAdele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 5 May 1988) is an English singer-songwriter. After graduating... more16
299314Etta James
Rock music, Rhythm and bluesEtta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins; January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012) was an American... more17
635687Mariah Carey
Pop, Contemporary R&BMariah Carey (born March 27, 1970) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, record... more18
489535Diana Ross
Disco, Pop musicDiana Ross (born March 26, 1944) is an American singer, actress, and record producer. Born and... more19
221242Pat Benatar
New Wave, Rock musicPatricia Mae Giraldo (née Andrzejewski; born January 10, 1953), who goes by the stage name Pat... more20
287232Toni Braxton
Hip hop music, Adult contemporary musicToni Michelle Braxton (born October 7, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, pianist,... more21
263285Patsy Cline
Rock music, Swing musicPatsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley; September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) was an... more22
420473Annie Lennox
Blue-eyed soul, New WaveAnn Lennox OBE (born 25 December 1954) is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and... more23
117110Sarah Vaughan
Cool jazz, Traditional pop musicSarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer. Nicknamed... more24
11293Minnie Riperton
Pop music, Rock musicMinnie Julia Riperton-Rudolph (November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979), was an American... more25
211209Lauryn Hill
Hip hop music, Alternative hip hopLauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American singer, songwriter and rapper, known for... more
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25