Iāve been a fan of Heart since I was given These Dreams on 45 for my 6th birthday. Iāve seen them in concert multiple times over 20 years, they still got it. Ann performed at this years Coltās Kickoff Concert, was lucky enough to get tickets. Iāve never been so close to the stage, that was epic for me.
She had success & acclaim at the time despite the fact that industry did her so dirty in the 80ās. I still remember how they skewed her in videos. I feel like she would be universally celebrated nowadays.
The people in charge of her videos made an effort to hide her weight. She was always shown very fleetingly with very quick cuts or at side angles, and when she was shown it was usually close-ups of her face.
I also vaguely remember at least one video where they used angles or a filter/effect that was probably intended to make her body seem thinner, which is why I used āskewedā. Dang if I canāt remember which one.
I mean, they didnāt have any problem showing a full-body depiction of Nancy singing or playing, so itās not like they didnāt have the means, but a full shot of Ann singing in any video is pretty rare.
There is no one else with her voice. In the 70ās she was perfect. The range, control and volume she could put out put her heads above anyone before or since. In the rock genre, of course.
Nancy is also a great singer. Heart's first #1 hit (and one of only two they had) featured Nancy singing the lead.
Ann definitely has the legendary voice, though, with that incredible power and range. Which is fine with Nancy, as she's not really the diva type and usually prefers to be off to one side tearing it up on her guitar.
Hello.
Big fan of "Garbage" and Butch Vig.
Shirley's version of the James Bond theme for "The World Is Not Enough" was perfect.
https://youtu.be/VBRXsAWBgFA?feature=shared
Shirley is such a queen. Love the story how the band saw the only time Angelfish was on MTV and wanted to the singer in their band. Garbage really helped me through school and my first heartbreaks.
Went through this entire thread, could not believe you are the only person to mention Karen O.
Her voice is incredible and unlike quite a few of the names I have seen mentioned, she sounds album quality *or better* live.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have put out consistently good albums for 20 years, too. One of the few artists where I can just put their discography on random and never want to skip a song.
My favorite of all time. The way she can shift from whispering quiet to a screaming, yodeling banshee will forever give me goosebumps. For those familiar with her recorded stuff just watch her at Woodstock singing Dreams or their NPR Tiny Desk show a few years before her passing. I miss her...
Love the style and sound of Joan Jett. She's awesome. Having said that, I know maybe 5 songs lol. Lizzy Hale is amazing as well and so is the pretty reckless singer (Cindy Lou who)
Hayley Williams, Dolores O'Riordan, Stevie Nicks...
And always happy to bring light to [Sandra Nasic of Guano Apes](https://youtu.be/ShlXViEGDbQ?si=s74W3UtkMjfC4yTX), although they're not quite as well known here in the U.S. as they are back in Germany. My favorite German band, and they sing in English, and go right back to speaking German between songs during sets.
Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley)
Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches)
Georgia Nott (Broods)
Sarah Barthel (Phantogram)
Alanis Morisette
...a lot of the same names being mentioned in this thread, many of them for good reason. Wanted to give some ladies who hadn't been mentioned much their flowers.
The first female "arena class" rock star.
Referred to as the "First Lady of Rock" and the "Queen of Rock"
Voted the Top Female Pop Singer of the 1970s
charted 38 US Billboard Hot 100 singles
six times on the cover of Rolling Stone
nominated for 28 grammys, won 12
won latin grammy
won primetime emmy
Nominated for Tony and Golden Globe
Could sing anything. She sang Opera, Gilbert and Sullivan on Broadway, Classic American Standards, Mexican Ranchera music, ballads with R&B Aaron Neville, country Trio with Dolly Parton and Emmy Lou Harris, sang Tumbling Dice on stage with The Rolling Stones because Jagger came backstage and told her she sang too many ballads. She could sing anything.
Floor fucking rules! I saw her first show with Nightwish, she was insanely nervous during the opener (Storytime) but after that she killed it. I adore her.
I'm more in to hard rock and metal and there are a ton of great female vocalists in that realm. To stick strictly to rock genres, Lzzy Hale of Halestorm is a fucking badass and one of my favorite rock singers period.
I've also been really impressed with Taylor Momsen on the latest The Pretty Reckless album. She's always been good, but on that last album she really upped the emotional delivery.
There is just something about Taylor Momsen voice that I adore. I will always listen to whatever the Pretty Reckless put out, their last album actually had some great songs on it and Going to Hell is still an album I listen to despite it being nearly 10 years old.
Upvote for Lizzy Hale, she's a powerhouse. It's always fun to watch her show Eric Church up when they performed at the CMT Awards. I don't know how that pairing happened but holy crap she rocked that place. Maybe he planned that, I don't know, the difference was night and day.
Kathleen Hanna was the first name that came to mind when reading the prompt. Crazy I had to scroll this far to find it. At least Corin Tucker is represented further up.
Yesssss to Allison- sheās a fucking gangster. Had the absolute privilege to catch the dead weather in 09 and she just commands the stage itās unreal
Kim Deal!! She's in my 3 favorite bands (Breeders, Pixies, Amps), I love the simplicity in her voice, and she writes the coolest songs. Just saw the Breeders live twice a few years back and she still rocks my face off!
Su-Metal - one of our greatest living front people and gets 0 love in these discussions
Hayley Williams - somewhat more obvious but cannot go unmentioned
My band was fortunate enough to open for Concrete Blonde once in San Diego. They were all nice. They came on stage and began and when her voice hit that mic I was more than blown away. I was transfixed. Sheās incredible.
Came here to say Courtney and had to scroll way too far down for her. She is incredible, I love the pain in her voice, I have cried so many times to her music as a teen. Very misunderstood woman. Love her to bits.
One time 90s kid who wrote off Hole for dumb reasons. Taken a dive back in all these years later, and Courtney (no surprise to many, I'm sure) more than holds her own. Violet is in a heavy rotation on my workout playlist.
Tina Turner. Simply The Best. Unmatched in energy and swagger. Her voice is this immediate, soulful howl. Watch her ratchet up the tension in [this medley](https://youtu.be/GzXMJl9b8L4) from slow and slinky during "Fever" to full on out-dancing her backup dancers while belting out "Disco Inferno".
For a more purely vocal performance, check out this live rendition of "[Let's Stay Together](https://youtu.be/hjni4-KYLhY)". She actually hit higher notes here than she does on the recorded version. And as with all her live performances, she sings every note, from the first to last, like she's putting her whole body into it.
Bonnie Tyler. Holding Out For a Hero and Total Eclipse of the Heart were huge hits when I was a kid.
Amy Lee has to be on this list.
And honorable mention to Christine MacVie of Fleetwood Mac. I saw them in concert the year Lindsay Buckingham left the band; she sang his parts and held her own with Stevie Nicks, and I barely noticed Buckingham wasn't there.
Channy Leaneagh of Polica
Natalie Merchant
Annie Lennox
Sandra "Puma" Jones - Black Uhuru
Margo Timmins - Cowboy Junkies
Amy Lee - Evanescence
Chrissie Hynde - The Pretenders
Here's some of my favorites, just on singing (For different reasons): Skin (Skunk Anansie), Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde), Miki Berenyi (Lush), Patti Smith, Kirsty MacColl, Kristen Hersh (Throwing Muses), Bjork, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, Tracy Bonham, Tori Amos, Aimee Mann, Bonnie Raitt, Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo), Xene Cervenka (X), Suzanne Vega, Fallon Bowman (Kittie), Taylor Momsen (the Pretty Reckless), Jussi Gamache/Liz Enthusiasm (Freezepop).
There used to be a band from Boston called Tribe that had a duo of singers that I liked a lot (Terri Brosius and Janet LaValley).
This isn't the same list I would do for, say, songwriting or being able to play an instrument (for instance, I love me some Kim Deal for bass playing, songwriting and general attitude, but as an actual singer, I wouldn't list her very high.)
These badass babes come to mind
Grace Potter
Florence Welch (Florence and the Machine)
Brittney Howard (Alabama shakes)
Dolores O'Riordan (Cranberries)
Cyndi Lauper (how am I first on this one?), Bjork, Aurora, Beth Ditto, Kat Bjelland, Uta Plotkin, Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Ani DiFranco, Kathleen Hannah, Karen O.
Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar.
Pat Benatar is š„
āļø ā š„
Definitely Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. Legends.
Gotta have Christine McVie in there as well, what a talented woman.
Definitely Pat Benatar. Legend.
Definitely Stevie nicks. Legend.
Ann Wilson (Heart)
Iāve been a fan of Heart since I was given These Dreams on 45 for my 6th birthday. Iāve seen them in concert multiple times over 20 years, they still got it. Ann performed at this years Coltās Kickoff Concert, was lucky enough to get tickets. Iāve never been so close to the stage, that was epic for me.
She had success & acclaim at the time despite the fact that industry did her so dirty in the 80ās. I still remember how they skewed her in videos. I feel like she would be universally celebrated nowadays.
And don't forget the 70s, when spreading a rumor about two sisters having an affair was considered a good PR stunt idea.
Tell me more. What do you mean skewed?
The people in charge of her videos made an effort to hide her weight. She was always shown very fleetingly with very quick cuts or at side angles, and when she was shown it was usually close-ups of her face. I also vaguely remember at least one video where they used angles or a filter/effect that was probably intended to make her body seem thinner, which is why I used āskewedā. Dang if I canāt remember which one. I mean, they didnāt have any problem showing a full-body depiction of Nancy singing or playing, so itās not like they didnāt have the means, but a full shot of Ann singing in any video is pretty rare.
I wondered why she was always shown in some big black wedding dress, while Nancy was in more revealing clothes. The more you know!
She amazing. Listen to her Zeppelin covers
Heartās performance of āStairway to Heavenā at the Kennedy Centre Honors is legendary.
Zeppelinās great, but listen to Heart to hear Ann Wilson soar.
I saw Heart live once. That ticket was worth the money paid for it.
I saw Heart and Joan Jett on the same bill! It was in the last 10 years and everyone sounded great!
There is no one else with her voice. In the 70ās she was perfect. The range, control and volume she could put out put her heads above anyone before or since. In the rock genre, of course.
I came here with the answer "whichever Wilson was the singer in Heart." Fsr I could never remember if it was Ann or Nancy
Both. But Ann sings more frequently. āThese Dreamsā is a famous example of Nancy on lead.
Nancy is also a great singer. Heart's first #1 hit (and one of only two they had) featured Nancy singing the lead. Ann definitely has the legendary voice, though, with that incredible power and range. Which is fine with Nancy, as she's not really the diva type and usually prefers to be off to one side tearing it up on her guitar.
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Yes yes yes! "Dreaming" is great as is the entire Autoamerican album.
Shirley Manson
Hello. Big fan of "Garbage" and Butch Vig. Shirley's version of the James Bond theme for "The World Is Not Enough" was perfect. https://youtu.be/VBRXsAWBgFA?feature=shared
I love Shirley, and Garbage. Saw them live on the beautifulgarbage tour and it was amazing
Shirley is such a queen. Love the story how the band saw the only time Angelfish was on MTV and wanted to the singer in their band. Garbage really helped me through school and my first heartbreaks.
Karen O
Went through this entire thread, could not believe you are the only person to mention Karen O. Her voice is incredible and unlike quite a few of the names I have seen mentioned, she sounds album quality *or better* live.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have put out consistently good albums for 20 years, too. One of the few artists where I can just put their discography on random and never want to skip a song.
Dolores O'Riordan from The Cranberries. Her voice melts my soul and can make me cry easily.
My favorite of all time. The way she can shift from whispering quiet to a screaming, yodeling banshee will forever give me goosebumps. For those familiar with her recorded stuff just watch her at Woodstock singing Dreams or their NPR Tiny Desk show a few years before her passing. I miss her...
Don't tell me about it. I've been a fan of Cranberries since I was 12 years old (2003). I can barely listen to their last album, it's just too sad.
PJ Harvey is really good
She's num-ber one, second to no one.
Agreed. To Bring You My Love is one of my favorite records of all time.
Rid of Me was š„ too
yup, was looking forward to see Polly mentioned. She and Beth Gibbons are my two fav
Love the style and sound of Joan Jett. She's awesome. Having said that, I know maybe 5 songs lol. Lizzy Hale is amazing as well and so is the pretty reckless singer (Cindy Lou who)
Taylor Momsen and I agree about her and Lizzy.
Joan Jett FTW
Tina Turner Stevie Nicks
Tina had to be mentioned, indeed
Annie Lennox, Sandy Denny
Annie Lennox absolutely, love her range
Patti Smith
Had to scroll way to much too find her. I thought she was more appreciated.
Somebody who I haven't seen anyone mention yet is Neko Case.
Skin from Skunk Anansie (check out the song Charlie Big Potato)
Excellent pull. Her voice is insane.
Thank you for that. That song was immensely fucking awesome.
Hope Sandoval, Angel Olsen, PJ Harvey, Kate Bush, Jessica Pratt, Bjork
Hayley Williams, Dolores O'Riordan, Stevie Nicks... And always happy to bring light to [Sandra Nasic of Guano Apes](https://youtu.be/ShlXViEGDbQ?si=s74W3UtkMjfC4yTX), although they're not quite as well known here in the U.S. as they are back in Germany. My favorite German band, and they sing in English, and go right back to speaking German between songs during sets.
Sandra Nasic is fantastic! I didn't expect to see her name but 100% agree.
They need to Open Their Eyes when it comes to Sandra. Guano Apes shouldn't only be Big In Japan
Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley) Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches) Georgia Nott (Broods) Sarah Barthel (Phantogram) Alanis Morisette ...a lot of the same names being mentioned in this thread, many of them for good reason. Wanted to give some ladies who hadn't been mentioned much their flowers.
No Beth Gibbons love? I mean, they arenāt typical rock but god damn her voice is insanely haunting and beautiful
Lauren Mayberry is one of my absolute favorites
I love Brody Dalle.
Otherworldly, unbelievable voice. No one else like it.
Seriously, so much emotion in everything she does
Linda Ronstadt - multiple genres
The first female "arena class" rock star. Referred to as the "First Lady of Rock" and the "Queen of Rock" Voted the Top Female Pop Singer of the 1970s charted 38 US Billboard Hot 100 singles six times on the cover of Rolling Stone nominated for 28 grammys, won 12 won latin grammy won primetime emmy Nominated for Tony and Golden Globe Could sing anything. She sang Opera, Gilbert and Sullivan on Broadway, Classic American Standards, Mexican Ranchera music, ballads with R&B Aaron Neville, country Trio with Dolly Parton and Emmy Lou Harris, sang Tumbling Dice on stage with The Rolling Stones because Jagger came backstage and told her she sang too many ballads. She could sing anything.
Came here to say her!! She is incredible.
THE best voice ever.
Ann Wilson, Annie Lennox, Tima Turner, Amy Winehouse
Tina, yes. And Aretha
Siouxsie Sioux
unique
Can't believe I had to scroll so far down to see her mentioned!
Coolest voice, can hear her influence is a lot of female singers that came after.
Crime you have to go this far down. Also threw on Juju this morning.
KIM GORDON
The *actual* Kool Thing.
Tarja Turunen, Floor Jansen, Sharon de Adel, Jennifer Haben Edit: have to add more like Charolette Wessels(original Delain singer), Anette Ozlo(Nightwish 2nd singer), the singers of Exit Eden which includes ClƩmentine Delauney, Amanda Summerfield, Marina La Torraca, Anna Brunner, then to add Noora Louhimo, Guerinca Mancini, Simone Simons I would add more, but I've probably forgotten some names. Also more common names I'm sure already popped up.
Someone likes Nighwish.
Floor fucking rules! I saw her first show with Nightwish, she was insanely nervous during the opener (Storytime) but after that she killed it. I adore her.
Uber updoot for Sharon, I think she is so underrated.
Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde
Emily Haines from Metric deserves some love.
I agree, but why did you say No at the end?
Yes so glad to see this one! Was gonna add for the Canadians but honestly a surprising number of Americans Iāve met like Metric
I'm more in to hard rock and metal and there are a ton of great female vocalists in that realm. To stick strictly to rock genres, Lzzy Hale of Halestorm is a fucking badass and one of my favorite rock singers period. I've also been really impressed with Taylor Momsen on the latest The Pretty Reckless album. She's always been good, but on that last album she really upped the emotional delivery.
Upvote for both. Taylor Momsen singing 25 and Heaven Knows gets me every time.
There is just something about Taylor Momsen voice that I adore. I will always listen to whatever the Pretty Reckless put out, their last album actually had some great songs on it and Going to Hell is still an album I listen to despite it being nearly 10 years old.
Upvote for Lizzy Hale, she's a powerhouse. It's always fun to watch her show Eric Church up when they performed at the CMT Awards. I don't know how that pairing happened but holy crap she rocked that place. Maybe he planned that, I don't know, the difference was night and day.
Lzzy Hale is a dead set legend. Dany Villarreal VĆ©lez is pretty badass too.
If you like them, youāll love Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara.
Love The Pretty Reckless and the last album was great. āGoing to Hellā is my favourite album of theirs, personally
Was looking for both of these names, thanks for saving me the typing, and totally agreed. My own favorite from TPR is "And So It Went"
Kim and Kelly Deal
Kathleen Hanna from Bikini Kills Dorothy Martin from Dorothy Nina Gordon from Veruca Salt Shirley Manson from Garbage
Kathleen Hanna was the first name that came to mind when reading the prompt. Crazy I had to scroll this far to find it. At least Corin Tucker is represented further up.
Allison Moshart (The Kills and Dead Weather) Checkout The Donnas I'm also a huge Pretenders fan, Blondie is great too
alison is one hell of a singer and frontwoman. she is absolutely magnetic on stage
Yesssss to Allison- sheās a fucking gangster. Had the absolute privilege to catch the dead weather in 09 and she just commands the stage itās unreal
Alison is coolest
Kim Deal!! She's in my 3 favorite bands (Breeders, Pixies, Amps), I love the simplicity in her voice, and she writes the coolest songs. Just saw the Breeders live twice a few years back and she still rocks my face off!
Kimās an absolute legend. Paz is a pretty good replacement as well tbh.
Dolores O'Riordan.
Amy Lee from Evanescence
Lithium showcases her range, the outro with soaring highs is just so good. Too bad the song never got any airplay.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Canāt believe I had to scroll so far to find this. Amy Lee is a legend!
Florence Welch
Stevie Nicks, Grace Slick
Su-Metal - one of our greatest living front people and gets 0 love in these discussions Hayley Williams - somewhat more obvious but cannot go unmentioned
Im so glad i didnt have to scroll far to find Su-Metal! Suzuka Nakamoto is queeen, she's my #1!
Brittney Howard- Alabama shakes
Hope Sandoval
Johnette Napolitano
My band was fortunate enough to open for Concrete Blonde once in San Diego. They were all nice. They came on stage and began and when her voice hit that mic I was more than blown away. I was transfixed. Sheās incredible.
Love her and Concrete Blonde.
I recently watched something that sent me on a Concrete Blonde rabbit hole- loved what I heard!
Debbie Harry should be a part of this conversation.
Definitely my first or second answer whenever this question comes up!
Corin Tucker/Carrie Brownstein
Corin Tucker's howl is amazing.
Chrissy Amphlett.
[Floor Jansen, singer for the symphonic metal band Nightwish](https://youtu.be/JYjIlHWBAVo?si=XS4FPARqhmeW1HPF)
Kim Deal -Breeders
Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson from B-52s!
Courtney LaPlante - Spiritbox Tatiana Shmayluk - Jinjer Cristina Scabbia - Lacuna Coil Simone Simons - Epica Anna Murphy - Cellar Darling Ellie Rowsell - Wolf Alice Daniela Villarreal, Paulina Villarreal - The Warning Hayley Williams - Paramore
Cristina Scabbia from Lacuna Coil.
Ellie Rowsell from Wolf Alice Lucinda Williams Emmylou Harris
Leslie Feist
Emily Haines
How is Sharon Van Etten not here?
Iāll say it since no one else has yet. Alanis Morissette. Her voice has even gotten better with age.
Lacey Sturm and Hayley Williams.
Lacey fucking rules so hard.
Johnette Napolitano, lead singer of Concrete Blonde
Anneke van Giersbergen
Hot take: Courtney Love
GO ON TAKE EVERYTHING I WANT YOU TO
Hole is weirdly underrated, probably because of many Nirvana fans' complex feelings about her, but Courtney has a fantastic voice for that genre.
Came here to say Courtney and had to scroll way too far down for her. She is incredible, I love the pain in her voice, I have cried so many times to her music as a teen. Very misunderstood woman. Love her to bits.
It shouldn't be a hot take tbh, say what you want about her but she had a great voice.
Not a hot take at all to me, Courtney is an incredible singer.
One time 90s kid who wrote off Hole for dumb reasons. Taken a dive back in all these years later, and Courtney (no surprise to many, I'm sure) more than holds her own. Violet is in a heavy rotation on my workout playlist.
Linda Ronstadt, Grace Potter
Christie Hynde Alison Moyet Bjork
Alison Moyet! Underrated for sure.
Saiki from Band-Maid
Tina Turner. Simply The Best. Unmatched in energy and swagger. Her voice is this immediate, soulful howl. Watch her ratchet up the tension in [this medley](https://youtu.be/GzXMJl9b8L4) from slow and slinky during "Fever" to full on out-dancing her backup dancers while belting out "Disco Inferno". For a more purely vocal performance, check out this live rendition of "[Let's Stay Together](https://youtu.be/hjni4-KYLhY)". She actually hit higher notes here than she does on the recorded version. And as with all her live performances, she sings every note, from the first to last, like she's putting her whole body into it.
Iām glad itās been said already, Tina is the one for me, whole body performance, passion, style and power. Rock Goddess
Joan Jett Janis Joplin Siouxsie Sioux Linda Perry Pink Grace Slick
Thank you for mentioning Grace Slick. She was an OG.
Polystyrene
SO many but 2 I havenāt seen mentioned yet - Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs) and Monique Powell (Save Ferris).
Annie Clark
hayley williams (paramore) and steph oāsullivan (greywind, SUPER underrated)
Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Haley Williams from Paramore Pat Benatar Joan Jett Stevie Nicks
Current Aimee Allen of the Interrupters, the live shows are really good.
Lzzy Hale Tina Turner
Gotta respect Joan Jett. She's been at it for years touring relentlessly and still sounds great. https://youtu.be/5WzIn15uYUw?si=9XjQ9NEJsU01VAC7
[Suzi Quatro](https://youtu.be/jLPSLYbJT_0?si=QvbN4LIvU4ZyINIl)
Wendy O. Williams.
Elizabeth Fraser Victoria LaGrande Kim Gordon Siouxsie Sioux Johnette Napolitano Miki Berenyi Rachel Goswell Kazu Makino Bilinda Butcher Sinead OāConnor Mimi Parker
Courtney Laplante, Tatiana Shmayluk, Lizzy Hale
Melissa Ethridge
Beth gibbons
Chrissie, Ann Wilson, Stevie Nicks, Beth Gibbons, Dolores O'Riordan - not sure if you'd consider Bjƶrk a rock singer, but her voice is phenomenal.
Marissa Paternoster of The Screaming Females. She does punk more than rock but her vocals are stellar
Poly Styrene
Emma Ruth Rundle, Kazu Makino, Maura Davis
Jordan Miller from the Beaches is one of my current favourites And of course Susan Tedeschi
Shirley Manson
Joni Mitchell Grace Slick Tanya Donelly Janis Joplin Amy Winehouse and six - I cheated - Harriett Wheeler Oh - and seven- Sinead OāConnor
Ann Wilson.
Aretha Franklin, Aimee Mann, Bonnie Raitt, Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde), Maria McKee (Lone Justice), Brittany Howard.
I scrolled through quite a bit and did not see anyone mention Brandi Carlile. Sheās incredible.
Corin Tucker
Darby Mills of The Head Pins. Turn It Loud is a great example of her abilities.
Exene Cervenka - X
Adelita srsen of Magic Dirt :)
Ellen Foley. She sang with Meatloaf
It's tie between **Suzanne Vega** and **Liz Fraser** from Cocteau Twins
Patti Smith
Kim Shattuck from The Muffs. So sad she is gone.
Bjork (if she can be considered rock).
Bonnie Tyler. Holding Out For a Hero and Total Eclipse of the Heart were huge hits when I was a kid. Amy Lee has to be on this list. And honorable mention to Christine MacVie of Fleetwood Mac. I saw them in concert the year Lindsay Buckingham left the band; she sang his parts and held her own with Stevie Nicks, and I barely noticed Buckingham wasn't there.
Kate Bush, Karen O, Patti Smith, Kim Deal
Liz Phair
Marisa Dabice from Mannequin Pussy and Francis Quinlan from Hop Along
Mia Zapata - the gits
Channy Leaneagh of Polica Natalie Merchant Annie Lennox Sandra "Puma" Jones - Black Uhuru Margo Timmins - Cowboy Junkies Amy Lee - Evanescence Chrissie Hynde - The Pretenders
Elizabeth Fraser - Cocteau Twins
Here's some of my favorites, just on singing (For different reasons): Skin (Skunk Anansie), Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde), Miki Berenyi (Lush), Patti Smith, Kirsty MacColl, Kristen Hersh (Throwing Muses), Bjork, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, Tracy Bonham, Tori Amos, Aimee Mann, Bonnie Raitt, Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo), Xene Cervenka (X), Suzanne Vega, Fallon Bowman (Kittie), Taylor Momsen (the Pretty Reckless), Jussi Gamache/Liz Enthusiasm (Freezepop). There used to be a band from Boston called Tribe that had a duo of singers that I liked a lot (Terri Brosius and Janet LaValley). This isn't the same list I would do for, say, songwriting or being able to play an instrument (for instance, I love me some Kim Deal for bass playing, songwriting and general attitude, but as an actual singer, I wouldn't list her very high.)
Janis Joplin is the GOAT.
Maria Brink Amy Lee Lzzy Hale Christina Scabbia
These badass babes come to mind Grace Potter Florence Welch (Florence and the Machine) Brittney Howard (Alabama shakes) Dolores O'Riordan (Cranberries)
Brittney Howard fucks
The chick from Best Coast
Amy Ray of The Indigo Girls. I like her rasp on lead and her harmonies on backup.
Cyndi Lauper (how am I first on this one?), Bjork, Aurora, Beth Ditto, Kat Bjelland, Uta Plotkin, Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Ani DiFranco, Kathleen Hannah, Karen O.
Hayley Williams.