100 Greatest Female Vocalists
of Rock 'n' Roll
Criteria: Vocalists were chosen for Power, Range, Ability to Convey Emotion, Versatility, Uniqueness and Lasting Popularity. (All styles of Rock 'n' Roll are included.)
Greatest Female Rock Vocalists
Artists name - (Greatest Vocal Performance)
1. Aretha Franklin
(A Natural Woman)
2. Etta James
(At Last)
3. Ruth Brown
(Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean)
4. Janis Joplin
(Piece of My Heart)
5. Whitney Houston
(I Will Always Love You)
6. Patti Labelle (Labelle/Solo)
(Over the Rainbow)
7. Mariah Carey
(My All)
8. Ann Wilson (Heart)
(Crazy On You)
9. Dusty Springfield
(Son of A Preacher Man)
10. Joni Mitchell
(A Case of You)
1. Aretha Franklin
(A Natural Woman)
2. Etta James
(At Last)
3. Ruth Brown
(Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean)
4. Janis Joplin
(Piece of My Heart)
5. Whitney Houston
(I Will Always Love You)
6. Patti Labelle (Labelle/Solo)
(Over the Rainbow)
7. Mariah Carey
(My All)
8. Ann Wilson (Heart)
(Crazy On You)
9. Dusty Springfield
(Son of A Preacher Man)
10. Joni Mitchell
(A Case of You)
11. Karen Carpenter (Carpenters)
(Superstar)
12. Annie Lennox
(Why)
13. LaVern Baker
(Tweedle Dee)
14. Grace Slick
(Somebody To Love)
15. Chaka Khan (Rufus/Solo)
(You Got The Love)
16. Gladys Knight
(Midnight Train To Georgia)
17. Celine Dion
(My Heart Will Go On)
18. Tina Turner
(Proud Mary)
19. Linda Ronstadt
(Blue Bayou)
20. Pat Benatar
(Heartbreaker)
21. Joan Baez
(Diamonds & Rust)
22. Eva Cassiday
(Fields of Gold)
23. Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)
(Rhiannon)
24. Irma Thomas
(It's Raining)
25. Roberta Flack
(First Time Ever I Saw Your Face)
26. Darlene Love
(Today I Met The Boy I'm Going To Marry)
27. Mavis Staples
(I'll Take You There)
28. Donna Summer
(MacArthur Park)
29. Adele
(Hello)
30. Tori Amos
(Winter)
31. Brenda Lee
(Sweet Nothin')
32. Judy Collins
(Send In the Clowns)
33. Minnie Ripperton
(Inside My Love)
34. Dionne Warwick
(Walk On By)
35. Laura Nyro
(And When I Die)
36. Anita Baker
(Caught Up In the Rapture)
37. Esther Phillips
(Release Me)
38. Debbie Harry (Blondie)
(Call Me)
39. Christina Aguilera
(Beautiful)
40. Martha Reeves (Martha & the Vandellas)
(Dancing In The Street)
41. Emmylou Harris
(Wayfaring Stranger)
42. Natalie Cole
(Inseperable)
43. Pink
(So What)
44. Bette Midler
(The Rose)
45. Kate Bush
(Army Dreamers)
46. Sinead O'Connor
(Nothing Compares 2 U)
47. Linda Jones
(Your Precious Love)
48. Carla Thomas
(Gee Whiz! (Look At His Eyes))
49. Florence Ballard
(Yesterday)
50. Sarah McLachlan
(Angel)
51. Björk
(Oh So Quiet)
52. Sade
(No Ordinary Love)
53. Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders)
(I'll Stand By You)
54. Tracy Chapman
(Fast Car)
55. Connie Francis
(Mama)
56. Jackie DeShannon
(Needles & Pins)
57. Cass Elliott (Mamas & Papas)
(Dream A Little Dream of Me)
58. Faye Adams
(Shake a Hand)
59. Erykah Badu
(Love of My Life)
60. Oleta Adams
(Get Here)
61. Teena Marie
(Dear Lover)
62. Lauryn Hill
(To Zion)
63. Patti Austin
(Baby Come To Me)
64. Betty Wright
(Clean Up Woman)
65. Norah Jones
(Don't Know Why)
66. Cyndi Lauper
(Time After Time)
67. Ann Peebles
(Can't Stand the Rain)
68. Patti Smith
(Because the Night)
69. Doris Troy
(Just One Look)
70. Sandy Denny
(Who Knows Where the Time Goes)
71. Rickie Lee Jones
(My Funny Valentine)
72. Des'ree
(Kissing You)
73. Bonnie Raitt
(I Can't Make You Love Me)
74. Mary Wells
(My Guy)
75. Denise LaSalle
(Trapped By A Thing Called Love)
76. Ronnie Spector (Ronettes)
(Be My Baby)
77. Doris Duke
(How Was I To Know You Cared)
78. Judy Craig (Chiffons)
(He's So Fine)
79. Melba Moore
(This Is It)
80. Joan Armatrading
(Love & Emotion)
81. Brenda Holloway
(Every Little Bit Hurts)
82. Erma Franklin
(Piece Of My Heart)
83. Diana Ross (Supremes/Solo)
(Touch Me In The Morning)
84. Nico
(Chelsea Girls)
85. Vanessa Williams
(Love Is)
86. Jennifer Holiday
(And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going)
87. Toni Braxton
(Un-Break My Heart)
88. Jean Terelle (The Supremes)
(Stoned Love)
89. Ani DiFranco
(Not A Pretty Girl)
90. Petula Clark
(This Is My Song)
91. Madonna
(This Used to Be My Playground)
92. Kate Pierson (B52s)
(Roam)
93. Arlene Smith (Chantels)
(Maybe)
94. Dolores O'riordan (The Cranberries)
(Zombie)
95. Freda Payne
(Band of Gold)
96. Melissa Etheridge
(Come To My Window)
97. Alanis Morrisette
(You Oughta Know)
98. Shirley Manson (Garbage)
(Stupid Girl)
99. Wanda Jackson
(Let's Have A Party)
100. Barbara Lewis
(Hello Stranger)
(Superstar)
12. Annie Lennox
(Why)
13. LaVern Baker
(Tweedle Dee)
14. Grace Slick
(Somebody To Love)
15. Chaka Khan (Rufus/Solo)
(You Got The Love)
16. Gladys Knight
(Midnight Train To Georgia)
17. Celine Dion
(My Heart Will Go On)
18. Tina Turner
(Proud Mary)
19. Linda Ronstadt
(Blue Bayou)
20. Pat Benatar
(Heartbreaker)
21. Joan Baez
(Diamonds & Rust)
22. Eva Cassiday
(Fields of Gold)
23. Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)
(Rhiannon)
24. Irma Thomas
(It's Raining)
25. Roberta Flack
(First Time Ever I Saw Your Face)
26. Darlene Love
(Today I Met The Boy I'm Going To Marry)
27. Mavis Staples
(I'll Take You There)
28. Donna Summer
(MacArthur Park)
29. Adele
(Hello)
30. Tori Amos
(Winter)
31. Brenda Lee
(Sweet Nothin')
32. Judy Collins
(Send In the Clowns)
33. Minnie Ripperton
(Inside My Love)
34. Dionne Warwick
(Walk On By)
35. Laura Nyro
(And When I Die)
36. Anita Baker
(Caught Up In the Rapture)
37. Esther Phillips
(Release Me)
38. Debbie Harry (Blondie)
(Call Me)
39. Christina Aguilera
(Beautiful)
40. Martha Reeves (Martha & the Vandellas)
(Dancing In The Street)
41. Emmylou Harris
(Wayfaring Stranger)
42. Natalie Cole
(Inseperable)
43. Pink
(So What)
44. Bette Midler
(The Rose)
45. Kate Bush
(Army Dreamers)
46. Sinead O'Connor
(Nothing Compares 2 U)
47. Linda Jones
(Your Precious Love)
48. Carla Thomas
(Gee Whiz! (Look At His Eyes))
49. Florence Ballard
(Yesterday)
50. Sarah McLachlan
(Angel)
51. Björk
(Oh So Quiet)
52. Sade
(No Ordinary Love)
53. Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders)
(I'll Stand By You)
54. Tracy Chapman
(Fast Car)
55. Connie Francis
(Mama)
56. Jackie DeShannon
(Needles & Pins)
57. Cass Elliott (Mamas & Papas)
(Dream A Little Dream of Me)
58. Faye Adams
(Shake a Hand)
59. Erykah Badu
(Love of My Life)
60. Oleta Adams
(Get Here)
61. Teena Marie
(Dear Lover)
62. Lauryn Hill
(To Zion)
63. Patti Austin
(Baby Come To Me)
64. Betty Wright
(Clean Up Woman)
65. Norah Jones
(Don't Know Why)
66. Cyndi Lauper
(Time After Time)
67. Ann Peebles
(Can't Stand the Rain)
68. Patti Smith
(Because the Night)
69. Doris Troy
(Just One Look)
70. Sandy Denny
(Who Knows Where the Time Goes)
71. Rickie Lee Jones
(My Funny Valentine)
72. Des'ree
(Kissing You)
73. Bonnie Raitt
(I Can't Make You Love Me)
74. Mary Wells
(My Guy)
75. Denise LaSalle
(Trapped By A Thing Called Love)
76. Ronnie Spector (Ronettes)
(Be My Baby)
77. Doris Duke
(How Was I To Know You Cared)
78. Judy Craig (Chiffons)
(He's So Fine)
79. Melba Moore
(This Is It)
80. Joan Armatrading
(Love & Emotion)
81. Brenda Holloway
(Every Little Bit Hurts)
82. Erma Franklin
(Piece Of My Heart)
83. Diana Ross (Supremes/Solo)
(Touch Me In The Morning)
84. Nico
(Chelsea Girls)
85. Vanessa Williams
(Love Is)
86. Jennifer Holiday
(And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going)
87. Toni Braxton
(Un-Break My Heart)
88. Jean Terelle (The Supremes)
(Stoned Love)
89. Ani DiFranco
(Not A Pretty Girl)
90. Petula Clark
(This Is My Song)
91. Madonna
(This Used to Be My Playground)
92. Kate Pierson (B52s)
(Roam)
93. Arlene Smith (Chantels)
(Maybe)
94. Dolores O'riordan (The Cranberries)
(Zombie)
95. Freda Payne
(Band of Gold)
96. Melissa Etheridge
(Come To My Window)
97. Alanis Morrisette
(You Oughta Know)
98. Shirley Manson (Garbage)
(Stupid Girl)
99. Wanda Jackson
(Let's Have A Party)
100. Barbara Lewis
(Hello Stranger)
101. Joan Osborne
(One of Us)
102. Alicia Keys
(Fallin')
103. Maxine Brown
(All In My Mind)
104. Mary J. Blige
(No More Drama)
105. Allanah Myles
(Black Velvet)
106. Shakira
(Underneath Your Clothes)
107. Gloria Estefan
(Turn The Beat Around)
108. Linda Clifford
(Red Light)
109. Dee Dee Sharp
(Two Loves)
110. Taylor Dayne
(Love Will Lead You Back)
111. Tionne Watkins (TLC)
(Red Light Special)
112. Belinda Carlisle (The Go-Go's)
(Vacation)
113. Shirley Alston (Shirelles)
(Will You Love Me Tomorrow)
114. Bonnie Tyler
(Total Eclipse of the Heart)
115. Terri Nunn (Berlin)
(Take My Breath Away)
116. Jill Scott
(He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat)
117. Patty Smyth
(Warrior)
118. Queen Latifah
(Lush Life)
119. Laura Branigan
(Gloria)
120. Aimee Mann
(Save Me)
121. Kate Bjelland
(Bruise Violet)
122. Sheryl Crow
(Strong Enough)
123. Ketty Lester
(Love Letters)
124. Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac)
(Songbird)
125. Kelly Clarkson
(Since U Been Gone)
126. Gwen Stefani (No Doubt / Solo)
(Don't Speak)
127. Mary Weiss (The Shangri-La's)
(Remember (Walking In The Sand))
128. Annie Haslam (Renaissance)
(Ashes Are Burning)
129. Siouxsie Sioux (Siouxsie & the Banshees)
(Christine)
130. Olivia Newton-John
(I Honestly Love You)
131. Lesley Gore
(You Don't Own Me)
132. Amy Lee (Evanescence)
(My Immortal)
133. Billie Meyers
(Kiss the Rain)
134. PJ Harvey
(Down By The Water)
135. Beyonce Knowles (Destiny's Child / Solo)
(Me Myself & I)
136. Fontella Bass
(Rescue Me)
137. Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine)
(Dog Days Are Over)
138. Liz Phair
(Divorce Song)
139. Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil)
(Falling Again)
140. Joss Stone
(Fell In Love With a Boy)
141. Tarja Turenen (Nightwish)
(Phantom of the Opera)
142. Gloria Gaynor
(I Will Survive)
143. Mary Wilson (Supremes)
(Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You)
144. Aaliyah
(Four Page Letter)
145. Carly Simon
(Your So Vain)
146. Suzanne Vega
(Luka)
147. Fiona Apple
(Slow Like Honey)
148. Carole King
(Natural Woman)
149. Nona Hendryx
(Through the Wire)
150. Nina Gordon
(Tonight and the Rest of My Life)
151. Millie Jackson
((If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right)
152. Exene Cervenka (X)
(Because I Do)
153. Martha Davis
(Only the Lonely)
154. Gale Garnett
(We'll Sing the Sunshine)
155. Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes)
(Whats Up)
156. Joan Jett
(I Love Rock 'n' Roll)
157. Cat Power
(The Greatest)
158. Kelli Dayton (Sneaker Pimps)
(6 Underground)
159. Beth Orton
(She Cries Your Name)
160. Nancy Wilson (Heart / Solo)
(A Case Of You)
161. Monica
(Street Symphony)
162. Lita Ford
(Close My Eyes Forever)
163. Deborah Iyall (Romeo Void)
(Never Say Never)
164. Kim Deal (Pixies / Breeders)
(Gigantic)
165. Imelda May
(Mayhem)
(One of Us)
102. Alicia Keys
(Fallin')
103. Maxine Brown
(All In My Mind)
104. Mary J. Blige
(No More Drama)
105. Allanah Myles
(Black Velvet)
106. Shakira
(Underneath Your Clothes)
107. Gloria Estefan
(Turn The Beat Around)
108. Linda Clifford
(Red Light)
109. Dee Dee Sharp
(Two Loves)
110. Taylor Dayne
(Love Will Lead You Back)
111. Tionne Watkins (TLC)
(Red Light Special)
112. Belinda Carlisle (The Go-Go's)
(Vacation)
113. Shirley Alston (Shirelles)
(Will You Love Me Tomorrow)
114. Bonnie Tyler
(Total Eclipse of the Heart)
115. Terri Nunn (Berlin)
(Take My Breath Away)
116. Jill Scott
(He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat)
117. Patty Smyth
(Warrior)
118. Queen Latifah
(Lush Life)
119. Laura Branigan
(Gloria)
120. Aimee Mann
(Save Me)
121. Kate Bjelland
(Bruise Violet)
122. Sheryl Crow
(Strong Enough)
123. Ketty Lester
(Love Letters)
124. Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac)
(Songbird)
125. Kelly Clarkson
(Since U Been Gone)
126. Gwen Stefani (No Doubt / Solo)
(Don't Speak)
127. Mary Weiss (The Shangri-La's)
(Remember (Walking In The Sand))
128. Annie Haslam (Renaissance)
(Ashes Are Burning)
129. Siouxsie Sioux (Siouxsie & the Banshees)
(Christine)
130. Olivia Newton-John
(I Honestly Love You)
131. Lesley Gore
(You Don't Own Me)
132. Amy Lee (Evanescence)
(My Immortal)
133. Billie Meyers
(Kiss the Rain)
134. PJ Harvey
(Down By The Water)
135. Beyonce Knowles (Destiny's Child / Solo)
(Me Myself & I)
136. Fontella Bass
(Rescue Me)
137. Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine)
(Dog Days Are Over)
138. Liz Phair
(Divorce Song)
139. Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil)
(Falling Again)
140. Joss Stone
(Fell In Love With a Boy)
141. Tarja Turenen (Nightwish)
(Phantom of the Opera)
142. Gloria Gaynor
(I Will Survive)
143. Mary Wilson (Supremes)
(Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You)
144. Aaliyah
(Four Page Letter)
145. Carly Simon
(Your So Vain)
146. Suzanne Vega
(Luka)
147. Fiona Apple
(Slow Like Honey)
148. Carole King
(Natural Woman)
149. Nona Hendryx
(Through the Wire)
150. Nina Gordon
(Tonight and the Rest of My Life)
151. Millie Jackson
((If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right)
152. Exene Cervenka (X)
(Because I Do)
153. Martha Davis
(Only the Lonely)
154. Gale Garnett
(We'll Sing the Sunshine)
155. Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes)
(Whats Up)
156. Joan Jett
(I Love Rock 'n' Roll)
157. Cat Power
(The Greatest)
158. Kelli Dayton (Sneaker Pimps)
(6 Underground)
159. Beth Orton
(She Cries Your Name)
160. Nancy Wilson (Heart / Solo)
(A Case Of You)
161. Monica
(Street Symphony)
162. Lita Ford
(Close My Eyes Forever)
163. Deborah Iyall (Romeo Void)
(Never Say Never)
164. Kim Deal (Pixies / Breeders)
(Gigantic)
165. Imelda May
(Mayhem)
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The Greatest Female Pop Vocalists
1. Mariah Carey
2. Whitney Houston
3. Dusty Springfield
4. Barbara Streisand
5. Christina Aguilera
6. Karen Carpenter
7. Brenda Lee
8. Darlene Love
9. Roberta Flack
10. Donna Summer
2. Whitney Houston
3. Dusty Springfield
4. Barbara Streisand
5. Christina Aguilera
6. Karen Carpenter
7. Brenda Lee
8. Darlene Love
9. Roberta Flack
10. Donna Summer
The Greatest Female R&B Vocalists
1. Aretha Franklin
2. Dinah Washington
3. Etta James
4. Ruth Brown
5. Mavis Staples
6. Minnie Riperton
7. Big Maybelle
8. Patti LaBelle
9. Darlene Love
10. LaVern Baker
2. Dinah Washington
3. Etta James
4. Ruth Brown
5. Mavis Staples
6. Minnie Riperton
7. Big Maybelle
8. Patti LaBelle
9. Darlene Love
10. LaVern Baker
The Greatest Female Blues Vocalists
1. Bessie Smith
2. Etta James
3. Billie Holiday
4. Ma Rainey
5. Big Mama Thornton
6. Sippie Wallace
7. Ruth Brown
8. KoKo Taylor
9. Memphis Minnie
10. Ida Cox
2. Etta James
3. Billie Holiday
4. Ma Rainey
5. Big Mama Thornton
6. Sippie Wallace
7. Ruth Brown
8. KoKo Taylor
9. Memphis Minnie
10. Ida Cox
The Greatest Female Country Vocalists
1. Patsy Cline
2. Alison Krauss
3. Dolly Parton
4. Tammy Wynette
5. Emmylou Harris
6. Trisha Yearwood
7. Loretta Lynn
8. Natalie Maines
9. Patty Loveless
10. k.d. lang
2. Alison Krauss
3. Dolly Parton
4. Tammy Wynette
5. Emmylou Harris
6. Trisha Yearwood
7. Loretta Lynn
8. Natalie Maines
9. Patty Loveless
10. k.d. lang
Edited By: Lew
Last Updated: 2017-05-01
Newly added names are in Red
Last Updated: 2017-05-01
Newly added names are in Red