She would do gigs on the weekend but didnt get the chance to begin her career until the late 80s and early 90s. Whether it be their attitude, their voice, or their style, there are so many singers from the 1990s that left a lasting impression on the music industry. Paramore is Trash Garbage, Patti is a great songwriter but shes not a top singer, more of a rock Poet, certainly not higher than Stevie, Kathleen Hannah from Bikini Kill is Trash, shes just a shittier version of Belinda Carlisle. Beyonc is more widely known now for her successful solo career that launched in the early 2000s, but the late 90s saw her leading Destinys Child as one of the best-selling all-girl groups of the time. PJ Harvey took what we knew about the '90s mainstream alternative wave and made it her own. Home; . The fiery redhead who led the band Garbage to fandom, Shirley Manson is an absolute icon of the 90s rock scene. Try as I might, I just couldn't find a female singer whose name started with X. She was a breath of fresh air funny, smart, and unapologetically herself. Dominated? If you love GREAT female rock singers, not knowing this name is a tragedy. Alternative rock was at its peak in the 90s with bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Stone Temple Pilots leading the charge. She went on to become one of the best-selling artists of all time with an astounding 200 million records sold worldwide. She exploded onto the scene as the frontwoman of No Doubt and has since forged a successful solo career. Where th is Floor Jansen on this list? Heart of Glass - Blondie With a bona fide disco vibe, lead singer Debbie Harry of Blondie took a chance and released 'Heart of Glass,' knowing it'd be a tough sell to their crowd. Summing Up Our List Of Great Women Singers of The 1990s, 13 Amazing Bands Similar To Matchbox Twenty, 13 Amazing Singers Similar To Ella Fitzgerald, 13 Amazing Singers Similar To Johnny Cash. Punk rock songs bring a high-octane energy that empowers an audience. Since the inception of rock music, there have been many different subgenres that have emerged. Alongside her vocal prowess, the singer-songwriters campy image and charming persona has made her one of rocks beloved cult icons. Against Me! 10 essential alternative '90s bands fronted by women you should know Perhaps one of the best-known female country singers of the 1990s, Shania Twain, was born in Ontario, Canada, before becoming one of the best-selling musicians ever. The woman who ruled the music scene in the 80s started doing the same in the 90s, with songs like "Vogue," Justify My Love," "I'll Remember," and "Ray Of Light.". There is something undeniably unique about the female rock singers of the 90s. How is Amy Lee of Evanescence not in the top 5 on this list???? From Alanis Morissette to Shirley Manson, these are the women who helped define the sound of the decade and continue to be an inspiration for female musicians today. And Patti Smith #1? Kat Bjelland never gets the recognition she deserves. Releasing her first English-language album in 1990, Dion has been one of the worlds most influential female voices ever since. Few artists have done as much in as short a time as Hill. Karen Carpenter? While she would move and really get into the music during her performances, she was not seen dancing or dressing to stand-out. 1975 Bronze for female singer Mama Cass, Karen Carpenter and Linda Ronstadt are all pop singers none of them are rockers not even close. While I like Patti Smith, is she really deserving of the top spot? She has one of rocks most powerful voices! Madonna Born Madonna Louis Ciccone in Bay City, Michigan, Madonna is often considered one of pop culture's most influential figures. Gwen is very well known for her voice and personal style, both very unique to her. Way to invalidate your list. Courtney Love was a well-known name in the 90s as she was married to the late Kurt Cobain, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for the grunge band, Nirvana. The country singer Wynonna Ellen Judd was born in Ashland, Kentucky. Although the 80s and 90s are long gone, memories from that magical era rekindle nostalgia in strange ways. Shirley Manson 5. Liz Phair 10. And I dont tell me she aint rock because neither is Siouxsie Sioux or for the matter Kate Pierson and many others on this list. This experimentation led to a highly refined sound structure that comprised of classic rock embellishments with the raw aggression of alternative sounds. The Canadian singer-songwriter, well-known for her full-sound, lower register belt, also easily transitions to lighter and higher tones of her voice seemingly flawlessly. PICK UP THE GUITAR is the home toguitar lessons, tutorials, articles on how to improve your guitar playing, exercises, chords, tabs, scales, articles on famous musicians, and much more. Toni Halliday was the lead singer of the 90's . Not even on the list? Where are Beth Hart, Floor Jansen, Annie Lennox etc. what a bunch of crap list??? Music. It was her sister Nancys first big hit. From Alanis Morissette to Gwen Stefani, these women of the 1990s have made waves as some of the biggest powerhouses in the music industry. Louise Post stood out as the lead singer, songwriter (cowriting with Jim Shapiro) andguitarist of the band, Veruca Salt. By the end of the '90s, people were loving the wave of female-fronted bands at their disposal. Her raspy, deep and powerful voice drove the force of her lyrics, adding a folk flavor to her music all around. 100 Greatest Female Rock Singers of the 80s and 90s There are many more that we werent able to include either. These 80s and 90s female singers made a huge impact on the industry that is felt to this day. Here are other lesser-known but equally talented female rockers from the 90s alternative scene: Its hard to believe that the 90s were almost 30 years ago and its also hard to believe that there were so many amazing rock bands during this time fronted by strong female singers. Although certain female artists did secure recording contracts with major record labels, a number of female musicians released their music independently at gigs and concerts. I think thats just how impactful she was, not afraid to get up on stage as just herself to perform her music. Best Female Rock Singers: An Essential Top 30 Countdown Women have long dominated the rock scene, whether they've been acknowledged for it or not. From there, it was easy for Beyonc to leverage her skill and knowledge to become the world-famous artist that she is today. Like so many of the greatest rock musicians, Smith was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and continues to be an icon for all aspiring musicians. Still, there is something about female singers with red hair thats exciting. With her mesmerizing voice and fierce attitude, Shirley Manson proved that redheads dont just have more fun, they also rock harder. Her first studio album, Mariah Carey, met with critical acclaim and topped the Billboard 200 for 11 weeks straight. Loves wild antics and passion for style, art, and the punk scene have helped her remain more than relevant after all these years. Her debut tour in 1990 was one of the most successful in music history. Sharon Van Etten didnt get widespread recognition until her third studio album, Tramp, landed in 2012, but when she did, she had the kind of viral success most singer-songwriters are rarely afforded. Punk poet Patti Smith needs no introduction. Next: Greatest black female singers in music history. I know that hair color, at the end of the day, is borderline meaningless. . 1. Youve got to be kidding me. The B 52s?, just keep your GenZ shit out of this list and in the trash where it belongs, St. Vincent is ok but GREAT I dont think so, basically you just put a bunch of GenZ Lesbians on a list and put Stevie Nicks and Benatar in the mix to make it look legit, this list is shit, trash, garbage. Some of these are closer to pop singers than Rock singers where is Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation), Tarja Turunen (Formerly of Nightwish), Anneke van Giersbergen even the lead singer of Earlyrise (I dont know how well know they are) has a better voice than some of the ladies on this list. Whether she was singing about love, politics, or religion, Sinad always spoke her mind and didnt give a damn about what anyone thought. Melissa Etheridge 14. The 90s wouldnt have been the same without Gwen Stefani. Next up, we have the iconic 90s singer-songwriter, Alanis Morissette. This list shit without her. Crow toured for a time with Michael Jackson, and she recorded background vocals for artists like Jimmy Buffett and Don Henley. Her baby doll dress style also seemed to make her really stand out from the rest. From Linger to Zombie, ORiordans emotive range and Gaelic lilt made the band stand out. Leaving out Bonnie Raitt, Tanya Donelly, and Sinnead OConnor and including some of these one off performers is disappointing. But Im surprised and disappointed that Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde) was not included here. Oh, so close, you were only off by three generations. Your email address will not be published. Female voices have elevated rock music in the 21st century as women like Avril Lavigne, Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and Hayley Williams (Paramore) have entered the mainstream. Big Mama Thornton, and Betty Davis were the vocal bibles for rock and roll. It doesnt get any more rocknroll than that. Sophie B. Hawkins made news recently for giving a birth at the age of 50. If you are a music buff, you will have something to say. In the male-dominated pop-punk scene, Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams felt like she was starting a revolution with her music and attitude, inspiring other girls and women to play in bands. Texacala Jones? She tried her hand at singing and released her first solo album in 1983 and her music has topped charts and made history with bestsellers and number one hits ever since. 4. You can put your cool guy names in there to be hip, but to even insinuate that Patti Smith was better singer than Ronstadt is comical at best. This article showcases the best classic rock songs from that memorable era. Whether shes crafting arena pop classics such as Whats Love Got To Do With It or giving The Rolling Stones a run for their money at Altamont with her cover of Otis Reddings Ive Been Loving You Too Long, Turner remains an inimitable talent among the best female rock singers. 12. Grace Slick (Starship/Jefferson Starship). Since the Shakes took off, Howard started Bermuda Triangle, a side project with Becca Mancari and Jesse Lafser. In this post, were going to take a look at 15 of the greatest and most famous female singers of the 1990s. I have been a vinyl enthusiast for years and a music lover for decades. Madonna. Leading the way, of course, was the iconic Courtney Love from Hole, Kim Deal from The Breeders, and Shirley Manson from Garbage. Shes only been performing for 50 years with over 25 releases. Suzi Quatro? Skunk Anansie This British quartet dominated the airwaves in the '90s with their blend of raw heavy rock, bluesy guitar strums and haunting alt vocals. Generations of fans venerate her as one of the best female rock singers of all time, while Smith has also become an author lauded for her many literary works, especially her memoir, Just Kids. A vocalist and songwriter, Love's career has spanned over three decades and she is best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band Hole. This is a list of female metal artists with articles on Wikipedia. Linda Ronstadt is as much a rock singer as half the women on this list with songs like: Its So Easy, Thatll Be the Day, When Will I Be Loved, Youre No Good. Heres a list of the best female rock singers from the 2000s and 2010s. As one of the founding members of The B-52s, Kate Piersons infectious pop-rock vocals made party tracks such as Love Shack and Roam what they are today. 1973 Gold for female singer 10 Essential Female-Fronted Alternative Rock Bands Of The '90s Larger Than Life, indeed. This singer-songwriter emphasizes this with her beautiful standout lyrics like that in her song Who Will Save Your Soul?, where that angelic voice is present, but then really hits heavy when she belts out the song title in the chorus part of her song, using characteristics of opera singing to add a very unique mix of flavor all in just one song. McBride started singing while working on tour with Garth Brooks. However, Love made a name for herself as the lead singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist of the 90s grunge band, Hole. Perhaps this was the beginning of the statements shes wanted to make as she now uses her voice in a different way, as an activist, supporting groups for environmental improvement and animal rights. Courtney Love 3. TLC defined the 90s for plenty of young R&B listeners. 1978 Bronze for female singer The 25+ Best 90s Bands With Female Singers - Ranker Houstons fame and influence have touched lives everywhere, and her powerful voice continues to grace the music industry. Another woman that puts more than half these women on this list to SHAME!!! She went on to release a slew of successful singles in the early 90s, helping her become one of the more recognizable voices of the era. Sometimes called the Queen of Pop, Madonna has always been the multi-talented star we know and love. LMAO Jesus wheres Linda Ronstadt and Suzi Quatro? Twains first album saw very little success. The music industry lost a true star when Dolores O Riordan passed away in 2018. . Celine Dion One of the best female singers of the 90s, Celine Dion has a breathtaking voice that is unparalleled. Her blending of rock and poetry on her 1975 debut album, Horses, made her an iconic figure in rock, particularly the NYC punk scene. 90s Female Singers - Best Nineties Music - Refinery29 Courtney Love, PJHarvey and Let us know and well update this post. Kirsty MacColl? Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde Her 2019 album, Remind Me Tomorrow, which was released earlier this year, proves shes more than arrived on the rock scene. Is this a list for people who used to be popular but are either aging or dead? Jewel 12. Judds powerful voice makes her instantly recognizable. As the lead singer of Blondie, Debbie Harry become a punk icon in the New York City rock scene. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. 90s Alternative Rock Female Singers. Louise Post 9. Some of these are the most ignorant comments. Wouldnt a better line be something like, Women have played a signifiant role in or countless talented women have helped develop the history of rock and roll? So many of the women listed here are certainly talented and amazing but to say they have dominated is quite the exaggeration. During the heyday of hair metal, Ford was one of the few women to star in her own videos rather than appear as a prop. The group was highly successful throughout the 1980s. I'm also the owner and editor of the Devoted to Vinyl website. Shirley Manson was the lead singer and songwriter for the rock band, Garbage. Her career started as a dancer in the late 1970s. List of female heavy metal singers - Wikipedia She sought out leads to create a career from scratch because she knew she had the voice to make it happen. 15 Of The Most Famous Female Singers Of The 1990s - Hello Music Theory Amy has a powerful voice and is the most consistent as well. But it was her songwriting that made her an even more affecting musician, meditating on sexual abuse, mental illness, and crippling anxiety. She first tasted stardom when her self-titled 1988 debut spawned the hit Bring Me Some Water, but her confessional lyrical style and seductively raspy, Janis Joplin-esque delivery aligned to perfection on the multi-million-selling album Yes I Am, which spawned signature hits Im The Only One and Come To My Window and earned Etheridge a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocalist in 1995. With her lofty Limerick accent, Dolores ORiordan made some of the greatest rock songs of the 90s with her band, The Cranberries. 90s Female Singers: The Best Nineties Music - Refinery29 Tina Lucchesi? Huge voice and a beauty to boot. Its hard to compare to any voice quite like that of Alanis Morissette. These women have been belting out amazing tunes for decades, and none show any signs of slowing down. 100 Best Slow Rock Songs of the '80s and '90s - Spinditty Speaking only French, she had to learn English before her career could take off in the United States. These women were all very talented performing musicians and singers. The '90s saw a lot of females who fronted rock bands. Yes, she has such a lovely voice! As the boisterous lead singer of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Karen O ruled the early 00s indie rock scene with her contagious howls and ostentatious style. For more than four decades, Courtney Love has been a force to be reckoned with in the grunge scene. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); St. Vincent - "Los Ageless" (Official Video), Melissa Etheridge - Come To My Window (Live at The Kodak Theatre), Siouxsie And The Banshees - Happy House (Official Music Video), Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Date With The Night (Official Music Video), Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefield (Official Music Video), Best Keith Jarrett Pieces: 20 Post-Bop Essentials, Best Steve Hackett Solos: 20 Essential Moments Of Brilliance, These Patriotic Songs Are Celebrations Of America, Best Jazz Love Songs: An Essential Romantic Playlist, Gwen Stefani, Lil Wayne and Ne-Yo: Currently Trending Songs, Tony Scott: How A Bebop Jazz Clarinetist Invented New Age Music, A Brief History of Queer And Trans Women In American Music. Poly Styrene? The 100+ Best Female Rock Singers & Vocalists - Ranker The silky, sultry voice of the singer-songwriter Fiona Apple is ever so appealing and very prominent in her famous song Criminal. Using jazz singing techniques, she drives the emotional heaviness of the songs lyrics to hit the listener just right. As lead singer for Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard is best known for her soulful, blues-tinged vocals. You can get, Read More 10 Songs About Men Men Being Good Guys and JerksContinue, Blues music wouldnt be where it is today without some of the best female blues singers lending their voices to memorable musical pieces. And last, but by no means least, we have Lauryn Hill who is widely regarded as one of the best rappers, one of the most influential artists, and one of the most powerful females of her generation. The girl who began playing piano at six quickly became one of the worlds biggest stars. Everyone's Favorite '90s Alternative Female Stars: Where - TheThings 90s Female Singers - Best Nineties Music. While every decade in music has had its share of incredible rock singers, the 80s and 90s propelled female singers to a whole new level. Kathleen Hanna and Gwen Stefani. Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde). Agreed! 1974 Gold for female singer They are boomers themselves and part of the Gen-x Music. Here are some of the best female rock. Required fields are marked *. Feel free to share your opinion or suggestion in the comments section. They are played on rock radio thats why I memtioned them (some softer than others no doubt). Bizarre! Jeez, get your facts straight! 100+ Best Female Singers of the 70s - Complete List Annie Lennox!! Danielle Dax? Greta Van Fleet Conjure The Heavens On The Falling Sky, ZAYN, Formerly Of One Direction, Inks Deal With Mercury Records, R.E.M. Sage Publications, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4129-7685-5; Thomson Liz; et al. He's also the owner and editor of Devoted to Vinyl. I 2nd that. Shes not afraid to speak her mind and she does it all with a badass attitude. One of her many hits is (I touch myself). Stunning listeners with her emotional candor, Van Etten sang songs about abusive relationships, love and self-discovery. I know Right!!!! The late and beloved Dolores was known well as the lead singer and songwriter of The Cranberries. In April 2009, BBC TV selected as one of twelve Queens of British Pop. As theatrical acts gained momentum, a number of female musicians diversified their rock sound with pop-influenced architecture. Beyond being known for her unmistakable vocals and angsty lyrics, the Garbage frontwoman is a feminist icon who sticks up for women and underrepresented communities. With their band Heart, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson were behind some of the biggest rock anthems of the 70s and 80s, including the scorcher Barracuda. With her bombastic vocal range and edgy look, Ann Wilson easily transitioned to the 80s, releasing hit power ballads such as These Dreams. While never formally taught, Wilson has one of the most distinct voices in rock no wonder its so hard to hit those notes at karaoke. Over her career, she has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards and a four-time winner of the Country Music Association Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. Linda Ronstadt definitely an oversight. If this list is about singers, to not have Linda Ronstadt in the top 5 is an absolute joke. So, what made the female rock singers of the 90s stand out so boldly? Close second Anne Wilson These women contributed to a big breakthrough in the rock music industry, not only by performing with their powerful voices, but using them to communicate and make statements with their own individual thoughts, opinions and feelings, making them all truly unforgettable. Bands with female vocalists added a distinctive flavor in the realms of alternative and indie music. . Blonde Female Rock Singers of the 80s. 167 likes. EXACTLY! Tracy Bonham 8. Gitane Demone? She is known for her big, full deep voice and big powerhouse belt, which is present in the iconic 4 Non Blondes song, Whats Goin On?. Shes managed to maintain that grit and over the course of four decades, gifting us countless hits such as We Belong and opening the door for future female solo stars who didnt need a band to make themselves heard. 10: Beverley Knight For over a decade, Annie Clark has traversed different styles and sounds, and is equally at home in singer-songwriter mode as she is recording avant-rock concept albums with David Byrne. Inger Lorre? And Janis Joplin influenced ALL the women in the list, therefore, she should be number 1. Not as terrible as most of these charts but you have to admit that those first 30~27 girls are just honorable mention because there are no contemporary girl or no girl rock singers that are any good or bands in the first place. No Ronstadt?Great pipes, great bands so she had dozens of pop hits -still a rock chick. Her unique vocal tone seems to always compliment the emotional drive of her lyrics. Where are they now? Very few of the other women listed have the pipes or the rocking sound like Pat or Ann in their early years Joan Jett at #3? Thanks to the folk movement, a number of teenage girls took to new forms of experimentation through music. Wikipedia Commons. God is a Bullet live or Dance Along the Edge for those whod like to sample her. The 1990s were a truly iconic time for music, with some of the most widely known and beloved singers in history coming to prominence during the decade. The 80s and 90s were awe-inspiring decades for rock music. You forgot Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blond. | ABOUT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE | AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE, 15 Female Rock Singers of the 90s That Are Unforgettable, 12 Female Singers with Red Hair Youll Love, 10 Songs About Men Men Being Good Guys and Jerks, 15 Female Blues Singers That Are Unforgettable, 15 Best Rappers of the 2000s That Youll Love. As the lead, Stefani earned recognition for her unique sound and incredible range. The former lead singer and songwriter (often cowriting with her brother, Eric Stefani) of the band, No Doubt was not only talented, but always carried herself with a very big, energetic stage presence, which really stood out for the ska punk style of the band. 10 Best Female Rockers of the '90s - Diffuser.fm
