Best Female Voices in Rock History... Who Do You Nominate?

[Ky Fried Redleg]

Who do you think is the best female rock voice of all time? If there was a Mt Rushmore of female rock voices(and don't you think there ought to be), who would you nominate to be there? When I think of a female rock voices(Karen Carpenter has the best pure voice ever but she isn't a rocker) that just takes it to another plane of existence it's this gal. OMG , I think she nailed a F-Sharp at going on 70 years old. No one can't belt out those notes like Ann.

Who gets your nomination for the consummate rock voice?




She shakes me to the core... in a good way!

[SunDeck]

Yeah, Anne Wilson is the first name that came to mind. Plus Nancy and the rest of the band by her side didn't hurt. I think Barracuda is one of the greatest rock songs of the 70s, due to her singing.

She's past her prime here, but I still love this because she sang the song without trying to go over the top. And seeing Jimi Page so obviously appreciating the arrangement Yo Yo Ma getting into it and Robert Plant wiping away years always chokes me up.

https://youtu.be/8e2fJfiddx4?feature=shared

[Roy Tucker]

I’d go with Anne Wilson too.

Others are Pat Benatar, Chrissie Hynde, Annie Lennox, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner, Grace Slick….

[redsfandan]

. . . Janis Joplin, Debbie Harry, Patti Smith, . . .

[ShyGuy]

Best female voice to me I grew up with was Christina Aguilera.

But she might be considered more pop-ish vs rock?

[NYMoose]

Anne Wilson definitely, I'd throw Carole Pope of Rough Trade in the conversation too.

[Dom Heffner]

Pat Benatar, though Ann doesnt get an argument from me.

[M2]

I feel like "rock" perhaps narrows the field a little too much. For instance, does Tina Turner count? During her Ike & Tina days she was sorta, kinda a rock 'n' roll singer, and she was a force of nature. Did Linda Ronstadt count back in the day? Because she's got pipes for days.

One who probably counts is Sheryl Crow, at least for her for decade or so. She can send a song. When she unleashes on a song, that's some impressive stuff.

Mind you, I like a distinctive voice more than just a ferociously gymnastic voice. So I'm a fan of the Kims - Deal and Gordon. Both are working the raspy side of the street. Deal can do some really lovely lilting melodies and hit these tender moments where her voice is breaking right before she explodes into a chorus. Her little touches when she was in the Pixies was that band's superpower, which is still driving Black Francis crazy. And Gordon is the epitome of cool. Any song where she's got the vocal instantly becomes a glimpse into what the coolest person you ever met is up to.

Yet I'm going more modern. I can listen to Sabrina Eliis of A Giant Dog pretty much endlessly. She goes all over the place. Rasps, wails, screeches, hits pure notes, throws in runs. She's put everything into the mixer.

[Chip R]

Linda Ronstadt

[SunDeck]

I feel like "rock" perhaps narrows the field a little too much. For instance, does Tina Turner count? During her Ike & Tina days she was sorta, kinda a rock 'n' roll singer, and she was a force of nature. Did Linda Ronstadt count back in the day? Because she's got pipes for days.

Good question, I thought about Tina Turner then thought she might be too R&B, but she straddled genres. And if we're going to consider R&B, then Aretha just walks away with the thread. Talk about pipes..

[LiferJim]

I’ll place a second nomination for Sheryl Crow. Saw her two years ago at The Rose in Huber Heights and she rocked!

If we’re adding other genres, I’ll add Etta James to the list. (I’d rather go blind)


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[moewan]

Suzaka Nakamoto, or Su Metal, if you will of BabyMetal has a voice that was sent from heaven, she makes me cry tears of joy when she sings. Give "the One" a listen.

Also Saiki Atsumi of Band-Maid is pretty awesome.

But Ann Wilson is a solid choice, saw Heart this past summer and she can still bring it, wish her the best in her cancer fight

[herbdizzle]

Two female voices surprised not to be mentioned yet:

Amy Lee from Evanescence

Dolores O'Riordan from The Cranberries

[M2]

Suzaka Nakamoto, or Su Metal, if you will of BabyMetal has a voice that was sent from heaven, she makes me cry tears of joy when she sings. Give "the One" a listen.

Also Saiki Atsumi of Band-Maid is pretty awesome.

Ooh, EXCELLENT choices.

[M2]

When she goes toward the rock side, Brandi Carlile is spectacular.