10. Sharon Den Adele. Whether you want to “stand her ground” and not give in, it’s clearly not “our farewell”. With her beautiful angelic voice that collaborates with industrial synths almost perfectly, what is there not to love about Sharon Den Adele? When Den Adele sings, you know it is her singing. When she performs, it is simply unforgettable.
9. Grace Slick. When a woman sings powerful, she shows she is dominating. She sells a story, a story that is hidden in the lyrics. Lyrics are more than just words that have to be sung. Lyrics tell a story and Grace Slick is one of the best storytellers there is, especially when it comes to rock music. Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? One thing, you have to love Grace Slick. She not only pioneered women’s classic rock, but she sold her voice on a level that others will not begin to understand. Rock on forever!
8. Cristina Scabbia. Out of the many amazing rockers in the world today, Cristina Scabbia is one of the most original ones out there. Not only does Scabbia put her heart and soul into every performance, she puts the “o” in “original”. I remember when you heard her sing “Cold Heritage” and I thought how pretty her voice was. Then, I heard “Our Truth” and was completely in awe with her voice.
7. Simone Simmons. If you can imagine Enya’s voice on steroids, the result would be Simone Simmons. Her style is very angelic, very symphonic, very progressive, and she’s very rock. Although her voice is beautiful, it is also strong and is very haunting with the type of music she sings. Her voice possesses an aura of color that is distinctive yet polished at the same time and she is able to deliver her message into every performance. Although one may not consider her a rocker, she clearly is.
6. Alannah Myles. Her raspy, bluesy rock vocals have turned her into elite status, proving why she is an icon in her own right. Although she’s been dubbed as a one-hit-wonder of the early 90s, this rocker truly demonstrates why she is one of the best there is. “Black Velvet” isn’t the end for Myles, as she’s already proved why she is one of the greatest female rockers of all time.
5. Joan Jett. Whether you give a damn about her “Bad Reputation” or you are looking to set off her “Cherry Bomb” make no exception, Jett is the exception, making her one of the top 10 best female rockers of all time. Jett has set the bar in rock music, with her original package which includes her voice, her music, and her look. Although there is more than meets the ear, Jett has proved herself in the music world as more than just a beautiful woman who can pick up a guitar.
4. Tina Turner. She innovated the collaboration of rock and soul and used her charisma, personality, and killer dance moves to sell it. Turner set herself apart from others in the industry and took risks to stamp who she was as an artist and as a singer. If you don’t think she’s rock, perhaps you should listen to the tune “Nutbush City Limits” or her audacious rendition of the CCR classic “Proud Mary. Tina Turner clearly knows how to rock!
3. Janis Joplin. She has one of the most distinctive voices you will ever hear. Although it is not the most polished, her emotion was real and every performance was a real delivery of soul and emotion. Joplin didn’t sing the way she did nor did she perform the way she did because she had it easy. In fact, her life was anything but. With hit songs like “Take Another Piece Of My Heart” or “Me and Bobby McGee”, how can you not love Janis Joplin? She’s what real rock music is all about.
2. Floor Jansen. The voice, the delivery, the projection, the personality, the charisma, the look, and the artistry. These are only a few of the qualities that Jansen has mastered. Jansen is one of the few women in the world today that can sing various genres and pull them off effortlessly. Although she is a symphonic rock singer, she tends to let her guard down and take many risks. You don’t hear women sing like this everday. Jansen is clearly in a league of her own and there is no one on earth that sings like her.
And the #1, greatest female rock singer of all time is…
1. Ann Wilson. After hearing an array of talented ladies, I have to say that Ann Wilson clearly epitomizes what a real female rocker is. The personality, the charisma, the talent, the ability to make people believe you, the ability to grab others around you, that certain “it” that you don’t find right away. To be able to sing anything, but deliver it in a sense that it is more than just words and a melody. It wasn’t until I heard Ann perform “Unchained Melody” when I realized that I was sold. Ann Wilson is clearly the best female rocker of all time.
