Top 20 Female Rock Singers Of The 1970s

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Our Top 20 Female Rock Singers of the 1970s article presents a list of twenty iconic female singers who have left their mark on classic rock history in numerous ways. This list showcases female singers, not necessarily those with the widest range or most operatic voices. It’s a list of female singers who combined an array of talents as both vocalists and musical artists. The big word here in front of the phrase “female singer” is rock. There were so many fantastic female pop singers, female soul singers, and female jazz singers that defined the music of the 70s that we wish we could have put on this list, but we really tried staying closer to the rock element.
Of course, there are a few singers on this list who crossed many genres between rock, soul, pop, and jazz. So it’s not an exact science; it’s instead a subjective writing. Hundreds of great female singers emerged in the 1970s. So it’s not easy putting together a list like this. However, we think these ten are definitely very special musical artists that we just wanted to showcase a little bit more, especially for younger people who may not know that much about these particular female singers and artists. If you notice, we’ve referenced the words “singer” and “artist” together almost exclusively here because that’s what they all were, musical artists. They go hand in hand.
These female singers were not just chosen for their voices, although that did play a significant role; they were also selected for their artistry and their impact. The order is somewhat loose, so please don’t take offense if someone is rated 15 points ahead of someone who’s rated 18, or vice versa. It’s just a list of 20 outstanding female singers and artists

# 20 – Ellen Foley

Ellen Foley built a remarkable and wide ranging career that began in St Louis, Missouri and first came into the national spotlight through her duet vocal on “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” from the 1977 album Bat Out of Hell. She released five solo studio albums that included Night Out in 1979, The Spirit of St Louis in 1981, and Another Breath in 1983, with Night Out reaching number 2 in the Netherlands and number 152 in the United States.
Her most recognized singles include “What’s a Matter Baby” and “We Belong to the Night”, the latter reaching number 1 in the Netherlands. Foley also built an acting career on stage and on television, appearing on Broadway and starring as Billie Young during the second season of the series Night Court. She recorded with artists such as The Clash and later worked with Jim Steinman on the Pandora’s Box project, and in the mid 2000s she taught voice at the School of Rock in Manhattan.
Read More: Top 10 Ellen Foley Songs

# 19 – Patti Smith

Patti Smith’s roots trace back to Chicago and Deptford Township, New Jersey where she first immersed herself in poetry and art before turning to music and arriving in New York City in the early 1970s. Her debut album Horses, released in 1975, emerged as a landmark in rock by merging punk energy with poetic urgency and produced the enduring anthem “Because the Night,” which she co-wrote with Bruce Springsteen and which reached number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100 and number five in the UK.
Over her long career she has released over eleven studio albums, has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, and has received numerous honors including the French Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2005 and the Polar Music Prize in 2011. Her influence goes beyond music into poetry, visual art, photography, and activism, making her beloved not only as a musician but as a creative force whose work challenged conventions and inspired generations.
Read More: Top 10 Essential Patti Smith Songs

# 18 – Debbie Harry

Debbie Harry grew up in Miami and was adopted as an infant before being raised in New Jersey where she started singing in folk-rock groups and working odd jobs in New York City. She co-formed Blondie in 1974 and the band’s 1978 album Parallel Lines produced global hits like “Heart of Glass,” while their 1980 release Autoamerican featured “The Tide Is High” and “Rapture,” the latter recognized as the first rap song to reach number one in the U.S.
As a solo artist she released albums including KooKoo in 1981 and Rockbird in 1986, and with Blondie she has appeared on eleven studio records, among them Pollinator in 2017. Her honors include induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and placement among Rolling Stone’s “200 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Beyond music she has acted in films such as Videodrome and Hairspray, and has used her platform to advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and support LGBTQ communities while maintaining a distinctive voice and style that continue to influence new generations.
Read More: Top 10 Blondie Songs

# 17 – Suzi Quatro

Suzi Quatro grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and began her musical journey as a teenager performing in the all-girl band The Pleasure Seekers with her sisters. Her breakthrough came after being discovered by record producer Mickie Most, who brought her to England in 1971, where she signed with Rak Records and launched her solo career. Quatro’s self-titled debut album in 1973 produced her international hits “Can the Can” and “48 Crash,” both reaching number one in several countries and establishing her as one of the first women to achieve major success as a rock bassist and frontwoman.
Over her career, she has released eighteen studio albums and achieved global record sales exceeding fifty million. Her influence extended beyond music when she appeared as Leather Tuscadero on the television show Happy Days, which introduced her to an even wider audience. Quatro has received numerous honors including induction into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame and the Women’s International Music Network’s She Rocks Icon Award. Her continued performances, writing, and broadcasting work highlight a lifetime dedicated to breaking barriers for women in rock and roll.
Read More: Suzi Quatro: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

# 16 – Sonja Kristina

Sonja Kristina hails from Brentwood, Essex and first made her mark at age thirteen performing at the Swan Folk Club in Romford before moving into theatrical and rock work. She starred in the original London production of the musical Hair, singing the song “Frank Mills”, and in 1970 joined the progressive rock band Curved Air as lead vocalist, becoming their constant member through nine studio albums released between 1970 and 1990. Kristina earned the Sounds magazine Top Female Vocalist award in 1971 and the Guiding Light Award at the Progressive Music Awards in 2014.
Beyond her work with Curved Air, she pursued a solo career that included the acclaimed Songs from the Acid Folk album in 1991 and later collaborated in the multimedia duo MASK. In addition to music she has worked as a vocal coach guiding students in rock, jazz and musical theatre at Middlesex University from 1991 to 1999, cementing her legacy as a creator and mentor in the world of progressive rock.
Read More: 11 Essential Curved Air Songs

# 15 – Joan Jett (with The Runaways)

Joan Jett stepped into rock history with a fierce sense of purpose, forging her identity from Wynnewood, Pennsylvania and quickly becoming a torchbearer for women in garage and punk rock. As a founding member of The Runaways she helped lay the groundwork with four albums from 1975 to 1979 before striking out on her own. With her band Joan Jett & the Blackhearts she released seminal albums such as I Love Rock ’n Roll which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and whose title track reigned at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks, earning a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Her solo catalogue spans over a dozen studio albums including Album (1983) and Up Your Alley (1988) with hits like “I Hate Myself for Loving You” reaching the Top 10. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, Jett has also been featured on Rolling Stone’s list of greatest guitarists, and her influence extends beyond music into film, fashion, and activism where she champions animal rights and military outreach. Her unwavering grit and unapologetic attitude have made Joan Jett an enduring icon of rebellion and empowerment in rock
Read More: 10 Most Rocking Joan Jett Songs

# 14 – Ronnie Spector

Ronnie Spector rose from East Harlem in New York City to become the powerhouse lead voice of the legendary girl group The Ronettes, joining her sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley in the late 1950s. They signed to Philles Records in 1963 and scored massive hits such as “Be My Baby,” “Baby I Love You,” and “Walking in the Rain,” defining a sound and era. Following a difficult personal chapter, Spector relaunched her solo career in 1980 with the album Siren and later gained renewed mainstream attention via her contribution to Eddie Money’s “Take Me Home Tonight,” which reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Her solo albums include Unfinished Business (1987) and English Heart (2016), and she authored her memoir Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, she remains celebrated for her bold voice, trail-blazing presence, and enduring influence on pop and rock music.
Read More: Top 10 Ronnie Spector Songs

# 13 – Carole King

Carole King was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and began her career writing songs for other artists with her then-husband Gerry Goffin; together, they wrote classics such as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” She released twenty-five solo albums, with her landmark Tapestry in 1971 topping the U.S. album chart for fifteen weeks and becoming one of the most influential albums in the history of popular music.
King has written or co-written one hundred eighteen songs that made the Billboard Hot 100 and sixty-one that charted in the United Kingdom, making her the most successful female songwriter in UK singles history between 1962 and 2005. Her awards include four Grammys, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once as a performer and once as a songwriter. In 2013, she became the first woman to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
Read More: Top 10 Carole King Songs

# 12 – Cher

Cher’s career began in Los Angeles, where she rose to fame as part of Sonny & Cher with the 1965 hit “I Got You Babe.” She went on to release more than twenty studio albums as a solo artist and sold over one hundred million records worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling musicians in history. Her biggest solo hit singles include “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves,” “Half-Breed,” “Dark Lady,” and the landmark “Believe,” which made her the only solo artist to have achieved number-one singles on the US Billboard charts in seven consecutive decades. Her accolades span a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy, three Golden Globes, and Kennedy Center Honors; she is the only performer to have won an Academy Award for acting and entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Outside of music she starred in television and film, launched fashion trends, and became a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness, forging a legacy of artistic reinvention and cultural influence.
Read More: Top 10 Cher Songs Of All Time

# 11 – Carly Simon

Carly Simon came out of New York City with a voice and songwriting style that would help define the sound of the 1970s. Before becoming one of the decade’s most celebrated solo artists, she began her career performing with her sister Lucy as part of the Simon Sisters, a folk duo that released three albums in the 1960s. Carly Simon’s solo career took off in 1971 with the release of her self-titled debut album, which featured the hit single “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be.” Her second album, Anticipation, followed later that same year, further establishing her as a powerful voice in contemporary music.
In 1972, she released No Secrets, which included the iconic single “You’re So Vain,” a song that became a cultural phenomenon and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Throughout her career, Simon has released twenty-three studio albums, including Hotcakes, Playing Possum, Boys in the Trees, and Coming Around Again, all of which produced memorable hits. She won multiple Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Let the River Run” from the film Working Girl. Beyond her recording success, Simon has also written children’s books and memoirs, including Boys in the Trees, which offered an intimate look into her life and career.
Read More: Top 10 Carly Simon Songs

# 10 – Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell rose from Fort MacLeod, Alberta and forged a career that spanned decades of innovation in music and art. She began performing in Canadian folk clubs before moving to the U.S. and releasing her debut album Song to a Seagull in 1968. Over the years she issued seventeen studio albums including landmark records such as Blue, Court and Spark, and Hejira. Her biggest singles include “Big Yellow Taxi”, “Help Me”, and “Free Man in Paris”. Mitchell’s awards tally includes eleven Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, the Polar Music Prize and the Gershwin Prize, among many others.
Read More: Top 10 Joni Mitchell Songs

# 9 -Pat Benatar

Pat Benatar grew up in Brooklyn and Lindenhurst, New York, and launched her music career after moving from bank teller to frontwoman of a club band in Richmond, Virginia. Her debut album In the Heat of the Night (1979) introduced major hits like “Heartbreaker” and “We Live for Love,” and she followed that with Crimes of Passion (1980) which featured “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and “Treat Me Right.” Over her career she has released eleven studio albums, achieved five platinum albums and two multi-platinum albums in the United States, sold over 36 million albums worldwide, earned four Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. She is beloved for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice, fierce rock presence, and ability to blur hard rock and pop with emotional resonance.
Read More: 10 Most Rocking Pat Benatar Songs

# 8 – Kate Bush

Kate Bush grew up in Bexleyheath, Kent, England, and started writing songs at age eleven before being signed to EMI after David Gilmour of Pink Floyd helped fund her demo tape. Her debut album The Kick Inside (1978) featured the UK-number-one single “Wuthering Heights” which made her the first British woman to top the UK Singles Chart with a self-written song. She has released ten studio albums to date, including landmark works like Hounds of Love (1985) and Aerial (2005). Bush’s major hits include “Running Up That Hill”, “Babooshka”, and “Don’t Give Up” (a duet with Peter Gabriel).

Her accolades include a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, and notable wins such as the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. Outside of music she has pursued painting, authored a book of lyrics, and engineered her own artistic resurgence—her 2022 resurgence on streaming charts after “Running Up That Hill” featured in the Netflix series Stranger Things solidified her intergenerational appeal.

Read More: Top 10 Kate Bush Songs

# 7 – Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks rose from Phoenix, Arizona, into a voice and presence that would reshape rock music. She began her journey performing in folk bands before forming the duo Buckingham Nicks and then joining the band Fleetwood Mac in 1975. With that group she became a defining figure and contributed to the album Rumours, one of the best-selling records ever. As a solo artist she launched her debut album Bella Donna in 1981, which topped the Billboard 200 and introduced hits like “Edge of Seventeen.”
Over her career, she has released eight solo studio albums and sold tens of millions of records; she also helped Fleetwood Mac move over 120 million records worldwide. Stevie has earned numerous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—first with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019. Beyond her music she has influenced fashion with her mystical bohemian style, used her platform for philanthropy and animal rights, and remained a powerful symbol of creative authenticity in rock.
Read More: Top 10 Stevie Nicks Solo Songs

# 6 – Tina Turner

Tina Turner was born in Brownsville, Tennessee and rose to become one of the most powerful performers in the history of rock music. She began her career singing in church and later joined Ike Turner’s band, where her commanding voice and stage presence turned the Ike and Tina Turner Revue into a major act during the 1960s and early 1970s. After leaving Ike Turner, she rebuilt her career and achieved monumental success with her 1984 album Private Dancer, which included the number one hit “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”

Over her lifetime, Tina Turner released ten solo studio albums and sold more than one hundred million records across the world. She earned twelve Grammy Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award and became the first female artist to have UK Top 40 singles in seven consecutive decades. Beyond her music, she appeared in films such as Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, wrote her autobiography I, Tina, and became a symbol of strength and resilience for generations of fans.

Read More: Top 10 Tina Turner Songs

# 5 – Grace Slick

Grace Slick was born in Evanston, Illinois and rose to prominence in the heart of the 1960s San Francisco rock scene as the commanding voice of Jefferson Airplane, later finding success with Jefferson Starship and Starship. Her rise began when she joined Jefferson Airplane in 1966 as vocalist and brought with her the songs “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit,” both of which became top-ten hits and established her as a pioneering figure in psychedelic rock. Her solo ventures released four studio albums and she remained active in music until her retirement in 1990. Slick was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 as a member of Jefferson Airplane, and her voice and persona remain influential in rock history.
Read More: Top 10 Jefferson Starship Songs

# 4 – Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin hailed from Memphis, Tennessee, raised in Detroit, and began her singing career performing gospel at her father’s church and recording her first commercial albums in the early 1960s. She released over 45 studio albums throughout a career that spanned more than five decades and delivered towering hits like “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “Chain of Fools.” Among her many accolades she earned eighteen Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Her voice carried the power of gospel, the soul of R&B, and the spirit of rock, earning her the title Queen of Soul and making her an enduring icon in music.
Read More: 10 Essential Aretha Franklin Songs

# 3 – Annie Haslam

Annie Haslam began her path in Bolton, Lancashire and became the unmistakable voice of the progressive rock band Renaissance after joining the group in 1971. Her extraordinary five octave range shaped the band’s signature sound throughout the 1970s, a period that produced a remarkable run of albums and the hit single “Northern Lights,” which reached the top ten in the United Kingdom. Beyond her years with Renaissance, Haslam built a respected solo career beginning with her 1977 debut album Annie in Wonderland and continued to record and perform internationally. In addition to her music, she developed a second creative career as a painter, producing vibrant works that have been displayed around the world. Her contributions to both music and art have made her one of the most distinctive and enduring artists of her generation.
Read More: Annie Haslam & Jim McCarty: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

# 2 – Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt grew up in Tucson, Arizona and began her music career in the mid 1960s performing with the Stone Poneys before launching her solo career in 1969 with the album Hand Sown… Home Grown. Her rise to stardom accelerated through the 1970s with a series of platinum albums including Heart Like a Wheel, Simple Dreams, and Living in the USA, all of which produced major hits such as “You’re No Good,” “When Will I Be Loved,” and “Blue Bayou.” Over her career, Ronstadt released more than twenty studio albums and achieved chart success across multiple genres including rock, country, pop, Latin, and jazz.
She won eleven Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, and an Emmy Award for her television special Canciones de Mi Padre. Beyond her musical achievements, Ronstadt also made significant contributions to Broadway and film, and she has been an outspoken advocate for cultural preservation and human rights. Her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 recognized a career that redefined the boundaries of American popular music.
Read More: 10 Most Rocking Linda Ronstadt Songs

# 1 – Ann Wilson

Power and emotion defined every note Ann Wilson ever sang. From the moment she stepped to the microphone as the frontwoman for Heart, her voice became one of the most commanding sounds in rock music. Alongside her sister Nancy, she led the band through an extraordinary run of hit albums such as Dreamboat Annie, Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly, and Heart, producing classics like “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “These Dreams,” and “Alone.” Across more than fifteen studio albums, Wilson helped Heart sell over thirty-five million records around the world. Her solo work, including the albums Hope & Glory and Fierce Bliss, proved her talent extends well beyond the band. In addition to her music, she has dedicated time to supporting environmental causes and women’s rights. Her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 honored a lifetime of fearless artistry and enduring influence.

Read More: 20 Most Classic Heart Songs

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