Rock N’ Roll wouldn’t be the same without a woman’s touch, so for International Women’s Day, here are 20 influential women that greatly contributed, changed or challenged the rock music scene.

 

 

1) Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Considered to be ‘The Godmother of Punk’ Joan Jett is more than just a musician.  As a songwriter, activist, and entrepreneur, Jett has been an inspiration to all who love rock n’ roll, especially to aspiring little rocker girls.

 

 

2) The Runaways

You can’t have Joan Jett on this list without The Runaways. A punk rock band made up entirely of women, which had an all-star lineup. Along with Joan Jett, there was Lita Ford and Cherie Currie beside her. The Runaways kicked down the door for future women in punk rock.

 

 

3) Aretha Franklin

An illustrious career spanning decades, genres and generations, Franklin is the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

 

 

4) The Wilson sisters (Heart)

With Ann on lead vocals and Nancy on guitar, these formidable sisters formed the band Heart in 1970. Their style was often referred to as “The Female Led Zeppelin.”

 

 

5) Lita Ford

You can’t have the Runaways on this list without also adding Lita Ford. Like Joan Jett, Ford forged ahead with a solo career after The Runaways disbanded, and even received Guitar Player Magazine’s Certified Guitar Legend Award.

 

 

6) Alanis Morissette

Canadian proud and the first Canadian female artist to have a #1 album in the US. She has won 7 Grammys and has been nominated twice as much.

 

 

7) Tina Turner

Tina Turner earned her nickname the “Queen of Rock and Roll” with her energetic live performances and long, successful career. She crossed music genres and sang from the heart always. Turner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 with her husband Ike Turner, but has been nominated again in 2021 for her solo career.

 

 

8) Janis Joplin

Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, Joplin’s short, yet incredibly successful career is a testament to the possibilities of what she might have accomplished had she lived past 27. An icon of her time with unique vocals relatable songs, and emotional stage performances.

 

 

9 ) Pat Benatar

A polished force of nature with a monstrous voice, Benatar could belt out rock numbers and ballads and nail it every single time. She won at the Grammys for best female rock vocalist four years in a row in the 80’s.

 

 

10) Meg White (The White Stripes)

Drummer and co-founder of The White Stripes, Meg White proved that you don’t need a lot of bells and whistles to make great music. Especially when it’s somewhat rare for there to be a female drummer in a rock band. Meg White is one of those musicians that proved with just a drum kit, (and a guitar) memorable music can be made.

 

 

11) Gwen Stefani (No Doubt)

Gwen Stefani wasn’t supposed to be the voice of No Doubt, but she stepped up to the plate after tragedy hit the band. Gwen at first was singing harmonies with John Spence as the main vocalist. But when Spence committed suicide a year later, Gwen became the sole vocalist and changed the trajectory of No Doubt entirely.

 

 

12) Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries)

An Irish band that found international fame thanks to spectacular writing and the unique vocal style of their lead singer, Dolores O’Riordan. After she suddenly died in 2018, Noel Hogan stated: “the Cranberries was the four of us. We don’t want to do this without Dolores. So we’re going to leave it after this.” and disbanded.

 

 

13) Debbie Harry (Blondie)

A band named after how Debbie Harry would get cat-called by truckers, Debbie wasn’t afraid to embrace the wild side of life. Dying her hair, hitch-hiking, and establishing a musical sound that ultimately would define an era thanks to her band. She also is considered to be a style icon.

 

15) Patti Smith

With her own brand of punk rock, there’s no way you could put Patti Smith in a single box. She’s one of the best rock acts to come out of the 70s.

 

 

16) Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders)

She does it all! Hynde was a founding member of The Pretenders, as well as the guitarist, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter of the band. She also was its only constant member, so it’s pretty safe to say she carried them all the way to The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2005.

 

 

17) Stevie Nicks

The first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and once as a solo artist in 2019. Her unique voice captured your attention then, and it still does now.

 

 

18)  Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane)

Grace Slick became the poster child for female-led bands back in the day while helming Jefferson Airplane in the 60’s. She helped pave the way for future female generations in music.

 

19) 4 Non Blondes

Their first and only album, “Bigger, Better, Faster, More!” spent 59 weeks on the Billboard 200 and sold 1.5 million copies between 1992 and 1994.

 

 

20) Joni Mitchell

If the Rolling Stone dubs you as “one of the greatest songwriters ever”, then it must be true. Joni’s music inspired not just her fans but also her fellow rockers, leaning towards folk, pop, rock, and jazz. An artist in every sense of the word.

 

 

Thanks to all of these incredible women of rock, and more, who have helped to shape the music we love in some way.

 

Filed under: International Women's Day, women-of-rock