Top 20 Greatest Female Guitarists of All Time

[@WatchMojo]

Check out our featured song: "Tranquility" by Sophie Burrell! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKfUp2V-mLFgaq8 Did we miss any of YOUR favorite rockers? Let us know in the comments!

[@theshaun6371]

Mommmmmm

[@jimmyjimenezramirez3792]

I Don't speak English, alguien que me lo traduzca?

[@RonSpina]

Awesome 🌷😊

[@ArkaeaFCL3]

Top 10 HIM songs. Please!!

[@loboblanco4426]

@@WithScienceAsMySheperd They got the great kat, much to my surprise!

[@sabasufyana]

Dare I say that Nancy Wilson is the reason that many millions of women picked up the guitar. Don't think anyone else on this list has the same kind of influence that she does. Not to mention her versatility and songwriting and singing ability. Only Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell are in the same league.

[@donaldwilson2620]

I'm glad you put Charo on this list. Many people know her for her comedy but a lot of people don't realize that she's also a very talented musician as well.

[@karenthomas1456]

I definitely didn't. And I happen to like Flamenco guitar too.

[@kristennicole811]

I had no idea! I was literally staring at the tv mouth wide open

[@silverthornstributes6945]

Also glad to see Charo on the list!

[@batgurrl]

Solid list but.. Nancy Wilson should have been #1 HUGE Omission- Chrissie Hynde - The Pretenders Great including Poison Ivy but where is Joan Jett? Thanks for including #19 The Donna’s kicked ass and modeled themselves after The Ramones

[@jeffjackson9679]

Does she even know how to play lead (where Lita Ford can)? I think Fischer and Lease played most all of the lead tracks for Heart. Not taking away her talent, but this list is based on guitar playing ability, not songwriting.

[@qmnnvrdyz8965]

@@jeffjackson9679 Yes, Nancy is an amazing guitar player. You maybe haven't seen any of her live work. Lita is amazing, too.

[@DTD110865]

I'm still upset that the list excluded Miki Berenyi.

[@danielshannon6027]

The late great Jan Kuehnemund of Vixen

[@ninamc6116]

Nancy Wilson is the best female guitarist. Her influence on women to become guitarists, her body of work says it all. Think about when she started. There were only a handful. She was like the female Jimmy Page. Rock on Nancy! She’s still a bad ass!

[@liveitloud65]

Not to disparage but Lita Ford better than Nancy? No way. Nancy is a legend!!!

[@lenfirewood4089]

There's the problem - Jimmy Page wasn't an analogue of a female guitarist - he built on many other male guitarists that went before him but also added his own innovations and creativity that makes his work so recognisable. A post feminist world needs more women to have the confidence to create from a feminine muse works that add to the repertoire rather than trying to emulate male style and expressions.

[@danielshannon6027]

Overrated... sorry.

[@DaddyOfTheSugarVariety]

I vote for Janice - Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem.

[@joshuafreedman7703]

❤️

[@milagrosrondon3756]

I love Joan jet and the black hearts😺♥️🇵🇪

[@WagonerVT]

Overated

[@midnight-2021]

Samantha Fish IMO is a better vocalist, guitarist and singer songwriter then Joan Jett and Lita Ford.

[@davefryer4530]

@@midnight-2021 Samantha Kicks Ass !

[@pjay5964]

Vicki Peterson of the BANGLES is also an awesome guitarist♥️

[@captainmacruff1893]

Love the Bangles ❤️❤️❤️😻

[@cactusplant2686]

Same goes for the lead guitarist for the GoGo's she can shred it with the best! 🎸🎶

[@petermiller4953]

Lzzy Hale is awesome! She has yet to disappoint!

[@WagonerVT]

Overated

[@slashthe2nd]

@@WagonerVT OveRatEd 🤣🤣

[@slashthe2nd]

Amen🤘

[@angiehuffman5428]

Would've been nice if they had included some of her actual playing like they did everyone else. Seen Halestorm live 3 times. Each time has been amazing

[@midnight-2021]

Lzzy Hale is a top notch vocalist but as a guitar player she is very average. When I think of a musician that is both a top notch vocalist and top notch guitar player I think of Samantha Fish.

[@MrSmooth273]

Charo is an underrated Guitarist.

[@WagonerVT]

Overated

[@duncan3998]

So is Juliana Hatfield Three

[@BrianRosenbergMusican]

Charo's skills are so high on guitar she should #1 easily

[@tomryan914]

"Oh, I say something naughty?"

[@devorahacts]

She studied with Segovia.

[@ThePartisan13]

Nancy Wilson is on a whole other level

[@joshuabrooks4907]

Tracy Chapman should have been featured here. Her acoustic, flamenco style playing on Fast Car is awesome.

[@tinacox]

Wendy Melvoin (from Prince & the Revolution) ABSOLUTELY should be on this list.

[@mjg8328]

YESS 💜

[@tomjacobs2032]

To many hair band scratchers on the list. W.M. Can play with the best of them.

[@LierenCavanaugh]

I don't agree, Ms. Mojo. Lita Ford is awesome, but she does not, by any stretch of the imagination, hold a candle to Nancy Wilson. She just doesn't have the range for it.

[@oceanasong4777]

Yes - thank you!

[@omfug7148]

Lita Ford sounds like every other mediocre metal player out there, Wilson is excellent however.

[@leonoranicolaysen2784]

I'm with you guys. Nancy Wilson is the ultimate.❤

[@streamsandgalaxies]

Joni Mitchel should have been on the main list, also missing H.E.R., Joan Armatrading, Kat Dyson & Liona Boyd!

[@grumpypandy8123]

Brittany Howard too

[@midnight-2021]

Samantha Fish

[@shawnuel]

@Ian Turner Susanna Hoffs is strictly a rhythm player. Vicki Peterson was the guitar fire behind the Bangles sound.

[@shadowleviathan]

Joni Mitchell as an honorable mention? What an insult! She should be in top 10 easy.

[@amramin2134]

Joni should be on every list

[@KevyNova]

I’d honestly put her at #1.

[@nodnarbleahcim5097]

Kanami Tōmo of Band Maid will make this list someday. Look up songs like “Blooming”, “YOLO”, “The Non-Fiction Days”, “Choose Me”, and “Real Existence”.

[@sage_redgrave91]

Fuckin' love Band Maid. Japan has excellent female bands such as Mary's Blood, Aldious, Disqualia, Lovebites to name a few. Definitely worth a look if ya haven't heard of em.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

@@sage_redgrave91 Agreed! Love all those bands and Bridear, Fate Gear and TRiDENT , but Band-Maid is still my first love!

[@mrz80]

Kanami should be on the list today. :D

[@shanewalton8888]

Watchmojo will never include an Asian

[@michaelbiscay9836]

Yes! Thank you! I scrolled down to make the same reference. I would also include Midori and Miyako from Lovebites. Japan is killing it right now.

[@AceOfClubsHUN]

Nita Strauss, what a woman, what a guitarist. I wasn't prepared for her when I went to that Alice Cooper concert. One of my best concert experiences ever.

[@antimatter2380]

She's such a badass with monster stage presents. The two times I saw Alice, I was more transfixed on her than the props. Well her and the drummer.

[@AceOfClubsHUN]

@@antimatter2380 "Anyway, who's that long haired dude with the corpse paint makeup singing next to Nita?" Jk, still, I feel you.

[@miyahsmommy7172]

Nancy Wilson is always going to be my number 1 on this list!!

[@BackwoodsFilms]

Very cool to see Poison Ivy making the list. She had a tone like no other. And that attitude... But yeah, I'd put Nancy at #1 over Lita. A few others who also deserve mention: Samantha Fish Wata (from Japanese doom band Boris) Suzi Gardner (L7) Gretchen Menn

[@venanciahopkins5035]

Also this Prince fan has something to say also as far as great female guitarists, Wendy Melvoin should be on this list too!

[@loboblanco4426]

I had actually forgotten a large number of these artists... Thank you for bringing them back to the foreground!

[@DeskOfKidAdorable]

Also Jackie Venson, Anna Calvi, Marnie Stern, Jenny Tuite, Courtney Barnett...

[@mirofarrakis]

Yes I was looking for Anna Calvi on this list

[@TimCarter]

A list that finally got it right. So many lists have Joan Jett at the top and Lita Ford at the bottom or not on at all. Good to see you guys giving Lita the respect she deserves.

[@zahira_rania]

Nancy wilson 👍

[@robnorrisradio]

I was so worried you would not include Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@brianmiller1077]

It's not necessarily Rock and Roll, but she ROCKS!

[@robnorrisradio]

@@brianmiller1077 on the contrary sir, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was one of the pioneers of rock and roll. Her unique combination of gospel and blues helped to form the sound of rock and roll in the 1950s. Between you, me, and the fence post, if I was a teenager in England in the 1960s and I heard that this show was coming up, I would make it a point to see it.

[@rachelthompson9324]

I can't believe you missed Anna Popovic, who is active now and has been playing out for over 15 years, she is international and plays every style but her blues knows no limits.

[@midnight-2021]

No Samantha Fish either? Both Anna and Samantha should have made this list and also didn't even get the honorable mention list as well.

[@katerinasimpson1100]

I cannot thank you enough for including Lzzy Hale, she’s my idol! And really kind and great with fans. An icon in the making.

[@k.k.marriott5901]

She was my 63 birthday gift from my daughter. Apocalyptic

[@MrWolfchamp-xi3cu]

This is a great video. I didn't know about most of these people. Glad they uploaded this.

[@WatchMojo]

You're welcome! Glad to hear it!

[@KHLthe2nd]

You forgot Nita Strauss was in "The Iron Maidens".

[@WagonerVT]

Overated

[@ratthawks]

@@WagonerVT no she's not!!

[@hurstguy73]

@@ratthawks Used to be I The Iron Maidens

[@ratthawks]

@@hurstguy73 oh dang, she was

[@Scottie_S]

@@ratthawks It's a troll or a bot, or a troll-bot. Don't respond to trolls. This one has cut and pasted the same thing over and over again.

[@magnolianame8818]

This is one of the best videos done by you guys in a while. The range on this list is just great. And so excited y'all included Ani Difranco

[@andrewsoul]

So glad Lzzy Hale is on here. Great list

[@slashthe2nd]

🤘

[@GoryionB]

Lzzy is a BEAST! And one of the few singers I've seen in person that sounds exactly the same live as recorded.

[@tjwash2]

I wasn’t expecting to see her name but Emmylou Harris is very gifted with several types of guitars. Like Dolly she can really extract the emotion in a song with her guitar. Lucinda Williams is quite good as well.

[@esands36]

YES! Lita Ford is #1. The metal queen.

[@andrewpappas9311]

I met Jennifer Batten a few years ago at a music camp that my college did and she was one of the guest musicians (that same week we also had Albert Lee and Victor Wooten), she’s such a nice person and had some really cool stories from when she toured with Michael Jackson and I also got a picture with her and she also signed my guitar strap (which I still have on one of my guitars). Aside from that I was also happy to see Joni Mitchell on the list (since I’m also Canadian) but I personally would’ve put Nancy Wilson from Heart at number one, she’s super underrated in my opinion and her playing (especially that intro to Crazy On You) is just insane

[@zahira_rania]

Nancy badas

[@ChiefGore429]

I thought heart would be first... good list regardless 👌

[@midnight-2021]

Poison Ivy is one of the must underrated musicians of all time. Glad she atleast made this list. But where is Samantha Fish?

[@shawnuel]

So glad you mentioned Janis Ian. She was/is SORELY under appreciated as a guitar player.

[@barbarabavier675]

Nope, got it wrong. Nancy Wilson should ABSOLUTELY be #1.

[@deplorablepatriot8605]

It's a tough call, Sister Rosetta Tharpe vs. Nancy Wilson; Nancy isn't about flash, style, shredding, or sex, she's completely serious about music, but she manages to remain feminine without the corset and leotard look of many... besides, how many other female lead guitarists wear dresses on stage? AND, if and when she retires--if she actually DOES retire--she will have earned a well-deserved #1 female guitarist ranking, to say nothing of already being in the top 5 of all guitarists, male OR female.

[@danielshannon6027]

She's too much of a show off.

[@hungerforhorror]

I'm so happy that you included Kuehnemund and Robertson. They are grossly overlooked. Lzzy Hale is also great.

[@positrondesign6514]

Honorable Mentions: Susan Tedeshi and Chrissy Hynde

[@Theuncontrolled]

This list is seriously pure gold.

[@djerabek1]

This video is approved by the Spanish Inquisition

[@daaavid6344]

I wasn't expecting that

[@freddiereagan6705]

Yeah

[@blackenedheart9592]

Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition!

[@rabbivj]

Where’s the comfy chair?

[@whenfatkillsfat803]

And it's here to stay!

[@rickytrottier5505]

So glad you included Poison Ivy ❤️

[@colinoakes4689]

Lzzy Hale!!!! Hale yeah!!!!!! A truly underrated rhythm goddess!!!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@arongamman9360]

Your male guitar player list was fairly typical, but this list really uncovered some people I'd never heard of or would never place on this kind of list. Congrats to everyone who composed it!

[@helheimx]

Kanami Tōno (Band Maid), Midori and Miyako (Lovebites) are we a joke to you.

[@zmcginnis66]

The impact Lita had was huge obviously (along with all other women here) but honestly I feel like Nancy Wilson was better overall

[@mccuish]

I've been listening to a lot of female Jrock groups and there are a lot of very good japanese female guitarist. 2 good examples are Lovebites and Bandmaid

[@WagonerVT]

Overated

[@PinD-PANIC]

BAND MAID is our favorite impossibly hard rocking maid band!!!

[@nevskislake]

Mike Igarashi from Show-Ya is highly underrated.

[@michaelhopfenmuller8692]

Great female guitar players! Still, I'm missing Wendy (The Revolution).

[@stealthcabbie1336]

Kanami Tono from Band-Maid. A great guitarist/songwriter.

[@isaacmartinez6904]

Bonnie Raitt, June Carter Cash and Dolly Parton are my favorites.

[@mkproductions2.0]

I did not even realize Dolly Parton knew how to play guitar. I used to listen to her often as a kid.

[@theresaiwright7085]

@@mkproductions2.0 she uses her fingernails to play the guitar instead of a pick.

[@tjwash2]

You’d probably like Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams’ guitar skills as well, they fall in this category.

[@ender26]

Molly Tuttle should be on this list. Maybe the best crosspicking and clawhammer player alive.

[@juliadixon8465]

I want Molly and Billy Strings to have a kid, and I hope to live to hear it

[@andrewwatts970]

Yet again Elizabeth Cotten gets forgotten in the history of guitar. That’s a crime.

[@ghettohoney1028]

Agreed. A whole style was named in her honor. She was self-taught and had a unique way of playing.

[@JohnJohnson-cn9fh]

nice one andrew.jpj

[@Peeinthesink]

Fuck I was hoping she was #1

[@ladybrown6206]

Yes fam you did it in honor of women's history month thank you watchmojo WOMEN can ROCK

[@kennethgeollegue8820]

Very informative, however there are a few gems from Japan as well, like from their all female bands, like Band-Maid.

[@SnakeEaterGaming]

HALESTORM 🤘🤘🤘 HELL YES!! Her voice is the best female rock voice I’ve ever heard

[@zahira_rania]

Ann wilson 👍🎤🎤

[@blueshadesable]

LOVED this list! Well-researched with lots of great surprise artists I’d never heard of. Great clips too. Moar of this!!

[@tooshay4me]

Nancy Wilson is the best, but that’s just because Heart stole my heart since I was in high school.

[@mjg8328]

What about Wendy Melvoin though? Prince's guitarist in the early 80's. He held her in very high regard until he passed.

[@ttc9able]

I got to witness an incredible solo number from Nita Strauss when I went with my dad to see Alice Cooper perform at the Queen Elizabeth theater in Vancouver when he won tickets from the Paranormal tour in 2018. She is definitely well deserved to be on this list.

[@acenashton7296]

Glad Jan made it on this list, she’s a personal hero to me. She may not be the most popular guitar player but her band’s music music really speaks to and for me. She and her rock sisters help me deal with depression and cleared my mind where I felt sane again. I find her solos to be unique and true talent.

[@Loy.Francis]

Same here. As a Vixen fan, I am happy to see Jan made the list.

[@abrahamesparza01]

Jane Weidlin or Vicki Peterson or Louise Post

[@MarcGaerlan]

Juliana Hatfield has an amazing body of work. Her rhythm guitar playing, her riffs, are varied and fantastic.

[@jedhawkins1769]

These artists are just as good and talented as their male counterparts.

[@WagonerVT]

Overated

[@davlor86]

so they beat Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani....? LOL

[@jedhawkins1769]

@@davlor86 No, I'm saying that they are equal.

[@Peeinthesink]

@@davlor86 I mean, at least they didn’t steal riffs from less known artists like Jimmy Page but whatever...

[@Mob-cv2xm]

@@Peeinthesink bruh my man has no idea how the blues works

[@melxoxo411]

St Vincent is so unique, a true artist

[@davidpeck3555]

I wish Kanami Tōno from Band Maid had made the list! Her ability is amazing! Maybe if you make a 2nd part you can include or if you do bassists MISA from Band Maid is a great choice

[@PinD-PANIC]

She is number one on my list ;) . Misa could definitely be considered one of the top bassists in the world, male or female.

[@andreaspedersen3952]

Yes, both her and M&M, Saki, Tomo-zo, Hal-ca, Lisa-X ++ could easily have done the list.

[@markhunter8554]

I was wondering if someone else would mention Mincho.

[@PoppaBoogaloo]

That was a fantastic list. I thoroughly enjoyed it and you’ve inspired me to start checking out the back catalogue of a lot of these artists. Well done guys.

[@daimonhampton]

As a person that grew up seeing the same people featured on greatest guitarist of all time list and wondering were the woman at it's nice this list exist.

[@polynesia8733]

Charo great master! Glad you included her but #10? She should be in top 5!

[@cmdonnie1445]

Woah... how many ovation guitars here!?! Nancy my pick for #1

[@gloriarogers5182]

Sister Rosetta Tharp OMG i never thought but i love it that is HISTORY right there.

[@jamesbedford3774]

Gabriela was a great pick. If you ever get the chance to see Rodrigo y Gabriela live, don't miss that chance. They'll blow your mind.

[@williamsummerson1204]

1. Nancy Wilson 2. Tharpe 3. Joan Jett 4. Bonnie Raitt 5. Morgan lander and dolly Parton

[@williamsummerson1204]

Forgot lita ford

[@snowdog5895]

Where is Kanami Tono????? Brilliant player and composer!! 🎶🎸🥁🎸🎶🔥🙂

[@PinD-PANIC]

The BEST!

[@stakesd]

Awesome and well researched WatchMojo!

[@tesszerme1480]

Lita and Nancy ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@RaiDezignz]

Great Vid...some awesome women out there! I do think you need to check out some of Melissa Etheridge's live performances though...pretty sure she deserves a rank among these women other than just an honorable mention....the woman rocks an acoustic!

[@PhilFeedback]

Great video, kudos to all the great female artists and guitarist!!!! 👍

[@bentvk2248]

This list could definitely use Jane Weidlin from the Go-Go's and Vicki Peterson from the Bangles

[@NerijusG]

#1 is Kelly Johnson.

[@amarettopunsch1496]

Yasss mah dude Lzzardo (Lzzy Hale) is here! ❤️❤️❤️ thanks for including her. She is definitely one of the kinds alongside Joe Hottinger that makes me wanna pick up a guitar! Apart from Lzzy, I would say Nita Strauss is a badass shredder

[@devorahacts]

Sharon Isbin is the most significant miss. Was delighted to see Charo and Bonnie Raitt among the others.

[@Danielhuff-ej3gh]

that's what I love about music, there's always something new and exciting to discover

[@janetrickwood2484]

Rosetta Tharpe should've been given a whole song. She was a true legend and trailblazer. I'd listen to her guitar playing any day. Masterful.

[@gnasty9178]

Rock guitarists*. These lists never fail to leave out jazz, alternative, most blues, funk, and any other genre.

[@ArtWave879]

Good list. I would propose, however, another list focused just on female guitarists in Japan because the talent pool over there is overflowing these days almost to the point of absurdity.

[@cius2112]

I mean i could name several off the top of my head that are better then most of the most of the women on this list.

[@PinD-PANIC]

Kanami Tono!

[@RebelliousEra]

Nancy Wilson is the greatest female guitarist of all-time and Anne Wilson is one of the greatest female vocalists of all-time.

[@sjw4life546]

Memphis Minnie is one of those "your favorite guitarists, favorite guitarist" that often gets overlooked.

[@TwiztedClown24]

I think that was Annie Clark, aka St Vincent. One of the more modern artists Annie Clark also known as St Vincent.

[@Tuscadero10]

The Clip of Heart performing "if looks could Kill" is not Heart, its a tribute band.

[@jennamarie2481]

Larkin Poe anyone? They need to be famous.

[@filipeluisfernandesgoncalv138]

someday myiako watanabe,midori tatematsu from lovebites and kanami tono from band maid will be on a similar list like this one not forgetting captain mina taicho from fate gear !

[@janetrickwood2484]

Crumbs! Now you've added Bonnie Raite! What a great player!

[@jasonmartin5154]

Nancy Wilson#1 no questions! Learn to play guitar before you comment

[@NachoTimelord]

Aww yes! Love seeing some different entries on theses lists...Lzzy Hale often gets overlooked!

[@Miblive]

Nancy Wilson should´ve been number one.

[@oceanasong4777]

Yes - that is exactly what I said!

[@nrikon]

Absolutely agree...

[@WagonerVT]

Overated

[@ThePartisan13]

This is accurate

[@ReVoltAgefilms]

Joan Armatrading? Seriously, not only a great guitarist, but an incredible lyricist and singer.

[@joermnyc]

It’s telling that in looking for someone to play Eddie Van Halen’s solo in Beat It, MJ couldn’t find a man alive to do it, but he found not one, but two women who could! 🤘

[@mlggamer5296]

I didn't know he originally did the solo? I'm used to hearing both of them do it. And here I thought I didn't quite know of him.

[@eh-ronlocke7164]

I imagine there's a fair amount of people who can play the Beat It solo.

[@joermnyc]

@@mlggamer5296 he had to do it without credit at first due to issues with his record label.

[@joermnyc]

@@eh-ronlocke7164 I'm thinking of the weird al video for "Eat It" where the guitar player finishes the solo and then spontaneously combusts like a drummer for Spinal Tap.

[@mlggamer5296]

@@joermnyc I see

[@sticki3000]

I really miss two of the best guitarists on this planet: Tina Šetkić (Tina S.) and Tory Slusher.