Make way for women in the music industry!
Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Hendrix... These guitarists placed in the pantheon of the Rock are fighting for the place of number 1 within the innumerable classifications dedicated to the string players. Today, we celebrate the women who have made their mark in a field historically dominated by men. This list highlights the exceptional talents and significant contributions of these female guitarists to the history of music. Despite the obstacles and prejudices they have faced, these women have proven that talent, passion and determination have no gender. They have defied gender stereotypes and inspired a generation of girls and women to pursue their dreams, no matter what profession they choose. From Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Poison Ivy, we've brought together guitarists from every musical genre and era, all united by their talent and passion for the guitar. We hope that this ranking will inspire you and make you discover new female talents in the music world. This non-exhaustive list is obviously not a ranking.
10. Jennifer Batten
Jennifer Batten is an incredibly talented guitarist who has made many contributions to the music world. As Michael Jackson's touring guitarist, she not only impressed MJ's fans with her energetic solos, but she also helped break down gender barriers and give visibility to women in the music industry. Her mastery of the tapping technique has been a great influence for generations of guitarists to come. It is also interesting to note that Jennifer Batten continued to work with other great musicians after her collaboration with Michael Jackson, including Jeff Beck, and contributed to many musical projects as a solo guitarist. Her contribution to music is invaluable and has paved the way for a new generation of guitarists, both male and female.
9. Susan Tedeschi
Susan Tedeschi is an American singer and guitarist who has gained international recognition for her blues and rock guitar playing. She has had the honor of sharing the stage with music legends such as B.B. King, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, and has impressed audiences with her energetic vocal performances and guitar solos.
Tedeschi is also a blues expert, and has twice been awarded "Best Blues Artist of the Year" at the Blues Music Awards. In 1993, she formed her own band, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, with her husband, guitarist Derek Trucks. The band has released several critically acclaimed albums and won a Grammy Award in 2012 for their album "Revelator." Susan Tedeschi is an accomplished musician who has expanded the boundaries of blues and rock music with her unique style and passion for music. She has been an influence to many musicians, especially female guitarists who have followed in her footsteps in the music industry.
8. Wendy Melvoin
Wendy Melvoin is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter who began her musical career as a member of Prince's band The Revolution. She joined the band at the age of 19 as a substitute for its guitarist, and quickly gained widespread recognition for her exceptional guitar skills. After The Revolution disbanded in 1986, Wendy Melvoin formed the band Wendy & Lisa with keyboardist Lisa Coleman. Together they released five critically acclaimed albums, including "Fruit at the Bottom" (1989) and "Eroica" (1990). The duo also composed the music for the television series "Heroes" (2006-2010), for which they won an Emmy Award in 2010.
In addition to her career with Wendy & Lisa, Wendy Melvoin has worked with many other artists, including Madonna, where she helped write and produce the album "Like a Prayer" (1989), and Mac Miller, where she played guitar on the album "Circles" (2020), released after Miller's death. Wendy Melvoin is considered one of the most talented guitarists of her generation, having contributed to the evolution of rock, funk and pop music during her career. She has influenced many musicians with her unique playing style and her ability to incorporate elements of different musical genres into her music.
7. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a multi-talented artist who excelled at singing, playing guitar, songwriting and performing in public. Her music fused elements of gospel, blues and jazz, creating a unique style that influenced many rock and roll artists. She was one of the first successful black artists in the American music industry, recording hits as early as the 1930s. She notably played with renowned musicians such as Cab Calloway and Benny Goodman. In addition to her impact on music, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was also an important figure in the struggle for civil rights, and her commitment inspired many African-American artists.
6. Bibi McGill
Bibi McGill is an American guitarist and songwriter, known for her performances with artists such as Pink and Beyoncé. She began playing guitar at the age of 12 and studied music in college before embarking on a professional career in music. In addition to her work with famous artists, Bibi has also released solo albums and founded her own music production company. She is also an advocate for wellness and mental health and founded a non-profit organization to help youth through music.
5. Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy, whose real name is Kristy Marlana Wallace, is an American guitarist known for her role in creating the psychobilly music genre in the 1980s. She is best known for being the guitarist and co-founder, with her husband Lux Interior, of the rockabilly punk band The Cramps. In addition to her mastery of the guitar, she also wrote, arranged and composed many songs for the band. Her unique and innovative style, blending rockabilly, punk and psychedelic music, has inspired many musicians and helped shape the sound of alternative rock. She is also known for her use of the Gretsch guitar, which has become her trademark. Poison Ivy is one of the few female guitarists of the time to have had great success in the rock world and thus inspired many female musicians.
4. Gabriela Quintero
Gabriela Quintero is a Mexican guitarist and composer, born in 1973 in Mexico City. She started playing guitar at the age of 15, influenced by artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. She later formed the acoustic duo Rodrigo y Gabriela with Rodrigo Sánchez in 1999, and the two of them started playing in the streets of Dublin, Ireland. They quickly became known for their unique blend of Latin music, flamenco and rock, and became famous for their original musical style and guitar virtuosity. Their first album, entitled "Foc", was released in 2002 and was a big hit in Ireland. Since then, the duo has released several other albums, won several awards and performed on many stages around the world. Gabriela Quintero is known for her rhythmic and percussive style, as well as her two-handed playing technique. She is also known for her custom acoustic guitar, a Yamaha Silent Guitar modified with a piezoelectric and condenser pickup.
3. Tatyana Ryzhkova
We are talking about a new generation of guitarists. Tatyana Ryzhkova is very popular on YouTube, with over 184,000 subscribers. Although she is best known for her online performances, she is also an established concert artist, playing regularly around the world. Tatyana's performances are highly regarded for their sensitivity and freshness, as well as her impeccable technique. She was most notably noted for her revival of Fantasia La Traviata, where she was able to convey passion and joy through her performance. In addition to her performances, Tatyana also shares tips for classical guitarists looking to improve their technique and musicality. In an often male-dominated field, Tatyana Ryzhkova is an inspirational figure for female classical guitarists looking to make their mark in the music industry.
2. Lita Ford
Lita Ford is an American musician and singer born on September 19, 1958 in London, England. She is best known for her major contribution as a guitarist in the all-female punk rock band The Runaways. She began playing guitar at the age of 11 and quickly developed her skills to play riffs from bands such as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. In addition to her work with The Runaways, Lita Ford embarked on a successful solo career in the 1980s. She released several albums that were well received by critics and fans, such as "Lita" in 1988 and "Dangerous Curves" in 1991. Her musical style moved away from punk rock and more towards heavy metal and hard rock.
A key moment in Lita Ford's career was her collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne on the song "Close My Eyes Forever", which became an international hit. The song was released on the 1988 album "Lita" and reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition to being known for her guitar skills, Lita Ford is also known for her provocative image and contribution to rock and metal culture. She is often cited as a major influence for many musicians, especially women looking to break into the rock and metal music industry. She continues to tour and play music to this day, becoming a rock and pop culture icon.
1. Kaki King
Kaki King is an American artist born on August 24, 1979 in Atlanta, Georgia. She began playing guitar at the age of four and quickly developed her skills to become one of the most innovative guitarists of her generation. In addition to her solo career, Kaki King has also collaborated with many notable artists, including the Foo Fighters, Tegan and Sara, and Goo Goo Dolls. She also composed the soundtrack for the Sean Penn-directed film "Into the Wild," which earned her a Golden Globe nomination in 2008. Kaki King is known for her unique playing style, which involves the use of two-handed tapping and other inventive guitar techniques. She is also known for her creative use of acoustic and electric guitar, as well as her singing and percussion skills. Her music is often described as an eclectic mix of styles, ranging from jazz to rock to folk to classical. In addition to her musical career, Kaki King is also an activist for women's and minority rights, and has worked with organizations such as Girls Rock Camp and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York. She has also received awards for her humanitarian work and commitment to social justice. Kaki King continues to tour and release new musical projects. She has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including a 2006 Gibson Guitar Foundation Award, which was given in recognition of her outstanding talent as a guitarist.
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