The world of guitar mastery has long been perceived as dominated by men, but a closer look reveals a vibrant and incredibly talented community of female guitarists who have shaped music history and continue to inspire generations. The sheer number of phenomenal female guitar players makes it impossible to create a definitive list of just 25. From the early pioneers in gospel, country, folk, and rock to today’s innovators, women have consistently pushed boundaries and redefined guitar playing. While your personal favorite might not be featured here, this list celebrates some of the most groundbreaking and influential female guitarists. These are the women who not only developed unique styles and played crucial roles in iconic bands but also laid down the gauntlet for future generations of musicians. This compilation of Top Female Guitar Players includes some of the most significant recording artists of all time, and in some cases, the very musicians that even male guitar heroes drew inspiration from.
If you’re seeking to break free from the stereotypical “phallic fretwork” and “cock-rock” clichés, then this curated list of 25 of the best female guitar players of all time is essential reading.
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25: Sarah Lipstate (Noveller)
Sarah Lipstate, known as Noveller, is a sonic architect who constructs expansive and immersive soundscapes. Her mastery of looping devices allows her to build grand, textural atmospheres, placing her within the lineage of experimental guitarists like Rhys Chatham (with whom she has collaborated) and Robert Fripp. However, Lipstate also possesses a keen indie rocker’s sensibility for song structure. While her melodic frameworks might be veiled beneath layers of feedback and effects, they remain the core of her compositions. This unique blend of experimental sound and melodic awareness has led to tours with adventurous rock musicians like St. Vincent and Iggy Pop, recognizing her innovative approach to guitar.
24: Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney)
While Carrie Brownstein often receives the spotlight for her dynamic solos, the true brilliance of Sleater-Kinney’s guitar work lies in the symbiotic interplay between Brownstein and Corin Tucker. Rejecting the traditional bass guitar setup, Sleater-Kinney crafted basslines through Tucker’s harmonizer, which she employed when not laying down their signature, sharply rhythmic guitar parts. Their guitar interaction is a masterclass in both mathematical precision and controlled sonic intensity. Tucker’s guitar prowess extends beyond Sleater-Kinney, as she has also showcased her skills on several Eddie Vedder solo projects, proving her individual talent within a collaborative context.
23: Felicia Collins
For many in the United States, Felicia Collins is synonymous with her role as the lead guitarist in the house band for Late Night With David Letterman. A specialist in funk and groove, Collins displayed an exceptional ability to adapt to the diverse musical styles of each guest appearing on the show, seamlessly integrating into any musical wavelength. Prior to her television fame, Collins was deeply embedded in the Nile Rodgers musical universe, collaborating with many of his prominent clients, including Madonna, and even making guest appearances within the P-Funk collective. Her contribution to the funky sound of Thompson Twins at Live Aid was undeniable, highlighting her adaptability and musical versatility.
22: Vicki Peterson (The Bangles)
Vicki Peterson of The Bangles performing on stage in 1986
Unlike their Los Angeles contemporaries The Go-Go’s, who leaned into the vocal harmony-driven “girl group” tradition, The Bangles drew their core inspiration from mid-1960s garage rock. Their early performances featured covers of The Yardbirds’ raw “I’m Not Talkin'” and The Seeds’ aggressive “Pushin’ Too Hard,” songs they continued to incorporate into their sets even during their chart-topping era. Vicki Peterson’s often-underestimated lead guitar work was a crucial element of their sound. As The Bangles evolved, Peterson’s guitar style expanded to encompass power-pop’s bright jangle, driving power chords, George Harrison-esque melodic lead lines, and any stylistic approach that served the song. Her versatility and skill firmly established her as one of the top female guitar players. Beyond her guitar skills, Peterson was also a significant songwriter for the band.
21: Wendy Melvoin (The Revolution, Wendy & Lisa)
The impact of Wendy Melvoin and her keyboardist partner Lisa Coleman on Prince’s musical trajectory cannot be overstated. Their arrival in Prince’s orbit was pivotal in introducing him to psychedelic music, influencing a significant shift in his sound. The iconic film Purple Rain solidified Melvoin’s status as one of the best female guitar players, particularly highlighting her essential role in crafting the legendary title track. Later, with Wendy & Lisa, Melvoin demonstrated that Prince was not the sole source of funky riffs and compelling solos within The Revolution. Her career post-Prince has been diverse, including collaborations on Madonna albums and in Neil Finn’s solo band, showcasing her continued relevance and adaptability.
20: Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell’s distinctive lyrical acoustic guitar style on her early albums alone would warrant her inclusion among the best female guitar players. As her music evolved and she ventured into electric guitar, she collaborated with guitar luminaries like James Burton and Larry Carlton. However, the growing sophistication of Mitchell’s compositions presented challenges for outside players to fully grasp her intricate musical vision. Consequently, Mitchell took on more guitar duties herself, playing approximately half the lead guitar parts on Hejira (including the memorable jazz-infused riffs in “Coyote”), nearly all on Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter, and all lead guitar parts on Mingus. On these albums, she held her own alongside some of the most respected jazz musicians of the time, including Wayne Shorter and Jaco Pastorius, solidifying her reputation as a guitarist of considerable depth and complexity.
19: Dot Wiggin (The Shaggs)
Thinking that playing The Shaggs’ guitar parts requires no real musicianship? Try it yourself. Whether The Shaggs – a late-1960s all-sister garage band defying conventional musical logic – were untrained prodigies or simply a fortunate accident is almost irrelevant at this point. As female guitar players, they achieved an influence far exceeding many more technically proficient bands. Dot Wiggin’s ability to sing and play guitar in completely different rhythmic patterns (while the drummer followed yet another rhythm) demanded a remarkable level of concentration. Furthermore, the enduring tradition of female indie-rock trios opting for a second guitar instead of a bass guitar can be traced back to The Shaggs’ unconventional approach, highlighting their unexpected but lasting impact.
18: Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge arguably embodies the modern inheritor of Pete Townshend’s tradition of treating an acoustic guitar with the intensity and attack of a fully cranked electric guitar (or a formidable adversary). This powerful approach likely stems from her years honing her craft in coffeehouses. Her closely-miked acoustic guitar often provides the central instrumental hook in many of her hit songs. Although her bands typically include a male lead guitarist, they often take a supporting role when Etheridge’s passionate playing takes center stage.
17: Annie Clark (St. Vincent)
St. Vincent performing with a pastel guitar at The Hollywood Bowl in 2021
During her tour supporting the album Masseduction, St. Vincent, whose real name is Annie Clark, made a striking visual statement by using a different DayGlo pastel-colored guitar for each song. These guitars were all variations of a custom signature model designed for her by Ernie Ball. Her guitar playing was as vibrant and attention-grabbing as her instrument choices. Clark is a fluid and imaginative soloist in the vein of Robert Fripp and Frank Zappa, crafting solos that prioritize intricate melodic lines over mere technical display. However, she is equally adept as a dance-pop songwriter, seamlessly integrating her sophisticated rhythm guitar riffs into tracks like “Slow Disco,” demonstrating her multifaceted musical talent.
16: Joan Jett (Joan Jett and The Blackhearts)
Joan Jett has never professed to be a lead guitar virtuoso, and her bands have always included a dedicated lead guitarist. However, the fundamental essence of punk guitar – rhythm chords delivered with urgency, power, and unwavering precision – is deeply ingrained in her musical DNA. While often uncredited as such, Jett’s rhythm guitar work is arguably as influential as that of her Runaways bandmate Lita Ford. But, true to her enduring rock spirit, Joan Jett remains far too occupied with performing and creating music to be concerned with debates about accolades or rankings within lists of top female guitar players.
15: Orianthi
Orianthi initially garnered attention for performing with Carrie Underwood, and she was also slated to join Michael Jackson’s final tour, further raising her profile. However, this Australian guitarist’s most significant achievement lies in her ability to transcend genre boundaries within rock music. She possesses the raw power to play lead guitar alongside Alice Cooper, the technical prowess to trade licks with Steve Vai, and the collaborative spirit to form the duo RSO with Richie Sambora. Her rendition of “Hellbound Train” stands as arguably the best cover of a Savoy Brown song, regardless of gender. Despite recent news of her separation from Sambora, Orianthi remains a formidable musical force in her own right.
14: Bonnie Raitt
Among the celebrated guitar heroes of 1970s rock, it would be a challenging task to find a slide guitarist with a more instantly recognizable and distinctive sound than Bonnie Raitt. One of her notable contemporaries, Little Feat’s Lowell George, was both a collaborator and a devoted admirer of her slide guitar work. While Raitt has consistently maintained a presence in the singer-songwriter realm, her guitar playing serves as a vital connection to her deep blues roots. Although her bands typically include a guitarist responsible for melodic passages and traditional lead work, the most electrifying and emotionally charged guitar moments in her performances invariably come from Bonnie Raitt herself.
13: Nancy Wilson (Heart)
Nancy Wilson holds the distinction of being the first female guitarist to lead a rock band to the top of the album charts. Along with her sister Ann, Nancy is a core and constant member of Heart. While Heart has featured other lead guitarists throughout their history, the first and arguably most iconic guitar moment in their extensive catalog is attributed to Nancy – specifically, the acoustic guitar transition from “Dreamboat Annie” into the explosive “Crazy On You.” It is largely thanks to Nancy Wilson that Heart’s artful acoustic side has always coexisted and harmonized with their powerful electric rock sound, even throughout their arena rock era of the 1980s. Beyond her guitar playing, Nancy has also been a key composer, contributing to nearly every famous song Heart has recorded.
12: Poison Ivy (The Cramps)
Poison Ivy of The Cramps performing live on stage in 2005
Poison Ivy, born Kristy Wallace, was arguably the most visually and sonically distinctive guitarist to emerge from the American punk scene. A Cramps song is instantly identifiable as such, often even before lead singer Lux Interior begins to sing. Poison Ivy effectively reconnected punk rock with its primal roots in raw, trashy sounds and twangy guitar styles, contributing significantly to the rediscovery and renewed appreciation of guitarists like Link Wray and The Ventures’ Nokie Edwards. Her place among the top female guitar players is secured by the sleazy, hypnotic riffs that formed the foundation of The Cramps’ signature sound. As The Cramps’ discography grew, Ivy’s skills as a soloist also evolved. Furthermore, no guitarist has ever utilized reverb as extensively and effectively as Poison Ivy. Since the passing of her partner Lux Interior, Ivy has maintained a low profile, and her unique musical voice is deeply missed within the music world.
11: Marnie Stern
Marnie Stern embodies the modern definition of a guitar hero, blending shredding-level technical speed with an indie-rock aesthetic and sensibility. Even listeners who are not particularly drawn to guitar virtuosity can appreciate her concept album The Chronicles Of Marnia, which is filled with cleverly constructed pop hooks. However, for guitar enthusiasts, Stern’s playing is a marvel of imagination, characterized by rapid, intricate runs and a remarkable sense of economy and precision. Across five albums, she has yet to release a song exceeding four and a half minutes in length, demonstrating her ability to convey complex musical ideas with conciseness. If Eddie Van Halen had joined Sleater-Kinney, the result might still not have reached the unique musical territory of Marnie Stern.
10: Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses)
Kristin Hersh remains a consistently underrated figure in guitar music. She is a peer of Bob Mould and J Mascis as a pioneering indie-rock guitarist, possessing a sound that is instantly recognizable. Easily ranking among the best female guitar players of the 1980s and 1990s, Hersh can deliver both furious, feedback-laden lead guitar work and mind-melting distorted power chords. She is equally adept at acoustic guitar, capable of playing some of the most delicate and elegant fingerstyle pieces imaginable. Hersh truly came into her own musically around the time Throwing Muses streamlined into a power trio (their subsequent albums serving as case studies in revitalizing the power-trio format). Her more recent solo albums, on which she often also plays bass, further showcase the breadth of her sonic palette and musical capabilities.
9: Susan Tedeschi (Tedeschi Trucks Band)
Any dedicated jam-band follower will affirm that the Tedeschi Trucks Band is not simply a band featuring a female and male guitarist or a married couple; it is fundamentally a band with two exceptionally talented guitarists, full stop. What’s particularly noteworthy is the significant growth both Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks have experienced as musicians since forming their musical partnership. Tedeschi has absorbed some of her partner’s jazz influences, while Derek Trucks has incorporated her R&B sensibilities into his playing. For a prime example of Tedeschi at her peak, seek out the video clip of her performing “Crossroads” alongside Eric Clapton at Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival. Observe the broad smile that spreads across Clapton’s face after Tedeschi concludes her guitar solo – a clear acknowledgment of her impressive skill and musicality.
8: Kaki King
Kaki King occupies a unique position among the best female guitar players. She is more accurately described as a contemporary composer who happens to be a guitar virtuoso. Her compositions are rich with elements of modern classical music, progressive jazz, and occasional forays into pop structures. Whether collaborating with classical ensembles or rock musicians, King elevates the acoustic guitar to new expressive heights, employing a percussive playing technique that blends flamenco influences with elements reminiscent of Van Halen’s innovative approach. While King could have easily built a career on mere instrumental flash, her more recent work – including her concept piece The Neck Is A Bridge To The Body – reveals her commitment to deeper artistic ambitions and explorations.
7: Peggy Jones
Peggy Jones aka Lady Bo playing guitar with Bo Diddley in the 1960s
Better known as Lady Bo, Peggy Jones holds a pioneering place in rock history as the first female guitarist in a major rock and roll band. She joined Bo Diddley’s group at the young age of 16 and played guitar on many of his classic singles, including iconic tracks like “Mona,” “Crackin’ Up,” and “Bo Diddley’s A Gunslinger.” Later in her career, Jones contributed to a number of singles highly sought after by record collectors, such as Les Cooper’s “Oowee Baby” and The Soul Rockers’ “Wiggle Wobble.” She even had a period performing with James Brown’s band. Peggy Jones continued to perform as Lady Bo until her passing in 2015, leaving behind a legacy as a true guitar pioneer.
6: Liona Boyd
Liona Boyd, born in London and raised in Toronto, achieved fame as both a classical guitar sensation and a television personality during the 1970s. Promoted as the “first lady of the guitar,” she was an early protégé of the legendary Andres Segovia and performed at Carnegie Hall in 1975. Boyd became a familiar face on Canadian television and, though not widely known at the time, was romantically involved with Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. While many prefer her extensive classical recordings, with highlights compiled on her 20th Century Masters volume, she later transitioned into New Age music, increasingly incorporating vocals into her work after a neurological condition began to affect her guitar playing.
5: Emily Remler
Like many guitarists hailing from New Jersey, Emily Remler’s early musical experiences were rooted in rock music. However, her musical horizons expanded significantly after studying at Berklee College of Music, where she discovered the influential sounds of Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery. She rapidly emerged as one of the preeminent modern guitarists in the bebop tradition, approaching jazz standards with a fluid, lyrical tone and an inexhaustible well of improvisation and imagination. Remler recorded prolifically throughout her tragically short career, collaborating with notable artists like Larry Coryell and Astrud Gilberto. During a brief period in New Orleans, she also played with funk and R&B bands, although no recordings from this period are known to exist. Like Wes Montgomery, Emily Remler’s career was cut short too soon, and one can only speculate about the further heights she might have reached had addiction not claimed her life at the age of 32.
4: Memphis Minnie
Memphis Minnie playing guitar and singing in Chicago, circa 1947
One of the earliest and most impactful pioneers of blues guitar playing, Lizzie Douglas, better known as Memphis Minnie, taught herself to play both guitar and banjo. She honed her skills in the vibrant and legendary Beale Street blues scene in Memphis. Over her extensive career, Memphis Minnie recorded for major labels including Columbia, Checker, Decca, and Okeh, playing a crucial role in the urbanization of the blues sound. Easily recognized as one of the top female guitar players in history, this fearless blueswoman was known for engaging in and winning numerous “cutting contests” against prominent male blues guitarists of her time, including Big Bill Broonzy and Muddy Waters, solidifying her legendary status.
3: Elizabeth Cotten
Elizabeth Cotten, a trailblazing figure in folk and blues music, developed her distinctive and influential guitar style somewhat by accident. Being left-handed, she initially learned to play by turning her right-handed brother’s banjo upside down. When she transitioned to guitar, she retained the instincts of a banjo player and, because the guitar was still upside down relative to a right-handed player, she fingerpicked the bass strings while using her thumb to play the melodies. This unique “Cotten picking” style is notably challenging to master, which may explain why no two versions of her signature song, “Freight Train,” ever sound exactly alike. Her innovative approach to guitar playing has had a lasting impact on fingerstyle guitarists.
2: Mother Maybelle Carter
Mother Maybelle Carter was a profoundly influential figure in country guitar playing. She earns her prominent position among the best female guitar players due to her invention of a guitar style known by various names: thumb brush, the church lick, but most famously as Carter Family picking. Possibly inspired by banjo techniques, Maybelle used her thumb to pick out melody lines on the bass strings while simultaneously strumming rhythmic chords on the higher strings with her fingers. This innovative technique created the illusion that the Carter Family trio had multiple guitars accompanying them, adding depth and richness to their sound. Guitar greats such as Doc Watson, Chet Atkins, and her son-in-law Johnny Cash all recognized and were influenced by Mother Maybelle’s groundbreaking guitar style.
1: Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Sister Rosetta Tharpe performing with her Gibson Les Paul guitar in 1964
The adage that “the devil has all the good songs” certainly doesn’t hold true, nor does it apply to guitarists. Sister Rosetta Tharpe, topping this list of the best female guitar players in history, was an early gospel music innovator who genuinely pioneered many of the distorted guitar tones that would later become hallmarks of blues and rock music. However, even before her forays into amplified sound, Sister Rosetta Tharpe recorded some of the most fluid and expressive acoustic guitar leads ever captured. On her 1945 hit “Strange Things Happening Every Day,” she seamlessly blended elements of country, jazz, and gospel, all serving her powerful and uplifting spiritual message. To witness the full extent of her talent, seek out live video footage of her performing “Up Above My Head (I Hear Music In The Air).” While the original 1948 single version lacks a guitar solo, in live performances circa 1963, she delivers proto-shredding guitar work while a choir enthusiastically claps along. Her playing incorporates hints of Muddy Waters, a touch of Chuck Berry, and an overwhelming sense of jubilation. After one such performance, she exclaims, “Let’s do that again!” Indeed, Sister Rosetta, please do – your musical legacy continues to inspire.
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