Throughout the 1970s, female singers provided us with some of the most iconic hits of all time. Spanning from Sixties rock divas to country royalty, top-charting R&B stars, and even disco queens – these women have been a major influence in shaping popular music around the world.
To celebrate their incredible talent and phenomenal success, we’ve compiled an extensive list of 100+ best female singers that you need to know about!
From Aretha Franklin and Stevie Nicks to Bonnie Tyler and Dolly Parton – here you will find essential facts on each singer plus personal anecdotes that demonstrate their remarkable impact on culture at large.
Top Best Female Singers of the 70s
There were many great female singers we can think of from the 70s but these 10 artists truly defined the decade.
Note: This list is based on the highest album sales, influence over the fans, and overall impact on the music industry during the 1970s
- Stevie Nicks
- Dolly Parton
- Aretha Franklin
- Barbara Streisand
- Linda Ronstadt
- Reba McEntire
- Cher
- Donna Summer
- Olivia Newton-John
- Carole King
Black Female Singers of the 70s
In an era that was still very much segregated, these black female singers were able to break through and make a name for themselves. These women were not just phenomenal singers but also awe-inspiring songwriters, performers, and trendsetters, who forged a path for generations to come.
It goes without saying that they were forced to confront and withstand a great deal of bigotry and misogyny, yet, against all odds, they still managed to emerge victorious. And while there are too many great black female singers from the 70s to list them all, here are 10 of the best.
- Gloria Gaynor
- Chaka Khan
- Joan Armatrading
- Roberta Flack
- Natalie Cole
- Dionne Warwick
- Patti LaBelle
- Diana Ross
- Gladys Knight
Female Rock Singers of the 70s
The 1970s were a time of great change for women, and nowhere was this more evident than in the world of rock music.
Female singers who had been largely relegated to backing vocals or novelty songs began to take center stage, and their music reflected the shifting social landscape.
Despite the notoriously male-dominated nature of the genre, these pioneering artists shattered gender stereotypes by not only holding their own on stage but also demonstrating that they could rock out just as hard as their male counterparts.
Some of the most iconic female rock singers of the 1970s include Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Stevie Nicks, Cher, Tina Turner, and Patti Smith.
Each of these remarkable women brought something distinct and original to the table and played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of rock music during this era. They were all pioneers in their own right, and their impact can still be felt to this day.
- Stevie Nicks
- Debbie Harry
- Suzi Quatro
- Grace Slick
- Ann Wilson
- Patti Smith
- Pat Benatar
- Siouxsie Sioux
Female Country Singers of the 70s
Females in country music have always been a force to be reckoned with, and the 1970s were no exception.
This decade saw the rise of some of the most iconic female country singers of all time, including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, and Emmylou Harris.
With their twangy voices and heartwarming lyrics, they quickly won over the country music fans and became some of the most popular artists of the decade.
Loretta Lynn in particular was a true pioneer for female country singers, winning multiple Grammy awards and becoming the first woman to be named “ Entertainer of the Year” by the Country Music Association.
Another notable female country singer from the 70s is Barbara Mandrell, who was the first woman to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Dolly Parton
- Loretta Lynn
- Barbara Mandrell
- Olivia Newton-John
- Lynn Anderson
- Crystal Gayle
- Jessi Colter
- Anne Murray
- Sammi Smith
- Donna Fargo
70s Female Soul Singers
Soul music is one of the most unique and exciting genres of music in the world. Originating in the African American community, it has its roots in gospel and blues music, and it often features powerful vocals and emotional lyrics.
While soul music has been there since the early 50s, it reached its peak in popularity in the 1970s, thanks to artists like Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder.
And of course, we can’t forget about the amazing female soul singers of the 1970s. These women brought something special to the genre with their sultry voices and passion for music.
Some of them include Donna Summer, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, and Aretha Franklin (who is often considered the Queen of Soul).
These are the women that helped to shape the sound of soul music and their influence is still felt today.
- Aretha Franklin
- Maxine Brown
- Natalie Cole
- Barbara Acklin
- Shirley Brown
- LaVern Baker
- Ruth Brown
- Carolyn Franklin
- Betty Harris
Female Folk Singers of the 70s
From the early days of folk music to the present, women have been contributing their voices to this unique genre.
And in the 1970s, female folk singers were truly in their element. With the social and political climate of the time, many artists used their music as a way to express their views on the world.
Some of the most iconic female folk singers of the 1970s include Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Carole King, and Emmylou Harris.
All five women had successful careers in both pop and folk music, and they helped to break down barriers for other women in the industry. They proved that women could not only be successful singers but that they could also write their own songs and play their own instruments.
Here are some more great female folk singers from the 1970s:
- Joan Baez
- Judy Collins
- Sandy Denny
- Janis Ian
- Emmylou Harris
- Odetta
- Vashti Bunyan
- Buffy Sainte-Marie
- Linda Ronstadt
- Judee Sill
Female Disco Singers of the 70s
People often mistake disco for a man’s world, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, the 70s disco scene was dominated by female singers.
These singers had voices that could belt out tunes and get any party started and going. Not to mention, they were just as stylish behind the microphone as their male counterparts.
One such talented female singer was Donna Summer. Known as the queen of disco, she released her first album in 1974 (Lady of the Night) and it didn’t take her long to become a household name.
Her next three albums “Love to Love You Baby“, “A Love Trilogy” and “I Remember Yesterday” were all certified platinum. What’s more, is that she was the first singer to have four #1 hits in a 12-month period.
Other notable female disco singers from the 70s include Gloria Gaynor, Diana Ross, and Thelma Houston. All of them had incredible careers and helped to make disco the phenomenon that it was.
- Donna Summer
- Gloria Gaynor
- Thelma Houston
- Vicki Sue Robinson
- Cheryl Lynn
- Agnetha Fältskog
- Linda Clifford
- Candi Staton
- Melba Moore
- Evelyn “Champagne” King
70s Soft Rock Female Singers
The term “soft rock” is typically used to describe slower, mellower songs that are typically less guitar-driven than other forms of rock music. Soft rock songs are perfect for a road trip or a rainy day, and they often have a calming effect on the listener.
That said, it’s hard to imagine a genre like soft rock without thinking of the female singers who made it so popular.
One of the women who is responsible for the success of soft rock in the 70s is Carole King. Regarded as one of the best singer-songwriters of all time, King got her start in the late 50s and early 60s after writing a song for The Shirelles.
She would go on to write hits for other artists including The Beatles and Aretha Franklin before releasing her own album, Tapestry, in 1971. The album would go on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time and King would win four Grammy Awards for her work on it.
- Stevie Nicks
- Joni Mitchell
- Suzi Quatro
- Tina Turner
- Nancy Wilson
- Anne Murray
- Karla Bonoff
- Bonnie Raitt
- Kate Bush
- Carly Simon
70s Female Pop Singers
Pop in the 70s swept away the heavy, psychedelic sounds of the 60s and ushered in a new era of catchy, upbeat tunes.
It’s not quite clear when the term “pop music” was first used, but it is generally accepted that the genre emerged in the mid-1950s. And in the 70s, the genre continued to evolve and was dominated by both male and female singers.
There were major pop bands like Abba, The Bee Gees, and Fleetwood Mac. All three groups had female singers who played a vital role in their success.
And then there were the solo female artists who took the pop world by storm in the 70s. Some of them include Karen Carpenter, Olivia Newton-John, Barbra Streisand, and Diana Ross.
Each woman had her own unique style and sound, but they all had one thing in common: they knew how to write a catchy pop song.
- Jennifer Warnes
- Roberta Flack
- Joan Baez
- Janis Ian
- Lesley Gore
- Patti LaBelle
- Shirley Bassey
- Joan Armatrading
- Brenda Lee
- Gloria Gaynor
70s British Female Singers
Where do you go to find the best female singers of the 70s? The answer is simple: Britain.
Even though the United States had its fair share of talented female singers, Britain was really at the forefront of the music industry in the 70s. And a large part of that was due to the fact that there were so many talented female singers coming out of the country.
In fact, this post wouldn’t be sufficient to list all of the great British female singers of the 70s. It will need a dedicated post on its own.
But some of the most notable singers include Dusty Springfield, Kate Bush, and Elkie Brooks. More than anything, these women proved that Britain was a force to be reckoned with when it came to women in music.
- Dusty Springfield
- Olivia Newton-John
- Bonnie Tyler
- Kirsty MacColl
- Christine McVie
- Lulu
- Marianne Faithfull
- Joan Armatrading
- Kate Bush
Canadian Female Singers of the 70s
The influence of Canada on popular music in the 70s cannot be understated. After all, it was in Canada where Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen got their start.
But the country didn’t just produce great male singers. There were also a number of very talented female singers who came out of Canada in the 70s.
To name a few, there was Anne Murray, who was the first Canadian woman to win a Grammy Award. There was also Cindy Church, who had a successful solo career. And then there was Joni Mitchell.
Each of these women helped put Canada on the map as a musical powerhouse and paved the way for many other Canadian artists who would find success in the years to come.
- Joni Mitchell
- Anne Murray
- Buffy Sainte-Marie
- Alannah Myles
- Cree Summer
- Louise Forestier
- Véronique Béliveau
- Marjo
Final Thoughts
The 70s was a decade that saw the rise of many talented female singers. Whether they were part of a group or going solo, these women knew how to write and perform a pop song.
And while the 80s would see the rise of hair bands and MTV, the 70s will always be remembered as a decade that belonged to the ladies.
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