Some don't have any of these instruments
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio has been operating since 1983. The foundation awards membership based on musicians' achievements over the entire course of their careers, so they are usually inducted later in life. However, there has been a lot of controversy over there being a very low proportion of women inducted compared to men.
To learn more about the women who have been inducted into the most prestigious music foundation, click through the following gallery.
A legend who continues to inspire many women and performers around the globe with her immense talent and charisma, Cher was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Zendaya in 2024.
Mary J. Blige is considered the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” and she has remained an important influence for R&B artists in the last two decades. She was inducted by none other than Dr. Dre and Method Man in 2024.
Warwick’s voice is known as a defining sound of the '60s. The popular soul singer was inducted by Teyana Taylor in 2024.
Officially known as Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, the singer managed to blend together the blues and rock & roll genres, bridging the gap between the two. She is most famous for her performances on songs 'Hound Dog' and 'Ball N’ Chain.' She was inducted by Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes fame in 2024.
The rap legend is the first ever female hip hop artist to be honored with a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "I'm so humbled and grateful to be counted amongst all the incredible honorees," she said in a press release. "But to hear that I am the first female hip hop artist to EVER be nominated into the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame?!? Wow!! This one hits extra different as I hope it opens doors for other female emcees to be recognized!"
In 2022, Dolly Parton was somewhat controversially inducted, alongside a few other women including Pat Benatar, who was inducted alongside her longtime musical partner and husband Neil Giraldo and performed 1983's 'Love is a Battlefield.' Annie Lennox also got to celebrate as Eurythmics was inducted and performed a rendition of 1986's 'Missionary Man' and their best-known hit, 'Sweet Dreams.' Carly Simon, who was a first-time nominee, more than 25 years after becoming eligible, was not present at the ceremony to accept her honor as she had recently lost both her sisters to cancer on back-to-back days in October, but Olivia Rodrigo honored Simon by singing her signature song, 'You're So Vain.'
Dolly Parton asked the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to remove her from the running once she found out she was nominated because, as she said in a statement on social media, "Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don't feel that I have earned that right. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out."
Regardless, the beloved country music legend was voted in, and finally inducted on November 5, where she was also a headliner of the ceremony. "I'm a rock star now!" she shouted as she accepted the honor. "This is a very, very, very special night." Parton added that she would have to retroactively earn her spot, which she kicked off by donning a lot of black leather.
Tina Turner was inducted, along with ex-husband Ike, in 1991 by the late Phil Spector. In 2021, it was announced that Turner would be inducted again, but this time as a solo artist.
Carole King is another female artist who made history with her 2021 induction. She was also honored for a second time. Stevie Nicks is the only other female musician to be honored twice, since joined by Turner and King.
The female rock band The Go-Go's have been eligible for the Hall of Fame since 2006, but they only appeared on the ballot for the first time in 2021. They made it in on their first go!
Aretha Franklin was inducted by Keith Richards in 1987, and in doing so made history as the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Nina Simone wasn’t alive to see herself being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 by Mary J. Blige.
Soul singer Etta James, who died in 2012, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993 by k.d. lang.
Joni Mitchell was inducted in 1997 by Grammy winner Shawn Colvin.
Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Justin Timberlake in 2008.
Alicia Keys inducted the late Whitney Houston into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
Stevie Nicks was inducted into the foundation as a solo artist by her friend, Harry Styles, in 2019. This made her the first woman to be honored in the Hall of Fame twice.
As the lead singer of Fleetwood Mac, she was previously inducted into the foundation in 1998 with her band, with Sheryl Crow doing the honors.
Janet Jackson was inducted in 2019 by Janelle Monáe.
Kelly Rowland inducted Donna Summer in 2013.
Dusty Springfield died in March of 1999, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in November of the same year by Elton John.
The three members of the Supremes, Florence Ballard, Diana Ross, and Mary Wilson, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 by Little Richard.
Patti Smith was inducted in 2007 by Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine.
Bonnie Raitt was inducted into the foundation in 2000 by Melissa Etheridge.
The late Janis Joplin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995, also by Melissa Etheridge.
Singer Debbie Harry was inducted in 2006 with her band Blondie. Shirley Manson of Garbage did the honors.
Mariah Carey inducted Gladys Knight in 1996, along with her band the Pips.
American singer Linda Ronstadt was inducted in 2014 by Glenn Frey of the Eagles.
Martha and the Vandellas’ members (from left to right) Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Betty Kelly, Delphine Reeves, and Lois Reeves were all inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995. Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson of the B-52's had the honor.
Joan Baez was inducted in 2017 by Jackson Browne.
Nancy and Ann Wilson were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 as part of their band Heart. The late Chris Cornell had the honor.
ABBA was inducted into the foundation in 2010. Anni-Frid Reuss and Benny Andersson accepted the award. The other female member of the band, Agnetha Åse Fältskog, didn’t attend the event. Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees had the honor.
Estelle Bennett, Ronnie Spector, and Nedra Talley (left to right) of the Ronettes were inducted in 2007 by Keith Richards.
Darlene Love was inducted in 2011. Bette Midler had the honor.
Lauryn Hill inducted the Staple Singers into the foundation in 1999. The three women in the band were Cleotha, Mavis, and Yvonne Staples.
Brenda Lee was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 by Jewel.
LaVern Baker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Chaka Khan in 1991. She passed away in 1997.
Trumpeter Cynthia Robinson and keyboard player Rose Stone were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with their band Sly and the Family Stone in 1993. George Clinton of Parliament-Funkadelic had the honor.
Donna Jean Godchaux was inducted with the Grateful Dead in 1994. Bruce Hornsby did the honors.
Bassist Tina Weymouth was inducted with the other three permanent members of Talking Heads in 2002 by Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Late singer-songwriter Laura Nyro was inducted in 2012 by Bette Midler. Her son Gil Bianchini accepted the award on her behalf.
Sources: (NPR)(Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
See also: Female rock stars who shaped the history of rock 'n' roll
Women who made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
These women completely transformed the music industry
MUSIC Musicians
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio has been operating since 1983. The foundation awards membership based on musicians' achievements over the entire course of their careers, so they are usually inducted later in life. However, there has been a lot of controversy over there being a very low proportion of women inducted compared to men.
To learn more about the women who have been inducted into the most prestigious music foundation, click through the following gallery.