Unexpected musical partnerships that rocked the charts
Being hailed a guitar hero—or heroine—is no easy feat. Usually, a combination of technical ability and musicality come into play (pun intended), but factors such as a guitarist's contribution to a genre also play a role in determining one's greatness. Indeed, there are many female guitarists who have earned their place in music history many times over. In this gallery, we celebrate some of the greatest female guitarists of all time. Click on and check them out.
Elizabeth Cotten is a folk-blues legend. She was left-handed, so while playing on a guitar meant for right-handed players, she developed a unique fingerpicking technique now known as "Cotten picking."
Lizzie Douglas, AKA Memphis Minnie, was a legendary blues guitarist with a career spanning over three decades. She has been quoted as an inspiration by bands such as Led Zeppelin.
The "Voice of The Civil Rights Movement" earned a place in the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s, often being quoted as an inspiration by many folk guitarists.
Mother Maybelle Carter was a member of one of the most important groups in country-western music: the Carter Family. She revolutionized the genre with her groundbreaking fingerpicking technique (playing rhythm and melody in different strings). This innovative technique became known as the Carter scratch, thumb brush, the Carter lick, or the church lick.
The one and only "Godmother of Rock 'n' Roll" is often quoted as one of the most inspirational musicians of all time. Her guitar playing incorporated elements of blues, jazz, and gospel.
Wanda Jackson was one of the first female rock 'n' roll stars, but she also released country and gospel music. "The Queen of Rockabilly" truly deserves a spot on this list.
Carol Kaye is arguably the most iconic female bass player of all time and has recorded bass for the likes of The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and Quincy Jones. But Kaye also played six-string guitars. In fact, she recorded guitar on both Ritchie Valens' 'La Bamba,' and The Righteous Brothers' 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin.'
Joni Mitchell is one of the most famous songwriters of all time. Mitchell pushed musical boundaries and experimented with elements such as unorthodox tunings, percussive slaps, and complex fingerpicking.
Vicki Peterson's guitar playing shaped the sound of The Bangles. The group is known to have played covers of The Yardbirds in their early shows, so that says something about Peterson's guitar skills. Check out 'A Hazy Shade of Winter.'
Joan Jett is arguably one of the most important figures in rock 'n' roll, and indeed she's a great guitarist. From The Runaways to Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, she inspired many women to pick up the guitar over the years.
Joan Jett's bandmate in The Runaways, Lita Ford, is yet another iconic guitarist. Ford became one of the most successful female guitarists in the rock and metal scene of the '80s. In 2014, Lita Ford became the first woman to win a Certified Legend Award by Guitar Player magazine.
Not many guitarists could shred like Batten back then, so she became one of the most sought-after guitarists in the '80s and '90s. Jennifer Batten's technical ability and style was second to none. Not many guitarists (male or female) can say they've toured with the likes of Michael Jackson and guitar legend Jeff Beck, right?
You probably recognize Nancy Wilson from the band she has with her sister Ann: Heart. Nancy Wilson was named by guitar maker Gibson as the eighth greatest female guitarist of all time.
Kristy Marlana Wallace, AKA Poison Ivy, shaped the sound of The Cramps. The guitarist is known for incorporating elements of punk and rockabilly in her sound.
Nita Strauss is currently one of the best rock and metal guitarists on the scene. A true guitar hero, Strauss has played with a number of artists, but she is best known for touring with Alice Cooper. Nita Strauss is guitar maker Ibanez's first female artist with a signature guitar model.
Not many guitarists dominate blues, rock, folk, and country music like Bonnie Raitt does. Raitt is listed in Rolling Stone magazine's '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.' Oh, and did we mention that she has a whopping 15 Grammy wins under her belt?
The Australian guitarist was meant to play with Michael Jackson in his 'This Is It' tour, which sadly never happened. Orianthi did however tour with Alice Cooper! In 2010, Orianthi won Guitar International magazine's 2010 Breakthrough Guitarist of the Year award.
Liona Boyd is an outstanding classic guitarist with over 25 albums under her belt. Boyd recorded and toured with the likes of Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, and David Gilmour, among many others. She's often called the "First Lady of the Guitar."
There isn't an abundance of female guitar virtuosos, but Kaki King surely fits the bill. Her playing often mixes elements of modern classical, progressive jazz, and pop. In 2006, she was listed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of "The New Guitar Gods."
The Israeli-American guitarist has collaborated with the likes of with Steve Vai and DragonForce. In 2017, Brosh joined the cast of Cirque du Soleil's production.
From classical to bluegrass, flamenco, and folk, Muriel Anderson dominates a number of styles on her classical and harp guitar. Anderson was the first female guitarist to win the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship.
Best known for her work with the Tedeschi Trucks Band, the guitarist is truly outstanding. She has shared the stage with the likes of Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and B.B. King.
The Serbian guitarist was hailed by Bruce Springsteen as "one helluva a guitar player." Ana Popović is one of the best contemporary blues guitarists.
Marnie Stern's tapping technique is second to none. She's best known for being a member of The 8G Band from the show 'Late Night with Seth Meyers.'
In 1985, the late Jazz virtuoso was named "Guitarist of the Year" in Down Beat magazine's poll. Despite being just 32 when Remler left us, her legacy lives on.
Grammy-winner Annie Clark, AKA St. Vincent, may be a multi-instrumentalist, but she really does shine with a guitar in her hands.
Not only is Tracy Chapman an acclaimed singer-songwriter, but she also happens to be a really good guitarist; an instrument she's been playing since she was eight.
How good is Ariana Powell? Good enough to play with the Black Eyed Peas and Nick Jonas. Do we need to say more?
Best known for fronting the math rock band Covet, Yvette Young first found fame on YouTube with her complex, virtuoso-style playing.
Sources: (Guitar lobby) (Midder Music) (Far Out) (Discover Music)
See also: Music's best female drummers
The greatest female guitarists of all time
Meet the most influential guitar goddesses
MUSIC Musicians
Being hailed a guitar hero—or heroine—is no easy feat. Usually, a combination of technical ability and musicality come into play (pun intended), but factors such as a guitarist's contribution to a genre also play a role in determining one's greatness. Indeed, there are many female guitarists who have earned their place in music history many times over.
In this gallery, we celebrate some of the greatest female guitarists of all time. Click on and check them out.