Women who made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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.

4 / 42 Fotos

Missy Elliott -

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!"

5 / 42 Fotos

Dolly Parton, Pat Benatar, Annie Lennox, Carly Simon -

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.'

6 / 42 Fotos

Dolly Parton -

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.

7 / 42 Fotos

Tina Turner -

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.

8 / 42 Fotos

Carole King -

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.

9 / 42 Fotos

The Go-Go's -

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!

10 / 42 Fotos

Aretha Franklin -

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.

11 / 42 Fotos

Nina Simone -

Nina Simone wasn’t alive to see herself being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 by Mary J. Blige.

12 / 42 Fotos

Etta James -

Soul singer Etta James, who died in 2012, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993 by k.d. lang.

13 / 42 Fotos

Joni Mitchell -

Joni Mitchell was inducted in 1997 by Grammy winner Shawn Colvin.

14 / 42 Fotos

Madonna -

Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Justin Timberlake in 2008.

15 / 42 Fotos

Whitney Houston -

Alicia Keys inducted the late Whitney Houston into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

16 / 42 Fotos

Stevie Nicks -

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.

17 / 42 Fotos

Stevie Nicks -

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.

18 / 42 Fotos

Janet Jackson -

Janet Jackson was inducted in 2019 by Janelle Monáe.

19 / 42 Fotos

Donna Summer -

Kelly Rowland inducted Donna Summer in 2013.

20 / 42 Fotos

Dusty Springfield -

Dusty Springfield died in March of 1999, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in November of the same year by Elton John.

21 / 42 Fotos

The Supremes -

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.

22 / 42 Fotos

Patti Smith -

Patti Smith was inducted in 2007 by Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine.

23 / 42 Fotos

Bonnie Raitt -

Bonnie Raitt was inducted into the foundation in 2000 by Melissa Etheridge.

24 / 42 Fotos

Janis Joplin -

The late Janis Joplin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995, also by Melissa Etheridge.

25 / 42 Fotos

Debbie Harry -

Singer Debbie Harry was inducted in 2006 with her band Blondie. Shirley Manson of Garbage did the honors.

26 / 42 Fotos

Gladys Knight -

Mariah Carey inducted Gladys Knight in 1996, along with her band the Pips.

27 / 42 Fotos

Linda Ronstadt -

American singer Linda Ronstadt was inducted in 2014 by Glenn Frey of the Eagles.

28 / 42 Fotos

Martha and the Vandellas -

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.

29 / 42 Fotos

Joan Baez -

Joan Baez was inducted in 2017 by Jackson Browne.

30 / 42 Fotos

Nancy and Ann Wilson -

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.

31 / 42 Fotos

Anni-Frid Reuss and Agnetha Åse Fältskog -

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.

32 / 42 Fotos

Estelle Bennett, Ronnie Spector, and Nedra Talley -

Estelle Bennett, Ronnie Spector, and Nedra Talley (left to right) of the Ronettes were inducted in 2007 by Keith Richards.

33 / 42 Fotos

Darlene Love -

Darlene Love was inducted in 2011. Bette Midler had the honor.

34 / 42 Fotos

The Staple Singers -

Lauryn Hill inducted the Staple Singers into the foundation in 1999. The three women in the band were Cleotha, Mavis, and Yvonne Staples.

35 / 42 Fotos

Brenda Lee -

Brenda Lee was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 by Jewel.

36 / 42 Fotos

LaVern Baker -

LaVern Baker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Chaka Khan in 1991. She passed away in 1997.

37 / 42 Fotos

Cynthia Robinson and Rose Stone -

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.

38 / 42 Fotos

Donna Jean Godchaux -

Donna Jean Godchaux was inducted with the Grateful Dead in 1994. Bruce Hornsby did the honors.

39 / 42 Fotos

Tina Weymouth -

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.

40 / 42 Fotos

Laura Nyro -

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)

41 / 42 Fotos

0 / 42 Fotos

Cher -

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.

Getty Images

1 / 42 Fotos

Mary J. Blige -

Getty Images

2 / 42 Fotos

Dionne Warwick -

Warwick’s voice is known as a defining sound of the '60s. The popular soul singer was inducted by Teyana Taylor in 2024.

Getty Images

3 / 42 Fotos

Big Mama Thornton -

Getty Images

4 / 42 Fotos

Missy Elliott -

Getty Images

5 / 42 Fotos

Dolly Parton, Pat Benatar, Annie Lennox, Carly Simon -

Getty Images

6 / 42 Fotos

Dolly Parton -

7 / 42 Fotos

Tina Turner -

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.

Getty Images

8 / 42 Fotos

Carole King -

Getty Images

9 / 42 Fotos

The Go-Go's -

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!

Getty Images

10 / 42 Fotos

Aretha Franklin -

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.

Getty Images

11 / 42 Fotos

Nina Simone -

Nina Simone wasn’t alive to see herself being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 by Mary J. Blige.

Getty Images

12 / 42 Fotos

Etta James -

Soul singer Etta James, who died in 2012, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993 by k.d. lang.

Getty Images

13 / 42 Fotos

Joni Mitchell -

Joni Mitchell was inducted in 1997 by Grammy winner Shawn Colvin.

Getty Images

14 / 42 Fotos

Madonna -

Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Justin Timberlake in 2008.

Getty Images

15 / 42 Fotos

Whitney Houston -

Alicia Keys inducted the late Whitney Houston into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

Getty Images

16 / 42 Fotos

Stevie Nicks -

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.

Getty Images

17 / 42 Fotos

Stevie Nicks -

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.

Getty Images

18 / 42 Fotos

Janet Jackson -

Janet Jackson was inducted in 2019 by Janelle Monáe.

Getty Images

19 / 42 Fotos

Donna Summer -

Kelly Rowland inducted Donna Summer in 2013.

Getty Images

20 / 42 Fotos

Dusty Springfield -

Dusty Springfield died in March of 1999, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in November of the same year by Elton John.

Getty Images

21 / 42 Fotos

The Supremes -

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.

Getty Images

22 / 42 Fotos

Patti Smith -

Patti Smith was inducted in 2007 by Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine.

Getty Images

23 / 42 Fotos

Bonnie Raitt -

Bonnie Raitt was inducted into the foundation in 2000 by Melissa Etheridge.

Getty Images

24 / 42 Fotos

Janis Joplin -

The late Janis Joplin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995, also by Melissa Etheridge.

Getty Images

25 / 42 Fotos

Debbie Harry -

Singer Debbie Harry was inducted in 2006 with her band Blondie. Shirley Manson of Garbage did the honors.

Getty Images

26 / 42 Fotos

Gladys Knight -

Mariah Carey inducted Gladys Knight in 1996, along with her band the Pips.

Getty Images

27 / 42 Fotos

Linda Ronstadt -

American singer Linda Ronstadt was inducted in 2014 by Glenn Frey of the Eagles.

Getty Images

28 / 42 Fotos

Martha and the Vandellas -

Getty Images

29 / 42 Fotos

Joan Baez -

Joan Baez was inducted in 2017 by Jackson Browne.

Getty Images

30 / 42 Fotos

Nancy and Ann Wilson -

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.

Getty Images

31 / 42 Fotos

Anni-Frid Reuss and Agnetha Åse Fältskog -

Getty Images

32 / 42 Fotos

Estelle Bennett, Ronnie Spector, and Nedra Talley -

Estelle Bennett, Ronnie Spector, and Nedra Talley (left to right) of the Ronettes were inducted in 2007 by Keith Richards.

Getty Images

33 / 42 Fotos

Darlene Love -

Darlene Love was inducted in 2011. Bette Midler had the honor.

Getty Images

34 / 42 Fotos

The Staple Singers -

Lauryn Hill inducted the Staple Singers into the foundation in 1999. The three women in the band were Cleotha, Mavis, and Yvonne Staples.

Getty Images

35 / 42 Fotos

Brenda Lee -

Brenda Lee was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 by Jewel.

Getty Images

36 / 42 Fotos

LaVern Baker -

LaVern Baker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Chaka Khan in 1991. She passed away in 1997.

Getty Images

37 / 42 Fotos

Cynthia Robinson and Rose Stone -

Getty Images

38 / 42 Fotos

Donna Jean Godchaux -

Donna Jean Godchaux was inducted with the Grateful Dead in 1994. Bruce Hornsby did the honors.

Getty Images

39 / 42 Fotos

Tina Weymouth -

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.

Getty Images

40 / 42 Fotos

Laura Nyro -

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)

Getty Images

41 / 42 Fotos

Menu

See Also

Women who made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

These women completely transformed the music industry

MOST READ

MENU

Don’t miss out...

Menu

See Also

Women who made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

These women completely transformed the music industry

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

MOST READ

MENU

Don’t miss out...