© Getty Images

Sinéad O'Connor -

Sinéad O'Connor was known for her powerful ballads like 'Nothing Compares 2 U'. She passed away at the premature age of 56 in 2023.  O'Connor rose to fame in the 1980s and quickly gained respect as a singer and songwriter. Her unique, powerful voice allowed her to travel seamlessly between grunge and heartbreaking ballads. Her music was filled with emotion and she was never afraid to speak her mind. O'Connor used her growing platform to speak out on political and social issues she was passionate about, famously tearing up a photo of the Pope on 'Saturday Night Live' in 1992 to protest the abuses of the Catholic Church. She sparked public outrage on more than one occasion and her uncompromising sense of justice undoubtedly impacted her career. 

© Getty Images

Christine McVie -

Inspired by the emotional turmoil they were all experiencing, it became one of the best-selling albums of all time. McVie stayed with the band for 28 years before retiring in 1998, citing a fear of flying as the reason for leaving. However, she made a comeback in 2014 to perform with them again, and joined them on their 2018-2019 tour, 'An Evening with Fleetwood Mac.' 

© Getty Images

Debbie Harry - Debbie Harry has been the lead singer of punk rock and new wave band Blondie since 1974. The band has many hits, such as 'Heart of Glass,' 'Call Me,' and 'Rapture.'

© Getty Images

Debbie Harry - The band continues in full swing, and Debbie Harry shows no signs of slowing down.

© Getty Images

Joan Jett - She is one of the most inspiring rock stars in history. She is the founder of the female band The Runaways (1975 to 1979). They recorded hits like 'Cherry Bomb,' 'Queens of Noise,' and 'Born to Be Bad.'

© Getty Images

Joan Jett - Also known as the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, the rocker is also one of the best guitarists in the world. She is the author of one of the greatest hits of all time, 'I Love Rock n Roll.'

© Getty Images

Gwen Stefani - Many people miss the rock phase of the singer who took the world by storm during her time in the band No Doubt. The group received their big break with their third album, 'Tragic Kingdom' (1995), which sold over 16 million copies worldwide.

© Getty Images

Gwen Stefani - The album includes hits like 'Spiderwebs,' 'Excuse Me Mr.,' 'Don't Speak,' and 'Just a Girl,' among others. Although her solo career is now more pop orientated, Stefani continues to perform her former band's powerful songs.

© Getty Images

Christine McVie -

On November 30, 2022, the music industry mourned the loss of rock icon Christine McVie, a key member of the legendary Fleetwood Mac. The British star was responsible for writing some of the band's most beloved songs, including 'Little Lies,' 'Everywhere,' and 'Don't Stop.' She was one of the founding members of the group in the 1970s and was married to its bassist, John McVie. When Christine and John broke up, along with the band's other couple, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, their most popular album 'Rumours' was written.

© Getty Images

Amy Lee - American Amy Lee is the vocalist of the alternative metal band Evanescence.

© Getty Images

Amy Lee - She became an idol in the genre because of her powerful voice, which was easily confused with a mezzo soprano despite being classified as a dramatic soprano.

© Getty Images

Patti Smith - The singer was not focused on her image and is instead known for her attitude, imposing voice, and strong, personal lyrics. Patti Smith is also a poet and writer.

© Getty Images

Patti Smith - Known as a punk poet, she brought a feminist and intellectual approach to punk rock and became one of the most influential women in the genre.

© Getty Images

Shirley Manson - Garbage's vocalist became a '90s alternative rock icon.

© Getty Images

Shirley Manson - The band reached its peak in the mid-90s with the albums 'Garbage' and 'Version 2.0.' They recorded hits like 'Only Happy When It Rains,' 'When I Grow Up,' and 'Stupid Girl.'

© Getty Images

Chrissie Hynde - The Pretenders were founded in 1978 by the vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Chrissie Hynde. She became known for hits such as 'I'll Stand By You,' 'Back on the Chain Gang,' 'Middle of the Road,' and 'Don't Get Me Wrong.'

© Getty Images

Chrissie Hynde - The American singer still tours. She is the only remnant of the original band and continues its legacy. Her unique voice is still relevant in today's music scene.

© Getty Images

Courtney Love -

Kurt Cobain's widow had a very turbulent life, marked by scandals and drug abuse, that ended up overshadowing her talent. Despite this, her band, Hole, became successful in 1998 with their album 'Celebrity Skin.'

© Getty Images

Courtney Love - The band released hit singles like 'Celebrity Skin' and 'Malibu.' Her aggressive fashion sense, known as 'kinderwhore,' featured her trademark cute dresses and red lipstick.

© Getty Images

Dolores O'Riordan - Dolores O'Riordan fronted the Irish band The Cranberries. The alternative rock band was founded in 1989 and was very successful. Four of their albums were featured in the top 20 albums of the Billboard 200, including 'Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?,' 'No Need to Argue,' 'To the Faithful Departed,' and 'Bury the Hatchet.'

© Getty Images

Dolores O'Riordan - Sadly, the singer behind hits like 'Linger,' 'Dreams,' and 'Zombie' passed away in 2018.

© Getty Images

Grace Slick - Grace Slick was one of the leaders of the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane, founded in 1965. She also participated in later variations of the band, such as Jefferson Starship and Starship, and even had a solo career.

© Getty Images

Grace Slick - Today, the singer-songwriter is highly respected in the psychedelic rock scene. She was crucial for the dissemination of the music style in the media. She was immortalized in the 1996 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Jefferson Airplane.

© Getty Images

Brody Dalle - The singer and guitarist is much more than the former wife of Josh Homme (of Queens of the Stone Age) and mother of their three children.

© Getty Images

Brody Dalle - The Australian spent 24 years as the lead singer of the punk band The Distillers. She then moved on to the alternative rock band, Spinnerette, and started a solo career in 2012.

© Getty Images

Lita Ford - Also a former member of The Runaways, the guitarist became popular for her 'wild girl' persona. 'Out for Blood' marked the beginning of her solo career in 1983.

© Getty Images

Lita Ford - Lita Ford had some successful partnerships. In the '80s, she recorded the hit ballad 'Close My Eyes Forever,' featuring Ozzy Osbourne. The song was a huge success.

© Getty Images

Florence Welch - She has been the lead singer of Florence and the Machine since 2007. Florence Welch is one of the greatest female rock icons of our time in addition to a huge fashion trendsetter.

© Getty Images

Florence Welch -

The charismatic singer and her band have sold out shows worldwide. The hit 'Dog Days Are Over' has even become an anthem!

© Getty Images

Karen O - The South Korean-born American singer is the leader of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, a band that revolutionized indie rock by giving it a punk rock twist and a touch of art rock. 'Mosquito,' 'Rockers to Swallow,' 'Zero' and 'Cheated Hearts' are some of their hits.

© Getty Images

Karen O - The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' music is experimental and brings together a variety of concepts. The singer-songwriter is also known for her eccentric onstage look.

© Getty Images

PJ Harvey - She is considered one of the most important rock singers of her generation and one of the greatest rock icons of the '90s.

© Getty Images

PJ Harvey -

She is considered a legend in the indie rock scene. 'Dress,' 'Legs,' 'Down By the Water,' 'Good Fortune,' 'The Devil,' 'Black Hearted Love,' 'The Words That Maketh Murder' and 'On Battleship Hill' are just some of her many hits.

See also: The greatest female guitarists of all time

© Getty Images