Best pop female vocalists

[somerfrost]

Since folks are getting their undies in a twist, here's one to cover this! Best female singers...w/wo band, limit to pop music (folk, rock etc...no opera):
1) Janis Joplin
2) Joan Baez
3) Billie Holiday
4) Linda Ronstadt
5) Judy Collins
6) Aretha Franklin
7) Cher
8) Bette Midler
9) Tina Turner
10) Big Momma Thorton

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Since folks are getting their undies in a twist, here's one to cover this! Best female singers...w/wo band, limit to pop music (folk, rock etc...no opera):
1) Janis Joplin
2) Joan Baez
3) Billie Holiday
4) Linda Ronstadt
5) Judy Collins
6) Aretha Franklin
7) Cher
8) Bette Midler
9) Tina Turner
10) Big Momma Thorton

Consider my undies untwisted -- I'm sure Pete will be thrilled too

I will just stick to contemporary folk/pop musicians because otherwise my list would be way too long as all I really grew up listening to were female musicians. I would highly reccommend anyone on this list that you're unfamiliar with -- most fall in the folky-pop acoustic set

1. Catie Curtis (the reason I play guitar at all)
2. Edie Carey
3. Anne Heaton
4. Deb Talan/The Weepies (her 'band' -- with Steve Tannen)
5. Jennifer Marks
6. Sam Shaber
7. Jenny Bruce
8. Natasha Bedingfield (for a 'pop' artist, she is actually INCREDIBLE live)
9. Paula Cole

and last but not least....

10. Meg Allison -- who is currently competing on Nashville Star on usa network on Thursday nights. One of the best, and nicest independant musicians I've ever met. And she's cute.

[Seattleallstar]

Norah Jones
Lisa Stansfield

1) Jennifer Holliday
2) Gladys Knight
3) Tina Turner
4) Patti LaBelle
5) Chaka Khan
6) Ella Fitzgerald
7) Annie Lennox
8) Bonnie Tyler
9) Judy Garland
10) Lena Horne

Jennifer Husdon is fastly making her way onto my list. Amazing voice... amazing range... amazing power.

[Seattleallstar]

Jennifer Hudson is overrated

I can name 10 other American Idols who were much better

Kelly and Katherine come to mind already

1) Janis Joplin
2) Patsy Cline
3) Deborah Harry
4) Mariah Carey
5) Whitney Houston
6) Patti Smyth
7) Alison Krauss
8) Chrissie Hynde
9) Joan Baez
10) Debbie Gibson

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Balletto

1) Jennifer Holliday
2) Gladys Knight
3) Tina Turner
4) Patti LaBelle
5) Chaka Khan
6) Ella Fitzgerald
7) Annie Lennox
8) Bonnie Tyler
9) Judy Garland
10) Lena Horne

Jennifer Husdon is fastly making her way onto my list. Amazing voice... amazing range... amazing power.

I love Annie Lennox too! Nice list!

[paisjpq]

I'm really bad at making lists that have rankings...and I agree with a lot of the names thrown out already...but I would add...
the Indigo Girls (as a duo they aren't really a solo...but they aren't really a band either )
Tori Amos
Sarah McGlauglin (sp?)
Pat Benetar