Best Rock bands with a female front

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

i saw them open for alanis morissette when i was in high school.

i was pretty obsessed with alanis in those days after "supposed former infatuation junkie" came out -- and i was so blown away by Garbage that i found myself being a little bored during Alanis's show, when any other time I would have been wetting myself.

Embarassingly enough, Paula Cole is the best live show I've ever seen in my life -- but Garbage would probably be a close second at this point.

Paula Cole... blast from the past! I couldnt get past the hairy armpits though. So distracting.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Shirley!

Amy Lee needs some recognition. Great voice even if the band itsself is overrated.

Hole is another that deserves some mention. Not a truly gifted singer, but she phrases uniquely (Courtney Love).

I wouldnt exactly call 10,000 Maniacs "rock" but Natalie Merchant is instantly recognizable vocally.

Dolores o'Riordan of The Cranberries fame has one of the smoothest alto's in rock. Her tone is amazing but there's also grit when needed. A true sign of cross-over versatility.

Ann Wilson of heart just has amazing chops. With a slight rasp to a strong, husky alto, for unusually provative lyrics, she paved the way for many females.

I would adds the Yeah Yeah Yeah's as a new band going places with a female lead as well.

Honorable mention to Veruca Salt, Portishead, and Plumb.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Balletto

I would adds the Yeah Yeah Yeah's as a new band going places with a female lead as well.

They're excellent.

[GenuineRisk]

Concrete Blonde.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Balletto

Paula Cole... blast from the past! I couldnt get past the hairy armpits though. So distracting.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Shirley!

Amy Lee needs some recognition. Great voice even if the band itsself is overrated.

Hole is another that deserves some mention. Not a truly gifted singer, but she phrases uniquely (Courtney Love).

I wouldnt exactly call 10,000 Maniacs "rock" but Natalie Merchant is instantly recognizable vocally.

Dolores o'Riordan of The Cranberries fame has one of the smoothest alto's in rock. Her tone is amazing but there's also grit when needed. A true sign of cross-over versatility.

Ann Wilson of heart just has amazing chops. With a slight rasp to a strong, husky alto, for unusually provative lyrics, she paved the way for many females.

10,000 Maniacs deserve mention...I like Natalie better when solo though. Not a big Hole fan, I wonder if we would have even heard of her if not for her b/f? Again, I think both Bif Naked and Juliette Lewis do that type of music better! Someone mentioned the Pretenders and I agree, almost put them in my top 10.

I like Natalie's solo career better as well. Goes to show you dont need much range if you have an original and recognizable tone.

I actually like the Hole stuff that most of its hardcore fans would consider their attempt at "selling out". I happened to love Celebrity Skin.

Courtney Love was/is such a disaster that we would have known about her even if Cobain was never connected to her. She's managed to keep the flame going many years after his death wtihout much reference to it. And anyone who named their child Frances Bean deserves to be on tv somewhere.

Bif Naked is hot... Juliette Lewis... never got.

Pretenders are absolute rock royalty.

The Eurythmics dont really fit "rock" but how great is the legendary Annie Lennox??!!

With an amazing contralto that emotes so incredibly well, they def left a mark on many musicians and fans alike.

[ninetoone]

Somer, I'm with you on F Mac & Heart (remember seeing them w/John Parr opening up for 'em)

Oh yeah, and of course The Legwarmers (www.thelegwarmers.com)

Here's a little diddy from Mr.John Parr as a blast from the past for some of ya...(close your eyes and you'll swear it's Billy Squire)...naughty naughty!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTaySI8HXcY

[horseofcourse]

I saw 10,000 Maniacs in 1989. Not bad....but not a great show overall, but I wouldn't put them on the list, plus she bolted pretty quick for her solo career. I would go with Jefferson Starship (Airplane blew!!) and Blondie as the best. Garbage also very good. I guess Heart is good, but they just irritate me for some reason.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by horseofcourse

I saw 10,000 Maniacs in 1989. Not bad....but not a great show overall, but I wouldn't put them on the list, plus she bolted pretty quick for her solo career. I would go with Jefferson Starship (Airplane blew!!) and Blondie as the best. Garbage also very good. I guess Heart is good, but they just irritate me for some reason.

There's where we differ.....Jefferson Airplane was classic San Fran sound...I mean really, White Rabbit, Hey Frederick, Somebody to Love etc! Grace Slick had the pipes and the band was tight, I always saw Starship as more pop....ok, but not with the vitality of Airplane. Heart really were trend setters, unfortunately while they overcame the female lead issues, the weight issue killed them. Many people were put off when they had that fundraiser for Charlie and the family...frankly, I never got the idolization (if that's a word) of Manson.

[docicu3]

Are we leaving out Chrissie and the Pretenders or is the edge just a little too rough.......that had alot of hits and a sound that was somewhat unique.

And at least an honorable mention to Annie Lennox and the Eurthymics (sp?)
Great voice......hubby not bad with an axe.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by docicu3

Are we leaving out Chrissie and the Pretenders or is the edge just a little too rough.......that had alot of hits and a sound that was somewhat unique.

Someone mentioned them -- and then I felt remiss for not thinking about them off the top of my head! Theyre awesome.

[mclem10011]

I always thought Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles was pretty hot! Although most of their songs weren't released, THEY ESCAPED lol! Anyone remember the metal band Vixen? They were gorgeous girls, i actually bought one of TAPES, yes i said TAPES (long before CD's and post 8-track of course), that was the way to go! LOL

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Balletto

I like Natalie's solo career better as well. Goes to show you dont need much range if you have an original and recognizable tone.

I actually like the Hole stuff that most of its hardcore fans would consider their attempt at "selling out". I happened to love Celebrity Skin.

Courtney Love was/is such a disaster that we would have known about her even if Cobain was never connected to her. She's managed to keep the flame going many years after his death wtihout much reference to it. And anyone who named their child Frances Bean deserves to be on tv somewhere.

Bif Naked is hot... Juliette Lewis... never got.

Pretenders are absolute rock royalty.

I have a couple videos of Bif Naked on Myspace page...I love the vid for Lucky! When you say you don't "get" Juliette, what do you mean? Her music or performance or both?