Psychedelic Rock Female Singers You Need to Know
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting some of the most talented and influential psychedelic rock female singers from the past and present.
Janis Joplin
Love her or hate her, Janis Joplin was one of the most influential female singers of psychedelic rock. Her raw, throaty vocals and willingness to experiment set her apart from her contemporaries and earned her the nickname “The Queen of Psychedelic Soul.” Joplin’s career was cut short by her untimely death at the age of 27, but her legacy has lived on through her music.
Grace Slick
Grace Slick is a singer, songwriter, and artist, best known as one of the lead vocalists of the rock band Jefferson Airplane. She was an important figure in the counterculture movement of the 1960s and continued to make music until her retirement in the 1990s. Her best-known songs include “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit.”
Slick was born Grace Barnett Wing in 1939 in Evanston, Illinois. She began her musical career as a folk singer in the early 1960s. In 1965, she joined Jefferson Airplane, which quickly became one of the most popular bands of the psychedelic rock era. The group’s hits included “Somebody to Love” (1966), “White Rabbit” (1967), and “We Can Be Together” (1969).
In 1974, Slick left Jefferson Airplane to pursue a solo career. She released several successful solo albums, including Manhole (1974), Dreams (1980), and software (1988). In 1989, she retired from music altogether.
Slick is widely considered one of the most influential women in rock music. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Jefferson Airplane in 1996.
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks is most well-known as the singer of Fleetwood Mac, but she has also had a very successful solo career. She is considered one of the best female vocalists of all time, and her style strongly influenced the sound of Fleetwood Mac. Nicks is known for her ethereal voice and stage presence, and she often incorporates elements of mythology and mysticism into her lyrics.
Patti Smith
Patti Smith is one of the most influential female artists of all time. She started her career as a punk poet and performer in the 1970s, and went on to release a number of highly acclaimed albums in the punk and alternative rock genres. Smith is also known for her political activism, and has been a vocal advocate for feminist, environmental, and anti-war causes.
Debbie Harry
The lead singer of Blondie, Debbie Harry was one of the most popular female singers of the seventies and early eighties. She was known for her punk style and unique voice, which helped to make Blondie one of the most successful bands of the era. While she is best known for her work with Blondie, she has also had a successful solo career, released several solo albums, and acted in a number of films and television shows.
Siouxsie Sioux
Siouxsie Sioux is a punk rock legend who fronted the groundbreaking band Siouxsie and the Banshees. The Banshees were one of the first post-punk bands to embrace a more experimental and psychedelic sound, and Siouxsie’s eerie, soulful voice was the perfect match for their dark and atmospheric songs. She has continued to experiment with her sound throughout her solo career, and remains one of the most innovative and respected singers in rock music.
