Best band with a female lead singer

[Csargo]

The Distillers

Young Crazed Peeling

City of Angels

Beat Your Heart Out

I'm sure most of you won't like this but oh well.

[Togakure]

For me, Pat Benatar would rank up in the top 10. My problem is that I was playing clubs in an era where Pat was all over the airwaves and break time DJ tapes. I heard her over and over and over again, and it just wore me out.

The Pretenders music will always bring back fond memories. In '84 we opened our night with Middle of the Road. We also did Brass in Pocket (my fave), Back on the Chain Gang, Show me and 2000 Miles. Our guitar player really excelled copping the Pretenders.

Meshell NdegeOcello is a fabulous bass player, vocalist and songwriter. I'm not drawn by much rap, and only some hip-hop, but Meshell's pseudo jazzy hip-hoppy tunes--from Plantation Lullabies in particular-- seriously pump.

I like the Cardigans a lot! Fresh, youthful, breezy and quirky--I just love their style. Their version of Iron Man never fails to crack me up.

Yes, forgot about Alison Moyet and Yazoo. I've followed Vince Clarke for a very long time now. He's a master programmer of arpeggiators and sequencers, and blends sounds and rhythms in a technopop way that appeals to me. I thought Alison's voice complimented his work, and vice versa. I respected Vince for resisting the lure of MIDI-based sequencers and arpeggiators in favor of the older, less convenient, but more accurate analog devices.

Kate Bush is a powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and keyboardist. Funny that I hardly ever see her mentioned in these kinds of threads. Back in her early days I listened to her a lot, and liked most of it.

[Reverend Joe]

Well, Gawain, you nailed my first and second picks, consecutively (Janis with Big Brother, and the Airplane) plus one of my favorite unknown Airplane songs ("We Can Be Together"... god, I love that song... "UP AGAINST THE WALL, MOTHER****** -- TEAR DOWN THE WALL!")

Other than that, I really don't know... MAYBE Aretha Franklin, mainly because she is an undeniable classic, though I'm not a big fan of hers. Would "The Mamas and the Papas" count?

OOH, OOH, I KNOW -- Big Mama Thornton! Never heard a lot of her, but what I heard is good.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

OOH, OOH, I KNOW -- Big Mama Thornton! Never heard a lot of her, but what I heard is good.

Talk about a ground breaker,I love her.

Big Mama Thornton - HOUND DOG!! Orig. 1953 Peacock 78RPM

Youtube used to have lots of her wailing on guitar but for some reason their all gone.

plus one of my favorite unknown Airplane songs ("We Can Be Together"... god, I love that song...

My favorite airplane song. You play the reprise(volunteers) right after it and really get goin

[Yawning Angel]

Hows about Texas with the lovely Sharleen Spiteri as lead singer, I like the White on Blonde album.

[Mikeus Caesar]

Justine Frischmann of Elastica. First time i saw a video of one of their songs i was left entranced by her. Then again, i've always had a soft spot for woman who sing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIt7eWa0oG4

The bass guitarist Annie Holland is nice as well. Not a touch on Justine though.