For people to start calling your playing style using your name (Carter scratch) you know you’ve excelled. She influenced the way a whole generation played guitar, I think she deserved a #1 ranking for that reason alone.
IKR? how culture has silenced the greats. I have never heard of her, and am very dissapointed of that fact, she was great! She was doin it before doin it was doin it!
Agreed! Just watching her skip to the beat in those high heels and the donning that coat makes her ultimate punk!! She must have blown 1940's American minds and triggered the "Rock n Roll is dangerous" movement.
Agree to disagree, Nancy Wilson will always be one of the greatest guitar players of all time , male or female. Seriously under rated . She never needed a stage gimmick to enhance her music. She just let it rip...
Loved this. I am surprised that Melissa Etheridge, Chrissie Hynde or Dolly Parton weren't at least on the list as honorable mention. Dolly has never really been recognized for her skills as a guitar player. At any rate, enjoyed it. Thanks.
The only excuse to have Nancy at number 2 is if Bonnie Raitt is number 1. If it's My list Bonnie and Nancy are number 1a and 1b. I couldn't choose which one to put above the other.
Nancy Wilson should have been 1st. Saw Heart in the late 70's. We were really close to the stage. During the intro to Crazy on You, before the final strumming, she stopped, threw the pick into the audience, and strummed with her fingers. That's Rock and Roll!
Also saw them in the late 70's/early 80's, multiple times. Nancy is phenomenal. Crazy on You intro is the best ever. Everyone pretty much holds their breath anticipating that first electric downstroke. They were so damn good.
Tina S.. guitar GOD. She ain't even a Prodigy she's a Savant! Don't believe it? Watch the first 15 SECONDS of her cover of Beetoveen's 3rd Moonlight Sonata. Just the first 15 seconds never mind about the next 5:45 seconds that she rips off over 7 notes per SECOND without missing a single one!
While a huge fan of Lita Ford, I would have put her at #2 and Put Nancy Wilson at #1 as Nancy was a pioneer of rock guitar goddesses and paved the way those that came later...even the Runaways...
Agreed. I am a big fan of Lita’s, but absolutely would have been okay with her not being number 1. Personally, I’m just happy to see her included at all, since so often people tend to forget her entirely in favor of Joan.
I don't see Lita Ford in the Rock & Roll HALL of Fame, where the Wilson sisters definitely are. At their inauguration the announcer specifically stated Nancy being able to out-play many males in the business.... in short MoJo just slapped a list together without having a clue as to what they're saying.
as they usually do, so.. why are you suprised. i think the entire internet knows that MOJO Lists are a load of bullshit and usually contain little to no research, but aim at ratings and subs
I have listened to them all for most of my 62 years and for many reasons Nancy is # 1. If we could all sit down, smoke a bowl and listen to these ladies jam I could talk about those reasons. Lastly, I think if Annie Clark became more mainstream she could play a true killer rock guitar. She makes it look so easy, but I don’t think she will change her style. Nancy # 1!
Best overall guitar player period? I assume you mean WOMEN. I can name 40 better guitarists overall as far as guys, ok maybe not 40 but you know what I mean. 20 at least though. With that said for women you definitely have an argument.
All great, but Nancy Wilson is literally my hero. Her Crazy On You intro among other things is unshakably epic. Adding to her mojo is her genuinely unassuming personality. Even though she's not a self-promoter, t's really hard to forget her.
I agree with you Rocket and yeah, her intro on "Crazy On You" is absolutely great. I might be dumb for asking you this, but have you ever heard her acoustic playing on "Love Alive" from their "Little Queen" album from 1977? You know, she can hold her own on electric guitar, but she really shines on acoustic!
I loved this list. How ever I'll take Bonnie Raitt as my number one. A kick ass woman playing slide guitar with a glass bottle neck? Come on. She can sing hard beat songs as well as ballads.
Samantha Fish. She rocks, kills a soft ballad, can play the blues with anybody. Great live show. We're all about guitar and she's been at the top of our playlists for several years and has her own "Best of" playlist on our channel. That's guitar God country with players like Duane Allman, Prince, Frank Zappa, Mick Taylor and a handful of others. For those not familiar think of the resulting child of a Janis Joplin and Stevie Ray union. She's just an incredible talent-singer, songwriter and guitarist. That being said, we like everybody on your list and would recommend viewers check out more of Sister Rosetta Tharpe. She's a truly historic figure in music and an extremely influential guitar player. Way ahead of her time.
@@oscarfernandez387 uh, she should be #1. Exactly!! I was actually shocked she wasn't #1 and felt completely disrespected for her that she wasnt even in the top 5. Smh she should be #1 just for her massive influence alone! And how do they not put her performance of "up above my head" on here?? Gigantic *FAIL* .
I love Lita Ford, thought she might be #1.....but after seeing the list, I am amazed at some of the other women. But truly Nancy Wilson should be the top pick.( Lita would agree)🤙
Loved your choice of Lita Ford, I painted graphics on many of her B.C. Rich guitars back in the 80s. However you missed one of the greatest Flamenco guitarists of all time, Charro !
How about Ida Nielsen?! She is best from bass guitar players! N:1! Rhonda Smith also is bass guitar player of world-сlass!.. And why author shouldn't have included bass players in this list is also unclear.
I heard Jennifer Batten in a small venue once. I watched her roam around the audience, playing her guitar while talking with everyone. Her warm-ups would make you dizzy and she did it all while talking with everyone. Incredible.
Having just seen Heart this week, with Joan Jett opening, the timing is good for a comment. Jett is amazing. I've not seen the others on this list perform live, but I was in high school when the Wilson sisters were tearing up the radio in their 20s, and now they are tearing down venues still in their 60s. No question in my mind. Nancy Wilson is No 1.
I was surprised not to see Allison Robertson of The Donnas not on this list. More of a traditional straight rock guitar player but she holds up for me in the same vein as a Malcolm / Angus Young combo. If I was putting together a rock band today she would be at the top of my list to recruit.
Excellent choice! I LOVE Allison Robertson! She is very talented and very underrated. Some of the choices on this list are really not known as great guitarists and they left out many that deserve to be on the list.
Good list, though I don't know some of the newer guitarists. However, I would have put June Millington of Fanny on the list, and not as an honorable mention. Those ladies rocked.
Tina S... the guitar GOD on this rock from the day she was born... Gifted ain't even the word she's not even a Prodigy shes a Savant. Nobody (male or female) touches Tina's guitar playing world she plays in her own league. Oh, you think not? Try searching her her on YT she's all over this place. Then see what the reactors say about her don't take MY word for it.. this girl IS a fucken GOD! I forewarn you though... she is NOT a "showy" type. Many think she's not very emotional or even seems to be "detached" from reality. Better think again!
@leecowell8165 I watched her videos. She's an amazingly talented guitar player. No question about it. But who's ever even heard of her? Ive been listening to rock music my entire life and never heard of her until a few hours ago. Best guitarist of all time !? Male or female !? ......Come on! There's more to greatest guitarist than technical ability.
Leona Boyd should be somewhere on the list. Incredibly technical and precise. Another different genre with classical music, but the lady is phenomenal.
An up and coming talent that certainly deserves Honorable Mention, is Maddy Rice. She’s played in Stay Human and is currently in the Saturday Night Live house band. Stay tuned, as this talented Guitarist continues her rise to fame!
She was and IS Epic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@raysmith5338 Joan was a poser...she only plays 3 barre chords...I love her stuff...but the guitar playing was not her...it was Ricky Byrd...and it was Lita in the Runaways...she is like Keith Richards...people give him the recognition they should give to Ronnie Wood...
Nancy Wilson should be #1. She's had a consistently creative career for DECADES. She's great on acoustic AND electric. She's still out there playing. All the others are influential and great guitarists in their own right, but Nancy is #1.
@@content4502 Carol Kaye, as one of the Wrecking Crew, certainly deserves a spot on this list, for she opened the door for those who followed her. However--though she played guitar, she was best known for playing bass, which could be one reason she's not on this list.
@@wesloroff646 Nancy Wilson and many of Rocks biggest ever names may never have happened if it wasn't for Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The woman is due her kudos
You missed the mark. BIG TIME! Charo didn't even make your honorable mention list. She meets and surpasses all of your criteria and is, without doubt, the greatest female guitarist of all time! A star pupil of the master himself, Andres Segovia!
Absolutely! Saw her on Carson once I was expecting her to do her hoocie choocie act but she came out with a guitar and did an absolutely amazing flamencio number that blew me away after that I had nothing but great respect for her talent Amazing!
@@scottmurphy650 if you ever saw her play you might have a different opinion and Ford and Wilson are hardly the same in comparison totally different kind of music
Yeah Bee Couldn't agree more. It's a strong list, to be sure, but most of these players were dealing with one genre. Nancy rocked as hard as anyone on some tracks, but listen to stuff like Soul of the Sea, White Lightning and Wine, Heartless, Straight On, Mistral Wind, etc, and you realize she had unbeleveable range. And never discount how monumental a task replacing Roger Fisher's guitar work was. He's one of the unsung greats of guitar. She handled the change like it was no big deal.
This is a tough list but there are a few popular guitarists here who could be bumped down (or off) to make way for some more skilled ones. Shawn Colvin, Suzy Tedeschi, Nita Strauss...
It was good to see Sister Rosetta Tharpe on the list, a true trailblazer. I'm sure guys such as Chuck Berry and Billy Gibbons have a lot to thank her for.
I think Berry has a lot more to thank for to Muddy Waters and his idol, T-Bone Walker and C&W white players that inspired him. Dunno if she has any influence on him at all.
Nothing is more fucking awesome than a female playing guitar. Especially when she's better than most famous male guitarists. Pretty much giving mysoginists the middle finger :)
Considering that the famous male guitarists that are known for skill are so much better than anyone on this list, there are no middle fingers being given.
Sean O'Reilly not really, a lot of these girls are very innovative akd creative whereas a lot of famous guitarists are just good at playing very fast solos, creativity is better than technicality.
Take a look at the guitarists of King Crimson, Genesis, Dream Theater, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink Floyd, and pretty much all Progressive Rock/Metal Guitarists before you make a statement like that.
I would have to swap Jennifer Batten and Lita Ford, personally. But Mojo is all about who's most popular, not who's actually best. Jennifer Batten has played with SO many people and developed curriculum for guitar for numerous music schools. Lita's always been popular because she's the pretty blonde...but with most people in this list, well...she shouldn't even BE on this list.
Agreed. I own all of Lita's work, and she uses the same solo melodies repeatedly. When she is good, she is GOOD. But I find her work repetitive and she really doesn't have great songwriting ability. Jennifer Batten is a whole order of magnitude better in almost every single respect. Nancy Wilson would have been my top choice, too, but I am a huge Bonnie Raitt fan, and it is great to see some artists from the early history of rock and pop guitar getting some much deserved acclaim. But what lists like this seem to overlook is that fact that rock/metal are actually not the only genres out there. Some jazz would be nice to see included occasionally. And while it is great to see the earlier generations represented, and acoustic love to the likes of Nancy Wilson and Joni Mitchell's earlier recordings, it'd be great to see some classical guitarists rated... because believe me, some of them could leave the metal shredders standing in clouds of dust.
I GOTTA agree with Rebecca Benger(comment also in this stack)... Nancy Wilson just ROCKS 'em all. Check her out playing with Jerry Cantrell and the rest of AIC with Gretchen Wilson doin' vocals on a chuggy-AIC-ish version of BARRACUDA!! It's here on YT- worth the watch! Love ya Lita, but Nan has got the edge by a razor thin margin IMHO
NANCY #2?? Yeah, I think NOT!! Nancy plays some of the most excellent and tricky changes I might add! NO ONE can play like her!! And she kills it on the electric and a plethora of other instruments and sings like an Angel!! NANCY WILSON IS #1 IN MY BOOK!!!
YOUR BELOVED NANCY COULD ONLY DREAM TO PLAY LIKE BRIT....LET ALONE LITA. WATCH THIS, EAT SHIT th-cam.com/video/d6tXOAKGu8c/w-d-xo.html AND th-cam.com/video/UztvWlG9nsU/w-d-xo.html
Nancy Wilson deserves the #1 spot, hands down. Also, Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls should be on here. Check out her live guitar solos on "Land of Canaan" and "Galileo." They are amazing.
Bonnie has to be number 2 behind Nancy Wilson. Bonnie is not only one of the best female guitarists ever she's one of the best slide guitar players ever period.
@@blakewallace4655 Yes it was. Nancy played the acoustic intro to "Crazy on You". It's entitled "Silver Wheels". Roger Fischer played the electric and created the riff on that song.
You did pretty good here! I also like Patty Larkin and Rory Block. Both can get after it. Rory is acoustic blues and Patty has incandescent solos on acoustic and she’s a singer-songwriter.
I think of a "photo finish" decision. Lita had a longer and known solo career but I believe the Number One should be Nancy. And, by the way, Ann is to me the best female voice (of rock) and thanks god, both sisters still alive.
I would have to agree.. loe joan jett, also love Sheryl Crow. Nice that you did add the 40s stars. Look as a male lefty guitarist, think you covered it well. I also still love hart and J mitchell..yeah yeah yeah and the beat goes on and the beat goes on
Sister Rosetta was rock and roll before rock and roll existed and DESERVES more recognition for that fact. Since these lists are just somebody's opinion Nancy Wilson is #1 on my list (that's my opinion and I'm sticking with it).
I swear they only put Nancy at number 2 so everyone would comment that she belongs at the top and they would get more engagement on the video. Because come on now.
Should've thrown an honorable mention to Jan B from Vixen for her infectious glam rock grooves & Jen Batten who rocked out with MJ all throughout the late 80's should've been a top 10. Outside of that, solid list. Orianthi is definitely the Steve Vai of female guitarists! Side note: glad to see you're spotlighting him in an upcoming episode, his storied career is more than enough proof that he's 100% in the top 3 of all time behind EVH & Hendrix, not to steal the spotlight from all these amazing ladies.
Would have put Bonnie Rait as #1 and Orianthi as #2, but overall a good selection that was not limited to genre. Bit hard to compare generations too, because Rosa Tharpe was a brilliant trail-blazer and probably acknowledged by every other guitarist on that list as breaking the Glass Ceiling. Good list. 👌👌👍👍👍👍
I love how she's toyed with the "intro" over the years. People think it's part of CoY but is actually another song & I can't think of it's name to save my life.
I believe you are referring to Silver Wheels. It started as an intro for Crazy on You and even Dreamboat Annie in the '70s, and was finally released to the album Bebe Le Strange in 1980. th-cam.com/video/IdiGp_tyA-Y/w-d-xo.html
You and me both!!! Especially when I see the live footage of CoY! Going that sick on an acoustic??? Few and far between!!! I'll never understand why Nancy isn't given the credit she's due? Does everyone forget that some of Heart's most well known songs , the vocals are done by Nancy??? So, on top of being an amazing guitarist, she's not a half bad vocalist, either. But, I completely agree with you about the intro to CoY!!!!
Great, great list. I especially applaud you for pulling in names not well known, and almost forgotten: mother Mabel Carter and sister Rosetta Tharp. it would have been very easy to simply leave them out, given the average age of the people viewing your videos. You have done great homage to two giants. personally, I think Sheryl Crowe should have gotten more than honorable mention. as we all know, Sheryl can hold her own on the guitar as well as anyone. thank you grunge for the fabulous work you do. You are excellent, excellent cultural archivists.
Nancy Wilson is my number one ..the way she so flawlessly slays the beginning of crazy on you omg she's a goddess of the guitar ..love her so much!...great list i respect any woman who can pick up a guitar and show some of these guys whos boss!
GAWD the way she shredded on Crazy On You...My gawd no one else coulda come up with that shit (if Nancy hadnt done it 1st). Imagine any one else doing that?
I'm in Club Nancy. She has the entire toolkit: phenomenal guitarist, touring monster, excellent songwriter, and just owns the entire stage with her presence... and she did it all of it in a shitty behind-the-scenes era for female rock artists. There's nothing wrong with Ford. But Wilson checks all the boxes.
Vicki Peterson of The Bangles is probably the best i've ever seen live. She has some amazing guitar solos. She's easily in the top 10 female guitar players.
Wow! These women are all amazing. I didn't realize there were so many mind-blowing talented women. However, they forgot to mention my favorite...Samantha Fish!
Thank you for recognizing Mabelle Carter and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Their contributions to music has been long overlooked.
Came here to say that very thing.
For people to start calling your playing style using your name (Carter scratch) you know you’ve excelled. She influenced the way a whole generation played guitar, I think she deserved a #1 ranking for that reason alone.
@@tjwash5118 well said. She opened the door for rockers today.
I'm glad they where in the pick also
Kids today do no know who they are, Just like they will never know who Rev, Gary Davis was.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe--Wow! Blending folk, blues and gospel before rock 'n roll! Her music and voice and presentation are soooooo good.
Totally agree! She was the godmother of rock 'n roll.
This is the first time I've heard of her.
IKR? how culture has silenced the greats. I have never heard of her, and am very dissapointed of that fact, she was great! She was doin it before doin it was doin it!
Why was she not No 1?
Agreed! Just watching her skip to the beat in those high heels and the donning that coat makes her ultimate punk!! She must have blown 1940's American minds and triggered the "Rock n Roll is dangerous" movement.
Agree to disagree, Nancy Wilson will always be one of the greatest guitar players of all time , male or female. Seriously under rated . She never needed a stage gimmick to enhance her music. She just let it rip...
Couldn’t agree more. Seen Nancy live a few times. She brought it every time from start to finish. I flip her and Leta.
Isn't female and guitarist a contradiction?
@@kennethschwartz9351 wdym
Umm to think Nancy compares to the best guitarists is stupid. She’s just as good as Jimi or Eddie or Nuno…just ridiculous
You my friend are ignorant
Loved this. I am surprised that Melissa Etheridge, Chrissie Hynde or Dolly Parton weren't at least on the list as honorable mention. Dolly has never really been recognized for her skills as a guitar player.
At any rate, enjoyed it. Thanks.
Same here. Also surprised they didn’t get a single mention. Also kinda annoyed there was no mention of Charo.
Nancy' Wilson's intro to crazy on you is the best ever.
Dog and butterfly was sweet acoustic too
You meant to say Ann Wilson? Nancy is the vocalist
@@jorgeb9715 nope
@@jorgeb9715 Ann is the vocalist lol
Ana Popovic is best!
Theres ZERO EXCUSE to have Nancy Wilson at 2 and not 1. I dont care what the parameters for the video are.
Nancy is number 1.
Period.
Also, no Lita Ford.
The only excuse to have Nancy at number 2 is if Bonnie Raitt is number 1. If it's My list Bonnie and Nancy are number 1a and 1b. I couldn't choose which one to put above the other.
your personal preference
@@Excitable101 she was #1
Nancy Wilson is a good guitarist but no one rocks like Lita she makes that guitar talk.
It’s amazing how Michael Jackson had a good taste for guitarists. Jennifer Batten, Orianthi…a true legend.
Jackson had also hired Steve Stevens, Slash or Eddie Van Halen, among others.
Agree and I think Quincy Jones might have had a little something to do with that ;)
then he casually just had eddie van halen do beat it entirely for free
ORIANTHI Is A Real GODESS...
I'll go with Nancy Wilson as #1. She's incredible
Same
Seems Nancy is the big winner in the unofficial fan poll here.
I think Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Nancy Wilson are definitely 1 & 2.
Vanessa P yup🤙, good call
@Patrick Names exactly. I feel disrespected for her!
Nancy Wilson should have been 1st. Saw Heart in the late 70's. We were really close to the stage. During the intro to Crazy on You, before the final strumming, she stopped, threw the pick into the audience, and strummed with her fingers. That's Rock and Roll!
Also saw them in the late 70's/early 80's, multiple times. Nancy is phenomenal. Crazy on You intro is the best ever. Everyone pretty much holds their breath anticipating that first electric downstroke. They were so damn good.
@@Obamafan6861 Nancy didn't play guitar
@@nigel8649 What?
@Nigel you better check your facts before opening the pie hole!!!
Nancy Wilson gets my vote ! What a musician!!
I imagine if Rosetta were around today, she’d be blowing everyone’s minds
No one plays like Nancy Wilson. She should be at the top of the list.
I agree with you
Tina S.. guitar GOD. She ain't even a Prodigy she's a Savant! Don't believe it? Watch the first 15 SECONDS of her cover of Beetoveen's 3rd Moonlight Sonata. Just the first 15 seconds never mind about the next 5:45 seconds that she rips off over 7 notes per SECOND without missing a single one!
While a huge fan of Lita Ford, I would have put her at #2 and Put Nancy Wilson at #1 as Nancy was a pioneer of rock guitar goddesses and paved the way those that came later...even the Runaways...
Lita Ford has been passed by loads of other female guitarists and she was never all that good anyway.
Agreed. I am a big fan of Lita’s, but absolutely would have been okay with her not being number 1. Personally, I’m just happy to see her included at all, since so often people tend to forget her entirely in favor of Joan.
Nancy Didn't play guitar
I saw Heart play Texas Jam one year and Nancy Wilson took my breath away!
Sister Rosseta Thorpe was so badass. Adds to why i love my SG so much!!
The original female guitar player.
Joan Jett: Why do we all know her name?
Because, after being shown the door by TWENTY-THREE record companies, she DID NOT GIVE UP.
Over-rated skank. Couldn't play or sing her way out of Biden's soiled Depends.
@@rockahbilly76 If you were male in the 80s and did not want to bang Joan, you were gay as folk.
@@rockahbilly76 well rolling stones rated her as top 100 but obviously you will show your credentials here to show why you are right
Lita Ford can jam, but I'm thinking Nancy Wilson brings more technical prowess.
Nancy brings speed and technicality.
I don't see Lita Ford in the Rock & Roll HALL of Fame, where the Wilson sisters definitely are. At their inauguration the announcer specifically stated Nancy being able to out-play many males in the business.... in short MoJo just slapped a list together without having a clue as to what they're saying.
Agreed!
as they usually do, so.. why are you suprised.
i think the entire internet knows that MOJO Lists are a load of bullshit and usually contain little to no research, but aim at ratings and subs
Joe G correct
Nancy Wilson is my favorite female guitarist of all time. She definitely deserves number 1.
I have listened to them all for most of my 62 years and for many reasons Nancy is # 1. If we could all sit down, smoke a bowl and listen to these ladies jam I could talk about those reasons. Lastly, I think if Annie Clark became more mainstream she could play a true killer rock guitar. She makes it look so easy, but I don’t think she will change her style. Nancy # 1!
Anyone who has seen Nancy Wilson up close and live (I worked stage security during Hearts heyday) Knows she is the best overall guitar player period!
LOSER
Absolutely!
Best overall guitar player period? I assume you mean WOMEN. I can name 40 better guitarists overall as far as guys, ok maybe not 40 but you know what I mean. 20 at least though. With that said for women you definitely have an argument.
Well, we can all love who we love. Nancy stole the heart of anyone who stood close to her, live, in the mid 70's. I'm still there.
Yeah, sure you did. 🤣
All great, but Nancy Wilson is literally my hero. Her Crazy On You intro among other things is unshakably epic. Adding to her mojo is her genuinely unassuming personality. Even though she's not a self-promoter, t's really hard to forget her.
I agree with you Rocket and yeah, her intro on "Crazy On You" is absolutely great. I might be dumb for asking you this, but have you ever heard her acoustic playing on "Love Alive" from their "Little Queen" album from 1977? You know, she can hold her own on electric guitar, but she really shines on acoustic!
Yes that piece at the beginning will be legendary 100 years from now like Bach or Beethoven, for real.
Crazy on You intro gives me goose bumps
I loved this list. How ever I'll take Bonnie Raitt as my number one. A kick ass woman playing slide guitar with a glass bottle neck? Come on. She can sing hard beat songs as well as ballads.
Samantha Fish. She rocks, kills a soft ballad, can play the blues with anybody. Great live show. We're all about guitar and she's been at the top of our playlists for several years and has her own "Best of" playlist on our channel. That's guitar God country with players like Duane Allman, Prince, Frank Zappa, Mick Taylor and a handful of others. For those not familiar think of the resulting child of a Janis Joplin and Stevie Ray union. She's just an incredible talent-singer, songwriter and guitarist. That being said, we like everybody on your list and would recommend viewers check out more of Sister Rosetta Tharpe. She's a truly historic figure in music and an extremely influential guitar player. Way ahead of her time.
Agreed!
Samantha Fish is great, so is her sister. Amanda. Check out Ally Venable band, she really rocks.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a legend before Rock and Roll was ever thought of.
She should be #2 behind Nancy Wilson
@@oscarfernandez387 uh, she should be #1. Exactly!! I was actually shocked she wasn't #1 and felt completely disrespected for her that she wasnt even in the top 5. Smh she should be #1 just for her massive influence alone! And how do they not put her performance of "up above my head" on here?? Gigantic *FAIL* .
Agree. Rosetta broke the Mold. She opened up the Levee for Rock and Roll
With you on that. Rosetta could have given lessons to Chuck Berry . . . Well, maybe she did.
I love Lita Ford, thought she might be #1.....but after seeing the list, I am amazed at some of the other women. But truly Nancy Wilson should be the top pick.( Lita would agree)🤙
Rosetta Tharp invented rnr
Jeremyt Andrews I agree 100% Ann Wilson is better than Lita
Loved your choice of Lita Ford, I painted graphics on many of her B.C. Rich guitars back in the 80s. However you missed one of the greatest Flamenco guitarists of all time, Charro !
Oh yeah! She’s a Great!!!!
I love Kaki King's sound. And Prince once told wannabe guitarists to listen to Joni to learn their "colors".
Nancy Wilson is # 1 no matter what any list says.
I love Lita Ford but I'd certainly give the nod to Nancy for #1. If bass guitarists were allowed in this list, Suzie Quatro belongs as well.
How about Ida Nielsen?! She is best from bass guitar players! N:1! Rhonda Smith also is bass guitar player of world-сlass!.. And why author shouldn't have included bass players in this list is also unclear.
Yeah agree but Lita ford easily the hottest female guitarist, sexiest and the prettiest female guitarist ever.
I concur. Nancy Wilson should have been #1
@@awakeandalive4248 she sure is! I’m on team Lita! Best guitar hero!
Nancy Wilson is better than lita ford
Saw Lita Ford in concert last month, she was amazing live!
I heard Jennifer Batten in a small venue once. I watched her roam around the audience, playing her guitar while talking with everyone. Her warm-ups would make you dizzy and she did it all while talking with everyone. Incredible.
Having just seen Heart this week, with Joan Jett opening, the timing is good for a comment. Jett is amazing. I've not seen the others on this list perform live, but I was in high school when the Wilson sisters were tearing up the radio in their 20s, and now they are tearing down venues still in their 60s. No question in my mind. Nancy Wilson is No 1.
That was a truly great concert. Both girls know their guitars.
I was surprised not to see Allison Robertson of The Donnas not on this list. More of a traditional straight rock guitar player but she holds up for me in the same vein as a Malcolm / Angus Young combo. If I was putting together a rock band today she would be at the top of my list to recruit.
Excellent choice! I LOVE Allison Robertson! She is very talented and very underrated. Some of the choices on this list are really not known as great guitarists and they left out many that deserve to be on the list.
Good list, though I don't know some of the newer guitarists. However, I would have put June Millington of Fanny on the list, and not as an honorable mention. Those ladies rocked.
Sister Tharpe stroking that SG just makes me smile!
The 'Didn't it Rain' clip was filmed less than a mile from where I live. The station is long gone but I often walk past the spot
Nancy Wilson all day for top female guitarist ever
No question. Definitely #1
Tina S... the guitar GOD on this rock from the day she was born... Gifted ain't even the word she's not even a Prodigy shes a Savant. Nobody (male or female) touches Tina's guitar playing world she plays in her own league.
Oh, you think not? Try searching her her on YT she's all over this place. Then see what the reactors say about her don't take MY word for it.. this girl IS a fucken GOD! I forewarn you though... she is NOT a "showy" type. Many think she's not very emotional or even seems to be "detached" from reality. Better think again!
@leecowell8165 I watched her videos. She's an amazingly talented guitar player. No question about it. But who's ever even heard of her? Ive been listening to rock music my entire life and never heard of her until a few hours ago. Best guitarist of all time !? Male or female !? ......Come on! There's more to greatest guitarist than technical ability.
Leona Boyd should be somewhere on the list. Incredibly technical and precise. Another different genre with classical music, but the lady is phenomenal.
An up and coming talent that certainly deserves Honorable Mention, is Maddy Rice. She’s played in Stay Human and is currently in the Saturday Night Live house band. Stay tuned, as this talented Guitarist continues her rise to fame!
Nancy Wilson should have been #1, when you hear any Heart song... you think of HER guitar playing automatically. (Sorry Lita)
I think of Howard Lease...but I know who plays in the band...
I agree, should have been Nancy then Joan then Lita.
She was and IS Epic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@raysmith5338 Joan was a poser...she only plays 3 barre chords...I love her stuff...but the guitar playing was not her...it was Ricky Byrd...and it was Lita in the Runaways...she is like Keith Richards...people give him the recognition they should give to Ronnie Wood...
She didn’t play much lead guitar in Heart
Nancy Wilson should be #1. She's had a consistently creative career for DECADES. She's great on acoustic AND electric. She's still out there playing. All the others are influential and great guitarists in their own right, but Nancy is #1.
Carol Kaye
@@content4502 Carol Kaye, as one of the Wrecking Crew, certainly deserves a spot on this list, for she opened the door for those who followed her.
However--though she played guitar, she was best known for playing bass, which could be one reason she's not on this list.
Not only guitarist, mandolin, piano, and an amazing vocalist in her own right!!!
Courtney White Are you talking about Carol Kaye, because I don’t think she sang?
@@7JANEWAY nope. Same thing everyone's talking about. Nancy Wilson
My list most of whom were pioneers: Carol Kaye, June Millington(Fanny), Annie Clark, Gretchen Mann, Mary Ford, Poison Ivy, Liona Boyd, Nita Strauss
Nice list! I like your taste. Carol Kaye! Yes.
Nancy Wilson hands down! She still rocking!
Rosetta Tharpe was light years ahead of anybody....
In your *cough* humble opinion. NO ONE beats Nancy Wilson! PERIOD
@@wesloroff646 Nancy Wilson and many of Rocks biggest ever names may never have happened if it wasn't for Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The woman is due her kudos
She's a badass!
Sister Rosetta Tharpe is the winner here...hands down
Yes, I couldn't believe it when I first heard her music, I think she may be the founder of Rock and Roll! She is most underrated
No offense to Lita Ford but NANCY WILSON is #1 in my book! She paved the way for women guitarists in rock. And she's still performing!
You missed the mark. BIG TIME! Charo didn't even make your honorable mention list. She meets and surpasses all of your criteria and is, without doubt, the greatest female guitarist of all time! A star pupil of the master himself, Andres Segovia!
But high regard for her talent Amazing!
Absolutely! Saw her on Carson once I was expecting her to do her hoocie choocie act but she came out with a guitar and did an absolutely amazing flamencio number that blew me away after that I had nothing but great respect for her talent Amazing!
She didn't make it for good reason, she cannot cut the mustard compared to the likes of Nancy Wilson and Lita Ford.
@@scottmurphy650 if you ever saw her play you might have a different opinion and Ford and Wilson are hardly the same in comparison totally different kind of music
@@scottmurphy650 you've obviously never seen her perform
Nita Strauss! Where is Nita Strauss?!
With all do respect, the top 10 are well deserving , but Nancy Wilson is hands down #1
the guitarist in Heart is ANN Wilson, Nancy is the SINGER
No, Ann Wilson is the singer.
' due ' respect
I would also put Orianthi or Nita Strauss above Lita. JMHO
....ABSOLUTELY.!!
nancy should have been number one
Yeah Bee Couldn't agree more. It's a strong list, to be sure, but most of these players were dealing with one genre. Nancy rocked as hard as anyone on some tracks, but listen to stuff like Soul of the Sea, White Lightning and Wine, Heartless, Straight On, Mistral Wind, etc, and you realize she had unbeleveable range. And never discount how monumental a task replacing Roger Fisher's guitar work was. He's one of the unsung greats of guitar. She handled the change like it was no big deal.
GoldTopSlinger right on GoldTop...you know your shizz. Good comment!!! Howard Leese is a bad mofo on guitar too!!!
nancy is not just a great female guitarist, she is a great guitarist period, Heart isn't just a good "girl"-rockband, but a great rock band period.
Yeah Bee some of the truest words on all of TH-cam. Have my like.
Yeah Bee word
This is a tough list but there are a few popular guitarists here who could be bumped down (or off) to make way for some more skilled ones. Shawn Colvin, Suzy Tedeschi, Nita Strauss...
HOW can Nancy Wilson NOT be NUMBER ONE!?!? Her range, her style.... Miss Mojo, ya missed this one :(
Another vote for Nancy Wilson in the number 1 slot.
I'm sorry, I love Lita Ford but Nancy Wilson is the GREATEST of all time!!!
I totally agree. She is amazing!
I love Lita as well but Nancy is number 1!
better singer also
Yes! 100%
The Crazy on You intro is one of the greatest intros of of all time
Mary Ford was a great guitarist...She could pick right along side Les Paul...That says alot...
I watched this to make sure Nancy Wilson was on the list 😊
Nancy Wilson should have #1 slot
Why?
It was good to see Sister Rosetta Tharpe on the list, a true trailblazer. I'm sure guys such as Chuck Berry and Billy Gibbons have a lot to thank her for.
Absolutely!
I think Berry has a lot more to thank for to Muddy Waters and his idol, T-Bone Walker and C&W white players that inspired him. Dunno if she has any influence on him at all.
Except for the small fact that he explicitly listed her as an inspiration. But what does Chuck Berry know eh?
I never heard of her till now and I am definitly a convert. Would have loved to have seen Sister Rosetta and Bonnie Raitt jam together.
Am I in the minority or majority when I say Bonnie Raitt is very very sexy. VERY.
Orianthi should be #1, Slash couldn't hit that EVH solo while Orianthi was like pulling a tribute to EVH
Agreed, Orianthi is the best on this list by a whole bunch....
Honestly I’ve never known Kaki King, Annie Clark, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Lita Ford until now I’ve heard their music but didn’t know names
Nothing is more fucking awesome than a female playing guitar. Especially when she's better than most famous male guitarists. Pretty much giving mysoginists the middle finger :)
Considering that the famous male guitarists that are known for skill are so much better than anyone on this list, there are no middle fingers being given.
Sean O'Reilly not really, a lot of these girls are very innovative akd creative whereas a lot of famous guitarists are just good at playing very fast solos, creativity is better than technicality.
What a weird comment. I've never heard anyone criticize a woman for playing guitar.
Take a look at the guitarists of King Crimson, Genesis, Dream Theater, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink Floyd, and pretty much all Progressive Rock/Metal Guitarists before you make a statement like that.
Anonymous asdfg Jack White is a good example of this =)
I would have swapped Nancy Wilson's and Lita Ford's positions on the charts, but that's just my opinion.
I would have to swap Jennifer Batten and Lita Ford, personally. But Mojo is all about who's most popular, not who's actually best. Jennifer Batten has played with SO many people and developed curriculum for guitar for numerous music schools. Lita's always been popular because she's the pretty blonde...but with most people in this list, well...she shouldn't even BE on this list.
Agreed. I own all of Lita's work, and she uses the same solo melodies repeatedly. When she is good, she is GOOD. But I find her work repetitive and she really doesn't have great songwriting ability.
Jennifer Batten is a whole order of magnitude better in almost every single respect.
Nancy Wilson would have been my top choice, too, but I am a huge Bonnie Raitt fan, and it is great to see some artists from the early history of rock and pop guitar getting some much deserved acclaim.
But what lists like this seem to overlook is that fact that rock/metal are actually not the only genres out there. Some jazz would be nice to see included occasionally. And while it is great to see the earlier generations represented, and acoustic love to the likes of Nancy Wilson and Joni Mitchell's earlier recordings, it'd be great to see some classical guitarists rated... because believe me, some of them could leave the metal shredders standing in clouds of dust.
i have a very difficult time deciding between Lita or Nancy, but damn both are amazing
youve apparently never actually heard lita ford play..
Nancy Wilson for.my top choice. Saw Heart. In concert moons ago San Antonio, Texas. They Rocked. Good concert
The problem with top 10 lists is that sometimes it needs to be 11 or 50. These women are amazing musicians.
I GOTTA agree with Rebecca Benger(comment also in this stack)... Nancy Wilson just ROCKS 'em all. Check her out playing with Jerry Cantrell and the rest of AIC with Gretchen Wilson doin' vocals on a chuggy-AIC-ish version of BARRACUDA!! It's here on YT- worth the watch! Love ya Lita, but Nan has got the edge by a razor thin margin IMHO
NANCY #2?? Yeah, I think NOT!! Nancy plays some of the most excellent and tricky changes I might add! NO ONE can play like her!! And she kills it on the electric and a plethora of other instruments and sings like an Angel!! NANCY WILSON IS #1 IN MY BOOK!!!
Mandy Farmer after just watching her rip through her solo on crazy on you I put her at number one
Also, the only person that I have seen move while playing as well as she does, is Jimi Hendrix. That on it's own should make Nancy #1
She's s bad ass rock god for sure. She is CRIMINALLY underrated..
YOUR BELOVED NANCY COULD ONLY DREAM TO PLAY LIKE BRIT....LET ALONE LITA. WATCH THIS, EAT SHIT th-cam.com/video/d6tXOAKGu8c/w-d-xo.html AND th-cam.com/video/UztvWlG9nsU/w-d-xo.html
@@ms.felonystrutter2472 Damn!!! Did you snort something before you wrote that! Ground and pound.
Nancy Wilson deserves the #1 spot, hands down. Also, Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls should be on here. Check out her live guitar solos on "Land of Canaan" and "Galileo." They are amazing.
I love Galileo.
Nancy Wilson is #1 hands down!
I'm gonna say no. bonnie. is the better than Nancy.
Nancy Wilson. No 1 for sure. Not even a question. Been doing it for over 40+ years.
I admire Rosetta, and Orianthi totally rocks. When I hear electric with Heart, the guys were credited. Yep, Orianthi for me.
Bonnie has to be number 2 behind Nancy Wilson. Bonnie is not only one of the best female guitarists ever she's one of the best slide guitar players ever period.
How can you hear Nancy Wilson's spec-damn-tacular acoustic intro to Heart's 'Crazy on You' (Silver Wheels) and think, "Lita Ford's better"?
Thank you!!!
NOT PLAYED BY HER ON THE ALBUM
Ever heard her play Barracuda on acoustic? Talk about talented.
@@blakewallace4655 Yes it was. Nancy played the acoustic intro to "Crazy on You". It's entitled "Silver Wheels". Roger Fischer played the electric and created the riff on that song.
@@joubess yeah, absolutely!!! But, for me, CoY's intro always takes the cake
You did pretty good here! I also like Patty Larkin and Rory Block. Both can get after it. Rory is acoustic blues and Patty has incandescent solos on acoustic and she’s a singer-songwriter.
Vicki Peterson deserves a mention. I dunno exactly where I'd rank her, but very sharp and very musical player. Excellent.
I think of a "photo finish" decision. Lita had a longer and known solo career but I believe the Number One should be Nancy. And, by the way, Ann is to me the best female voice (of rock) and thanks god, both sisters still alive.
Defently agree 👍🏻
I would have to agree.. loe joan jett, also love Sheryl Crow. Nice that you did add the 40s stars. Look as a male lefty guitarist, think you covered it well. I also still love hart and J mitchell..yeah yeah yeah and the beat goes on and the beat goes on
I LOVE Heart!! Ann is my favorite and I like her singing best, but both sisters are excellent singers.
I put Nancy at #1 too.
Glad you included Mary Ford in this list. She helped Les Paul change the guitar world. She’s probably the MOST underrated guitar player of any gender
She was a better player than Les.
*EITHER gender, as there are only two....
Mary Ford was a great singer, her guitar playing gets over looked.
Sister Rosetta was rock and roll before rock and roll existed and DESERVES more recognition for that fact. Since these lists are just somebody's opinion Nancy Wilson is #1 on my list (that's my opinion and I'm sticking with it).
Lita Ford, Joan Jett and Nancy Wilson are my top favs , and loved this video! Thanks for sharing!
Nancy Wilson is the best!!! The quality of her songs blows the others away!
Absolutely Nancy Wilson #1 without question.
I agree
You should have included Wendy Melvoin of PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION! She's the only woman who could keep up with PRINCE!
I like all the above mentioned but Nancy Wilson from heart has my heart.
Nancy IS and forever the best! Sister Rosetta Tharp is bad ass too!
Looooooove Nancy Wilson...... her riffs are CRAZY!
I swear they only put Nancy at number 2 so everyone would comment that she belongs at the top and they would get more engagement on the video. Because come on now.
Should've thrown an honorable mention to Jan B from Vixen for her infectious glam rock grooves & Jen Batten who rocked out with MJ all throughout the late 80's should've been a top 10. Outside of that, solid list. Orianthi is definitely the Steve Vai of female guitarists! Side note: glad to see you're spotlighting him in an upcoming episode, his storied career is more than enough proof that he's 100% in the top 3 of all time behind EVH & Hendrix, not to steal the spotlight from all these amazing ladies.
Although I like that Lita Ford was on the list, I feel that Nancy Wilson should have taken the top. Just saying.
Joan Jett in my opinion.
I think they shoulda switched, but the rest was good
I'm suprised Liz Phair didn't get any mention looking at some of the others on the list.
There ya go. No argument. She's like the Jimmy Page of chick guitarists.
PatrickCervantez I was pretty good I guess not but this is the funniest lately for a whil
Nancy Wilson #1
Would have put Bonnie Rait as #1 and Orianthi as #2, but overall a good selection that was not limited to genre. Bit hard to compare generations too, because Rosa Tharpe was a brilliant trail-blazer and probably acknowledged by every other guitarist on that list as breaking the Glass Ceiling. Good list. 👌👌👍👍👍👍
Nancy Wilson is in a league of her own.
Nancy Wilson is and always will be the best female guitarist, hands down.
Lita Ford kicks butt! And looks great too!
How about no not only no but hell no, she mostly played a few intros. She couldn't tune the guitars for some of the female rock guitarists today.
@@stephenking149 she’s the best
Wrong Poison ivy is the greatest
Nancy Wilson was perfection in Heart her intro for Crazy on you shakes me every damn time
I love how she's toyed with the "intro" over the years. People think it's part of CoY but is actually another song & I can't think of it's name to save my life.
I believe you are referring to Silver Wheels. It started as an intro for Crazy on You and even Dreamboat Annie in the '70s, and was finally released to the album Bebe Le Strange in 1980.
th-cam.com/video/IdiGp_tyA-Y/w-d-xo.html
Saw them in 1978 on the "Little Queen" tour and it was a treat; 10th row in front of Nancy. Ann was the looker back then.
You and me both!!! Especially when I see the live footage of CoY! Going that sick on an acoustic??? Few and far between!!! I'll never understand why Nancy isn't given the credit she's due? Does everyone forget that some of Heart's most well known songs , the vocals are done by Nancy??? So, on top of being an amazing guitarist, she's not a half bad vocalist, either. But, I completely agree with you about the intro to CoY!!!!
I love Heart and her singing and artistic figure...but just don't think she is that virtuous player like Orianthi for instance.
I would swap #1 & #2.
Nancy is amazing!
Great, great list. I especially applaud you for pulling in names not well known, and almost forgotten: mother Mabel Carter and sister Rosetta Tharp. it would have been very easy to simply leave them out, given the average age of the people viewing your videos. You have done great homage to two giants. personally, I think Sheryl Crowe should have gotten more than honorable mention. as we all know, Sheryl can hold her own on the guitar as well as anyone. thank you grunge for the fabulous work you do. You are excellent, excellent cultural archivists.
Nancy Wilson is my number one ..the way she so flawlessly slays the beginning of crazy on you omg she's a goddess of the guitar ..love her so much!...great list i respect any woman who can pick up a guitar and show some of these guys whos boss!
GAWD the way she shredded on Crazy On You...My gawd no one else coulda come up with that shit (if Nancy hadnt done it 1st). Imagine any one else doing that?
I'm in Club Nancy. She has the entire toolkit: phenomenal guitarist, touring monster, excellent songwriter, and just owns the entire stage with her presence... and she did it all of it in a shitty behind-the-scenes era for female rock artists. There's nothing wrong with Ford. But Wilson checks all the boxes.
LOSER
Vicki Peterson of The Bangles is probably the best i've ever seen live. She has some amazing guitar solos. She's easily in the top 10 female guitar players.
I've always thought highly of Vicki. She must be very versatile - she's played with gobs of other artists.
Ok yeah I didn't think of Vicki but she had some good riffs gotta admit that
I love Vicky, definitely top 5..
..♥️
jamie thornton ..was thinkin she should be on the list..
Above your entire list is some space and then you get to Tina S. .She murders them all with Ludwig van Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata ( 3rd Movement )
Wow! These women are all amazing. I didn't realize there were so many mind-blowing talented women. However, they forgot to mention my favorite...Samantha Fish!
agreed, Nancy Wilson should be Queen. Not only is her guitar playing perfect and brings me to tears, but the leg kick is epic.
Yes!!!
Amazing Nancy !
Lita is good but for me it's Nancy Wilson
Saw Heart in Detroit when their first album came out. Absolutely fantastic!
Based on your own criteria... Memphis Minnie (When the Levee Breaks), PJ Harvey, Chrissie Hynde...