The rock genre has led to some of the greatest female singers, from Heart’s Ann Wilson to The Runaways’ Lita Ford, to name a few. Among the many who have cemented themselves as leading rock women, only one was ranked in the No. 1 spot as being the best of all time.
UDiscoverMusic compiled an extensive list of some of the greatest frontwomen to exist, but only Patti Smithwas named in the No. 1 ranking. Coming in second was none other than Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry, with Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nickscoming in at No. 3. The legendary Joan Jett comes in at No.4, and Tina Turnerrounds out the Top 5.
According to the ranking, Smith “needs no introduction,” having cemented herself as an icon for blending rock and poetry during the rise of the punk rock scene in New York City during the ’70s. Her debut 1975 album, Horses, made her a huge influence during the music era with tracks like “Break It Up” and “Free Money.” It landed in the Top 50 of the Billboard 200 album chart and gained moderate success. Surprisingly, the tracks never reached No.1 status on the charts.
Smith’s melding of music and poetry led the album to be tagged as one of the greatest of all time and reportedly as the first punk rock album. It was also preserved by the Library of Congress for its historical influence. In 1978, Smith released one of her most well-known songs, co-written by Bruce Springsteen, “Because the Night.”
The track was released as a single and was a commercial success. It landed at No.13 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and ranked No. 5 in the UK. Years later, NME magazine ranked it as one of the best singles of all time. That same year, Smith and The Patti Smith Group released their album Easter with popular tracks “Frederick” and “Dancing Barefoot.”
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In her career, Smith has been nominated for multiple Grammys, but never secured a win. Beyond music, Smith was widely known as a poet, author, painter, and photographer, who released the award-winning memoir Just Kids in 2010. The punk rock icon has been publishing her works since the early 70s, and even the poems her songs have been based on.
Smith has been mentioned for inspiring singer-songwriters and bands like Madonna, The Waterboys, Hole, R.E.M., U2, and Shirley Manson. In 2005, she was named a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture for her contribution to the arts. She was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.