The 15 Hottest Frontwomen in Rock History

Image via Complex Original

Band: Jefferson Airplane
Slick may look like someone’s crazy grandmother now, but there was a time when she was the hottest pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement. In addition to her multiple talents (i.e. songwriting, singing and playing the oboe), she was a certified badass. Case in point: She was the first person to say “motherfucker” on live television.

Band: Paramore
Besides the fact that her funky dyed hair reminds people of the good old days of skateboarding and pop-punk, Hayley Williams is attractive because she’s a team player. When she was initially being signed to her record label, she demanded to be in an alternative rock band with her high school friends instead of becoming a solo pop singer.

Band: The Cardigans
“Lovefool” isn’t the most poetic of love ballads but Nina Persson brought a certain appeal to the power pop song. The record brought the Swedish singer international recognition and a steady fan base that's ready to buy tickets for the summer reunion tour.

Band: The Cranberries
If Dolores O’Riordan never answered the band’s ad looking for a female lead singer, The Cranberries would have never achieved the same success. Not only did O’Riordan keep the band’s look fresh with her ever-changing style throughout the '90s, but she’s also the writer of the group’s most recognizable hits, “Linger” and “Zombie.”

Band: The Kills
Known to fans of the The Kills as VV, Alison Mosshart is edgier than her indie rock contemporaries. Not only did she begin her music career as the vocalist of the punk rock band Discount, but she’s the only girl in the rock supergroup The Dead Weather, which also consists of Jack White, Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence.

Band: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
In a world where pop princesses with computer-enhanced voices rule the charts, finding Grace Potter is like a gift from the music Gods. Despite her Southern belle image, she rocks a surprisingly strong and raspy voice, not unlike Janis Joplin, which gives off the impression that she could kick your ass if she wanted to. Just have a listen to the band's latest album,The Lion The Beast The Beat.

Band: Garbage
Shirley Manson was the perfect addition to the doom-and-gloom era of rock music in the '90s. With her signature fire-red hair, pale skin and piercing green eyes, the Scottish lead vocalist has a haunting mystique that matches the tone of the band’s sinister singles, namely “Only Happy When It Rains.”

Band: The Ike and Tina Turner Revue
Years before Tina Turner became a solo superstar, the vibrant vocalist got her start as one half of the Grammy-winning blues rock duo. With her then husband, Tina became famous for lighting up the stage with her high kicks while crooning their hits "Proud Mary" and "River Deep, Mountain High." 

Band: The Runaways
Currie joined The Runaways and changed the look of rock music. Currie lured in the punk rock crowd by singing songs like “Cherry Bomb” and bouncing around stage in her panties. Still true to her hardcore roots, Currie now creates beautiful wood carvings—with a chainsaw.

Band: Sleigh Bells
Alexis Krauss is the embodiment of new school rock. The frontwoman of Sleigh Bells is somewhere between a vintage pin-up and a tattooed biker chick. In other words, she makes bouncing on a bed with a shotgun (like in her music video for “Comeback Kid”) kind of adorable.

Band: Fleetwood Mac
Stevie Nicks is beguiling for multiple reasons: she’s allegedly a witch (her billowing skirts and crescent moon pendant don’t help her cause), she's a member of one of the most legendary rock bands ever, and, in her prime, she looked about as innocently pretty as Taylor Swift.

Band: Rilo Kiley
Jenny Lewis is the poster girl of the indie rock world. Before teaming with boyfriend Jonathan Rice for their current duo Jenny and Johnny, Lewis was the winsome lead singer of Rilo Kiley, one of the genre's biggest bands in the new millennium.

Band: Blondie
It’s easy to confuse Blondie as a stage name for Debbie Harry because the singer has become one of the most iconic stars in rock history. Harry’s effortlessly chic and cool persona wasn’t only an embodiment of the new wave group’s music, but it’s also become a reference point for kids trying to look cool to this day.

Band: No Doubt
Gwen Stefani made the image of a “sexy female rockstar” mainstream for listeners in the '90s. Known for writhing around on stage in a sports bra and baggy jeans, the platinum blond ska queen from California was an eye-popping departure from the grungy landscape of rock music in the '90s.

Band: The Bangles
While each member of The Bangles actually had the same amount of vocal time on their records, Hoffs drew the most attention. Maybe it was the height of her hair, her demanding voice, her relationship with Prince, or because she famously admitted to recording their hit “Eternal Flame” while naked.