The Top Ten Female Rock Singers of All Time?

It's no secret that rock is definitely a boys club. Where the girls dominate the pop airwaves it is predominately men who stand as the pillars of rock and roll. But that is not to mean there have not been plenty of female talents in the rock field-most all of them underrated by their peers. Where a man is considered a "rock star" for his destructively befuddled antics, a woman is deemed merely a "bitch." So in that mindset here are the ten biggest "bitches" in all of rock music.

Courtney Love-While some claim Kurt Cobain gave Courtney all his talent somehow through osmosis, with her otherworldly yowl and guttural bark she straddles the line between punk and rock even in her most overproduced singles. From the serene "Malibu" to the big F-U to her hometown in "Rockstar," Ms. Love demonstrates everything but. She sneers, she snarls, she screams, she tells it like it is (at least from her own usually drug addled viewpoint). She truly is a rockstar wrapped in the shell of a hot mess of a woman.

Chrissie Hynde-While you may love her for her animal rights advocacy work Ms. Hynde is no fluffy kitten when she gets on stage. Her excellence stems from her ability to not only rock but also turn out some of the most listenable singles of the past 50 years. She is a true treasure who is the master of a crowd when you see her live. She is so cool you almost want her to beat you up. And she probably could.

Debbie Harry-She may have strayed into disco with "Heart of Glass," but Debbie Harry's roots are rock/punk based. Although she experimented with many genres in her hits, listening to Blondie's entire canon will make you realize this cute little vixen could really rock when she wanted to.

Pat Benatar-Who can deny the Operatic range of this rock and roll girl next door? While Joan Jett was always a bit more of a bad ass, Pat Benatar was the one all the girls wanted to be and the boys wanted to date. It is surprising then that she is still married to the same man who was her touring guitarist when she got started. I guess Ms. Benatar might not have so many notches in her lipstick case then after all.

Joan Jett-She may only have one big hit "I love Rock and Roll" but it still rocks as hard as this (now bald) woman does in performances. You see, rock and roll immortality can be just a one hit wonder away.

Janis Joplin-A sorely missed presence in the rock world, her iconic album "Pearl" stands the test of time as one of the great albums of last century. From "Me and Bobby McGee" to "Cry Baby," Janis Joplin is as well remembered for her love of music as for her love of Jack Daniels.

Amy Lee (Evanescence)-She returned a female voice to the genre of rock and created a couple of the most memorable and successful singles this entire decade. When you buy your "Hits of the 00's" CD there will be more than one song from this very capable vocalist.

Alanis Morissette-She may go a little off the deep end with self-empowerment in songs like "Thank You" but it is a proven fact that audiences prefer the angry roar of the rocking Alanis. Can you deny "You Oughta Know" was one of the best rock songs of the 1990's? No, you can't and that is why she is on this list.

Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde)-A true underrated talent-Johnette plays bass with the best of the rock boys and can out-sing many of these manufactured "American Idol" junior Muppets that seem so prevalent nowadays. Calling the rock and roll hall of fame. Calling the rock and roll hall of fame. Johnette is waiting. If you have no idea who she is check out the Concrete Blonde back catalog and look under "Still in Hollywood," "Joey," "Heal it Up," and the classic "God is a Bullet."

Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)-Their cult classic "Fever to Tell" is full of rock bursts of fury and is bound to stand the test of time to prove one of the classics of this decade. Karen O may not appear to be your average rock frontwoman but I am telling you that women like her are the future of the genre. Get yourself ready.