Top 15 Best Female Singers of All Time.

In the world of music there are many great female singers but only a few have risen to the level of greatness that these giants of American pop culture have. The women listed here have written some of the greatest songs ever and their voices have blown us away over the many decades. Here are some of my favorite female singers of all time. As reminder, I wanted to warn my readers that my list is based upon vocal power, range and uniqueness. Some of the artist's on my list may have had less success than others but their voices are just as great. I believe these women are the best singers in American history. Let me know what you think. Check out these amazing female singers.

Whitney Houston simply known as the voice was the greatest female singer of all time. The sheer power of her vocals is second to none. Mrs. Houston have inspired numerous artists in her over two decades long career. She has also sold more than 197 million albums and singles worldwide making her one of the best selling female artists in history. Some of her greatest hits include "How Will I know," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (who loves me)", and powerhouse ballads such as "I Will Always Love You" and the "Greatest Love of All."

Ms. Houston was a global superstar. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, she is the most awarded female artist in history with more than 415 recognized awards. Her many accolades includes two Emmy's, six Grammy's, thirty Billboard Awards and twenty two American Music Awards just to name a few. There is no one who can out sing her. She is truely the greatest singer to ever live and this is why she is my number 1 pick for best female singer of all time.

Mariah Carey in my book is one of the best singers ever. She has more number one hits than any other female performer in history. Her record breaking 18 number one singles is tied for second best along side Elvis and only trails the Beatles 20 number one singles. Her voice has continued to inspire a generation of female performers which include Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Brandy to name a few and her signature vocal style of whisling is as iconic as her laundry list of hit records.

Mrs.Carey has sold more than 265 million records worldwide making her one of the best selling artist's ever. Besides Madonna, no other musical act in history has past Mariah in album sales with the exception of Michael Jackson who sold around 392 million as solo artist, and the Beatles who have sold around 400 million as a vocal group. Though it is claimed that Elvis sold a billion records, no evidence has been proven to back up those claims. It is why I did not add his name here.

The reason I picked Mariah for the 2nd best female singer instead of first is because I believe Whitney edges her out in vocal power.

Aretha Franklin also known as the Queen of Soul has re-defined American popular music for more than four decades now. Her incredible voice, sound and style have inspired numerous R&B and contemporary artists. Aretha has sold more million selling singles than any other female artist in history. She has also won eighteen Grammy’s and two honorary Awards.

Ms. Franklin during her long career have amassed twenty number one singles on the Billboard R&B charts and two #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. She also had 10 albums on this chart to reach number one, which was cited to be the most by a female artist. But her achievements doesn't stop here. The queen of soul was also inducted into several musical halls of fame which include her becoming the first woman to be entered into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and in 2005, the second woman behind Madonna to be inducted into the UK Hall of Fame.

The music icon has been honored by several US presidents during her long career. In 1999, she received The National Medal of Arts Award from then president Bill Clinton and In 2005, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from president George W. Bush and was most recently selected in 09 to be a guest singer at the historic inauguration of the nation’s first black president Barack Obama.

Her many hits include Respect, "Chain of Fools," "Think," "You Make Me Feel like ( A Natural Woman)," "Rocksteady" and Dionne Warwick hit "I Say a Little Prayer" among many others.

The great Janis Joplin has been called one of the greatest voices of American music and an icon of her generation. She was once the dubbed the Queen of Rock and Roll and the Queen of Psychedelic Soul. Her singing style has been compared to that of the great Aretha Franklin. Over the many years her popularity has become more and more prominent. Though she was a tragic figure who died way before her time, her musical legacy has continued to inspire numerous female artists.

Time Magazine described Janis as “…probably the most powerful singer to emerge from the white rock movement” (wikipedia.com).

She is best known for her hits Try, Cry baby, Piece of My Heart, Summertime, and Mercedes Benz. Her voice is unbelievable great and so was her distinctive style of music.

Ana Mae Bullock famously known as Tina Turner is widely recognized as the Queen of Rock n roll. She has sold more concert tickets than any other live performer in history and has managed to sell more than 180 million records worldwide making her one of the most successful female artists of all time. She was also inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. In her successful career she has won eight Grammy Awards.

Two of her monster hits Proud Mary and River deep -Mountain High have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. She is best known for her powerful stage performances, iconic legs, style and voice.

Patti Labelle born Patricia Louise Holte- Edwards is an American award winning singer and actress. Her musical career spans five decades. The diva has shaped popular culture now for nearly half of a century. Known for her distinct voice, she has continued to inspire numerous performers of today's musical landscape.

Ms. Labelle was also an inductee into the Apollo Theater Legends Hall of Fame and has been given the Songwriters Hall of Fame Sammy Cahn Life Time Achievement Award for her longevity in the musical industry. The R&B diva is best known for her powerful voice and great stage performances. Her many hits singles include Lady Marmalade, New Attitude, On my Own and Stir Up to name a few.

Etta James is one of greatest R&B and jazz singers in history and was considered one of the most overlooked musical performers, though in recent years the tide has finally turned. Ms. James has been inducted into many musical halls of fame which include the Rock n Roll hall of Fame 1993, Blues Hall of Fame 2001 and the Grammy hall of Fame 1999 and 2008 respectively.

With her powerful voice and distinct sound, she has inspired numerous musical performers which include the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Diana Ross, Rob Stewart and Joss Stone to name a few. In her over four decades long career, she has won six Grammy's and 17 Blues Music Awards.

Some of her greatest hits include "Something Got a Hold on Me," "At Last," "The fool that I am and "All I do is Cry."

Christina Aguilera has been called one of the greatest singers of this generation. She has also sold over 50 million records worldwide making her one of the best selling female artists of the new millenium. She is one of the youngest artists to have appeared on Rolling Stones list of the 100 Greatest Singers of all Time.

Ms. Aguilera in recent years was awarded her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and have won numerous awards in her over a decade long career. Her hit singles include "Beautiful," "Come on Over," and "Genie in a Bottle" to name a few. The pop superstar have inspired many young musical performers. It is why I have named her my number 8th pick for best female singer of all time.

Fantasia Barrino is American born R&B singer and Broadway actress. She first rose to fame on the third season of American idol in 2004. She is one of the most amazing singers in today's R&B world. Over the past few years she has released a string of R&B hits which include "Bittersweet," "Free Yourself," "Truth is," and the #1 Billboard Hot 100 single "I believe." Her appearance in the Broadway play the Color Purple led to record breaking ticket sells. Though Fantasia haven't had the success of many of the other female performers on my list, she is definitely one of the greatest singers that I have ever heard.

Celine Dion is an Canadian and french singer. The diva first rose to fame in the early 1990s. She is one of the most successful female artists in history with albums sales surpassing 200 million. In her two decades long career, she has amassed a string of hit records and has won numerous awards. Her major hits include "Because You Love Me," "My Heart Will Go On" from the Titanic movie sound track,and "I am Your Angel" among many others. Her voice has such a beautiful tone to it that is often referred to as the voice of angel by her fans. She continues to dazzle audiences with her great ballads and beautiful music. The music superstar is one of the most accomplished female singers in history.

Celine has won an Oscar and multiple Grammy's Awards in her great career. She was also listed on Blender Magazine Greatest Singers of All Time list.

Donna Summer is arguably the most prolific musical artist in American history. She is the first and only musical act to release 3 double number one albums on the Billboard charts. She was also the first female to have four #1 singles on the Billboard charts within a one year period. In her two decades long career, she have amassed five Grammy's, six American Music Awards and numerous other accolades. Donna still holds the record for the first female artist to have a #1 single and #1 album on the Billboard charts at the same time. During her amazing run in music she has had 89 singles, 32 compilations albums, 17 studio albums and 2 live Cd's to her credit. Her many hits include "She Works hard For the Money," "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff," "No More Tears" and "Enough is Enough."

Mrs. Summer is certainly one of the greatest female singers of all time. It is why I placed her here on my list of the best female singers in music.

What can one not say about the woman simply known as Madonna. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, she is the most successful female artist in the history of music with more than 300 million albums sold. Her distinct voice and musical style has shaped popular culture for more than two decades now. Though she is not considered a powerhouse singer, her unique sound and artistry makes her one of the greatest artist's ever. What can we not love about the great Madonna. If this countdown was simply about talent, Madonna would have been my number one pick but since it is about the voice first, I had to make her my number 12 pick for greatest female singer.

Amy Winehouse was a British singer who first rose to international fame in 2006 with her monster hits "Rehab" and "You know I am no good." She went on to win numerous awards and other accolades. Her voice is very unique and edgy and so is her style. Though she was a young singer who died tragically this year, she will forever be remembered for her unforgettable hit records and amazing voice. Her distinctive jazz sound was truly a treasure.

After much thought, I decided to make some changes and include the great Barbra Streisand to my list of the 15 best female singers of all time. Mrs. Streisand although not one of my favorites singers definitely belongs on my list so, I have added her here. Barbra has sold over 140 million records worldwide and is considered the most successful female artist in the United States with more than 71 million records sold to date. She holds the record for the most top ten singles in Billboard history with 32 in her five decades long career. She is also one of the few female artists to have won an Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award. Her many hits include "Woman in Love," "What Kind of Fool," "You Bring Me Flowers" among many others. Barbra Streisand is an American Icon and treasure so it's only right that I make her part of this list of the 15 greatest female singers of all time.

The beautiful Beyonce Giselle Knowles is one of the most talented stars of her generation. She first rose to fame as the lead singer of the all girl group Destiny Child. They became the best selling female vocal group of all time. Mrs. Knowles have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. She is best known for her powerful vocals and amazing stage performances. Beyonce has also won more than 15 Grammys in her amazing career. She was ranked by Forbes Magazine in 2009 as the number one most powerful and influential musician in the world. This diva has received over 200 recognized awards in her ten years in music. It is why she is my 15th and final pick for best female singer of all time.