20th-century American women guitarists

Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman. After achieving success as a songwriter for other artists, Parton's debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly, was released in 1967, commencing a career spanning 60 years and 50 studio albums. Referred to as the "Queen of Country", Parton is one of the most-honored female country performers in history and has received various accolades, including eleven Grammy Awards and three Emmy Awards, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards including an humanitarian honorary Oscar win in 2025, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award.

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

American rock musician and actress (born 1964)

Patricia Lee Smith is an American singer, songwriter, poet, painter, author, and photographer. Her 1975 debut album Horses made her an influential member of the New York City–based punk rock movement. Smith has fused rock and poetry in her work. In 1978, her most widely known song, "Because the Night," co-written with Bruce Springsteen, reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number five on the UK Singles Chart.

American singer-songwriter

American musician (born 1962)

American rock musician

American rock musician (born 1950)

American country singer (1932–2022)

American singer-songwriter

American musician

American singer (1929–2003)

American musician (1947–2024)

American singer, songwriter and musician

American musician (born 1949)

American singer (1963–1996)

American singer-songwriter

American rock musician, founder of The Pretenders

American actress (1944–2018)

American singer-songwriter

American singer (born 1939)

American musician and artist, most known as co-founding member of Sonic Youth (born 1953)

Odetta Holmes (December 31, 1930 – December 2, 2008), known as Odetta, was an American singer, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement". Her musical repertoire consisted largely of American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals.

American musician

American gospel musician (1915–1973)

American rock guitarist and singer

American rock, folk, blues, and country music singer, songwriter and musician

American musician and feminist activist

American singer and songwriter

American singer-songwriter

American singer-songwriter

American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer

American singer-songwriter

American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress

American guitarist (born 1954)

American singer-songwriter; alternative rock musician

American musician

American singer

American musician

American singer-songwriter

American singer, songwriter, musician and producer

American singer-songwriter (1931-2004)

American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter (1897–1973)

American singer-songwriter (b. 1958)

American singer

American blues and folk musician, singer and songwriter (1893-1987)

American musician

American singer, author and actress

American musician

American singer (born 1954)

American singer, lyricist, multi-instrumentalist

American guitarist/singer-songwriter and author

American musician (1924-1977)

American country music singer and actress

American singer

American bassist

American musician and singer

American pop and country singer

American singer-songwriter, rapper, and bassist (born 1968)

American singer-songwriter