If you’re looking for great female singers of the 70s, there are plenty to choose from. You can start with Morna Anne Murray, Joan Baez, Janis Ian, or Joni Mitchell. These artists are not only talented performers, but also accomplished writers. Many of these artists have had commercial success.
Morna Anne Murray
Born in Springhill, PEI, Morna Anne Murray is a Canadian country music legend. She has sold over 55 million albums worldwide. She has also won several awards, including the grand album of the year award in 1984. She is also a member of the country music hall of fame. In 2011, her name was ranked number 10 on Billboard’s list of the 50 greatest AC artists of all time.
Janis Ian
Among the most beloved female singers of the ’70s, Janis Ian has a career spanning three distinct stages. First, she became popular as a teenager. Her songs were filled with social commentary, and she was a precocious talent. Later, she returned to the public eye with deeply personal songs like “At Seventeen.”
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell began her career in the 1960s and continued to make innovative music throughout the 1970s. In addition to her self-titled debut album, Mitchell also released Night Ride Home (1991) and Dog Eat Dog (1985). Mitchell’s debut album dealt with the Ethiopian famine, and Night Ride Home returned her to more personal subject matter. The album received two Grammy Awards, and coincided with a resurgence of interest in Mitchell’s work by a younger generation.
Carly Simon
During the ’70s, Carly Simon became one of the defining female singer/songwriters in the United States. Her first big hit, “Anticipation”, led to her breakthrough album No Secrets, which included a sassy version of “Sugar.” Simon then became a sought-after Hollywood songwriter and won an Oscar and GRAMMY for her song in the movie Working Girl. The singer has also influenced many contemporary female singers, such as Sheryl Crow and Taylor Swift.
Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra was a popular female singer during the 70’s. She recorded two albums for RCA. Her final chart entry was a double-entendre country duet with Lee Hazlewood. She didn’t record again until 1995. The singer released a self-titled album in 2004.
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt was a major force in the 70’s music scene. Her debut album, Nick of Time, won three Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, establishing her as an American roots rock icon. She continued to be a top concert draw and chart staple for the next three decades, delivering a string of mature albums.
Patti Smith
Patti Smith was one of the most influential female singers of the 1970s. Her debut album, Seventh Heaven, received positive reviews but sold few copies. She continued writing, releasing two poetry collections in 1975 and 1976. In addition to her writing, Smith also performed rock music live, recording with the band The Rolling Stones, Garbage, and 10,000 Maniacs.