Most Famous Female Pop Artists of the ‘70s

In the 1970s, a rich tapestry of musical genres emerged, paving the way for numerous female singers to captivate audiences with their diverse styles. As highlighted by Daniel T Anderson, a writer at essay writing help, these talented artists gained popularity through their renditions of various music types, be it ballads, pop, disco, rock and roll, or country music. This diversity in musical expression defines an era where female vocalists left an indelible mark. In our compilation, we aim to recognize and honor some of the most remarkable female singers of the ’70s, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping the musical landscape of that decade.

Karen Carpenter

She is the female half of the famous pop duo in the 70s, The Carpenters. Karen Carpenter was a drum-playing gal who had a smooth but sultry voice that definitely helped catapulted the group to fame. Her gentle yet sultry vocals helped the duo become universally appealing plus, it also became the highlight of songs such as We’ve Only Just Begun and Close to You. Karen’s sweet and melodic voice remains the defining element of The Carpenters’ masterpieces, symbolizing the era’s soft pop sound. Find some of The Carpenter’s masterpieces below. 

Top 3 Hits

  • Ticket to Ride
  • Top of the World
  • Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft

Olivia Newtown–John

Olivia Newton-John first became a hit in her home town in Australia before she broke through on the United States airwaves. Although her voice might appear delicate at times, it found its strength in the hit musical ‘Grease,’ where she showcased her remarkable talent. She had all the essentials of music career success. Several hit songs such as I Honestly Love You, A Little More Love, Please Mister Please, If You Love Me Let Me Know solidified her status as a transcontinental sensation and a notable female pop artist of the 70s.

Top 3 Hits

  • Physical
  • Magic
  • You’re the One That I Want

Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt was a famous female singer during the mid to late 70s. Renowned for her distinctive sound, often categorized as West Coast Rock, she artfully blended folk, rock, and country influences into her music. solidified her legacy as a celebrated female pop artist who resonated with audiences through her unique and compelling style. Her music works as a healing force for both the body and the spirit. Her hit songs like You’re No Good, Blue Bayou, and When Will I Be Loved are some of the most popular songs of the 1970s.

Top 3 Hits

  • You’re No Good
  • Blue Bayou
  • Different Drum

Helen Reddy

Helen Reddy had about 15 Billboard top hit songs during the 1970s. Some of her most popular songs were I Am Women, which was able to stay at the top spot of the charts for several weeks. Her other notable songs included You and Me Against the World, Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady, Delta Dawn, Angie Baby, and Leave Me Alone. Helen Reddy’s prolific career and her chart-topping hits have solidified her as an iconic female pop artist, with a remarkable ability to capture the essence of her era.

Top 3 Hits

  • Delta Dawn
  • Angie Baby
  • I Am Woman

Cher

She entered the entertainment scene in the 70s, paired with husband, Sonny Bono. Although Sonny’s vocal abilities were sometimes questioned, Cher’s undeniable talent shone brightly. Recognizing her remarkable potential, she embarked on a solo journey, captivating the world with her extraordinary voice and charisma. Even without the must-have apps to promote music, she took the world by storm with her songs such as Tramps, Half Breed, Dark Lady, and Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves.

Top 3 Hits

  • Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves
  • Half Breed
  • Dark Lady

Barbra Streisand

Though several people like to associate Barbra with movie musicals and theater, Streisands’s pop career was able to flourish quite impressively during the ‘70s. Her versatile talent and emotive delivery made her a household name, and her music became a part of the collective soundtrack of the era. Almost everyone was singing along with her hit songs such as The Way We Were, Evergreen, My and Heart Belongs to Me. 

Top 3 Hits

  • People
  • The Way We Were
  • Woman in Love

Anne Murray

Anne Murray, the Canadian pop and adult contemporary singer, made an impactful impression as a country music crossover artist with a prolific U.S. career throughout the 1970s. Her versatile voice allowed her to traverse musical boundaries and create a lasting legacy. Her chart-topping hits, including A Love Song, Snowbird, I Just Fall in Love Again, You Needed Me, and Broken Hearted Me established her as an influential figure in the era’s music landscape. 

Top 3 Hits

  • Broken Hearted Me
  • Shadows in the Moonlight
  • He Thinks I Still Care

 Donna Summer

Donna Summer, the renowned disco queen, captivated audiences with her alluring and distinct voice, securing her dominance atop the music charts. Beyond her success as a performer, Donna Summer showcased her prowess as an accomplished female songwriter. Her compelling voice and songwriting talent not only defined an era but also established her as a formidable female pop artist of the ’70s, leaving an enduring legacy in the realm of disco and popular music. Her chart-topping hits,  such as Hot Stuff, On the Radio, Love to Love You, Baby, and Last Dance, solidified her status as a disco music diva.

Top 3 Hits

  • I Feel Love
  • Love to Love You Baby
  • MacArthur Park

Gloria Gaynor

Of course, no best female artist of the ‘70s list would be complete without the other Queen of Disco, Gloria Gaynor. Her songs helped bring the Disco genre to the top of popular culture. Some of her hit songs included Never Can Say Goodbye and I Will Survive.

Top 3 Hits

  • I Will Survive
  • Never Can Say Goodbye
  • I Am What I Am

Diana Ross

In the ’70s, Diana Ross transitioned from being the lead vocalist of the renowned female group, the Supremes, to becoming one of the world’s most celebrated female solo artists. Her evolution was both remarkable and influential. Some of her songs that made it to the top of the charts were Touch Me in the Morning, Love Hangover, and Last Dance. These songs showcased her remarkable vocal range and versatility.

Top 3 Hits

  • Remember Me
  • Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
  • Love Hangover

Carole King

Carole King is celebrated as one of the world’s most remarkable female songwriters, renowned for her exceptional talent. Her influence extended beyond songwriting, as she was also an incredible performer whose folksy melodies encapsulated the essence of an earlier musical era. Some of her greatest hit songs included It’s Too Late, Jazz Man, and Tapestry.

Top 3 Hits

  • It’s Too Late
  • Up On the Roof
  • You’ve Got a Friend

Carly Simon

Carly Simon started out as a member of a duo with her sister. This was the time when rock music came of age. But in the early 1970s, she launched her solo career. Since then, she was best placed in the adult contemporary music category. Her distinctive voice and emotive lyrics made her a notable female pop artist of the era, resonating with audiences worldwide. Some of her biggest hits of the decade included the hit song You’re So Vain, and other fan favorites such as That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard it Should Be, Anticipation, Mockingbird, You Belong to Me, and Nobody Does it Better.

Top 3 Hits

  • Nobody Does It Better
  • Jesse
  • You Belong to Me

Bette Midler

Known as “The Divine Miss M,” Bette Midler was a remarkable talent in the entertainment business when she first came on the scene in the 1970s. She was a multi-talented actress, singer, and comedian who combined pop, rock, and theater in her performances. Midler won over hearts of audiences with her powerful voice and exuberant stage presence by performing everything from intensely personal ballads to hilarious comedic routines. 

She won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist after her breakthrough album, “The Divine Miss M,” shot her to fame. In addition to her success in music, Midler was also a successful actor in movies, showcasing her talents in well-known parts and cementing her place in the annals of popular culture.

Top 3 Hits

  • Wind Beneath My Wings
  • From a Distance
  • The Rose

Minnie Riperton

Minnie Riperton was a remarkable vocalist who made her mark in the 1970s music scene with her ethereal melodies and captivating voice. She was well-known for her remarkable four-octave range. With its soaring high notes, “Lovin’ You,” her breakthrough hit, won hearts all over the world and demonstrated Riperton’s unmatched vocal prowess. Beyond just being a talented vocalist, Riperton’s soulful and sensitive performance struck a deep chord, giving each lyric a sense of tenderness and passion. Her life was tragically cut short by cancer, but her music lives on, inspiring countless musicians and music lovers with her extraordinary talent and unwavering spirit.

Top 3 Hits

  • A Moment with Minnie
  • Perfect Angel
  • Memory Lane

Patti Smith

Pioneering the punk rock movement in the 1970s, Patti Smith was more than just a musician and poet; she was also a significant cultural figure. Her unvarnished, unrefined approach to poetry and music defied expectations, establishing her as a punk scene pioneer. Smith’s “Horses,” his debut album, which combined rock and roll attitude with poetry, is still regarded as a seminal work in rock history. 

With her thought-provoking lyrics and rebellious energy, she inspired a generation and changed the music landscape with her wildly independent spirit and uncompromising creativity. In addition to her musical contributions, Smith’s influence as a writer and activist solidified her reputation as a bold and significant artist whose influence is still felt strongly in the counterculture, literature, and music industries.

Top 3 Hits

  • Wind Beneath My Wings
  • From a Distance
  • The Rose

Conclusion 

The 1970s left an indelible mark on the world of music, thanks in large part to the exceptional female pop artists who graced the stage. Their mesmerizing vocals, engaging performances, and chart-topping hits enriched the era’s vibrant music scene. The legacies of these remarkable artists remain imprinted on the heart of 1970s pop culture, demonstrating the enduring power of their artistry.