Best Female Solo Performer Ever

If you had to pick just one female solo performer (as opposed to a female lead of a group), who would you pick?

Gosh, this won't be easy. I truly love Carly Simon. Her music is amazing, and I love her style. Other females that come to mind were once part of a group, such as Stevie Nicks. I am not sure I can identify the best *ever*. I just know the ones I love! Even though I am not as big of a fan of Madonna as I used to be, her influence on music in all areas cannot be denied.

I don't think I really listen to many female solo performers ...

Maybe Nellie McKay.

Not a solo performer but I love her...Theo Kogan (from the punk band: The Lunachicks...and now she heads Theo and the Skyscrapers)
And Rosemary Clooney

There is one female performer that I really like. I like her older stuff, but she is re-inventing herself and knows how to do the greates job and have her fans always wanting more: MADONNA!! I actually discover her for "real" after I watched "Truth or Dare" at the movies. After the show I went directly to the Mall and bought my first Madonna CD, the Immaculate Collection. She is amazing, and she is the Queen of Pop! LOVE HER!!!

We've got a gay.

I never really liked Madonna's music too much. I'm not a huge pop fan.

Stevie Nicks.

I don't know if she's the best, but my favorite is Utada Hikaru. I love her unique style and think she's very talented ^__^

J-pop pisses me off.

Who's gay? Me or Madonna freak?

After all these years, I still have yet to come across anybody that can come close to Janis Joplin. She was going in a whole new direction when she died. I will always wonder what "Pearl" would have accomplished musically if she had lived.

I would have to say mariah carey and she is a very good vocalist even though she went downhill in the early 00s, still i give her some props.