Elle writes, “In theaters now, it’s the kind of gripping music doc that could inspire girls and boys everywhere to ditch Guitar Hero for a real Stratocaster. And yet, as good as it is, we couldn’t help but think, Why no female guitarist in the bunch? Could be that since the electric guitar’s popularity blossomed in the mid-twentieth century, collective wisdom has suggested that great female guitarists simply don’t exist.”

The article then points out that Rolling Stone’s 2003 list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time only name-dropped two women – Joni Mitchell and Joan Jett.

Another example that comes to mind is the video game series Guitar Hero. The game includes playable real life rockers such as Slash and Tom Morello. You can also play as a number of male guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Billy Corgan, Zakk Wylde, Ted Nugent, Travis Barker, Sting, and Ozzy Osbourne – but the only female guitar god the game currently includes is Paramore’s Hayley Williams. The fifth edition of Guitar Hero is set for release in September along with playable characters Muse’s Matt Bellamy, Johnny Cash, Kurt Cobain and one female – Garbage’s Shirley Manson.

So, are there just not as many great female guitarists out there or are the grrl rockers being overlooked?

Elle includes a quote from the The Breeders’ lead guitarist Kelly Deal.

She says, “I think we do exist, but in a different capacity. Guys really like to hear themselves talk. Women guitarists seem more song-oriented. What they choose to play contributes to making the song better, not just riffing all over it. It’s a deeper relationship.”

Elle has compiled a list of 12 of the greatest female electric guitarists, kicking the list off in agreement with RS by praising Joan Jett for being a “no-nonsense player who in only a few strums can get an entire barroom howling her 1982 hit, “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll.”

Fellow Runaways guitarist Lita Ford is also on the list in addition to Heart’s Nancy Wilson. Jennifer Batten, who played along with Michael Jackson on his “Bad,” “Dangerous” and “HIStory” tours, is named, along with Orianthi, who was set to perform with MJ on his comeback tour, the 50-date “This Is It” London residency.

Elle says Kelley Deal deserves to be on the list because her “disheveled playing for the Breeders (and later the Kelley Deal 6000) moves us. It’s untrained, uncalculated, and completely unreal.”

L7’s Donita Sparks is also celebrated, as well as Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Browstein, The Cramps’ Poison Ivy, Nashville Pussy’s Ruyter Suys, The Great Kat and Marnie Stern.

An informal poll amongst Pollstar’s editorial department determined the list should be expanded to include Bonnie Raitt, Loretta Lynn, Chrissie Hynde, Cat Power, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Susan Tedeschi, Ani DiFranco, Le Tigre’s Kathleen Hanna, The Bangles’ Susanna Hoffs and Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s.

Did we leave anyone off?

Who would you include on a list of the greatest female guitarists?

Click here for the Elle story.

Click here for Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time.