
Now Joni may be more laid back with her performance style and her tendency towards jazz rather than hard rock as her career progressed but I think her lyric content bites harder than most other female songwriters/producers. (check the lyrics to Banquet and Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire from "For The Roses")
Grace Slick is one who knew how to kick ass both as a performer and a writer. At the time she Joined the "Airplane"; Janis was the only other considered option.
And Carole King may be more of a balladeer than a rocker but her contribution to the industry has been monumental.
Just a few thoughts, Witty.