With the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions around the corner, I think it's time we discussed some of music history's most beloved (and often forgotten) female musicians.

In a field dominated by men, these women rose through the charts and produced record-breaking albums which would later become iconic entries into the canon of music.

Without these women, we could never have artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, etc. Here is a short list of women who I think deserve a standing ovation.

1. Kate Bush

Certainly the oddball amongst her peers, Kate Bush established herself as an artist who was ahead of her time. A native of England, She exploded onto the music scene in 1978 at the tender age of 19 with her debut single "Wuthering Heights", which was based on the Emily Brontë novel. Kate would then go on to have a long, yet reclusive, career in which her albums broke records all around the world, many of them being a critical success. Unfortunately, American listeners considered her too weird, thus making it difficult for her to break into the American market.

Key Tracks: "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)", "Wuthering Heights", "Cloudbusting", "This Woman's Work", "Babooshka"

2. Stevie Nicks

Considered one of the most legendary women in rock music, Stevie Nicks was one of many who paved the way for women in music. Nicks found fame as the frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac, turning them into one of the most successful bands of all time. While still with Fleetwood Mac, Nicks embarked on a highly successful solo career, beginning with her 1981 debut album, "Bella Donna", which sold 6 million copies in the US alone. Stevie Nicks still writes, records, and produces music as well as tours with Fleetwood Mac and by herself, showing the world that a woman at age 69 can still rock and roll.

Key Tracks: "Rhiannon", "Dreams", "Edge of Seventeen", "Stand Back", "Landslide"

3. Annie Lennox

Known for her haunting vocals, androgynous style, and piercing eyes, Annie Lennox completely changed what it meant to be a woman in the music industry. She would find initial fame in the 80's as one-half of a New Wave duo known as the Eurythmics. After the band broke up in the early 90's, Annie became a successful solo artist with a number of hit records attached to her name. Later in life, Annie turned to AIDS activism and other philanthropic purists while still performing all around the world.

Key Tracks: "Here Comes the Rain Again", "Why", "No More I Love Yous", "Cold", "Walking on Broken Glass"

4. Tina Turner

If anyone should be given an award for survival, it should be Tina Turner. Turner began her musical career with her then-husband, Ike Turner. The two churned out some major hits in the 60's and 70's, turning Tina (and not Ike) into a superstar. Ike then became severely abusive towards Tina, so much so that Tina would eventually file for divorce and win the right to keep her stage name. Tina would then become one of the most successful female recording artists in history, selling over 180 million albums worldwide. Her rise to musical fame would be the subject of a biopic entitled "What's Love Got to Do With It?" starring Angela Bassett as Tina Turner and Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner.

Key Tracks: "Proud Mary", "Nutbush City Limits", "What's Love Got to Do With It", "Private Dancer", "River Deep, Mountain High"

5. Diana Ross

Diana 'The Boss' Ross is perhaps one of the most iconic singers in music history. Ross started out at Motown Records in the girl group The Supremes, becoming one of Motown's most popular musical groups. However, by the early 70's, the group dissolved and Ross stepped out to begin her own solo career. Ross also ventured into acting, her most notable role being Billie Holiday in "Lady Sings the Blues". In 1988, Ross was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Supremes, thus cementing her status as a music icon. Ross has sold over 100 million records world wide and has more than 70 hit singles to her name, making her one of the most successful female artists.

Key Tracks: "Stop! In the Name of Love", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "I Hear a Symphony", "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)", "I'm Coming Out"