New Inductees Into My Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame

June 2009:

The Strokes
The Dead Kennedys
Wolfmother
The Byrds
Bush

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2009, Part Three - The Inductees

1984 featured the debut of a couple important rock bands, but for the most part it was a catch-up year, with only two artists making my Hall in their first year.


The following "Class Of 2009" artists were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

The Red Hot Chili Peppers - The most successful artist in the history of the Billboard Modern Rock charts, the Chili Peppers have varied their signature style just enough over the years to maintain their success for more than two decades.

The Jesus And Mary Chain - Not many artists these days can say that they invented a genre, but the Jesus and Mary Chain can claim shoegaze as their own. The Chain were one of the most important bands of the 80's and while they never achieved any crossover success, they remain one of the most influential bands of their generation.


The following artists have been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2009:

Madonna - The most innovative pop star of her era, Madonna has managed to achieve what few pop stars ever could, maintaining a career for longer than a few years.

The B-52's - The most bizarre and creative band of the New Wave era (really saying something there), the B-52's were goofy and their singers had weird voices, but they managed to create a long string of great albums in a niche all their own.

Bad Religion - The most meat and potatoes of all political punk bands, Bad Religion has about 100 great songs to their credit and no hits. It's not really possible to listen to more than a dozen of their songs in a row without getting bored, but that sort of thing never stopped the Ramones, did it?

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2009, Part Two

The following "Class of 2009" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

A-Ha
Bronski Beat
Dead Can Dance
Dennis DeYoung
Grim Reaper
Honeymoon Suite
Julian Lennon
Peter Wolf
Sade
Sheila E.
Soul Asylum
Steve Morse
Steve Vai
The Fat Boys
Warlock


The following "Class Of 2009" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Spinal Tap
The Cult
The Pet Shop Boys
The Pogues
Yngwie Malmsteen


The following "Class Of 2009" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
Run DMC
Whitney Houston

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2009, Part One

1984 wasn't quite the year for rock n roll that 1983 was, but there were still a few notable artists to debut that year.

The following artists from the "Class of 2009" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

Run DMC


The following artists from the "Class of 2009" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

David Sylvian
Steve Perry
Stryper
White Lion

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2008, Part Three - The Inductees

Four different genres that were popular in the early 80's are represented with inductees this year, covering a vast range of musical styles.


The following "Class Of 2008" artists were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

Metallica - The greatest metal band of their generation, Metallica made the genre what it is today and set the bar impossibly high. So high, in fact that no other metal band has been able to get over it since.

Stevie Ray Vaughan - The greatest blues man of the last 40 years, Stevie Ray Vaughan combined great riffs with a unique voice and outstanding lyrics to create a credible blues sound with widespread mainstream appeal.

The Smiths - One of the finest New Wave bands of all-time, The Smiths are probably guilty of creating the emo genre that haunts humanity to this day, but they more than make up for that crime with their acid wit and fantastic hooks.

Social Distortion - Social D is sort of a radio-friendly version of Bad Religion with a much bigger following. They were probably the first band to enjoy success in the cowboy punk sub-genre with their country-flavored music. They're best known for their intense cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire".


The following artists have been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2008:

New Order - New Order emerged from the ashes of Joy Division after Ian Curtis' suicide and became one of the biggest acts of the 80's. They switched from the gloomy music of the previous band to the more up-tempo dance rock that made them immediate superstars, though they never really crossed over to pop radio success.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2008, Part Two

The following "Class of 2008" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Anthrax
Corey Hart
Corrosion of Conformity
D.R.I.
Europe
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Howard Jones
John Cafferty
Johnny Gill
Jules Shear
k.d. lang
Katrina and the Waves
Naked Raygun
New Edition
NOFX
Paul Rodgers
Ratt
Skinny Puppy
Steinski
Surface
The Art of Noise
The Escape Club
The Golden Palominos
The Style Council
Wendy O. Williams
Zebra


The following "Class Of 2008" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Billy Bragg
Bon Jovi
Butthole Surfers
Cyndi Lauper
Dead Milkmen
Dio
James
Queensrÿche
Suicidal Tendencies
The Hooters


The following "Class Of 2008" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Madonna
Pantera
Pulp
Slayer

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2008, Part One

1983 was a great year for alternative rock and had a few of the best artists in the history of blues rock and metal as well.

The following artists from the "Class of 2008" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

Madonna
Metallica


The following artists from the "Class of 2008" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

NONE

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2007, Part Three - The Inductees

Another year in the early 80's, another great year for alternative rock, which was still in it's infancy at the time and 1982 was the year it got it's first superstar, R.E.M. and one of it's best, Sonic Youth.

The following "Class Of 2007" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

R.E.M. - The reigning indie rock kings of the 80's essentially kick-started the college rock scene that would develop more fully into alternative rock and indie rock with their brilliant independently-produced albums before bringing alternative to the mainstream in the late 80's and early 90's, kicking the door open for the grunge revolution to come.

Sonic Youth - Although not as popular as R.E.M., Sonic Youth was as important to the alt rock scene and as influential to the future greats of the genre. One of the truly great bands of the 1980's.

The Violent Femmes - Another sensational college rock band from the early 80's, The Violent Femmes never enjoyed mainstream success, but they did put together a long string of great indie rock songs, the greatest of which was "Blister In The Sun", which has been featured prominently in popular culture in recent years.

The Beastie Boys - The first and some would say only respectable white rappers in the history of rock n roll, The Beastie Boys combined rap with hard rock on their breakthrough album "License To Ill" and then made great strides in advancing rap as an art form through their revolutionary use of samples in the work from the early 90's.


The following artists have been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2007:

Depeche Mode - One of the great New Wave bands of the 80's, Depeche Mode is one of the most popular and acclaimed bands of the last quarter-century and they have a long string of hits to prove it.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2007, Part Two

The following "Class of 2007" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Adrian Belew
Asia
Big Black
Big Country
Cocteau Twins
Culture Club
Donald Fagen
Everything But the Girl
Gene Loves Jezebel
George Clinton
Glenn Frey
Great White
Ice-T
Jeffrey Osbourne
Jennifer Holliday
Jimmy Page
John Waite
King Sunny Adé
Lee Aaron
Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
Marillion
Marshall Crenshaw
Mercyful Fate
Michael McDonald
Nena
Paul Young
Rain Parade
Scandal
Shonen Knife
SSD
Swans
Talk Talk
The Chameleons
The Lords of the New Church
The Waterboys
Whodini
Yaz (Yazoo)


The following "Class Of 2007" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Berlin
Men at Work
Robert Plant
Steve Earle
The Dream Syndicate
The Fixx


The following "Class Of 2007" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Janet Jackson
Sting
Don Henley
10,000 Maniacs
Bad Brains

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2007, Part One

1982 hasn't been a great year for the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame so far, but there are a few promising candidates for the future.

The following artists from the "Class of 2007" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

R.E.M.


The following artists from the "Class of 2007" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Bobby McFerrin
Dokken
Falco
Kajagoogoo
Kenny G
Manowar
Night Ranger
Prefab Sprout
W.A.S.P.
Wham!

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2006, Part Three - The Inductees

The "Class Of 2006" features many great alt rock bands that will make my Hall Of Fame at some point, but only two artists earned first ballot induction, opening the doors for three artists who had previously been snubbed.


The following "Class Of 2006" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

The Replacements - One of the great college rock sensations of the 80's, The Replacements are probably the best band that you've never heard of and the inspiration of countless alt-country bands that have followed in their booze-drenched footsteps.

Husker Du - Another great Minneapolis band (The Replacements) earns their spot in my Hall Of Fame this year as Husker Du rides a long track record of unpopular but brilliant music into a first ballot induction.


The following artists have been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2006:

Motorhead - The founding fathers of the speed metal movement, Lemmy and the rest of Motorhead usually cruise by on their reputation (their repetitive song structures make them the Ramones of heavy metal), but they set new marks for speed and cool and easily deserve their belated induction into my Hall. Hopefully someday the judges in the actual Hall will sack up and put them and other overlooked metal artists into their Hall... and kick James Taylor the fuck out.

X - An overlooked but outstanding punk / new wave band with a lot of great songs and an out of this world great style and sound that lives on to this day.

Blondie - A pop punk / new wave band that got their start in the punk petri dish of New York in 1977, Blondie achieved the highest level of pop success of all the bands with their crossover disco and pop songs in the early 80's. While they certainly weren't the best band from the '77 scene, their music is breezy and fun without sacrificing the lyrical wit and attitude that they picked up at CBGB's way back when.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2006, Part Two

The following "Class of 2006" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

54-40
Aztec Camera
Bananarama
Bow Wow Wow
Daniel Johnston
Divinyls
James Ingram
Laura Branigan
Lita Ford
Loudness
Peter Cetera
Quarterflash
Soft Cell
The Bangles
Thompson Twins
Tom Tom Club


The following "Class Of 2006" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

A Flock of Seagulls
ABC
Lionel Richie
Mötley Crüe
Stevie Nicks
Stray Cats
The The
Thomas Dolby


The following "Class Of 2006" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Bad Religion
Billy Idol
David Byrne
Depeche Mode
Duran Duran
Eurythmics
Meat Puppets
Ministry
Minor Threat
Mission of Burma
New Order
Phil Collins
Robyn Hitchcock
Tears for Fears

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2006, Part One

1981 hasn't been a productive year for the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, though it certainly should be as the "Class Of 2006" features many of the 80's best alternative rock bands, including Depeche Mode, The Replacements, Husker Du, Bad Religion, Duran Duran, Tears For Fears and New Order, none of which have been inducted into the actual Hall, which is a crying shame.


The following artists from the "Class of 2006" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

NONE


The following artists from the "Class of 2006" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Hanoi Rocks
Kix
Sheena Easton
Wang Chung

New Inductees Into My Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame

March 2009:

The Screaming Trees
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Aimee Mann
Billy Joel
Run DMC


April 2009:

The Smiths
And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead
Eminem
311
Steppenwolf


May 2009:

Muse
The Jesus And Mary Chain
The Shins
Sparta
Kid Rock

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2005, Part Three - The Inductees

Only five artists were inducted in 2005, but since the classes are getting weaker and weaker it means that there are a few spots available this year for previously overlooked artists.

The following "Class Of 2005" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

U2 - Widely regarded as one of the biggest rock bands in the world, U2 got their start as a New Wave / Punk band in the late 70's. They laid low for a few albums before releasing The Joshua Tree, the album that launched them into the stratosphere. They've been mostly consistent over the last two decades, cranking out one great album after another with the exception of some blips during the 90's.

The Pretenders - One of the best and most influential New Wave bands, The Pretenders haven't released very many albums but what they have released have been spectacular, launching the band to a level so high that they've even made the actual Hall Of Fame.

Ozzy Osborne - After he was kicked out of Black Sabbath, the future looked pretty bleak for Ozzy and most insiders said he was done for. Little did they know that it was Black Sabbath that would pretty much disappear during the 80's while Ozzy became the biggest star in heavy metal with a string of hits that started with "Crazy Train" and continues to this day.


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2005:

XTC - They were never a particularly popular band, but XTC was one of the best New Wave bands and certainly one of the most creative bands of their era.

Iron Maiden - Not quite the best metal band of all-time, but Iron Maiden was definitely one of the top contenders. They don't get much radio play, but their track record is undeniable.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2005, Part Two

The following "Class of 2005" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Angry Samoans
Dead or Alive
Donnie Iris
Modern English
Oingo Boingo
Orange Juice
Robert Cray
Roky Erickson
The Blasters
The Circle Jerks
The Durutti Column
The Go-Betweens
The Romantics
The Smithereens
Treacherous Three
Wall of Voodoo
Willie Nile


The following "Class Of 2005" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Afrika Bambaataa
Billy Squier
Christopher Cross
English Beat
Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five
Huey Lewis and The News
Julian Cope And The Teardrop Explodes
Kurtis Blow
Minutemen
The Go-Go's
The Sisters of Mercy
UB40


The following "Class Of 2005" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
INXS

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2005, Part One

Rock N Roll slowed down significantly in the 1980's. Only three artists that debuted in 1980 are in the Hall Of Fame, but two of them are among rock's best.


The following artists from the "Class of 2005" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

The Pretenders
U2
Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five


The following artists from the "Class of 2005" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Loverboy
Men Without Hats

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2004, Part Three - The Inductees

2004 was the last year that the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame inducted more than five artists in a single class. This is bad news for artists that are on the waiting list for my Hall, but that news is countered by a mostly weak slate of 80's artists that they'll be competing with. That being said, the seven artists that made my Hall this time around are more than worthy, but many should be happy they got in when they did.


The following "Class Of 2004" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:


Echo And The Bunnymen - One of the most under-rated bands in all of rock n roll, Echo and the Bunnymen are a brilliant New Wave / post-Punk band with a long string of brilliant songs but little or no radio airplay to speak of.

Prince - The best pop singer of the late 70's and early 80's, Prince is a virtuoso who can play dozens of instruments and wrote an astonishing number of great songs over the last three decades.

Van Halen - A divisive band to be certain, Van Halen is either the last great band of the classic rock era or the first and most influential band of the abysmal hair band 80's. I think that the band has enough merit to earn their spot in the Hall Of Fame. Eddie Van Halen's game-changing guitar work is the most notable aspect of the band's greatness, but the vocals and personality that frontman David Lee Roth brought to the table were also significant. Even replacement lead singer Sammy Hagar was good for a few great albums before his ego got the best of him.

The Dead Kennedys - The first great political punk band of the post-Clash era, The Dead Kennedys refused to pull punches, mixing the intelligence of The Clash with the attitude of the Sex Pistols. DK were daring, in your face and insane without sacrificing melody and clarity.


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2004:


Joy Division - Although they weren't insanely popular during their run in the late 70's and early 80's, Joy Division has become the most influential band on the current indie rock scene. Their lyrics are gloomy and dark, their lead singer was a mentally imbalanced individual who eventually killed himself and their sound was one of the most important to come out of the post-punk era.

The Police - The complete opposite of Joy Division, The Police were an up-tempo New Wave band with reggae and ska influences. They were also one of the most successful and popular bands of the 80's. Their success launched Sting into the stratosphere of popular music, so it hasn't all been good, but the band made a lot of great music in a short period of time and that can't be overlooked.

The Cars - A hit-making New Wave band from the late 70's, The Cars seemed like they might just be another pop band, but there was actually a lot of style and substance to their work and one of the better bands of the New Wave era.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2004, Part Two

The following "Class of 2004" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Au Pairs
Def Leppard
Descendents
Dexys Midnight Runners
Rickie Lee Jones
Rosanne Cash
Sugarhill Gang
Survivor
Teena Marie
The Buggles
The Chesterfield Kings
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Slits
The Specials


The following "Class Of 2004" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Adam and the Ants
Killing Joke
Madness
Simple Minds
The Motels
The Psychedelic Furs
Twisted Sister


The following "Class Of 2004" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Iron Maiden
The B-52's
Lucinda Williams
“Weird Al” Yankovic
Pat Benatar
Bauhaus

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2004, Part One

1979 wasn't quite as great as the past two years were. Only two bands that debuted in '79 are in the actual Hall. The bad news for rock n roll and good news for nominees is that the 80's weren't a great time for new bands, so there will be many opportunities for backlisted bands to sneak in before the alt-rock revolution of the 90's.


The following artists from the "Class of 2004" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

Prince
Van Halen


The following artists from the "Class of 2004" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Accept
Bryan Adams
Fad Gadget
Harlequin
The Adicts

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2003, Part Three - The Inductees

For the first time since the late 60's, the "Class Of 2003" will see an ASAP inductee wait until at least next year for induction. This is due to the institution of smaller inductee classes going forward from this point. There will be seven inductees in 2004, but from then on no more than five at any point.


The following "Class Of 2003" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:


The Clash - The greatest punk band of all-time and one of the greatest rock bands for that matter, The Clash bounced from genre to genre inspiring legions of great bands in their wake.

Elvis Costello - One of the most innovative performers in all of rock n roll, Elvis Costello has changed his style of music more frequently than anyone this side of Bowie but with rare exception succeeded wildly at everything he's tried. Costello remains a prominent force in the indie rock scene to this day.

The Cure - It's surprising that the band isn't in the actual hall of fame. They're often pigeonholed as a "goth" band because of their appearance and videos, but in reality the band has written some of the most beautiful love songs of their generation while maintaining a high level of artistry and quality throughout.

Devo - One of the weirdest bands in all of rock n roll, Devo was unique and incredibly creative, deconstructing multiple genres and creating some of the most bizarrely brilliant music ever made.

Siouxsie & the Banshees - An amazing goth/New Wave band that has played a tremendous role in the current wave of indie rock bands, Siouxsie Sioux and her band have never gotten the recognition that they deserve, but their style and musical sensibilities make them one of the greatest bands of their generation.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2003, Part Two

The following "Class of 2003" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Crass
Eric Johnson
Gary Numan
Japan
Magazine
Molly Hatchet
Ronnie Montrose
Steve Forbert
The Birthday Party
The Blues Brothers
The Human League
The Rutles
The Television Personalities


The following "Class Of 2003" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Chaka Khan
David Gilmour
Generation X
Harry Connick Jr.
Kate Bush
Los Lobos
Midnight Oil
Pere Ubu
Public Image Ltd.
Rick James
The Cramps
The Fall
The Misfits
The Neville Brothers
The Undertones
Toto


The following "Class Of 2003" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Joy Division*
The Police
The Cars
X
Squeeze
Dire Straits
Black Flag
Gang of Four
Joe Jackson

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2003, Part One

1978 was another great year for rock n roll as the punk revolution continued and New Wave bands began to enter the fold. Sadly, only five artists were inducted in 2003, so there will be a significant waiting list involved from here on out.

The following artists from the "Class of 2003" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

The Clash
Elvis Costello
The Police


The following artists from the "Class of 2003" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

After the Fire
Bobby Caldwell
Saga
Streetheart
Tim Curry
Whitesnake

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2002, Part Three - The Inductees

Six artists were inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2002, and while that's enough to take care of my ASAP candidates, it only allows the top non-ASAP candidate to sneak in this year while the rest will have to wait for future years, when it will get much more difficult due to the Hall's recent unofficial policy change of only allowing five new artists every year.


The following "Class Of 2002" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - The Heartbreakers are quite possibly the greatest American rock n roll band and by far the most consistent band in all of rock history. There has never been a bad Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album and each one contains a set of brilliant songs with great lyrics, brilliant guitarwork and the ability to hop from one genre to another while rarely even coming up with a bad song let alone several.

The Ramones - The Ramones didn't invent punk. Punk has it's roots in Detroit in the late 60's and could even be traced far enough back to the Mod movement of the early 60's, particularly The Who. That being said, no band was more important in the consolidation of punk from a series of ideas into a genre in and of itself than The Ramones. The British punk bands were inspired by The Ramones and the New York scene would have never made it without them. The Ramones had the simplest sound imaginable: lean, straight forward and short. Most of their songs sounded exactly alike and they rarely topped three minutes. Despite all that they remain the coolest and purest of all rock bands.

The Talking Heads - 1977 was also a great year for alternative rock as The Talking Heads brought art rock to the mainstream, briding the gap between the underground scene and classic rock in a way that no band since the Velvet Underground had. Their music was weird and yet still radio-friendly, unique and representing a high level of quality thanks to the leadership of the genius David Byrne.

The Sex Pistols - Inspired by the success of the Ramones, The Sex Pistols were put together and instantly became the British voice of punk rebellion, clawing at the eyes of the UK establishment and spitting in the face of the music industry while still managing to create music that was brilliant and well put together.

John Mellencamp - 1977 also saw the debut of one of the great singer-songwriters of the 70's, John Mellencamp. John's gone by many commercially inspired names, but when his record label started taking him seriously they settled on his actual name. Mellencamp is forever stuck in the shadow of Bruce Springsteen, but since he was the best of the "imitators", it was hardly a bad place to be, as it allowed him to create a long string of great albums that continues to this day.

The Jam - The Jam are something of a forgotten New Wave band since Classic Rock radio chooses to ignore them, but they were among the most important and best bands of the late 70's, cranking out great song after great song before breaking up a few decades later.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2002, Part Two

The following "Class of 2002" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Amy Grant
Cameo
Levon Helm
Ram Jam
Teddy Pendergrass
The Boomtown Rats
The Mekons
The Soft Boys
Throbbing Gristle


The following "Class Of 2002" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

.38 Special
Chic
Eddie Money
Foreigner
Suicide
Wire


The following "Class Of 2002" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Blondie
Cheap Trick
George Thorogood
Motörhead
Peter Gabriel
Richard Hell and the Voidoids
The Buzzcocks
The Dead Boys
XTC

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2002, Part One

Unlike the past few years, 1977 was an absolutely great year for rock n roll, possibly even the best ever, as the punk scenes in New York and England revitalized popular music and gave it the temporary shock to the system that it needed to recover from years of AOR and coke-fueled decadence.


The following artists from the "Class of 2002" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

The Ramones
The Talking Heads
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
Blondie
The Sex Pistols
John Mellencamp


The following artists from the "Class of 2002" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Andy Gibb
Eddie Grant
Karla Bonoff
Quiet Riot
The Village People

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2001, Part Three - The Inductees

Eight artists were inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame in 2001. Since only four artists form this class were inducted into my Hall in their first try, four previously nominated acts make my Hall this year.


The following "Class Of 2001" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

AC/DC - One of the greatest metal acts in rock history, AC/DC locked down the blues rock sound and combined it with elements of metal and even hip hop (Back In Black) to create a boozy and brilliant sound that has carried them through 30 years at the top.

Heart - Heart was sort of a female version of Led Zeppelin. Their guitar work and vocal performances were outstanding throughout their career and yet they still aren't in the actual Hall of Fame. Considering some of the artists who did make the list, this is quite baffling.

Patti Smith - One of the true queens of the punk / new wave scene, Patti Smith channeled the spirit and style of Janis Joplin and turned it into a revolutionary mix of rock n roll and poetry to create one of the most excitingly unstable styles in all of rock n roll.

The Damned - An early entry from the '77 punk scene (along with Patti), The Damned were one of the first great punk bands and a true innovator in the field.


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2001:


Steppenwolf - One of the last great bands of the 1960's to make my Hall Of Fame, Steppenwolf is best known for their iconic hit "Born To Be Wild" and the all-time classic "Magic Carpet Ride".

Ted Nugent - The wild man of rock n roll, Uncle Ted Nugent was never regarded as a particularly artistic performer, but in the heyday of the stadium rocker, the Nuge was among the best with crazy great guitar-driven songs like "Cat Scratch Fever", "Stranglehold" and "Motor City Madhouse".

Yes - One of the great prog-rock bands of the 70's, Yes is mysteriously not in the actual Hall Of Fame, despite making a huge impact on the classic rock era during the 70's and early 80's.

Bad Company - Bad Company wasn't a particularly iconic band, but for a meat and potatoes classic rock outfit, there weren't many bands of their era that were better with straight forward blues influenced rock.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2001, Part Two

The following "Class of 2001" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Air Supply
Alabama
Bootsy Collins
Bunny Wailer
Cabaret Voltaire
Charlie Feathers
Kenny Loggins
Max Webster
Peter Tosh
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
Triumph


The following "Class Of 2001" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Boston
Graham Parker
Luther Vandross
Nick Lowe
Sammy Hagar
The Modern Lovers
The Runaways


The following "Class Of 2001" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

NONE

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2001, Part One

1976 wasn't a great year for rock n roll. Only two artists that debuted that year are in the actual Hall Of Fame, though eight were inducted in 2001.

The following artists from the "Class of 2001" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

AC/DC
Patti Smith


The following artists from the "Class of 2001" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

NONE

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2000, Part Three - The Inductees

Six artists were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000 and since none of them came from the "Class Of 2000", the year was a clean-up year of past oversights. My Hall is no different, with only one first time inductee making it in along with five previous nominees.


The following "Class Of 2000" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

Television - One of the most artistic and challenging bands of the New York '77 scene, Television don't have any hit songs and the average rock fan has never heard of them, but they were one of the first great bands of the alternative rock scene and among the most influential bands of the early days of punk.


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2000:

Joe Cocker - The gravel-voiced classic rock singer who managed to improve on a couple Beatles songs and a classic from Traffic, Joe Cocker is among the most popular singers of his generation and one of the greatest singers to come out of the 1960's.

Judas Priest - One of the first truly great metal bands of the late 70's and early 80's golden age of metal. The band has a legendary track record and even managed to put a few metal songs onto the classic rock playlist, an honor that not even Motorhead could achieve.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Another great classic rock band from the 70's makes the Hall this year. BTO is hardly the most artistic band of their era, but they put forward a workman-like effort on album after album and had just enough wit to their songwriting to put them over the top.

The New York Dolls - One of the first great bands in the proto-punk movement, The New York Dolls were rough and undisciplined, wild and incomprehensible at times. In short, they were brilliant and exactly what rock n roll needed as they started to venture into the prog and corporate rock wildernesses.

Supertramp - And no sooner trashed than inducted, Supertramp was both corporate rock and prog rock at times, but their lyrics were among the best of the late 70's and they were one of the few artistic bands to make a splash during the disco era.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2000, Part Two

The following "Class of 2000" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Billy Ocean
Blackfoot
Eddie Rabbitt
Little River Band
Outlaws
Peabo Bryson
Rainbow
Split Enz
The Trammps
The Tubes


The following "Class Of 2000" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Journey
Natalie Cole
The Alan Parsons Project


The following "Class Of 2000" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Ted Nugent
The Dictators

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 2000, Part One

1975 was perhaps the worst year for new rock bands of all-time. There is not one single artist that debuted in 1975 in the actual Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame and unless Uncle Ted gets some love, this is likely to remain the case. Only one artist from the "Class Of 2000" makes my Hall in their first year of eligibility and it wasn't as an ASAP inductee.


The following artists from the "Class of 2000" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

NONE


The following artists from the "Class of 2000" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Alex Chilton
Angel
Captain & Tennille
Crystal Gayle
Grace Jones
Juice Newton
Mannheim Steamroller
Michael Bolton
Sister Sledge
The Dynamic Superiors
Trooper

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1999, Part Three - The Inductees

Seven artists were inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1999. The big three from the "Class of 1999" are all first ballot inductees with four previously nominated artists getting in this time around.


The following "Class Of 1999" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

Aerosmith - The most promising new rock band to come around since Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith tore up rock radio in the mid-70's with their brash blues rock featuring the strained and desperate vocals of lead singer Steven Tyler. An American version of the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith's boozy sound fell apart due to drug abuse in the late 70's. They got back together in the mid-80's and it's pretty much been downhill from there. They never quite lived up to their early promise but they still remain one of the great American rock bands of all-time.

Queen - Campy though the band may be, there's no denying the creative genius behind one of the biggest and weirdest bands of the 1970's. Led by singer Freddie Mercury, Queen released a string of hits that has rarely been matched, bouncing from one musical genre to another during a brief but potent run on the top.

Lynyrd Skynyrd - One of the best Southern Rock bands of all-time, Lynyrd Skynyrd had a series of successful albums highlighted by all-time classics like "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama". The band is still together to this day, but they haven't been the same since several of their founding members were killed in a plane crash.


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1999:

The Doobie Brothers - One of the most consistent bands of the classic rock era, The Doobie Brothers cranked out hit after hit during the 1970's with their smooth and unoffensive rock n roll.

Jackson Browne - A brilliant singer-songwriter who crafted some of the biggest hits of the 60's and 70's, Browne struck out on a solo career in the early 1970's and achieved a great deal of success while creating some of the best songs of the singer-songwriter branch of classic rock, a branch that is generally quite intolerable.

War - War was one of the funkiest bands of the classic rock era. They're best known for "Low Rider", but they also have one of the most impressive track records as a rock fusion band this side of Santana.

The Mamas And The Papas - They've waited a long time to get into my Hall, but the Mamas and the Papas, one of the most popular bands of the 60's, finally get their due in 1999. The Mamas were one of the biggest bands from the early days of rock n roll and they're best known for their all-time classic "California Dreamin'".

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1999, Part Two

The following "Class of 1999" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Brian Eno
Donna Summer
Gloria Gaynor
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
John Hiatt
KC & the Sunshine Band
Robert Palmer
Rufus & Chaka Khan
The Gap Band
The Residents


The following "Class Of 1999" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Kansas
KISS
The Commodores


The following "Class Of 1999" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Bad Company
Judas Priest

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1999, Part One

A trio of classic rock juggernauts highlights the "Class of 1999", one of the last truly stacked classes of the classic rock era.


The following artists from the "Class of 1999" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

Aerosmith
Queen
Lynyrd Skynyrd


The following artists from the "Class of 1999" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Chris Rea
Jefferson Starship
Petra
Phoebe Snow

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1998, Part Three - The Inductees

Six artists were inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame in 1998 and six artists from the "Class Of 98" made it into my Hall in their first year of eligibility.


The following "Class Of 1998" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:


Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band - One of the greatest artists to debut during the 1970's, Bruce Springsteen and his band (who were snubbed by the RNR HOF) have more than lived up to the title of "the next Dylan" cranking out one great album after another over the last 35 years.

The Eagles - The band that perfected the country rock genre and rode it to one of the most successful careers in rock history. The band remains popular to this day and remains one of the great bands of classic rock.

Rush - Arguably the best artist not in the actual Hall Of Fame (and unlike The Stooges or Kiss, there's no known explanation for their exclusion), Rush's brainy prog rock has never been critically beloved, but they have an enormous fan base and an outstanding track record, cranking out great songs for over thirty years.

Tom Waits - Another RNR HOF snub victim, Tom Waits is one of the greatest songwriters of the rock n roll era, writing brilliant songs that have frequently been covered by more popular artists but never achieving great commercial success due mainly to his gravelly voice.

Michael Jackson - After enjoying high levels of success in his family band, The Jackson Five, Michael struck out on his own and became one of the most successful pop stars of all-time. His "Thriller" album switches place with co-inductee The Eagles' "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" album as the best-selling album in American history. He also enjoyed a long string of hits and a long run at the top before his creepy demeanor destroyed his credibility as an artist.

Steely Dan - One of the more soulful classic rock bands of the mid-70's, Steely Dan enjoyed a long run near the top of the pop and rock charts with their R&B-influenced rock. Although they were among the best songwriters of their era, their success was a foreshadowing of artists who would take their style too far and ruin rock for years before punk saved it.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1998, Part Two

The following "Class of 1998" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

ABBA
Ashford and Simpson
Clannad
Lindsey Buckingham
Mike Oldfield
Rick Derringer
Robin Trower
Stealer's Wheel
The Average White Band
The Pointer Sisters
Tom Cochrane


The following "Class Of 1998" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Barry White
Bryan Ferry
John Fogerty
The Marshall Tucker Band


The following "Class Of 1998" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

The Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Jackson Browne
The New York Dolls

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1998, Part One

1973 was a much better year for rock n roll than 1972 was, as it featured the debut of some of the most important bands of the era.


The following artists from the "Class of 1998" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

The Eagles
Michael Jackson
Steely Dan
Jackson Browne
Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band


The following artists from the "Class of 1998" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Area
Augustus Pablo
Barry Manilow
Dan Penn
Doug Sahm
Gary Glitter
Montrose
Suzi Quatro

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1997, Part Three - The Inductees

1997 was what I like to call a "clean-up" year for the Hall Of Fame. A weak class opens up the door for previously snubbed artists to take their rightful place in the Hall.

Seven artists were inducted into the real Hall in 1997. Three artists were inducted into my Hall in their first year of eligibility. There are no more "ASAP" inductees waiting until next year at this point.


The following "Class Of 1997" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

Billy Joel - One of the greatest songwriters of the classic rock era, Billy Joel was a hit machine throughout the 70's and 80's, cranking out great music with tremendous popular appeal.

Lou Reed - The former lead singer of The Velvet Underground enjoyed a successful solo career, especially during his Berlin period. He's not in the actual hall yet for some reason, but he makes my list with no waiting.

Roxy Music - Roxy Music was a huge figure in the glam rock scene in the 1970's as well as being one of the earliest influences on the alternative rock genre. Their music was incredibly well-produced and made an iconic mark on the middle period of classic rock.


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1997:

Deep Purple - The last band from the "Class Of 1993"s "ASAP" list to make my Hall, Deep Purple were a tremendously influential band and one of the first heavy metal bands. Their "Smoke On The Water" is such a famous beat that it's traditionally the first riff that anyone practices on when they learn the guitar.

Alice Cooper - The master of shock-rock, Alice Cooper became a controversial figure in rock n roll because of his audacious lyrics and wild stage antics. The band's music was surprisingly well-written and represents some of the most interesting music of the classic rock era.

The Band - The Band was actually formed to back Bob Dylan in the early days of his career. After a few albums, they broke off on their own and had a short but significant career during the late 60's and early 70's, producing all-time classics like "The Weight" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down".

Parliament-Funkadelic - George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and the rest of the P-Funk crew created some of the wildest and greatest funk music ever made with their separate and then collective outfits in the 70's.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1997, Part Two

The following "Class of 1997" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

10cc
Bette Midler
Eric Carmen and the Raspberries
Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes
Kim Carnes
Loggins & Messina
Neu!
Pete Townshend
The Blossoms
Triumvirat


The following "Class Of 1997" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Atlanta Rhythm Section
Big Star
Foghat
Hall & Oates
Peter Frampton
Richard Thompson


The following "Class Of 1997" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Blue Öyster Cult
Bonnie Raitt
Joe Walsh
Scorpions
Styx

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1997, Part One

The "Class Of 1997" is the weakest Hall Of Fame class so far, as only two members of the class are in the actual Hall Of Fame.


The following artists from the "Class of 1997" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

Billy Joel
Bonnie Raitt


The following artists from the "Class of 1997" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Dan Fogelberg
Joan Armatrading

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1996, Part Three - The Inductees

Seven artists were inducted into the real Hall Of Fame in 1996. In my Hall, only four rookies were inducted in 1996, meaning that three artists who had been previously snubbed made it in this time around. At this point Deep Purple is the only "ASAP" nominee that has yet to make the Hall, though next year seems like a lock.


The following "Class Of 1996" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

Black Sabbath - The best metal band between Zeppelin and Metallica, Black Sabbath were a decade ahead of their time with their intense black metal propelled forward by great vocal performances by lead singer Ozzy Osbourne and some of the greatest guitar solos of all-time.

Eric Clapton - Clapton has been involved in many bands that have received consideration for the Hall (Derek and the Dominoes, The Yardbirds, Blind Faith) and one that has been inducted (Cream), but he didn't become a legend until he topped all of those accomplishments off with an incredible solo career that started in the 70's and continues to this day. Clapton is one of the great figures of classic rock and his solo career has been one of the most successful in all of rock n roll.

Electric Light Orchestra - They're not in the actual Hall, but ELO is one of the greatest bands in all of classic rock, as they've adapted to several genres throughout their long career and always managed to stay interesting and maintain a high level of quality.

ZZ Top - The best boogie blues rock band of the 1970's, ZZ Top achieved a large following with their early albums only to explode with the Eliminator album in the early 80's. Their iconic images combined with creative videos and some of the band's best songs made the band one of the most unlikely heroes of the early days of MTV.


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1996:

The Steve Miller Band - They were never one of the most artistic bands of their era, but when it comes to making classic rock hits on a consistent basis, few were better. Since the songs were mostly of a high level of quality, I'm not about to discount the band because there were a lot of them.

Traffic - A classic rock band that has frequently been overlooked, Traffic was only together for a few albums, but they were hugely influential and made some of the most creative classic rock of the 1960's.

Leonard Cohen - Not much of a rock singer, but definitely one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century, Leonard Cohen's somber style and deep voice made him one of the most influential performers of his generation.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1996, Part Two

The following "Class of 1996" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

America
April Wine
Black Oak Arkansas
Dr. Hook
Faust
J.J. Cale
Mahavishnu Orchestra
Mudcrutch
Nazareth
Olivia Newton-John
Rory Gallagher
The Stylistics


The following "Class Of 1996" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Bill Withers
Budgie
Carly Simon
Fela Kuti
Gerry Rafferty
Little Feat
Sparks
Thin Lizzy


The following "Class Of 1996" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Curtis Mayfield
Earth, Wind & Fire
Kraftwerk
Meat Loaf
Parliament-Funkadelic
REO Speedwagon
Steve Winwood
The Doobie Brothers
War

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1996, Part One

1971 wasn't a great year for rock n roll with the exception of the R&B, funk and metal genres. Seven artists will be inducted, meaning that there will be some catch-up from previous years.


The following artists from the "Class of 1996" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

Parliament-Funkadelic
Curtis Mayfield
Earth, Wind & Fire
Eric Clapton
ZZ Top
Black Sabbath


The following artists from the "Class of 1996" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
England Dan and John Ford Coley
Robert Wyatt
The Osmonds
Yoko Ono

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1995, Part Three - The Inductees

Seven artists were inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1995 and five members of the "Class Of 1995" made it into my Hall on their first try, opening the door for the top two previously snubbed artists from past years. There are still four "ASAP" inductees in the waiting line at this point.


The following "Class Of 1995" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

Led Zeppelin - My personal favorite band and widely regarded as the greatest hard rock band of all-time, Led Zeppelin released a string of brilliant blues rock before branching off into heavier sounds in the mid-70's. Led Zeppelin was practically an all-star team with one of the best players in history at each of the four positions in the band.

Neil Young - One of the great songwriters of the classic rock era, Neil Young's protest songs were some of the most pointed and intelligent of the genre. He was also a brilliant songwriter in general, as some of his best songs were ballads and love songs. Neil is also widely credited as the Godfather of the Grunge movement, as many of the great bands of the 90's list him as a major influence, especially future inductees Pearl Jam.

The Allman Brothers Band - The Allman Brothers Band are one of the greatest blues rock bands of all-time and certainly the best of the Southern Rock genre. Unlike The Charlie Daniels Band or Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band didn't beat their status as Southerners into your head, but what they did bring to the table were amazing guiter players and great lyrics.

Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young - Another fantastic folk rock band that plowed into the mainstream in the wake of Bob Dylan's mid-60's success, Crosby, Stills, Nash and sometimes Young created some of the best songs of the late 60's, including the protest classic "Ohio" and the Woodstock favorite "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes".

Santana - Carlos Santana is one of the greatest guitarists of all-time and is most certainly among the most creative and influential. Santana has been his band for nearly 40 years now and while there have been downtimes, the band's prime in the late 60's and 70's featured some of the most dynamic work of the classic rock period.


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1995:

Genesis - The band was one of the more well-known bands in the early days of British prog rock when they were under the leadership of original frontman Peter Gabriel. Their music was bold and innovative if not particularly easy to listen to. In the early 1980's, Gabriel left for a solo career and Phil Collins took over the band, taking them in a more radio-friendly direction and churning out a long string of hits before the band broke up for good in the mid-90's.

Joni Mitchell - One of the greatest singer-songwriters of the classic rock era, Joni Mitchell had the lyrics of a poet and a sweet voice to deliver them with, carving out a tremendous legacy in the hippie days of the folk movement.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1995, Part Two

The following "Class of 1995" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Dennis Wilson
Don McLean
Donny Hathaway
Gentle Giant
Gil Scott-Heron
Hawkwind
Mountain
Mungo Jerry
The Last Poets
Tony Orlando and Dawn
Tower of Power
UFO
Uriah Heep


The following "Class Of 1995" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Badfinger
Derek and the Dominos
Emerson, Lake And Palmer
Jimmy Buffett
Kris Kristofferson
Ringo Starr
Roger Waters
Ry Cooder
Sweet
The Charlie Daniels Band
The J. Geils Band
Todd Rundgren


The following "Class Of 1995" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Supertramp
The Jackson Five

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1995, Part One

1970 was yet another banner year for rock n roll as some of the most important figures of the classic rock era got their start this year.


The following artists from the "Class of 1995" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

The Allman Brothers Band
Janis Joplin
Led Zeppelin
Neil Young
Crosby, Stills And Nash
The Jackson Five
Santana


The following artists from the "Class of 1995" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Argent
Brownsville Station
Bruce Cockburn
Helen Reddy
Hot Tuna
Magma
Mick Jagger
Steeleye Span
Tangerine Dream
The Nite-Liters
The Partridge Family
Wild Cherry
Wishbone Ash

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1994, Part Three - The Inductees

Eight artists were inducted into the actual Hall Of Fame in 1994, not nearly enough to catch up with those snubbed due to the overflow in 1993. With five first time inductees making the hall this year and three from the "Class Of 1993", there are still six "ASAP" inductees that haven't made the Hall yet.


The following "Class Of 1994" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

Elton John - One of the biggest stars of the classic rock era, Elton John hopped genres frequently and churned out a collection of hits that's virtually unmatched in rock or pop for that matter. His partnership with songwriter Bernie Taupin is the stuff of legend.

Fleetwood Mac - The band started out slowly and didn't really achieve true greatness until the addition of singer Stevie Nicks in the 1970's, when the band started a run at the top that lasted for a decade. Their album Rumours is one of the best-selling and most significant album of all-time.

Iggy Pop / The Stooges - The best band that's not in the actual Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame because of the idiot voters who can barely tie their own shoes let alone recognize the awesome fury of "Search And Destroy". But enough about those drooling mongoloids... The Stooges were the first and most important band in the punk genre. They were at least a decade ahead of their time and paved the way for the punk revolution of the 70's. Lead singer Iggy Pop personifies everything that rock n roll has ever been about. The live energy, the passion, the insanity, it's all there and no one's ever put it together so completely as Iggy and his compatriots.

John Lennon - All four former Beatles had successful solo careers, but none of the other three even ranked in the same tier as John Lennon's solo work, which includes several classic albums and some of the most significant songs ever written. "Imagine" is the greatest song in the history of rock n roll, in my opinion and "Working Class Hero" and "Instant Karma" aren't far behind.

Warren Zevon - Strangely, Zevon is yet another brilliant singer-songwriter who hasn't made the Hall Of Fame despite one of the most impressive track records of all classic rock artists. Zevon achieved most of his success in the late 70's and early 80's, though many casual fans sadly view him as a one-hit wonder for his Scorcese-endorsed "Werewolves Of London".


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1994:

Jethro Tull - The Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame does NOT like progressive rock. Not even in the least. Rush is out, Tull is out, Genesis is out. Pink Floyd is in, but they're kind of hard to ignore. Jethro Tull was one of the first prog bands to cross over to mainstream success, enjoying one of the most successful careers of the 70's and remains among the best representatives of their genre.

Paul McCartney - Paul enters my Hall in the same year as fellow Beatle John Lennon, but his career has been quite different. While John took a very serious tone to his post-Beatle work, Paul went straight to the pop charts with is band Wings and the work he did on his own. His music was often slight and forgettable, but song for song, few artists owned the 70's more than Sir Paul.

T. Rex - The actual Hall also doesn't appreciate bands that don't sell well in the United States. T. Rex was to England in the 70's what the Beatles were in the 60's. In America? "Bang A Gong (Get It On)" was a big hit and "20th Century Boy" has become a cult favorite in recent years, but otherwise, nada. Despite being the best purely glam rock band in all of rock n roll, T. Rex is frequently overlooked and ignored by their peers, though not by me.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1994, Part Two

The following "Class of 1994" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Blind Faith
Bread
Five Man Electrical Band
Garland Jeffreys
Gong
John Denver
Johnny Winter
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Norman Greenbaum
NRBQ
Poco
Seals and Crofts
Sha Na Na
Slade
Strawbs
The Carpenters
The Chi-Lites
The Meters
Van der Graaf Generator


The following "Class Of 1994" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Grand Funk Railroad
Humble Pie
King Crimson
Kool & the Gang
Linda Ronstadt
Nick Drake
Roberta Flack
The James Gang


The following "Class Of 1994" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Alice Cooper
Chicago
George Harrison
Gram Parsons / The Flying Burrito Brothers
James Taylor
Joe Cocker
*-Joni Mitchell
Mott the Hoople
The Band
Three Dog Night
Yes

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1994, Part One

1969 was a much easier year to deal with than 1968 was, but it was still pretty stacked, as eight artists from the year have made the actual Hall so far. Also, it should be noted, that I know for a fact that Led Zeppelin's first two albums were released in 1969, but the site I used a source said they were first eligible in 1995, so we'll go with that for the sake of consistency.


The following artists from the "Class of 1994" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

The Band
Elton John
John Lennon
Joni Mitchell
Fleetwood Mac
James Taylor
George Harrison


The following artists from the "Class of 1994" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Coven
Garland Green
Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge
Melanie
Mercy
Ray Stevens
Renaissance
Rick Springfield
Ten Wheel Drive
Wigwam

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1993, Part Three - The Inductees

All eight of the 1993 inductees are first-time nominees from the stellar "Class Of 1993", a class that will be factor majorly in future induction classes.


The following "Class Of 1993" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:


Pink Floyd - From their early days as a psychedelic rock band to their prime as one of the greatest artists in all of classic rock, Pink Floyd has stayed at the forefront of rock n roll with their unique style and brilliant lyrics. Few albums have ever been more significant and beloved than "Dark Side Of The Moon" and the fact that they followed that classic up with "Wish You Were Here" and "The Wall" only solidifies their spot as one of the most important artists in all of rock n roll.

David Bowie - David Bowie is one of the most creative artists in all of rock n roll, shifting his style and appearance more frequently than any performer other than Madonna. His music was groundbreaking, representing the pinnacle of glam rock and high water marks for punk, rock n roll and classic rock. He's also one of the most important figures in the development of alternative rock and indie rock genres.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - They weren't actually from the South technically, but no band from the 1960's was more important in the proliferation of Southern Rock as a genre than the Fogerty brothers and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their music defined the 60's, whether it be the Vietnam-era protest songs or the old school rockabilly type music from their early albums.

The Doors - Although they are a bit overrated due to lead singer Jim Morrison's untimely death, The Doors were one of the best and most influential bands of the 1960's. Their bombastic, over-the-top style set the first steps in motion to craft the classic rock style that dominated late 60's and 70's rock, while their lyrics carved new paths for artistry and style.

The Velvet Underground - No band is more influential to alternative rock and indie rock than The Velvet Underground. A band that was perhaps decades ahead of it's time, the Velvets and lead singer Lou Reed created dark and druggy songs that experimented with the boundaries of rock n roll and opened the eyes of a generation of future stars to what was possible with rock n roll.

Van Morrison / Them - Van Morrison possessed one of the most amazing voices in the history of rock n roll and has used it to create one of the greatest legacies in all of rock n roll. From his early days with the classic garage band Them through his genre-hopping career as a solo artist, Van has remained one of the most influential classic rock artists ever.

Sly And The Family Stone - The greatest funk / R&B band of the 60's and 70's, Sly And The Family Stone rocked Woodstock and the pop charts with their upbeat style and funky beats. Few bands have ever been able to replicate their live energy.

The Grateful Dead - Speaking of live performances, no band has done more for the live performance than the Grateful Dead. They would have made my Hall on the strength of their albums alone, but it's the live jam sessions and concert performances put them over the top and made them the most legendary touring band in rock history.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1993, Part Two

The following "Class of 1993" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Blood Sweat & Tears
Blue Cheer
Electric Flag
Free
Harvey Mandel
Iron Butterfly
Jennifer Warnes
Leon Russell
Ramblin' Jack Elliot
Robert Fripp
Spirit



The following "Class Of 1993" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Bobby Womack
Can
Emmylou Harris
Jeff Beck
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Rare Earth


The following "Class Of 1993" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around (*="ASAP" inductee status):

Al Green
Buddy Guy
Buffalo Springfield
*-Deep Purple
Dr. John
*-Genesis
Isaac Hayes
*-Jethro Tull
*-Leonard Cohen
*-Paul McCartney
Steppenwolf
*-T. Rex
*-The Steve Miller Band
*-Traffic

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1993, Part One

And here's where it gets complicated. 1968 was a tremendous year for new rock artists, as illustrated by the 17 debuting artists from that year making the actual Hall already, not to mention several deserving artists that have been snubbed repeatedly and still aren't inducted. Unfortunately, only 8 artists were inducted in 1993, meaning that eight of the 16 artists from the "Class Of 1993" that I've identified as "ASAP" inductees will have to wait until at least 1994 to gain induction into my version of the Hall. Before now, no "ASAP" nominee has ever had to wait to get induction.

The following artists from the "Class of 1993" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

Creedence Clearwater Revival
The Doors
Sly And The Family Stone
Van Morrison
The Grateful Dead
Al Green
David Bowie
Pink Floyd
The Velvet Underground
Buffalo Springfield
Paul McCartney
Isaac Hayes
Traffic
Buddy Guy
Leonard Cohen
Bobby Womack
Jeff Beck


The following artists from the "Class of 1993" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Al Kooper
Anne Murray
Brian Auger
Larry Norman
Nazz
Silver Apples
Spooky Tooth
The Jaggerz
The Sir Douglas Quintet

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1992, Part Three - The Inductees

Six of the seven inductees from 1992 were first-time eligibles, leaving only one spot for a previously nominated artist.


The following "Class Of 1992" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Jimi Hendrix is one of the most important guitar players in all of rock n roll and certainly among the most innovative. Then again, so is Joe Satriani, but the Hall won't touch him with a ten-foot pole. What makes Hendrix a legend is more than just the way he changed the way we view the electric guitar, but the bluesy classic rock songs themselves. Tracks like "Foxy Lady" and "Purple Haze" set the stage for a career that was made legendary by his show-stealing performance at Woodstock. The band didn't make many albums before Hendrix's death, but he still left behind one of the most impressive track records in classic rock history.

Cream - Another band that made a huge impact in a very short period of time, Cream perfected psychedelic rock and produced some of the most memorable songs of the 60's such as "Crossroads", "White Room" and "Sunshine Of Your Love". This won't be the last time you see Eric Clapton getting inducted into my Hall, by the way.

Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention - They were never a terribly popular band, but in the area of inventiveness and creativity, it's hard to argue that Zappa and his crew rank among the most artistic bands to come out of the rock n roll era.

The Jefferson Airplane - Few psychedelic bands were better than The Jefferson Airplane. "White Rabbit" and "Somebody To Love" rank among the best rock songs ever written and Grace Slick's vocals are unforgettable. The band didn't stay at the top for very long, however, and eventually became an atrocity called Starship, but that doesn't detract from their previous greatness.

Bob Seger - A hit machine during the 1970's, Bob Seger got his start as an underground rock star during the 60's. He eventually perfected his sound and became one of the biggest stars of classic rock with his blues rock style and radio-friendly sound.

Janis Joplin / Big Brother & the Holding Company - I'm combining the two artist as one so that Janis' backing band doesn't get screwed out of their place in the Hall as many backing bands have over the years in the actual Hall. Joplin is another tragic figure of rock n roll as she accomplished a lot in only a short amount of time before her death. Joplin is easily the best blues rock singer of the 1960's and created a style of singing that has never been reproduced.


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1992:

The MC5 - Along with The Stooges, The MC5 were the grandfathers of punk rock. While Iggy's outfit were a more straightforward punk band, The MC5 were deeply political, which probably has a lot to do with why most people have never heard of them. Their influence throughout the history of punk rock is obvious and they're frequently cited by the best of the political punk bands, Rage Against The Machine.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1992, Part Two

The following "Class of 1992" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Country Joe & the Fish
Fairport Convention
Family
Gary Puckett and the Union Gap
Laura Nyro
Melissa Manchester
Percey Sledge
Tammy Wynette
Ten Years After
The 5th Dimension
The Bar-Kays
The Box Tops
The Move


The following "Class Of 1992" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Canned Heat
Gram Parsons
Harry Nilsson
Jimmy Cliff
Moby Grape
Procol Harum
Sam And Dave


The following "Class Of 1992" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around:

The Mamas And The Papas
The Young Rascals

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1992, Part One

1967 makes it's debut in the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame with a full slate of psychedelic rock legends set to make their mark on the Hall. Seven artists were inducted in 1992 and for many bands this will be their last good shot at making my Hall before the tidal wave of 1968 tears through.


The following artists from the "Class of 1992" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Sam And Dave
Cream
Frank Zappa
The Jefferson Airplane
The Young Rascals
The Mamas And The Papas
Bob Seger
Percey Sledge


The following artists from the "Class of 1992" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Crazy World of Arthur Brown
Engelbert Humperdinck
Johnnie Taylor
Sons of Champlin
The Classics IV
The Cowsills
The Electric Prunes
The Nice
The Red Krayola
The Soft Machine

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1991, Part Three - The Inductees

The actual Rock Hall inducted seven artists into the Hall in 1991. Five inductees into my Hall this time around are in their first year of eligibility and two have been previously eligible.


The following "Class Of 1991" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:


Bob Marley And The Wailers - When you think of the reggae genre of music, you think of the Marley family, in particular the patriarch Bob, who brought the genre to America and made it popular to this day. Marley and his band the Wailers created some of the most significant music of the classic rock era.

Paul Simon - It didn't take Paul long to release albums as a solo artist and he quickly proved that he could make it without Garfunkel, releasing a string of brilliantly written pop albums that has stretched his career for forty years.

The Byrds - The American answer to the British Invasion, The Byrds' sound could best be described as The Beatles by way of Dylan and while they didn't stay together for very long, they were pretty much the biggest American band of the mid-60's and many of their songs still hold up well to this day.

The Monkees - They aren't in the actual Hall Of Fame, possibly because Jan Wenner is blackballing them because of their early days as posers, but when the band actually started making their own music they were among the more influential bands of the 60's.

Cat Stevens - I'm very surprised that Cat Stevens isn't in the actual Hall. You could make an argument that his music doesn't really fit as "rock", but if that's the case, explain James Taylor. Stevens is a brilliant songwriter with a deep catalog of pop/folk music.


The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1991:


Donovan - Donovan is sort of a poor man's Bob Dylan. A skilled songwriter who perhaps should be more well-known than he currently is, Donovan enjoyed great success during the psychedelic era of the late 60's, cranking out trippy songs one after another without ever going too far into the freak-out.

The Animals - Another brilliant British Invasion band, The Animals had one of the first big hits of the classic rock era with their cover of "House Of The Rising Sun" and went on to have a short but brilliant career with hits like "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "We've Gotta Get Outta This Place".



NEXT: Debuting bands from the Summer Of Love make their first appearance in the Hall as 1967 is honored with the debut of the "Class Of 1992". If bands want to make the Hall in the near future they'd better do it in 1992, because 1993 is going to dominate the Hall for years to come.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1991, Part Two

The following "Class of 1991" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

? & the Mysterians
Love
Status Quo
The Association
The Count Five
The Grass Roots
The Small Faces
The Troggs
Tim Buckley
Tim Hardin
Tommy James & the Shondells
Toots & the Maytals


The following "Class Of 1991" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Captain Beefheart
Harry Chapin
Jim Croce
Mitch Ryder And The Detroit Wheel
Scott Walker
The 13th Floor Elevators
The Bee Gees
The Dells
The Lovin' Spoonful
The O'Jays


The following "Class Of 1991" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around:

The MC5

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1991, Part One

1966 wasn't quite the year for rock n roll that 1965 was, but while the heavy hitters were missing this time around, there was a great deal of depth in the "Class Of 1991".

The following artists from the "Class of 1991" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

The Byrds
Bob Marley
The Bee Gees
The Lovin' Spoonful
Paul Simon
The Dells
The O'Jays


The following artists from the "Class of 1991" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

James Carr
Janis Ian
Nicky Hopkins
The Blues Project
The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
The Incredible String Band
The Music Machine
The Seeds

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1990, Part Three - The Inductees

The "Class Of 1990" is one of Rock N Roll's deepest, but fortunately the voters over at the real Hall inducted eight artists this year, opening the door for six newcomers and two previously overlooked artists for my Hall.



The following "Class Of 1990" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:


The Kinks - An under-rated member of the British Invasion, The Kinks would enjoy a great deal of classic rock success in the late 60's and the 70's, but they were also well ahead of their time with their quirky mid-60's pop songs which were, at times, better than what the Beatles were doing at the moment.

Simon And Garfunkel - Aside from Bob Dylan, no folk singers from the 1960's were more popular or more influential than Simon And Garfunkel. The band was only together for a short period of time but nonetheless managed to create some of the best singer-songwriter music of their generation.

The Who - One of rock n roll's greatest bands and certainly one of the biggest bands of the classic rock era, The Who got their start during the British Invasion with their Mod period. Their songwriting was a decade ahead of it's time with songs like "My Generation", "I Can See For Miles" and "The Seeker". The band could have hung it up in 1967 and retired as one of rock n roll's biggest bands, but they only got bigger from there, inventing the rock opera with Tommy and Quadrophenia and then defining classic rock during the 1970's with stadium rocking monsters like "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again". The world would be missing about half a dozen genres of music (in particular punk) were it not for The Who and for that they get into my Hall as soon as possible.

The Guess Who - An overlooked band with great chops and clever lyrics, The Guess Who is perhaps the greatest Canadian rock band, even though they're best known for their USA-bashing hit "American Woman". They've never been seriously considered for the real Hall but in my opinion they're more than worthy of a spot.

Randy Newman - Shockingly, Randy Newman, one of the greatest singer-songwriter in rock n roll is not a member of the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame. I'm not sure what it's going to take for them to recognize the quirky brilliance of Newman's sarcastic and witty music, but hopefully they'll figure it out pretty damn soon.

Rod Stewart - He ain't much these days in my opinion, but back in the 1960's, Rod Stewart was such a dynamic performer that he inspired Jimmy Page to hire Robert Plant to be the lead singer of Led Zeppelin because he was looking for a "Rod Stewart type" of front-man. During his years with bands like The Faces and his early solo work, Stewart built up a great reputation as a classic rock legend before pissing all over his legacy with a string of ridiculous cover albums in recent years that sold incredibly well but made him the butt of many well-deserved jokes.



The following artists has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1990:


The Ronettes - Perhaps the best of the girl groups that wasn't affiliated with Motown, The Ronettes had a string of dynamic female vocal performances that inspired artists in a myriad of genres for generations to come.

Martha And The Vandellas - Another Motown act, Martha And The Vandellas had a long line of huge hits in the 1960's, in particular "Dancing In The Streets" and "Heat Wave".

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1990, Part Two

The following "Class of 1990" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Cher
Edwin Starr
Golden Earring
Herman's Hermits
Joe Tex
Junior Walker & the All-Stars
Junior Wells
Nico
Sonny & Cher
The Buckinghams
The Chieftains
The Easybeats
The Shangri-Las
The Sonics
The Turtles
Tom Jones


The following "Class Of 1990" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Boz Scaggs
John Cale
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
Merle Haggard
Richie Havens
The Spencer Davis Group
The Yardbirds


The following "Class Of 1990" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around:

Donovan
Dusty Springfield
The Animals

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1990, Part One

1965 was a very big year for Rock N Roll. The British invasion was in full swing while American songwriters inspired by Bob Dylan soared to new heights.


The following artists from the "Class of 1990" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

The Kinks
Simon And Garfunkel
The Who
The Yardbirds
The Animals
Rod Stewart
Dusty Springfield


The following artists from the "Class of 1990" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Al Jarreau
Albert Collins
Dobie Gray
Don Ho
Gary Lewis and the Playboys
The Fugs
The Pretty Things

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1989, Part Three - The Inductees

The following "Class Of 1989" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:


The Rolling Stones - Arguably the second greatest rock band of all-time and frequently compared to the Beatles, The Rolling Stones have maintained a high level of excellence for most of their forty-plus year history. The band started out as something of a "dark side Beatles", but eventually expanded into a classic rock monster that's created some of the most unique and interesting music of the 20th century.

The Moody Blues - One of the best bands to not be in the actual Hall Of Fame, The Moody Blues have put together a long string of great classic rock hits that range from their earlier adult contemporary type songs, into psychedelic rock and then later into prog-ier ventures as their career extended all the way into the 1980's.

The Zombies - There are always a few bands that exist who won't be appreciated in their own time and the Zombies are one of them. The band stayed together for only a brief period of time but still managed to craft songs like "She's Not There" and "Time Of The Season" that inspired rock music for generations yet to come. They're not in the actual Hall Of Fame yet, but they damn well should be.


The following artist has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1989:

Patsy Cline - Another overachieving artists from the early days of country makes my Hall with Patsy Cline, one of the first big stars of the rock n roll era, Cline left behind a legacy of great performances that inspired countless artists from a myriad of genres and backgrounds.

The Dave Clark Five - The second major group of the British Invasion, the Dave Clark Five never came close to taking people's attention from the Beatles but they did manage to create a string of fantastic, upbeat rock songs that helped to establish their style of rock n roll as a dominant form of music for much of the 1960's. Some of their great songs include "Bits And Pieces", "Glad All Over" and "I Like It Like That".

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1989, Part Two

The following "Class of 1989" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Marianne Faithfull
Phil Ochs
The Shadows of Knight
Son House
The Standells


The following "Class Of 1989" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Them
Waylon Jennings


The following "Class Of 1989" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around:

Martha And The Vandellas
The Dixie Cups
The Hollies
The Impressions
The Righteous Brothers
The Ronettes
Wilson Pickett

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1989, Part One

After the stellar line-up in the "Class of 1988", the "Class of 1989" was sure to be a let down. While The class does include one of the greatest rock bands in The Rolling Stones, they were the only "must-add" artist to debut in 1989. That being said, three artists from the class made my hall on their first try, leaving two openings for those previously considered, as only five artists were inducted into the real Hall in 1989.


The following artists from the "Class of 1989" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

Martha And The Vandellas
The Impressions
The Righteous Brothers
The Rolling Stones
The Ronettes
Wilson Pickett


The following artists from the "Class of 1989" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Buffy Sainte-Marie
George Benson
Johnny Rivers
P.J. Proby
Peter and Gordon
Sergio Mendes

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1988, Part Three - The Inductees

The Hall Of Fame only inducted five performing artists in 1988 and the "Class Of 1988" accounts for four of the new inductees into my hall, meaning there's only one slot available for an artist who was previously passed over.

The following "Class Of 1988" were inducted in their first year of eligibility:


Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan is perhaps the most important figure in American music in the last century. As a singer, songwriter or musician he easily ranks among the all-time greats in all three categories. His influence on popular music can be seen over and over again through the last 45 years. After all, whenever a new artist comes along that has a certain style to them, they're not called "the next Donovan" are they?

Stevie Wonder - The best performer from the legendary Motown Records, Stevie Wonder got his start singing at a very young age and managed to keep his career going strong for more than forty years. The best period of his career spanned from the late 60's through the 70's when his music ventured out beyond the limits of pure pop music and into soul, funk, R&B and even into classic rock at times.

The Beach Boys - The best surf rock band in rock n roll, The Beach Boys might not have made my Hall if not for their mid-career expansion into more artistic avenues, producing many of their best songs such as "Good Vibrations", "God Only Knows" and the Pet Sounds album, which inspired a generation of musicians to become more experimental with their music.

The Beatles - Widely regarded as the greatest band in all of rock n roll, The Beatles started out making the most brilliant pop music of the 60's before gaining inspiration from The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan and lots and lots of drugs and producing a string of albums whose artistry has never been matched, including "Rubber Soul", "Revolver", "Sgt. Pepper's", "The White Album" and "Abbey Road". The band broke up after less than a decade together but may go down as the top performers in their art.


The following artist has been inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1988:

Gladys Knight And The Pips - Another fantastic Motown artist, Gladys Knight And The Pips were among the greatest bands of the 60's with hits such as "Midnight Train To Georgia" and their cover of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine".

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1988, Part Two

The following "Class of 1988" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Billy Preston
Darlene Love
Dionne Warwick
Dolly Parton
Gerry and the Pacemakers
Lesley Gore
Tammi Terrell
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
The Searchers


The following "Class Of 1987" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Booker T. And The M.G.'s
Loretta Lynn
Manfred Mann
The Chiffons
The Crystals


The following "Class Of 1987" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around:

The Dave Clark Five
Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons
Neil Diamond

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1988, Part One

1963 was a tremendous year for rock and roll, as evidenced by the artists who became eligible for induction in 1988 included Motown's finest, the most influential songwriter in rock n roll history, the pinnacle of the surf rock genre and some little band that most people have never heard of called The Beatles.

The following artists from the "Class of 1988" have been inducted into the actual RNR Hall Of Fame:

Bob Dylan
Booker T. And The M.G.'s
Stevie Wonder
The Beach Boys
The Beatles
The Dave Clark Five
Frankie Lymon And The Four Seasons


The following artists from the "Class of 1988" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Chad & Jeremy
Jackie DeShannon
Liza Minnelli
Rufus Thomas
The Rocky Fellers
The Seekers

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1987, Part Three - The Inductees

Here are the fifteen artists I would have inducted in 1987, in alphabetical order:

B.B. King - One of the greatest blues performers of all-time, B.B. King was a tremendous influence on rock n roll and played a major role in the transition from straight blues to blues rock and R&B.

Bo Diddley - Another legendary blues performer who crossed over into the early days of rock n roll, Bo Diddley was a virtuoso guitarist who crafted some of the most significant and memorable guitar riffs. The riff to "Bo Diddley" itself has been used repeatedly throughout the decades by artists as diverse as ZZ Top and Bow Wow Wow.

Carl Perkins - A nearly forgotten legend of the early days of R&B, Carl Perkins paved the way for artists such as Elvis Presley (who famously covered his "Blue Suede Shoes") and other early R&B and rockabilly artists in the 50's and 60's. His profiles has improved well over time as more and more artists credit him for the influence his music had on them.

Ike And Tina Turner - Despite their rocky relationship, Ike And Tina Turner were one of the first great performing acts of rock n roll. Ike himself is credited with releasing the first rock n roll song in the 1950's and when he started recording with his wife Tina, the two created some of the most important songs of the 1960's and are best known for their cover of CCR's "Proud Mary".

Jackie Wilson - An important figure in the early days of R&B, Jackie Wilson released a string of hits in the late 50's and 60's that helped to create soul music.

John Lee Hooker - A legendary bluesman who has crafted some of rock's most memorable riffs and influenced many of the great guitarists of the classic rock era.

Marvin Gaye - Motown's brightest star, Marvin Gaye enjoyed one of the longest career of any artist in the label's stable, transitioning from the early style of songs like "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" to more soulful R&B like the all-time classic "What's Going On".

Otis Redding - His career was tragically cut short in it's early stages, but Redding managed to become one of the most popular and significant singers of the 60's.

Roy Orbison - Roy Orbison had one of the most amazing voices of any singer in the 20th century and combined this tool with some of the best lyrics and riffs of the early days of rock n roll. Any lead singer in the 60's and 70's aspired to be Orbison.

Sam Cooke - One of the biggest R&B stars of the 60's, Sam Cooke's inspirational music played an important role in musical and cultural events of the era.

Smokey Robinson And The Miracles - Smokey Robinson's amazing voice propelled this early R&B act to the top of the game with classic songs like "Tracks Of My Tears". Unlike the actual Hall Of Fame, I'm including The Miracles in this induction. The Hall has a seriously bad history when it comes to inducting singers while ignoring the bands that helped to make them great.

The Four Tops - The second-best male vocal group of the 60's, The Four Tops had a long string of hits in the mid-60's and through the 70's, the best of which include "River Deep, Mountain High" and "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)".

The Supremes - The most successful of the Motown artists, The Supremes were the greatest female vocal group in all of rock n roll history, cranking out hit after hit before the group eventually splintered under the weight of the collective egos of the band's divas, in particular lead singer Diana Ross, who went on to have an incredibly successful solo career of her own.

The Temptations - The best male vocal group of the 60's, The Temptations had a great deal of success during their Motown days and unlike most of their peers they managed to survive into the 70's as they transitioned their music into funkier styles. Any band that produced "My Girl", "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" and "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" can get into my Hall Of Fame on the strength of vocals alone.

Willie Nelson - Another singer that is technically a country music artist, Willie makes my Rock Hall because of his brilliant lyrics, soulful style and the influence that his music has had on several generations of singer-songwriters in all genres, including country.

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1987, Part Two

The following "Class of 1987" artists are worthy of consideration, but are unlikely to make it in any time soon:

Albert King
Gene Pitney
Glen Campbell
Gordon Lightfoot
Nancy Wilson
Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs
The Bobby Fuller Four
The Contours
The Kingsmen
The Surfaris


The following "Class Of 1987" artists are worthy of induction, but may have to wait awhile for their turn:

Dick Dale
Etta James
Patti LaBelle
Peter, Paul & Mary
The Shirelles


The following "Class Of 1987" artists are worthy of induction and will likely make it in the near future, but didn't quite make the cut this time around:

Gladys Knight And The Pips

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - Part 1

1987 was the second year of hall of fame inductions and by far the largest, as fifteen performers were inducted into the hall this year alone. While rock n roll was yet to see the advent of classic rock, there were still plenty of worthy artists that were eligible at this point.

The following artists from the "Class of 1987" were inducted into the actual Hall Of Fame:

Etta James
Gene Pitney
Gladys Knight And The Pips
Otis Redding
Roy Orbison
The Shirelles
The Temptations


The following artists from the "Class of 1987" have been removed from consideration from my hall:

Arthur Alexander
Barbra Streisand
Bobby “Boris” Pickett
Dee Dee Sharp
Jay Black
Tommy Roe

To Be Continued....

Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame "As It Should Be" - 1986, Part Three - The Inductees

In 1986, the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame inducted ten artists as performers into the Hall. Using the same list of eligible artists that they had available to them at the time, here are the ten artists I would have chosen, presented in alphabetical order:


Aretha Franklin - The Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin has one of the greatest singing voices in the history of music, let alone rock n roll and used it to create some of the most dynamic and powerful songs of the rock n roll era.

Buddy Holly - One of the most important figures in the transition from R&B to rock n roll, Buddy Holly could have had a career on par with Elvis Presley or Johnny Cash if not for his tragic death on "the day the music died".

Chuck Berry - One of the most innovative guitarists in all of rock n roll, Chuck Berry inspired almost everyone who followed with his blistering guitar riffs and rapid-fire lyrics. Berry was one of the first great stars of rock n roll and was years ahead of his time artistically.

Elvis Presley - The King of Rock N Roll, Elvis Presley is a rock star of almost unparalleled success. One of the most influential figures in rock history and one of the best selling artists as well, Elvis essentially changed the world with his music, bringing about a change not only in entertainment but in society itself.

James Brown - It's said that there isn't a single note from a James Brown song that hasn't been covered or sampled by another artist since it was recorded. This is a testament to how revolutionary Brown's music was as he didn't merely hop from genre to genre during his eclectic career, he essentially created genre after genre with his innovative R&B, soul and funk music.

Jerry Lee Lewis - Along with Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis was one of the most influential artists of the early days of rock n roll and one of the most influential piano rocker of all-time.

Johnny Cash - Most of his career is classified as country music, but there's no denying the influence that Cash's music has made on rock n roll and all genres of music as well. Cash remains one of the most prolific and unique artists of the 20th century and wrote many of the most significant songs of the early days of rock n roll.

Little Richard - An early entry in the rock n roll wild man category, Little Richard was a groundbreaking artist who played piano like his hands were on fire and performed in an explosive and flamboyant style that had never been seen before.

Muddy Waters - Muddy Waters was perhaps the most important blues musician to the early days of rock n roll as his shifting blues lyrics and guitar work helped to inspire many of the first R&B and rock bands in the late 50's and early 60's. Waters is also one of the greatest songwriters of his generation and has a long track record to prove it.

Ray Charles - Ray Charles created and merged several styles of music that remain popular to this day, merging elements of gospel, country and the blues to create R&B from damn near scratch and inspiring generations of artists.



Next: 1987 - Fifteen artists from the pre-British Invasion era earn their place in the hall as the largest slate of inductees ever enters the Hall.