Cleveland.com: Boldy ranking every Rock Hall inductee

Post Reply
JR
Rust Never Sleeps
Posts: 667
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 3:54 pm

Cleveland.com: Boldy ranking every Rock Hall inductee

Post by JR »

Not sure any outlet has dared to do this prior. I didn't think the Rock Hall has said "success" is one of the measurements? (though, obviously, a good amount of inductees enjoyed decent commercial success)

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/ ... defin.html

Ranking the Rock Hall Inductees from most to least deserving.
Troy L. Smith, Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – This isn't an exact science. Nitpicking the credentials of musical legends will give you a headache for as long as it takes you to rank every inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

For our list, we only included acts voted in as “Performers” (meaning Early Influencers or specialty award recipients were out). We also paired backing groups that were inducted retroactively with their leaders (The Miracles with Smokey Robinson, The Famous Flames with James Brown, etc.).

These rankings are based on the Rock Hall’s own criteria of influence, cultural impact, success, depth of career and innovation, among other things. It's complicated. So while you might think Bruce Springsteen or Prince is the greatest musician to ever live, that doesn't necessarily put them in the Rock Hall's top 10.

We also did away with the idea that certain acts might not be “rock” enough. Whether you were N.W.A. or the Bee Gees, your resume was looked at just as much as The Rolling Stones or the Beatles.

Without further ado…

1. The Beatles
If you were to base this solely on influence, maybe you could go with Elvis, Little Richard or even Chuck Berry. But when you put everything together, The Beatles are the most important musical act of all time and the perfect mix of the Rock Hall’s criteria of influence and significance. The Rock Hall loves the Beatles so much, it has inducted all four members as solo acts. No other act has accomplished that (and probably never will).

2. Elvis Presley
Elvis’s influence and impact is like a massive shadow that stretches over every entertainer of the past 50 years. His unprecedented rise during the 1950s created what we know as pop music. John Lennon once said, “Before Elvis there was nothing.” Not quite true. But close.

3. Chuck Berry
Berry was the first inductee in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame history. The museum couldn’t have made a better choice. It is rock and roll after all, and Berry is most responsible for establishing the popularity of the electric rock sound. Keith Richards used to say he copied everything he did from Berry. He wasn’t the only one.

4. Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is the archetype of the modern singer-songwriter. He’s so influential that when he did plug an instrument in, it was as if the world stopped spinning. It’s so easy to draw direct lines from Dylan’s music to several of the greatest songwriters that fill your vinyl shelf, most of whom are Rock Hall inductees themselves.

5. James Brown (and The Famous Flames)
If Little Richard laid the groundwork for the R&B and funk that would dominate the 20th century, James Brown was the bridge that got us there. He, along with the Famous Flames, may be the greatest live act that ever existed. There isn’t an R&B or hip-hop artist of the past half-century that didn’t use Brown’s funk sound and performance style as the basis for what they did.

6. The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones didn’t invent anything. But they perfected a whole lot. The band has one of the most amazing and prolific resumes in Rock Hall history, releasing more than 40 albums (studio and live performances) and over 100 singles. The Stones pushed blues into the mainstream, becoming one of the genre’s biggest influences along the way.

7. Little Richard
Many have called Little Richard the architect of rock and roll, putting together the mix of music and style that would come to shape popular music. Little Richard’s flashiness may have overshadowed his music at times, but never his influence. He laid the groundwork for R&B, funk, hip-hop and so much more.

8. Aretha Franklin
The ultimate pop diva, Aretha Franklin was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and rightfully so. She was a pioneer, helping both women and black musicians break into the mainstream. To this day, her influence reigns over genres like gospel, soul, R&B and pop, both with male and female artists.

9. Ray Charles
Ray Charles is considered a genius, because nothing he accomplished was on accident. He was a show-business mastermind who conquered soul music early in his career. He then set his sights on the kind of crossover success no black musician had ever achieved. Charles changed the way hits were made and how the music industry looked at its artists.

10. Led Zeppelin
Zeppelin was the perfect rock band. They were technically better than everyone else and surely knew it, too. Zeppelin’s hard-hitting blues were the foundation for numerous rock genres, including heavy metal, punk rock and alternative music.

11. Fats Domino
Elvis, Little Richard, Ray Charles and others get credit for bringing rhythm and blues to white audiences. But the real credit goes to Fats Domino, who spent the 1950s breaking down racial barriers around the country. Domino’s 1949 album, “The Fat Man,” is considered by many experts to be the world’s first rock and roll record. Without him, acts like Elvis and The Beatles may never have gravitated towards music.

12. The Jimi Hendrix Experience
First we must acknowledge that Jimi Hendrix was not inducted into the Rock Hall alone. The Jimi Hendrix Experience featured two other amazing and influential musicians in drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding. Of course, the band’s legacy is built on Hendrix’s guitar. When it was in his hands, it was the most powerful and influential instrument in music history.

13. The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys began as a rock and roll band, and ventured into surf rock. But Brian Wilson’s experimentation eventually won out. Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound redefined pop music. Wilson took things to the next level, merging various genres to establish pop music as a true art form.

14. Sam Cooke
There isn’t an R&B artist you listen to that didn’t borrow from Cooke. His stunning vocal style served as the inspiration for the careers of everyone from Aretha Franklin and Al Green to Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Cooke was also one of the first solo soul acts to crossover to the pop charts, while maintaining the genre’s roots and a sense of social activism.

15. The Who
Other bands could put on a show. But The Who delivered a spectacle. The band’s technical ability was highly influential in terms of power chords and a stunning use of feedback noise. The Who was also one of the first acts to take the uncanny nature of its live show and duplicate its creativity on record with albums like “Tommy,” “Who’s Next” and “Quadrophenia.” They were progressive before progressive rock was a thing.

16. Stevie Wonder
Before his unmatched run of albums in the 1970s, Stevie Wonder spent the first part of his career as a child prodigy. From the start, he was special. But when he hit his creative stride, Wonder became a hitmaker that expanded the idea of what R&B and pop music do together. His success and artistic ambition was the first of its kind, not just for African-American artists, but all musicians.

17. Michael Jackson
Popular music was defined pretty well heading into the 1980s. But the decade would take things to new heights in terms of just how popular music could be. At the center of that was Michael Jackson, the biggest pop star since Elvis. Jackson already mastered dance music on 1979’s “Off the Wall,” before setting out to conquer the world on “Thriller.” Jackson would go on to shatter sales records and all but destroy the charts with his music, influencing every popular performer who came after him.

18. Madonna
You could make the case Madonna is the most influential female artist of all time. Her creativity and ambition reinvented pop music for future performers of both genders. Madonna was also one of the key figures (along with Michael Jackson) in the MTV generation that would make visual storytelling nearly as important as the music it celebrated.

19. Marvin Gaye
Motown held a stranglehold on the soul music of the 1960s. But in the 1970s, its top star, Marvin Gaye, stepped away from the label’s production style and created something far more ambitious. “What’s Going On” and “Let’s Get It On” stand as groundbreaking R&B works. R&B stars, most notably Stevie Wonder, would be inspired by such ambition. Gaye’s influence can still be heard the neo-soul styling of contemporary stars like D’Angelo, Erykah Badu and Mary J. Blige.

20. Buddy Holly (and The Crickets)
Buddy Holly’s career was short, but he left a lot behind. From a creative standpoint, he was one of the driving forces behind 1950’s rock ‘n’ roll. The Beatles chose their name as a play on Holly’s “Crickets,” while Bob Dylan would credit Holly as one of the biggest influences on his career.

21. Bruce Springsteen
Springsteen borrowed from a lot of artists – Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash – and became the ultimate rock and roll hybrid. He was the centerpiece of the heartland rock movement and an outspoken activist on social issues. Springsteen is rock’s everyman, who doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, anytime soon.

22. Prince
Was there anything Prince couldn’t do? He was a pop star who could play the guitar like Jimi Hendrix. He was a sex symbol who defied racial stereotypes and challenged the idea of sexual identity. Prince’s raw talent and versatility (he could play more than two dozen instruments) led to the Minneapolis sound, which would come to dominate the pop music of the 1980s.

23. Johnny Cash
Few artists tower over a single genre the way Johnny Cash does over country music. But his influence doesn’t stop there. His crossover success is seen in his inductions into the Rock & Roll, Country Music and Gospel Hall of Fames. His work heavily influenced the careers of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Wilco, Waylon Jennings and numerous others.

24. U2
Had U2 stopped making music at the end of the 1980s, the band would have still been a surefire Rock Hall inductee. But an important part of U2’s legacy is the band’s longevity and its ability to redefine things on 1991’s “Achtung Baby.” This is a band that’s stood the test of time by not resting on its laurels

25. Otis Redding
The gospel influence that rang from Otis Redding’s voice would forever change soul music and also shape the singing style of rock artists like Janis Joplin and Robert Plant. Redding became the gold standard of 1960s R&B voices and one of the best songwriters and live performers of his time.

26. Nirvana
Rock and roll is about revolution. Nothing from the past 25 years represents that more than Nirvana. The band led the grunge movement and, thus, changed the landscape of rock music. Kurt Cobain was the voice of a generation, while Nirvana may be the last great pure rock band. Or at least the one that last seemed so larger than life.

27. Bo Diddley
It would be easier to name the rock pioneers who didn’t borrow from Bo Diddley than the ones who did. Anyone who inspired Jimi Hendrix to play guitar is something special. Diddley is the central figure in the changeover from blues to rock and roll and the artist everyone from the Yardbirds to the Rolling Stones used as their starting point.

28. Pink Floyd
If you wanted to put a face on the Rock Hall’s criteria of influence and significance, Pink Floyd would be a great choice. For a band that revolutionized experimental rock, Pink Floyd also sold a ton of records. They’re one of the most influential acts of all time, paving the way for the experimental sounds of Queen, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and others.

29. David Bowie
There’s never been another performer quite like David Bowie. He carved out his own niche in pop music that would help lead to glam rock, punk and new wave. Bowie became a pop culture icon who reinvented himself time and time again, making it okay for future geniuses (Trent Reznor, Thom Yorke, and others) to express themselves.

30. Muddy Waters
A true king of the delta blues, Muddy Waters was essential in the creation and evolution of several genres, from rock and R&B to even country music. From a technical standpoint, Waters’ use of amplification was groundbreaking, influencing acts like Cream, the Allman Brothers Band and Jimi Hendrix. He was also important from an record-industry standpoint, helping several key artists score their first recording contracts.

31. The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers’ legacy lies in crafting a beautiful mix of harmonies and melodies that would forever change rock and pop music. The dynamic mix of high and lows would go on to influence everyone from The Beatles and Beach Boys to The Bee Gees and Simon & Garfunkel.

32. Smokey Robinson (and The Miracles)
If you were to include his songwriting, which drove Motown to glory, Robinson would be even higher on this list. As it stands, his career as an artist is just as impressive. As the leader of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (who were inducted retroactively), Robinson is responsible for some of the greatest soul music ever made; including Motown’s first No.1 hit “Shop Around.”

33. John Lennon
Even after the Beatles, John Lennon’s cultural impact was immense. His solo career delivered some great work both with and without Yoko Ono. Heck, “Imagine” alone could have put him on a list like this. Lennon became a revolutionary icon, while creating experimental pop music that would influence future indie rock acts.

34. Bob Marley
Cultural figures as huge as Bob Marley are hard to come by. When you think reggae, you think of Bob Marley. He is the genre’s leading figure and its most influential artist by long measure. If not for Marley, reggae may never have become a mainstream commodity outside of Jamaica.

35. Miles Davis
Any artist that is the clear peak of their genre deserves to be in the top 50. Miles Davis certainly qualifies, even if he’s not your typical Rock Hall inductee. Davis’ impact through jazz music was so powerful it filtered into nearly all genres and artists that came after it, from rock and roll to R&B to hip-hop.

36. Queen
Queen would come to define stadium and pop rock. During the early parts of its career, the band showcased elements of hard rock. But thanks to the vision of its members (especially Freddie Mercury and Brian May), Queen would incorporate classical and pop music into its sound, creating groundbreaking music.

37. Public Enemy
Public Enemy is the highest ranked hip-hop act on this list because they were the most powerful. The music was revolutionary and scathing. But you couldn’t escape how infectious it was. PE brought a rock mentality in the way it attacked records, fusing politically charge rhymes with a raucous level of production that would take the 1980s by storm.

38. Jerry Lee Lewis
No one has embodied the wild spirit of rock and roll quite like Jerry Lee Lewis, who was one of the sensational performers in the transition from rockabilly to rock and roll. It’s said that on piano, Lewis was every bit as masterful as Chuck Berry or Jimi Hendrix on guitar. Few would argue.

39. Black Sabbath
Heavy metal was created on the fingers of Tony Iommi, the voice of Ozzy Osbourne, the bass of Geezer Butler and the hard-hitting drums of Bill Ward. Black Sabbath took hard rock and made it metal, a haunting genre that would change the landscape of rock.

40. Elton John
Elton John shifted the idea of what a rock star could look and sound like. He could put on a show like no other, armed with a piano rather than a guitar. With writing partner Bernie Taupin, Sir Elton accumulated a catalog of hits that could rival most of the acts on this list.

41. Ramones
Perhaps no band has had a bigger impact on punk rock than the Ramones. Their style was simple, but their impact was tremendous. The Ramone’s debut album changed both rock and pop music and paved the way for the original punk movement to take over the country. The band’s impact also stretched to other genres such as heavy metal, power pop and indie rock.

42. Run-DMC
Run-DMC brought hip-hop to the suburbs. The band released some of the first essential (and platinum) recordings for rap music and reached an unprecedented level of crossover success in rap with its version of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”

43. Neil Young
Neil Young has done it all, from his time with Buffalo Springfield and CSNY to his solo output with (and without) Crazy Horse. Young’s one of the towering figures in the genres of indie and alternative rock. His powerful guitar playing and fantastic songwriting influenced the likes of Foo Fighters, Beck and Pearl Jam.

44. The Temptations
Nearly everything about The Temptations, from their vocal harmonies to their style and dance moves, became the blueprint for soul music groups of the future. Their songs are considered a right of passage for R&B artists like Jackson 5, Hall & Oates, New Edition and Boyz II Men, who would have a hard time existing without The Temptations’ influence.

45. The Clash
Unlike other influential punk bands, The Clash experimented with other styles of music, including reggae and funk. That would help the band appeal to a variety of future musicians. The band’s revolutionary tone, which paired with its music, was something to behold.

46. The Doors
The Doors and its wild lead singer Jim Morrison embraced the crazy. They sang about the harsh realities of a world falling apart. They were an alternative to a lot of other acts from the 1960s. The Doors’ sound was experimental and its singer was a charismatic spark plug that future frontmen would emulate.

47. The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground didn’t sell a ton of records during its prime. But Lou Reed, John Cale and company’s influence would eventually be felt in every form of underground rock music, including punk and alternative. It’s hard to imagine the indie-rock genre without them.

48. The Supremes
Diana Ross and the Supremes were the ultimate girl group, earning mainstream success in the male-dominated music world. The group’s rags to riches story, style and hits have become (literally) the stuff of movies, impacting future generations of female R&B singers.

49. The Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead’s eclectic sound and improvisational style drew fans that would follow The Dead around the country. The Dead is the ultimate jam band that set its own musical course, changing the art of touring as it helped shape American music.

50. Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison was different from his rock and roll peers from the 1950s and 1960s, which made him all the more appealing. His soothing sound was built on a mesmerizing voice and cool demeanor. He was a rock and roll pioneer unlike any other, with a classical influence that would catch on with future singer-songwriters.

51. R.E.M.
R.E.M. established what came to be known as modern alternative and indie rock. The band went from an underground college radio act to a commercially viable project without compromising its roots. R.E.M. became heroes for artists like Nirvana, Sonic Youth and Pearl Jam.

52. Sly and The Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone took elements of funk and R&B created by Motown and James Brown, and added psychedelic rock to it, changing the landscape of African-American music at the time. Sly Stone himself became an icon and inspiration, inspiring future acts like the Roots, Kool & the Gang, D’Angelo, Lenny Kravitz, Red Hot Chili Peppers and others.

53. The Kinks
Few rock songs were more influential than The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.” Of course, the band was much more than just one song. Influenced by R&B and blues, The Kinks’ brand of loud rock made them a precursor to the punk movement, serving as a bridge between old-school rock and roll and the harsher rock sounds that would come during the 1970s.

54. The Drifters
The Drifters began as a creation and backing group for Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Clyde McPhatter. But the group went on to become one of the most storied and influential vocal acts of all time. Over the course of its numerous runs, The Drifters delivered 13 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, each of which serves as a timeless R&B classic.

55. The Byrds
For a while there, folk and electric-driven rock were considered two very separate things. The Byrds were masters at blending them, pairing harmonies with powerful guitar sounds that would become an integral part of music moving forward. The Byrds were The Rolling Stones meets Bob Dylan, paving the way for acts like the Eagles, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and R.E.M.

56. Eric Clapton
He’s the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s only three-time inductee and rightfully so. Clapton’s career is as full as it gets. Not only is he one of the most influential guitarists of all time, he elevated every project he was a part of, whether it be Derek and the Dominos, the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith or the Bluesbreakers.

57. The Band
Arguably the best backing band of all time during its stint behind Bob Dylan. The Band went on to build one of the most respected roots-rock careers of all time with 10 great studio albums and a songwriting legacy that influenced other legends, such as George Harrison, CSNY, Grateful Dead and Elvis Costello.

58. Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson took traditional R&B and transformed it into more passionate soul music. His vocal style, sound and dance moves would lay the groundwork for numerous acts in the soul genre, most notably Michael Jackson and James Brown.

59. Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell may be the most important female singer-songwriter of all time. Her music spoke to female listeners at a time when male-centric music dominated the masses. Yes, she was a feminist. But Mitchell’s music could stand on its own as a powerful statement.

60. Ike and Tina Turner
Tina Turner had a powerhouse voice and, under the leadership of pioneering songwriter Ike Turner, it became one of the most dynamic instruments of the 1960s and 1970s. The duo’s songs, including “River Deep-Mountain High” and “A Fool In Love,” were groundbreaking in the soul genre, helping drive one of the greatest live shows of all time.

61. Bill Haley (and The Comets)
There were artists who made bigger names for themselves in the early era of rock and roll. But most, if not all borrowed something from Bill Haley, who popularized the genre with massive hits like “Rock Around the Clock” and “Rocket 88.” Even before the term “rock and roll” was officially invented, Haley was defining it.

62. Simon & Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel were part of the 1960s social revolution, but they went about it in a quieter way. Armed with beautiful hits like “The Sound of Silence” and “Bridge over Troubled Water” (just to name a few), Simon & Garfunkel would become one of the most critically acclaimed groups of all time.

63. Parliament-Funkadelic
George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic’s roots go all the way back to doo-wop. But the group made its mark by taking the funk music and adding psychedelic rock to it in some of the most dramatic live showcases you will ever see. Quite simply, they are one of the most diverse and copied acts in music history.

64. Janis Joplin
Joplin was the ultimate female voice of rock and roll. She served as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company before breaking out as a solo star. Joplin’s electrifying vocals were a major influence on future female singers in rock ‘n’ roll.

65. Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins was the king of rockabilly -- the genre that ultimately led to rock and roll. His presence was enough to make some of the greatest musicians of all time stand in awe. Perkins, who created the original “Blue Suede Shoes,” is just about as influential as any musician in history and shaped the sounds of the 1950s and ‘60s.

66. Etta James
Respected by both R&B and rock and roll fans, James’ voice rates as one of the most powerful in music history. She was one of the most influential singers of all time, whose style would be emulated by everyone from Diana Ross and Janis Joplin to Rod Stewart and Adele.

67. Beastie Boys
As a hip-hop group, the Beastie Boys were groundbreaking (look into their influence on sampling). The group’s later move into rap-rock, punk and alternative music made them one of the most influential acts of the 1980s and 1990s.

68. Metallica
Had Metallica stuck to its thrash-metal roots, the band would still be considered one of the greatest metal acts of all time. Yet, the guys had bigger ambitions. After conquering thrash with three masterful albums, Metallica would become the biggest artists in the world with its 1991 self-titled album.

69. The Eagles
The Eagles soft-rock style appealed to a lot of people, helping the band become one of the best-selling acts of all time. Its sound has been classified as “California rock.” But they certainly took it to stadiums with a country influence that was as catchy as anything pure rock and roll bands were delivering.

70. Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur is the most important solo star in hip-hop history. At a time when rap was taking over the mainstream charts, Shakur became the face of it. He was a flawed hero who went beyond being just a rapper. He was an actor, poet and activist all in one soul.

71. Van Morrison
With one of the most soulful voices of all time, Van Morrison would go on to influence singers in various genres, including Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Tom Petty and Jim Morrison. Van Morrison is also one of the singer-songwriters most visible in the music of contemporary pop artists; both in the way he wrote and in the way he performed.

72. Curtis Mayfield
Mayfield experienced success early on with influential vocal act the Impressions, writing several of the group’s most important songs. He later became a respected solo R&B talent and guitar player who blended social commentary into his work while delivering his smooth falsetto.

73. Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac became one of the best-selling bands of all time with each individual member providing a level of influence both inside outside of the group. The band released at least three landmark albums and numerous singles that have endured for decades.

74. Frank Zappa
Regarded as one of the most unique and talented artists of his time, Zappa’s music spanned several genres and would help drive home the concepts of progressive and experimental rock. Without him, there may be no Alice Cooper, Jeff Buckley or even Black Sabbath.

75. Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam was the most successful band to come out of the grunge movement. The band’s sound and industry awareness helped shaped alternative rock for the next two decades. “Ten,” “Vs.” and “Vitalogy” are regarded as three of the best rock albums of the 1990s, while Pearl Jam remains one of the world’s top arena acts.

76. Ruth Brown
Brown was known as the “Queen of R&B,” as one of the first artists to bring a mainstream style to the genre during the 1950s. Atlantic Records became a record industry juggernaut on Brown’s shoulders.

77. Aerosmith
Aerosmith took blues and turned it into something much more accessible. In doing so, the band paved the way for the successful hard-rock acts of the 1980s, from Van Halen and Guns N’ Roses to Motley Crue and Warrant. Where those band’s died out in the 1990s, Aerosmith marched on, influencing grunge music, joining forces with Run-DMC on “Walk This Way” and scoring its first No.1 hit with “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” 25 years after it began its career.

78. Talking Heads
The Talking Heads may very well be the most important new wave act in history, pioneering the genre and giving it an art-rock quality. The band, led by David Byrne, also became known for its live shows and even helped popularize world music with its 1980 release “Remain in Light.”

79. Van Halen
Van Halen was one of the most successful hard-rock acts of all time with one of the greatest and most influential guitar players at the forefront. The band’s dominance included two separate runs with popular lead singers. Van Halen expanded on the model Led Zeppelin created in terms of what a rock band should look and sound like.

80. Cream
Considered the first music super group, Cream joined Jimi Hendrix is making the wah-wah guitar pedal a fixture in rock music. And while the band is regarded as one of the most important psychedelic and blues acts ever, Cream’s influence on heavy metal is often overlooked.

81. Eddie Cochran
An early rockabilly and rock and roll innovator, Cochran was one of the first artists to experiment with multitrack recording and special effects on his songs. He was also a step ahead of his contemporaries in that he wrote almost all of his major hits (such as “Summertime Blues” and “C’mon Everybody”).

82. The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Southern rock. The band is one the greatest live acts in history, highlighted by the landmark “At Fillmore East” recording. The Allman Brothers Band paved the way for future Southern rock bands, making the genre a mainstream commodity.

83. Al Green
Green is one of the greatest voices in the history of soul music. His epic run of during the 1970s would serve as a bridge between earlier soul music and the modern era, with an influence that would stretch to today’s R&B stars.

84. Creedence Clearwater Revival
CCR became one of the most important bands to break out of the 1960s San Francisco music scene by blending elements of blues, roots and Southern rock. The band helped establish roots rock as a formidable genre, taking elements of old-school country, as well as rock and roll and shaping them into a style that would influence future heartland rock and Americana artists.

85. The Police
One of the biggest of all the new-wave acts, The Police fused elements of punk and reggae into its sound. The band’s success established Stewart Copeland as one of the greatest drummers of all time and Sting as a premier songwriter, while releasing one of the biggest songs ever in “Every Breath You Take.”

86. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Considered one of the best songwriters in rock history, Petty was noted for his collaborations both with the Heartbreakers and other musicians like Jeff Lynne and Bob Dylan. Petty & the Heartbreakers were essential to the development of heartland rock music, while being known as one of the best live and studio bands of their time.

87. Guns N' Roses
The run didn’t last long, but it was epic. Guns N’ Roses spent a handful of years as the biggest rock band in the world and released one of the most successful hard-rock albums ever with “Appetite for Destruction.” In the process, GN’R legitimized 1980s rock music and influenced a number of future Rock & Roll Hall of Famers.

88. The Isley Brothers
Few R&B acts in history have accomplished more than the Isley Brothers. The group’s success stretches from its 1959 hit, “Shout,” to successful albums released during the 2000s. The Isley Brothers use of rock and roll and funk music in its R&B songs was groundbreaking and helped expand the genre’s impact.

89. AC/DC
AC/DC stands as one of the biggest bands in music history. But it’s sound is what was most influential. AC/DC’s sonic quality inspired other acts to up their game, both in the live setting and studio. AC/DC also perfected and image and songwriting style that would become a benchmark for stadium rock.

90. Paul McCartney
McCartney didn’t waste time making hits during his post-Beatles career, releasing a chart-topping debut album and the masterful collaboration album “Ram.” McCartney then led Wings to international success in the 1970s before collaborating with artists like Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson on hit singles.

91. James Taylor
Taylor was the poster boy for singer-songwriters of the 1970s, selling more than 100 million albums and influencing a wide range of future artists, from John Mayer to Jason Mraz. Taylor is noted for his covers of other artists’ songs that became huge hits, as well as being one of the most prolific and successful touring artists of all time.

92. The Bee Gees
The Bee Gees impact went beyond the disco era. The group became one of the most successful in history, selling more than 220 million records worldwide. The Bee Gees’ songwriting and vocal style served as a tremendous influence on future pop acts, from Michael Jackson and Elton John to Madonna and Beyoncé.

93. The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds is a project best known for launching the careers of Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. But go back and listen to the band’s run of music and you’ll find some of the most inventive guitar work ever put to record. The Yardbirds were essential in creating a roadmap for future blues and experimental rock acts to break into the mainstream.

94. Elvis Costello & the Attractions
Costello was a masterful mix of musicianship and vivid songwriting. Along with the Attractions, he became an essential part of the new wave, punk and power-pop movements, expanding the landscape of rock with iconic albums like “My Aim Is True,” “This Year’s Model” and “Get Happy!!”

95. Crosby, Stills and Nash
The group was oddly inducted without Neil Young. Still, Crosby, Still and Nash’s influence as a super group is undeniable. The band wasn’t shy about taking on political topics, serving as an important figure for late 1960s counter culture. CSN’s success would set the stage for a run of successful singer-songwriters throughout the 1970s.

96. Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner stands as one of the most influential acts to ever enter the Rock Hall. His biggest songs, from “Roll ‘Em Pete” and “Chains of Love” to the epic “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” serve as some of the first great rock and roll recordings.

97. The Shirelles
The girl group genre didn’t begin with The Shirelles. But it might as well have. The group formed in the late 1950s, smack dab in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement. The Shirelles were a huge influence on the singers that would populate Motown and Phil Spector’s breakthrough Wall of Sound.

98. The Stooges
The Stooge’s raw style and uncanny live shows, led by frontman Iggy Pop, would go on to influence punk rock, alternative music and heavy metal. The band’s first three albums are considered essential documents and turning point in hard-rock history.

99. Billy Joel
Joel’s hit-making ability extended across three decades. He helped prove the piano was as strong an instrument as anything in the history of rock and roll, built on impactful songwriting that wasn’t afraid to tackle social issues.

100. B. B. King
B.B. King is considered one of the three kings of blues, along with Albert King and Freddie King. All three helped shape nearly all blues music that came after them. But B.B. King is the most prominent. His guitar style is one of the most celebrated in history, setting the standard for electric blues playing.

101. Donna Summer
Summer was the undisputed queen of the disco era and one of the most successful artists of the 1970s. She sold more than 140 million records worldwide and became the first artist to have three consecutive double albums land at No.1. And yet people still doubt her Rock Hall worthiness. In reality, Summer released more than 30 hit singles, including “I Feel Love,” “Last Dance,” “Bad Girls,” “Hot Stuff” and “Love to Love You Baby,” which are among the most influential dance recordings of all time.

102. Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the true titans of Southern rock, known for timeless anthems like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird.” The band’s peak run was cut short by a tragic plane crash in 1977. The surviving maintain a touring presence and influence to this day.

103. Deep Purple
Deep Purple is part of the holy trinity of hard0-rock and heavy-metal influencers along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Though less heralded as those two acts, Deep Purple had just as much influence on artists like Judas Priest, Queen, Van Halen and Iron Maiden.

104. Jefferson Airplane
Pioneers of psychedelic rock, Jefferson Airplane’s status as one of the biggest bands of the 1960s is evident by headlining status at Woodstock, the Monterey Pop Festival and Altamont. The band’s songs served as the soundtrack to the iconic Summer of Love and established Grace Slick as one of the greatest vocalists of the era.

105. The Four Tops
The songs are some of the most important in R&B history: “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bun)” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” The Four Tops were one of the essential acts of Motown’s golden era and a key vehicle in building the Motown sound that would set the standards for the R&B/soul music of the 1960s and 1970s.

106. Rush
Rush is the biggest progressive rock band of all time in terms of cultural impact. The band was known for its conceptual albums and precise, wide-ranging musicianship. Despite its complex music, Rush’s popularity grew and grew, as band would influence modern bands like Tool, Foo Fighters, The Smashing Pumpkins and Soundgarden.

107. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five
Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five deserved to be the first rap act inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their production style and social consciousness became the first major force in hip-hop music. The song “The Message” was one of rap’s first credible hits and is one of the most sampled songs in hip-hop history.

108. George Harrison
As a guitarist with the Beatles, Harrison’s legacy can’t be denied. The peak of his solo career came with 1970’s stunning “All Things Must Pass.” It’s hard to overlook Harrison’s post-Beatles impact on spreading the sounds of world music.

109. Lou Reed
Reed is one of the great cult figures in rock history. Much of that has to do with the Velvet Underground. But his solo career was also noteworthy. Socially, Reed was vocal about several causes. Musically, he remained one of the most experimental and groundbreaking artists of his era and all the way through the 2000s.

110. Rod Stewart
After making an impact with The Jeff Beck Group and Faces, Stewart went solo and became one of the best-selling musicians of all time, dominating the charts in the UK before becoming a hitmaker in the United States. Stewart’s stunning voice and musicality allowed him to blend elements of soul, rock and Americana like no one before him.

111. Paul Simon
Simon is one of the most celebrated artists of all time, having one 16 Grammys, including three Album of the Year Awards. Simon’s career as a solo artist peaked with “Graceland,” an album inspired by South African music that helped bring world beat sounds to America.

112. Hank Ballard (and The Midnighters)
Ballard and the Midnighters (the group was inducted retroactively) were among the first and most prominent rock and roll acts during the 1950s. Ballard was one of the most important musicians to come out of Detroit. He wrote the “Twist,” along with several other anthems that would establish a blueprint for R&B.

113. Green Day
Influenced by punk rock acts like the Ramones and The Clash, Green Day merged even more elements of pop into its music, becoming the first major pop-punk band of the modern era. The band would expand its sound later in its career, becoming politically minded and massively successful with albums like “American Idiot.”

114. Albert King
King became most influential guitarists of all time thanks to the wide range of blues sounds he (and no one else) could create. Named as an influence by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, King’s impact shaped blues forever.

115. The Ventures
Noted for their experimentation and creativity, The Ventures were one of the first bands to release concept albums and use special effects (such as the fuzz distortion peddle) in its music. The band’s influence reached so many other artists like The Who and The Beach Boys, The Ventures earned the nickname “The Band that Launched a Thousand Bands.”

116. Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the most innovative soul acts of all time, dabbling in everything from R&B and funk to disco and world music. The band pushed R&B to new and eclectic heights during the 1970s. Several of Earth, Wind & Fire’s songs have been covered and sampled by a countless number of musicians.

117. Jackson Browne
Browne crafted masterful singer-songwriter albums, such as “Late for the Sky,” “Running On Empty” and “The Pretender,” that became essential documents for just about every singer-songwriter who debuted after the late 1970s.

118. Buddy Guy
Guy is a guitar icon whose style of Chicago blues ranks among the most influential of all time, borrowed by the likes of Keith Richards, Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix. Guy was as important as any guitarist in establishing what the blues sounded like during the 1960s and beyond, as a livelier and aggressive art form.

119. Ricky Nelson
Nelson was an early teen idol and actor who became one of the most successful musicians of the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, accumulating over 50 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Nelson’s run as teen idol often overshadowed his impact on rock and roll and status as a pioneer of merging country and rock music.

120. Booker T. and the M.G.'s
Booker T. and the M.G.’s served as the house band for Stax , one of the most influential record labels of all time (Otis Redding, Bill Withers, Sam & Dave and more). The group was essential in shaping the sound of early Southern soul music, while breaking down racial barriers as a mixed race group of musicians.

121. Patti Smith
Smith was an integral figure in New York’s punk-rock scene of the 1970s thanks to her landmark album “Horses.” Her combination of activism, poetic storytelling and hard-hitting sounds would impact alternative rock for decades to come, as well as inspire future female rockers.

122. The Four Seasons
The groundbreaking vocal group gained an unseen level of success for a pop act before the Beatles even made it big. The Four Seasons sold more than 100 million records over the course of four decades, leaving a trail of iconic doo-wop hits and serving as the inspiration for the successful musical, “Jersey Boys.”

123. Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Chili Peppers were one of the first mainstream bands to mix elements of hard rock, funk and hip-hop, becoming a major influence on modern rap-rock. The band’s resume includes essential albums “Blood Sugar Sex Magik" and "Californication," as well as numerous singles that helped them become one of the biggest rock acts of their era.

124. Isaac Hayes
Hayes was a key figure in Southern soul music through Stax Records. He was the famed label’s in-house songwriter and went on to create the “Theme from Shaft,” one of the most influential music projects for films ever.

125. The Jackson 5
One of Motown’s biggest crossover successes and a true pioneer of the boy-band genre. The Jackson 5 ultimately served as the launching pad for solo star Michael Jackson, but released its own run of influential No.1 hits, including “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There.”

126. The Mamas and the Papas
One of the defining bands of the late 1960s hippie counterculture. In three years together, The Mamas and the Papas released four albums, three of which went gold on the strength of respective singles like “California Dreamin’,” “Monday, Monday” and “Dedicated to the One I Love.”

127. Martha and the Vandellas
One of the most successful girl groups of all time, Martha and the Vandellas released more than 20 mainstream hits, several of which became standards (“Dancing in the Street,” “Nowhere to Run,” “Heat Wave,” etc.) that are among the most covered songs in history.

128. Dion
Dion experienced his first bit of success with The Belmonts, a 1950s vocal group many believe should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Dion later broke out as an influential solo performer who released some of the most influential classics of the 1960s such as “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer.”

129. Sam & Dave
Sam & Dave were one of the most successful soul acts during Stax Records’ peak period. The duo landed numerous hits on the charts, including “Soul Man,” “Hold I’m, I’m Comin’,” and “I Thank You.” They were also one of the first soul acts to experience major crossover success, influencing the likes of Al Green and Michael Jackson.

130. N.W.A.
N.W.A. was first hip-hop act to bring gangsta rap to the mainstream with the landmark album, “Straight Outta Compton,” which influenced every major rap artist of the 1990s and beyond. The group was also the foundation for the lengthy solo careers of Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.

131. The Ronettes
The Ronettes were the most well known act to carry Phil Spector’s breakthrough Wall of Sound production style to the masses. That included impactful 1960s hits like “Be My Baby,” “Baby, I Love You” and “Walking in the Rain.” Their trio-based vocal harmonies helped serve as the archetype for future pop and R&B groups.

132. The Animals
Led by the deep voice of frontman Eric Burdon, the Animals broke through with the landmark folk-rock single, “House of the Rising Sun,” which the band followed up with other noteworthy hits before shifting its lineup and embracing psychedelic rock. The Animals would go on to influence everyone from Bob Seger and Elvis Costello to Tom Petty and the MC5.

133. Clyde McPhatter
McPhatter’s vocal style, rooted in gospel, became one of the most imitated sounds of early R&B, influencing everyone from Al Green and The Righteous Brothers to Dion and The Rascals.

134. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
Unquestionable legends of Texas blues rock, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble were at the center of the blues revival of the 1980s that helped bring the genre to newer generations of musicians like John Mayer and Gary Clark Jr. Vaughan is also widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

135. Alice Cooper
With its breakthrough album “Love It to Death,” the band Alice Cooper established itself as a force in hard rock. The lead singer would later cement himself as the “The Godfather of Shock Rock,” creating a new style and concept of showmanship that was unrivaled. Alice Cooper’s influence would be felt in future acts like KISS, Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, among others.

136. ABBA
A true worldwide phenomenon, ABBA remains one of the most successful music acts of all time, selling more records worldwide than acts like U2, the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and Aerosmith. ABBA is also celebrated for its use of style and perfectionism in the recording studio, which helped the band reach beyond the music industry, inspiring a musical and movie.

137. John Lee Hooker
An influential figure in the blues, John Lee Hooker’s style (which incorporated elements of boogie-woogie) was in contrast to the usual Delta blues of his era and appealed to musicians in both the Deep South and overseas, from The Rolling Stones to ZZ Top.

138. Leonard Cohen
Working as a writer for most of the 1950s and 1960s, Cohen became a folk singer in the late 1960s. His minimalistic, yet impactful style would produce several noteworthy albums and songs, including “Hallelujah.” His lyrical themes and musical style would go on to influence future folk artists, noise-rock enthusiasts and indie musicians.

139. ZZ Top
ZZ Top is one of the most respected blues-rock acts of all time. The band took its signature sound of boogie rock, perfected on 1973’s “Tres Hombres,” and reinvented itself during the 1980s by incorporating elements of new wave and dance-rock on 1983’s “Eliminator,” which went on to sell more than 10 million copies.

140. The Hollies
The British pop-rock act that pioneered the three-part vocal style. The Hollies were co-founded by Graham Nash, but experienced success both during his tenure and after. The Hollies were one of the earliest precursors to power pop, influencing acts like Badfinger, The Raspberries and Big Star.

141. LaVern Baker
A key part of Atlantic Records during the 1950s and 1960s, Baker released a string of hits that included “Tweedle Dee” and “I Cried a Tear.” She stands as one of the most influential female R&B singers in history, mixing in elements of blues while impacting the early rock and roll era.

142. Gene Vincent (and The Blue Caps)
Vincent is considered one of the pioneers of rock and roll and rockabilly. The only controversial aspect of his Rock Hall induction was that he didn’t go in with his group the Blue Caps. That was remedied years later, and rightfully so.

143. Joan Baez
One of the earliest stars of folk rock, Baez was known for her original songs and fantastic covers of songs by Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, The Beatles and countless others. Her covers of Dylan’s music, in particular, helped him gain mainstream success and set the stage for her tremendous social activism.

144. The Flamingos
The early doo-wop group is best known for the cover version of “I Only Have Eyes For You.” The arrangement and harmonies of that song, along with other Flamingos classics, were groundbreaking and became a major blueprint for the development of future R&B record labels like Motown.

145. Gladys Knight and the Pips
Early in their career, Gladys Knight and the Pips made a name for themselves as one of the stellar R&B acts of the 1960s on Motown. However, it was after leaving the famed record label, that group made a more lasting impact, evolving into more of a soul-driven pop act. Recordings like “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” would become exceptional examples for modern pop divas.

146. KISS
Noted for its showmanship, which included face paint, outfits and wild shows, KISS was a great rock band. It was also a marketing vehicle unlike anything rock had ever seen. The band’s concerts and branding became the stuff of legend, changing the merchandising and touring industry.

147. The Platters
One of the first successful vocal groups that predated the mainstream rock era, The Platters launched doo-wop. In doing so, the group influenced future acts with their vocal style and musical arrangements on songs like “The Great Pretender,” “Only You (And You Alone),” “Twilight Time” and others. The Platters also broke down racial barriers, as one of the first African-American acts to cross over to the pop charts.

148. Genesis
Genesis’ career can be divided into two parts. Led by Peter Gabriel, the band became one of the leading prog-rock acts of its time. Once Phil Collins took over as lead singer, Genesis became one of the biggest pop-rock acts in the world. To this day, the Collins-led group could sell out stadiums across the globe.

149. Wilson Pickett
Pickett was essential in the development of soul music with singles like “In the Midnight Hour,” “Land of 1,000 Dances,” “Funky Broadway” and “Mustang Sally.” His powerful voice and live performances would become an influence on numerous soul and rock and roll singers.

150. Blondie
One of the standout acts of new wave and punk, Blondie broke into the mainstream with 1978’s “Parallel Lines.” The band’s incorporation of genres like reggae, disco and even hip-hop was groundbreaking and helped turn Debbie Harry into a pop-culture icon.

151. Jimmy Reed
When it comes to electric blues, few had a bigger influence than Jimmy Reed. As a pioneer of the art form in the 1940s and 1950s, Reed would go on to influence the music of The Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Elvis Presley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top and many others.

152. Solomon Burke
Burke is considered one of the most important early figures in soul and R&B. While he lacked the huge hits of his contemporaries, Burke helped pave the way for several soulful artists who had roots in R&B, such as Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison and even the Rolling Stones.

153. John Mellencamp
Mellencamp was a key figure in the growth of heartland rock. His career has featured top-10 singles like “Hurts So Good,” “Pink Houses,” “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,” “Jack & Diane” and others. He’s a unique modern blend of critical acclaim and massive chart success driven by old-school storytelling.

154. Linda Ronstadt
Ronstadt was a prolific hitmaker, releasing more than 30 albums and winning 11 Grammys. She was also one of the most sought-after collaborators of her time, working with everyone from Frank Zappa and Johnny Cash to Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. Ronstadt is considered to have one of the most powerful voices in music history with songs that influenced decades of country and pop singers.

155. Journey
Say what you will about Journey, but they remain one of the biggest rock bands of all time. The hits are timeless: “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms” and “Separate Ways.” What Journey might lack in influence, it makes up for in wide-reaching success, longevity and culture impact.

156. Randy Newman
Newman’s legacy, when it comes to the Rock Hall, is unique. He’s not the edgy singer-songwriter the museum traditionally celebrates. But he’s one of the great forces in pop-music history both from a songwriting standpoint and social commentary. Newman’s impact also extends to the film world, where he impacted movie music as much as anyone of his time.

157. The Pretenders
The Pretenders served as a bridge between punk rock and the new wave sounds of the 1980s. Frontwoman Chrissie Hynde is regarded as one of the best songwriters of all time and a true influence on future female rock artists.

158. Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
Of all the doo-wop groups in the Rock Hall, The Teenagers (who were of mixed race) were one of the first to experience success thanks to airwaves controlled by the great Alan Freed. The group’s hits, including “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” and “I Want You to Be My Girl,” were among some of the first crossover hits of the early rock era.

159. Yes
Along with artists like King Crimson and Jethro Tull, Yes helped spark a period of creativity that would influence ambitious late-1970s acts like Talking Heads and Roxy Music, as well as modern musicians like Radiohead, Coheed & Cambria and Muse.

160. Santana
One of the greatest Mexican-American rock bands of all time. Maybe the greatest. Santana’s legacy is primarily built on the guitar of Carlos Santana, which is not a bad thing. The band experienced its breakthrough at the 1969 Woodstock festival, before releasing numerous guitar-driven albums that would influence the likes of Los Lobos, Journey and War.

161. Chicago
Chicago has one of the more interesting Rock Hall resumes. The band’s early jazz-rock period was pretty influential, while its 1980s soft-rock run lacked anything groundbreaking but sold a ton of records. Put them together and you have a very impressive band that was long overdue for induction.

162. Bonnie Raitt
Raitt found critical success blending elements of roots rock, blues and folk in the 1970s, before her career took off with a string of platinum albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Raitt has been celebrated for her singing and guitar playing, and championed as a woman who stood out in male-dominated genres.

163. The O'Jays
The O’Jays are considered one the greatest vocal groups of the 1970s and key in the development of the influential Philadelphia soul sound, which became a hotbed of rhythm and blues for decades to come

164. Bob Seger
Seger was one of the four key figures of the heartland-rock genre, along with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and John Mellencamp. Seger recorded several hits and essential albums, built a legacy as one of the great rock vocalists of his time and a key player in the influential Detroit music scene.

165. Heart
Heart is one of the most important female-led acts of all time. The band experienced chart success over multiple decades by crafting both gritty rock gems as well as power ballads. Heart’s diverse range, vocal prowess and guitar sounds served as an influence on future rock acts, both female and male.

166. Hall & Oates
Underestimated due to the poppy nature of their hits, Hall & Oates stand as one of the greatest songwriting duos of all time and one of the biggest artists of the 1980s. The duo’s blue-eyed soul style influenced future stars like Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke and Sam Smith.

167. Brenda Lee
Lee built her legacy as one of the top female performers of the 1960s with a collection of hits rivaled that of Elvis and the Beatles. Her most well-known songs include “I’m Sorry” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Lee’s impact and influence has earned her induction into the Rockabilly and Country Music halls of fame as well.

168. Sex Pistols
From a cultural standpoint, Sex Pistols impact was immense. The band is often credited with kick-starting the punk movement from a sonic, visual and attitude standpoint. Unfortunately, Sex Pistols the band released only one studio album. The fact that it was “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” helps.

169. The Dave Clark Five
The Dave Clark Five was the second group from the British Invasion to appear on Ed Sullivan’s TV variety show, breaking through on the UK charts with the song “Glad All Over.” While they weren’t the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five were the first British Invasion act to do a full tour of the U.S., helping the band sell more than 100 million records and score 20 hits on the U.S. charts.

170. Little Anthony & the Imperials
Emerging as part of the early rhythm and blues movement of the late 1950s, Little Anthony & The Imperials scored big with “Tears on My Pillow.” But unlike many of its contemporaries, the group was able to stretch out its influence and impact. Little Anthony & the Imperials is one of the most covered music acts of all time.

171. Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield was one of the most important figures in blue-eyed soul. She stood out during the 1960s male-dominated British Invasion, going on to influence artists like Adele, Amy Winehouse and Sam Smith.

172. Steely Dan
Steely Dan was noted for helping push studio production to new heights in the 1970s with a layered, jazz-influenced rock style that hadn’t been heard before. They may not be the coolest band on this list, but Steely Dan changed the way musicians of all generations approach the recording process.

173. The Righteous Brothers
The Righteous Brothers’ contrasting vocal harmonies were groundbreaking and helped the duo stand out in a crowded pop landscape. Their impact on blue-eyed soul has been tremendous, while their popularity has stood the test of time.

174. Buffalo Springfield
One of rock’s greatest super groups, Buffalo Springfield featured a lineup that included Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay, among others. The group didn’t last long. But the band delivered three stellar albums in that time and served, along with the Byrds, as one of the true pioneers of folk rock.

175. Bobby "Blue" Bland
Bland may have lacked for fame. But he more than made up for that with epic songs like “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” and “That’s the Way Love Is” that influenced a diverse group of artists, including Eric Clapton, Solomon Burke, Kanye West and Boz Scaggs.

176. Laura Nyro
Some would have Nyro much lower on this list. Though never a massive success, Nyro’s impact as a singer-songwriter can be felt in the artists that scored hits covering her amazing songs, from The 5th Dimension and Peter Paul and Mary to Barbra Streisand and Three Dog Night. She was also one of the first white female artists outside of the folk genre to prove herself in the realms of doo-wop, R&B and soul.

177. Jimmy Cliff
To some, Cliff may be a surprising choice as a Rock Hall inductee over other reggae artists, specifically Peter Tosh. But Cliff is an essential figure in reggae history, helping introduce the genre to international audiences with songs like “The Harder They Come,” “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” and “Hakuna Matata.”

178. Tom Waits
No one really sounds like Tom Waits, one of the most innovative and brave artists of the 1970s and 1980s and an icon to indie and art rockers. His work, highlighted by albums like “Swordfishtrombones” and “Rain Dogs,” had a tremendous influence on modern jazz, blue and experimental rock.

179. Jeff Beck
The Jeff Beck Group introduced Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood to the world, while Beck’s work in the Yardbirds and his solo material made him a guitar-god. Still, Beck’s resume can be tough to examine, depending on how you look at his solo catalog. It helps that he feels like a Hall of Famer and ranks as one of the 10 greatest guitarists of all time.

180. Neil Diamond
Diamond is one of the more polarizing artists in the Rock Hall given his genre and style. But he’s in. So you have to look at him as one of the most prolific and successful songwriters and performers of all time with songs you can’t get out of your head. Diamond may not have been groundbreaking, but his career speaks for itself.

181. The Staple Singers
The Staples Singers were known for hits like “Respect Yourself,” “I’ll Take You There” and “Let’s Do It Again.” But, perhaps the group’s greatest legacy is launching the career of the highly influential standout Mavis Staples, who was one of the most respected singers and Civil Rights activists of her time.

182. The Impressions
Formed in the late 1950s, the Impressions are probably best known for featuring a young Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. But the group had its own special run, releasing an impressive collection of influential R&B hits that included “People Get Ready,” “Keep On Pushing” and “It’s All Right.”

183. Peter Gabriel
After leaving Genesis, Gabriel continued his inventive run of music to solid success. His album “So” is considered one of the best albums of the 1980s, with the video for the single, “Sledgehammer,” serving as a game-changer for MTV.

184. The Moonglows
The Moonglows are known for their single “Sincerely,” one of the biggest hits of the 1950s. The group’s vocal style was also influential on R&B groups of the 1960s. The Moonglows’ run was short compared to an act like the Drifters, but The Moonglows were an essential building block for soul music.

185. Duane Eddy
Eddy was a prominent and influential guitarist in the rockabilly and early rock and roll days of the 1950s and 1960s. He’s often overlooked when it comes to early guitar heroes. Eddy sits only behind Chuck Berry in terms of impact the early popularity of electric rock.

186. Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick was old school in the way it built its success on touring. While the band’s first few albums were all solid, it wasn’t until the release of the “Live at Budokan” album that Cheap Trick took off. Cheap Trick’s Rock Hall induction is justified based on the band’s mix rock and power pop, which influenced bands like Green Day and The Smashing Pumpkins.

187. Bobby Womack
Womack is one of the most accomplished and covered songwriters in R&B history. He began his career as part of the Valentinos and then moved onto a solo run that included memorable songs like “It’s All Over Now” (covered by the Rolling Stones), “If You Think You’re Lonely Now,” “Across 110th Street” and others.

188. Donovan
Donovan isn’t necessarily a household name. But the Scottish singer-songwriter mixed various elements of music that helped expand folk music in England. He released 11 straight top-40 hits during the late 1960s, serving as a more upbeat counterpart to Bob Dylan. That helped push Donovan’s influence onto like-minded indie-rock acts.

189. Steve Miller Band
Miller earned respect with Steve Miller Band’s early, blues-heavy releases. The group scored big with a run of 1970s hits that included “Fly Like an Eagle,” “The Joker” and “Rock’n Me,” all of which are still played on classic-rock radio. The band’s output has been incredible, while its ability to fuse elements of blues, country, rock and dance music would influence several acts far into the 1990s.

190. Darlene Love
Love is regarded as one of the most talented vocalists of all time. She scored a No.1 hit in 1962 with “He’s a Rebel” (Though it was credited o the Crystals). Love spent much of the time after that as a backup singer, contributing vocals to some of the greatest songs of all time, including the Ronettes “Be My Baby” and the Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron Ron.” Her legend took on new status with the documentary “20 Feet from Stardom.”

191. Little Willie John
John was one of several major figures in the Detroit sound of the 1950s. He also helped create the sound of modern rhythm and blues. He landed several crossover hits on the pop charts, including the classic “Fever.” Willie John was a small man with a big voice that influenced many.

192. Gene Pitney
Pitney had his hands in a lot of things in the 1960s. His own solo career featured several top-40 hits, while he wrote songs like “He’s a Rebel” and “Hello Mary Lou” for artists like The Crystals and Ricky Nelson, respectively. He certainly left his fingerprints on the most important era in music history.

193. Lloyd Price
Lloyd certainly isn’t the biggest soul name on this list. But he is one of the more underappreciated R&B artists of all time. His 1952 single, “Lawdy, Miss Clawdy,” was one of the first R&B records to crossover to mainstream audiences. Price would also experience success in the late 1950s and 1960s with chart-topping, pop-driven R&B songs.

194. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band spent a long time on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ballot before earning induction. It’s easy to see why. They’re not the biggest name to come out of 1960s blues. But the band, led by frontman Butterfield and influential guitarist Mike Bloomfield, did play an important part in bringing blues to suburban American audiences.

195. Bill Withers
Withers nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame a few years ago was somewhat surprising. He certainly has the hits to back it up, with timeless soul tunes like “Lean on Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Use Me.” And Withers' brand of R&B – mixed with touches of folk, funk and blues -- was influential. But so many other R&B acts are more worthy. Are you honestly not taking Rick James or Sade over Withers?

196. Traffic
Traffic was one of the best and most diverse acts of the 1960s, dabbling in psychedelic rock before moving into more jazz-oriented music. But they’re one of the few big acts from that era that doesn’t jump out at you more than a half century later. They’re not as influential as, say, Procol Harum, or as memorable as, say, Steppenwolf. Why Traffic and not someone else?

197. Dr. John
Dr. John is a New Orleans artist through and through, showcasing the rich musical history of the city as much as any artist. But does his impact go that far beyond that? Dr. John had hits like “Right Place Wrong Time” and “Such a Night.” Yet, his Rock Hall resume doesn’t separate him enough from other big acts of the 1970s (Boz Scaggs, Meat Loaf, Average White Band) fans would argue for.

198. Electric Light Orchestra
ELO released some great albums and songs. But its influence isn’t quite up to par with other acts on this list. You could make the case the band was a Beatles knockoff, even if that seems a bit harsh. I suppose if you include Jeff Lynne’s solo work and production, the resume is strong enough. But that’s a fine line to walk.

199. Ritchie Valens
It almost feels like musical sacrilege to have Valens so low on this list. He was a central figure in the early days of rock, especially in establishing a sound that would influence the likes of Los Lobos and Carlos Santana. Songs like "La Bamba" and "Donna" are classics. But this is simply just a case of not enough material for a resume due to Valens' tragic death.

200. Del Shannon
Shannon has never lacked for artists who were willing to honor his legacy. Just look at the members of the Traveling Wilburys. Still, we are talking about an artist primarily known for one song – “Runaway.” It’s a tremendous record. But does that give Shannon a resume better than artists or the same era like Chubby Checker and Ben E. King? Nope.

201. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Jett began her career as part of the Runaways, a pioneering female rock act whose Rock Hall candidacy stands on its own. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts further established Jett as a prominent figure in rock music. This really comes down to which act you think deserved Rock Hall induction more. I’m going with the former.

202. Bobby Darin
Darin served as songwriter for Connie Francis (who probably should be in the Rock Hall). His own singles – “Splish Splash,” “Dream Lover” and “Mack the Knife” made him a star during the 1950s. But looking back, you have to wonder how much his legacy extends behind a couple songs, especially “Mack the Knife.” Darin’s influence simply hasn’t been as strong as other 1950s artists (Link Wray, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins) the Rock Hall has overlooked.

203. The Coasters
The Coasters are tied to iconic songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Over the course of a half-decade, The Coasters released a number of playful hits that would serve as the blueprint for Leiber and Stoller’s writing style. But the vocal group’s legacy has a hard time standing up as tall on its own compared to other acts on this list.

204. The (Young) Rascals
Known for songs like “Good Lovin’” and “Groovin,’” the Rascals were one of the more successful acts of the 1960s. But they haven’t had nearly the impact of the other artists to come out that are also on this list.

205. Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin’ Spoonful was one of the early acts to combine old-school folk and blues into a good-time music. “Summer in the City” and “Do You Believe In Magic” were huge hits. But the Lovin’ Spoonful short stretch hurts their candidacy. They’re not exactly the Sex Pistols or Buffalo Springfield, other acts who didn’t last long but had a much bigger impact.

206. Cat Stevens
The list of folk artists I would put in the Rock Hall before Cat Stevens is long: Peter, Paul and Mary, Emmylou Harris and Tracy Chapman just to name a few. Stevens has a solid catalog of albums. However, is influence and impact is lacking. It’s unclear what the Nominating Committee saw in him over other like-minded acts.

207. Faces/Small Faces
Putting the members of Small Faces and Faces in the Rock Hall must have been a fun move for voters. Who doesn’t want to see Ronnie Wood and company jam out with their peers? However, neither version of the band was a huge success. Several punk rock acts and guitar rock artists mention the Faces as an influence. But the band only had one top-20 hit in the U.S.

208. The Dells
Of all the vocal groups in the Rock Hall, the Dells feel the least exceptional. The group had just a few mainstream hits during a run that lasted barely a handful of years. The Dells kept releasing music through the 2000s, but none if stands out all that much.

209. Percy Sledge
Someone has to be last. Sledge’s legacy is built on one song and one song alone – “When a Man Loves a Woman.” While it’s one of the greatest soul hits of all time, it wasn’t groundbreaking outside of being the first No.1 hit recorded in Muscle Shoals. If having one great song during the 1960s gets you into the Rock Hall, this list would be much longer.
User avatar
StevieFan13
Wuthering Heights
Posts: 6967
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:00 pm
Location: New York, New York
Contact:

Re: Cleveland.com: Boldy ranking every Rock Hall inductee

Post by StevieFan13 »

I would put Chicago much lower and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts much higher.
Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand - Sir Duke (1976)
Post Reply

Return to “Music, Music, Music...”