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OVERVIEW |
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With the induction of many from fields that are not strictly rock 'n' roll there are a few names from outside of rock who have a stylistic precedent in the Hall along with the credentials in those genres with perhaps just enough of a connection to rock to be considered themselves. Those already inducted who technically fall into this category include everyone from Bobby Darin, Brenda Lee, Miles Davis and Johnny Cash to the many pure bluesmen who've made it as Main Performers over the years. If the Hall is going to recognize them for their contributions to rock from the periphery of the genre then here are ten others that may be considered who boast similar credentials.
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Outside Genre Possibilities
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Joan Baez |
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The acclaimed folk icon might seem out of place in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame at first glance but her celebrated relationship with Bob Dylan that helped break him to a wider audience and the perceived need by voters for more females with name recognition might garner her a nomination. As respected as any artist in any field of music she was on the vanguard of the emergence of rock for social change during the 60's. A surprisingly good bet for eventual inclusion.
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The Caravans |
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One of the last gospel groups to make a mark as that field of music died down commercially by the 60's after so many of its performers followed Sam Cooke into secular music. The Caravans had some major vocalists pass through their ranks, including the legendary Shirley Caesar, giving them broadened name recognition today. They came along way too late to be called an Early Influence, and unlike their contemporaries the Staple Singers they never ventured far into secular material, but they were truly great and had some definite impact on the 60's rock scene.
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Guitar Slim |
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In a tough spot since he is not a first tier bluesman, like many who've gotten in, and yet not a full rocker either, plus the fact that as an early influence he wasn't so early, making his biggest mark in the early to mid-50's after rock was already firmly in existence, yet still right before rock's breakthrough to middle America which seems to be most people's starting point of acknowledgement for it. But regardless of where he fits the former Eddie Jones was vital in bringing increased showmanship to the guitar, a pre-cursor not only of Chuck Berry but Jimi Hendrix as well, and who's one immortal record in "The Things I Used To Do", produced by Ray Charles, was the single biggest R&B hit of 1954.
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Roy Hamilton |
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One of the most technically gifted singers in history, with a background in gospel and opera, Hamilton came along just as rock 'n' roll was breaking through from black audiences to white. Yet Hamilton veered more towards dramatic ballads that were huge hits ("You'll Never Walk Alone", "Unchained Melody", "Hurt"), and later were frequently covered by rockers. When he did try pure rock himself though, as with 1958's "Don't Let Go" and 1961's "You Can Have Her", the results were astounding. One of the biggest vocal influences on Elvis Presley, Jackie Wilson, Solomon Burke, The Righteous Brothers and many others.
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Herbie Hancock |
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Has one unquestionable impact on rock music with his smash hit "Rockit", one of the most talked about songs and videos of 1983. Mostly Hancock was a brilliant jazz pianist who borrowed from all musical styles to create his own style, but he relentlessly explored synthesizers, electronica and the jazz-rock fusion which occasionally drew scorn from purists, even though he never fully abandoned pure jazz. Not quite the name recognition of Miles Davis, whom he started with, but known enough to elicit interest.
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Richie Havens |
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Folk icon often performing within rock concert settings of the late 60's make him an outside choice if the voters are seeking more broad interest candidates. A unique singer and percussive guitarist who could capture the attention of any audience through his magnetic stage presence, the exposure garnered from his acclaimed set at Woodstock made him a household name around that time and gave him his one major hit with a brilliant cover of the Beatles "Here Comes The Sun". Others here would probably go in before him but his name remains fairly well-known across all genres to get him a look.
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Albert King |
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Legendary bluesman of the late 60's, one of the most influential guitarists in history and a solid career of fairly mainstream hits, most backed by Booker T. & The MG's for Stax, King has perhaps the most tangible link to rock of all of these names and thus probably the best shot for induction. His famed "Flying V" guitar became a popular instrument in rock circles, while his songs themselves, including "Born Under A Bad Sign", "Laundromat Blues" and "Crosscut Saw" were widely interpreted by blues-rockers for generations to come. Once Buddy Guy made it in the Hall, King, who's career in rock circles was more prominent, saw his chances increase considerably.
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Willie Nelson |
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Modern country artists haven't had the rock-connection in voters minds that blues acts have, and so aside from a small handful (Johnny Cash and Brenda Lee) they've been left alone. While that's probably for the right reasons, chances are a pure country act will make it eventually and Nelson looms as the biggest name out there. The fact that he has worked with rock artists frequently throughout his career, as well as writing many songs cut by rockers over the years, and is so beloved by everyone, means that he's probably the best bet to get looked at from the country field.
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Ravi Shankar |
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Brought Indian influences to rock through his association with George Harrison in the mid-60's, in the process introducing the sitar to rock 'n' roll where it played a significant role in expanding the sound textures of that era. He went on to play at three of the biggest rock concerts ever, Monterey Pop, Woodstock and the Concert for Bangladesh, bringing his own music to its widest audience. As the father of current star Norah Jones, coupled with his longstanding Beatle connection, he seems like an ideal long shot for the traditionally headline hunting voters.
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Jimmy Smith |
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Not as recognizable a name as some others, at least to today's audience, but Smith was considered the leader of the soulful jazz instrumental movement on the Hammond B-3 organ of the 60's that worked its way into rock for a time. His album "Back At The Chicken Shack" was one of the most acclaimed of its time with rock artists and eight Top 30 albums from the 60's is a testament to how widespread his sound was. Later played on Michael Jackson's "Bad", keeping his hand in rock well into the 80's. Hugely talented in a field much closer to rock than some may think.
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