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Alice Cooper |
The 70's superstar never got his critical due for being one of the most theatrical performers of his time, or for a surprisingly diverse body of work ranging from loud rock anthems to tender ballads that resulted in over twenty hits. An influential artist with the type of image the Rock Hall usually seems eager to promote, who for some reason has still not even been nominated. Eventually his combination of image, influence and success should crack the doors open for him.
Qualifications: 7
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Don Covay |
As a songwriter Covay should be a shoo-in candidate for penning some of the most identifiable and enduringly popular songs in history for a wide array of artists including multiple HOF members. Strictly as a performer, despite a number of smaller hits, he probably won't cut it. But his influence on Mick Jagger, who completely stole Covay's entire vocal mannerisms, gives an extra push to his candidacy. Comparable to Isaac Hayes, who got in as a performer but was more qualified as a writer.
Qualifications: 5
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Dick Dale |
Though boasting no real hits to speak of Dale nevertheless remains one of the immortal rock guitar gods, even though it took thirty years for the mainstream to really discover him thanks to the use of his classic "Miserlou" in the film "Pulp Fiction". Almost single-handedly created surf-rock and was a pioneer in shredding technique as well as in many of the advances in amplifiers and equipment. Dale's huge impact and influence (on Hendrix among others) makes him a very possible dark horse inductee in the future.
Qualifications: 6
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Def Leppard |
For awhile in the 80's Def Leppard was as popular as any group, scoring eleven Top Twenty hits, including three consecutive Top Three smashes, while "Hysteria" was one of the biggest albums ever made. On the downside they were viewed by many as little more than disposable hitmakers in the much reviled field of hair-metal. Their chances for induction are therefore slimmer than their actual credentials would indicate. The Hall will first need to overcome its uneasiness with certain excessive images many styles of rock have before they feel comfortable considering such a group.
Qualifications: 6
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Deep Purple |
One of the seminal hard-rock and early metal bands known mostly for their enduring hit, "Smoke On The Water" and for what many consider to be the quintessential live metal album ever, "Made In Japan". Since their beginnings with the quasi-psychedelic "Hush" in 1968, Deep Purple has been through multiple lineups, including three different lead singers during their heyday, which could cause them not to be viewed as a singular candidate with a continuous body of work. But they have too much influence and impact to ignore forever.
Qualifications: 7
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The Delfonics |
One of the key soul vocal groups of the late 60's and early 70's, scoring two huge hits that defined the style as it emerged, putting them among the pioneers of the Philly-soul style that brought a more polished, heavily produced sound to what had previously been a raw, emotional subgenre of rock. Historically vocal groups without an instantly familiar lead singer have trouble in getting long-term recognition though, which could hurt them, especially with a handful of more successful groups in this style still waiting themselves.
Qualifications: 6
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Dire Straits |
Though never considered among the elite artists of their generation they might get a look due to a popular leader in singer/guitarist Mark Knopfler, a few huge radio hits, one massive album and an image that is neither overexposed nor totally obscure. Their short lived peak followed by sporadic releases instead of building on their successes may do them in when compared with more consistent and longer lasting artists, but don't be surprised to at least see them get nominated at some point in the future.
Qualifications: 6
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The Dominoes |
Of all the early rock artists few were more influential or popular than Billy Ward's outfit in the early 50's that saw two vocal legends emerge from the group as lead singers, first Clyde McPhatter and then Jackie Wilson. Their style and vocal arrangements, heavily influenced by gospel, set the template that most subsequent black vocal groups would adapt in later years. The Dominoes may have done more to shape rock 'n' roll's future than any artist in rock's first half decade. They should've been in years ago.
Qualifications: 8
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Donovan |
Maybe a better chance at being inducted than would first appear as his unique trippy folk influenced rock style makes him stand out against more mainstream contenders. Continues to have high name recognition thanks to a run of big hits from the 60's that have remained well-known through the years. This is the type of unexpected candidate who often garners surprising support, and though he hasn't yet, he seems sure to at least earn a nomination somewhere along the way at the very least.
Qualifications: 6
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The Doobie Brothers |
Long and consistent career, overcoming numerous changes in personnel to keep wracking up hits for twenty years in a variety of styles, gives their candidacy a solid foundation. While their catalog contains some enduring songs, keeping their familiarity level high enough to be always considered, the fact that they were achieved under numerous different lineups could be a hindrance. One time members Michael McDonald and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter continue to be well-respected in music circles which could boost the group's chances considerably.
Qualifications: 6
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Dr. John |
A near-legendary figure, musician and all-around character representing the melting pot of New Orleans music that makes the city so vital, had a long and varied career with a few big hits along the way. A name that other artists respect immensely and one who constantly keeps the heritage of the Big Easy musical kaleidoscope of sounds from slipping away. As eccentric and eclectic an artist that can be found anywhere in rock history, exactly the type of artist you'd think would've been inducted long ago. Thus far however he hasn't gotten so much as a nomination.
Qualifications: 7
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Lee Dorsey |
One of the most underrated artists of the 60's as well as the last consistent hitmaker out of New Orleans following the city's dominance in the 50's. Broke into music comparatively late in life after a career as a boxer and an auto-body mechanic and with producer Allen Toussaint he laid down some of the most familiar songs of the time, five of which were Top Ten R&B Hits. Later he became a key figure in the emergence of funk and was always recognized as being one of the most idiosyncratic vocalists ever. The Hall is in desperate need of an artist representing the Big Easy sound from the 60's and Dorsey could be the one to break through first.
Qualifications: 6
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Electric Light Orchestra |
In leader Jeff Lynne, a much respected name in music, they have their ace in the hole for potential consideration as oftentimes the Hall will see fit to grant induction to a slightly less-than-qualified group if headed by a well-liked individual (see Traffic for Steve Winwood). However in addition ELO had a string of hits over the course of a decade, including seven Top Tens, which gives them a leg to stand on of their own.
Qualifications: 5
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Emerson, Lake & Palmer |
One of the stronger progressive rock candidates thanks to their success in albums, but also to some degree in singles which was rare for the style, as well as for their highly regarded musicianship, stage show and popularization of the progressive rock movement itself. Ultimately the band had a short lived mainstream peak and the genre moved back underground where it remained popular but often criticized from the outside. If prog does get more recognized by the Hall then ELP could see their chance for induction increase.
Qualifications: 6
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The "5" Royales |
One of the most influential artists of the 50's combining their gospel roots with racy rhythm and blues to invent soul music and become one of the most popular groups of its day. In Lowman Pauling they had one of the first guitar legends in rock, while his work as a songwriter for the group includes some of the most famous and oft-covered songs in history, including "Think", "Tell The Truth" and "Dedicated To The One I Love". Massive innovation and influence should've gotten them in long ago but despite a few nominations they're still waiting to be enshrined.
Qualifications: 7
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The Five Keys |
The Hall has regularly, though often belatedly, inducted top 50's vocal groups, so the Five Keys stand as one of the more likely beneficiaries of that trend. One of the groups that kicked-started the style in 1951 with the chart topping "Glory Of Love", in the process making common the practice of covering a "standard" in a rock vocal setting. Though the lack of a widely remembered crossover hit may do them in they were always considered among the classiest acts of their day and are still revered among the biggest proponents of that style.
Qualifications: 5
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Eddie Floyd |
He doesn't quite have the credentials of fellow soul stars Joe Tex (multiple nominations), or even recent inductee Percy Sledge, but Floyd's combination of songwriting and performing might give him a chance. The fact that his hits "Knock On Wood", and to a lesser extent "Raise Your Hand", remain garage rock and bar band staples helps. However, voters might be reluctant to load the Hall with Stax artists (five, plus the label's founder, already in with a handful of other names being equally viable candidates), so for the time being he remains a long-shot, but not entirely forgotten.
Qualifications: 5
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Flying Burrito Brothers |
Since founding members Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman both made to the Hall Of Fame already as Byrds the chances of their next group making it as well may not seem likely, especially since they lacked a hit of any kind. But while country and rock had merged successfully before, it was FBB that really took it to the next level and started the 70's country-rock movement. Parsons has tons of respect and multiple nominations already as a solo performer but the group might be the better bet and more deserving than Gram alone.
Qualifications: 6
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Genesis |
A group with two distinct stylistic eras, symbolized by two future solo star lead singers, Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, the latter of whom scored hits on his own while still fronting the group simultaneously. But solo careers aside, the credentials of Genesis are strong on their own. Their progressive 70's work gives them appeal to that constituency, while a solid run of mainstream hits from the mid-80's to early 90's keep their familiarity high elsewhere, making them a perfect compromise candidate for prog-shy voters.
Qualifications: 7
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The Go-Go's |
For a brief time the Go-Go's were the biggest female group on the planet, the faces of new wave excitement of the early 80's and just as capable as any male rock group of creating headlines. They burned out after three stellar albums, though Belinda Carlisle did have a decent solo career later in the decade, but they definitely left their mark. Whether 25 years later they'll get the critical respect needed to justify an induction remains to be seen, though they may get some support over the next few years and should eventually get in.
Qualifications: 7
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Lesley Gore |
One of the most successful solo female rock artists of the 60's Gore had a four consecutive Top Ten hits, including a #1 smash to kick off her career. In addition she had one of rock's first feminist anthems in "You Don't Own Me"and her records, produced by Quincy Jones and often written by Gore herself, were among the most polished of their day, with Lesley's shimmering double-tracked vocals standing out. Certainly the equal in both stature and chart showing to Dusty Springfield, who's already been elected, which could give Gore a chance in the unlikely event that the somewhat square image she has in retrospect can be overcome.
Qualifications: 5
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Grand Funk Railroad |
A string of huge albums in the early 70's, followed by a more successful singles-oriented run in the mid-70's, make Grand Funk Railroad one of the decade's consistent bands. The fact that their biggest hits were covers and they're viewed as more of a second tier hard-rock outfit when compared to their contemporaries have likely hurt their chances at a nomination. Probably destined to remain in the station.
Qualifications: 5
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Hall & Oates |
Another case of artists who's appeal ventured too far into the pop mainstream for voters to take seriously, despite their obvious connection with the beloved R&B sounds of their youth. Among the most successful artists during the 80's they deserve more credit than they currently receive, but a lack of influence and virtually no modern appreciation of either their style or their work severely hurts any chance of induction unless a total re-evaluation of the era is undertaken.
Qualifications: 7
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Screamin' Jay Hawkins |
Having no hits didn't stop the Velvet Underground from making the Hall Of Fame and the similarly hitless Hawkins was just as revolutionary in his time. In truth he may have had one uncharted hit, as "I Put A Spell On You" faced an outright radio ban due to its "cannibalistic nature" in 1956, but reportedly sold over a million copies. But his real impact was found in his eccentric over the top delivery and the creation of the theatrical stage show, which included climbing out of a coffin on stage and introducing pyrotechnics to rock concerts. The first underground rock star of note.
Qualifications: 6
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Heart |
You'd think that this group would've been inducted by now, not only for having a deserving set of credentials, including nine Top Ten hits, but also because they featured two of rock's most successful in-band female performers in lead singer Ann Wilson and guitarist Nancy Wilson, which is a chance to spread gender equity the HOF voters usually don't pass up. In addition they were the rare hard-rock group that didn't become excessive, something the style was known for, and were remarkably versatile along the way. Why the wait?
Qualifications: 7
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The Hollies |
One of many British groups of the 60's taken for granted in subsequent years and of whom Graham Nash has already been honored by the Hall as a member of Crosby, Stills & Nash, making the Hollies chance for induction even slimmer. Still, they were a consistant presence during the latter half of the decade and into the 70's even without Nash. Too laid back without the critical acclaim accompanying it to be considered a serious contender however.
Qualifications: 5
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