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Ivory Joe Hunter |
Hunter was an unlikely rock star who first recorded back in the 1930's but hit his peak in the 1950's wracking up three of his four #1 R&B hits in that decade, including the classic ballad, "Since I Met You Baby". In addition he was the first black artist to own his own record label and to merge R&B with country, years before Ray Charles got credit for the same move. A brilliant songwriter, pianist and vocalist, Hunter is equally worthy of a look as either an Early Influence or as a Main Performer.
Qualifications: 6
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Iron Maiden |
Considering the lack of metal acts inducted so far things don't look promising for Maiden, especially considering they didn't have the crossover appeal of some of their contemporaries who broke through the mainstream with a handful of singles from time to time. Maiden on the other hand were immensely popular album artists among hardcore metal heads with little recognition outside that fan base. If the style itself starts getting more attention from voters, which has recently begun to happen, their chances go up, but they will probably remain a long shot regardless of their credentials.
Qualifications: 6
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Janet Jackson |
The youngest member of the Jackson musical clan and the one who initially seemed least likely to follow in the family business when she became a child actress of note on the hit TV show Good Times. When she did make the switch to music however in the mid-80's she quickly eclipsed all of her siblings not named Michael. Working with producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jackson popularized New Jack Swing which fast became the dominant melodic black rock style of the 90's and established herself as one of the most successful and influential female artists of the era.
Qualifications: 8
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Wanda Jackson |
She has gotten a lot of grass roots support in recent years and her role as the first white female rock artist of note in the 50's gets her some cultural impact that voters seem to go for a lot. But by the mid-60's she had abandoned her rockabilly beginnings and moved into pure country, and while that didn't hurt Brenda Lee, who got inducted, Jackson doesn't have Lee's overall body of work or massive chart success to fall back on. Of course, she did briefly date Elvis Presley, which can't hurt her chances. A good bet as a dark horse despite a lack of really strong credentials.
Qualifications: 5
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Rick James |
The last word on funk in the 70's came from James who scored four #1 R&B hits in his career and had his most remembered song with the ubiquitous "Super Freak" before turning most of his attention to producing. Mounting legal troubles and his eccentric image sank his reputation before an early death brought renewed attention to his work. Controversial and at times nearly a caricature of himself, but lingering name recognition might make him an outside contender.
Qualifications: 5
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Tommy James & The Shondells |
Little respect despite a lot of hits in rock's most revered decade. James pulled the somewhat remarkable feat of going from a garage rock idol to making more opulent hits, keeping pace with the times and remaining successful throughout it all. But the years since haven't been kind to the image of the group during any of those stages, even though their biggest songs remain widely identifiable and have been frequently covered and made hits again. A rarity in that they are a big name long shot.
Qualifications: 6
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Jan & Dean |
A duo that is easy to underrate because their on-record attitudes were so carefree and jokey at times that it masked how musically innovative they were, particularly Jan Berry who was among the first rock artists to fully take control of the studio process. They were the only artists ever to hit #1 on the charts with a surf-themed record, 1963's "Surf City", made one of the most ambitious concept albums ever in "Pop Symphony #1", and had a long run of hits in multiple styles from 1958-1966 before Berry was nearly killed in a car crash, essentially ending their career. The top eligible duo in rock not yet in.
Qualifications: 7
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Jethro Tull |
One of the more popular progressive artists of the early 70's with two chart topping albums, decent singles showings (especially in England), a unique blend of styles and an enduring image as innovators. All that would normally be enough to get at least a nomination but they remain hamstrung by the lack of mainstream critical appreciation of the style itself. If that can be overcome they stand maybe the best overall chance at induction for a prog-rock artist.
Qualifications: 6
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Joan Jett & The Blackhearts |
Though sporting somewhat of a cartoonish image, despite some enduring songs, Jett has the name recognition that will always keep her chances of garnering at least a nomination alive. The Hall's propensity for wanting to see viable female candidates on the ballot will also help, but despite her one towering achievement, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", she will face increasing competition from newly eligible women as time goes on, which will dim her chances even further.
Qualifications: 5
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Journey |
A solid but unspectacular career for what many perceive to be a second tier arena rock band doesn't bode well for their chances, especially since they've been eligible since 1997 and haven't gotten a sniff from the voters. Don't expect that to change in upcoming years. But in respected lead singer Steve Perry and a string of hits throughout the 80's, they have enough credentials to at least be considered, though it is unlikely the results will change.
Qualifications: 5
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Judas Priest |
Being one of the poster bands for a rock sub genre that always appealed more to teenage boys than voting age critics have most likely crippled Judas Priest's chances at induction despite having massive influence within that style, not only musically but image-wise as well. Like most metal stars they have very little in the way of crossover songs to make them more familiar to the mainstream and indicates to voters an appeal to notoriously loyal metal fans only. Unfair perception maybe, but true.
Qualifications: 5
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Kansas |
Two big hits that remain radio staples isn't enough to get more than passing consideration from the Hall. The fact they have a somewhat unique style means they're unlikely to receive any major sub genre support either leaving them just one of many successful artists who left a small mark along the way, but not enough one to get more than a brief glance if that. Though their fans will cry foul they have no real chance for even a nomination at any point.
Qualifications: 5
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King Crimson |
One of, if not the very first, progressive rock groups in existence, gets them some quality innovation and influence points but it hasn't been enough so far to get them looked at. Although prog itself remains a solid rock sub genre in terms of fan appeal, the lack of any sustained major mainstream success for King Crimson, combined with a non-set lineup and the voting body's general dismissal of the style itself, doesn't add up to a likely induction despite their credentials as groundbreakers.
Qualifications: 6
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Ben E. King |
Since he's already in as a member of the Drifters it seems unlikely he'd get a second induction as a solo artist, but the fact that he has two immortal singles in "Stand By Me" and "Spanish Harlem", along with a string of other hits, means he's always a candidate for more consideration. Had a huge comeback single in the mid-70's that hit #1 on the R&B Charts but nevertheless is thought of mainly for his early 60's output, which might make him appear to have a rather short lived peak career. He's been nominated before so he could get another in the future if the voters feel the need for another living artist from that era to induct.
Qualifications: 6
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KISS |
They get a lot of scorn by critics and non-fans not inclined to take seriously a group dressed up freakishly with a bassist known as much for the length of his tongue and his sexual conquests as anything else, but KISS were absolutely huge in their day, retain a surprisingly large following still, and were among the most over the top in a decade known for its decadence. Going by strict credentials KISS certainly did enough to get in but ironically will need to overcome the image they worked so hard crafting in order to do so.
Qualifications: 7
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Kool & The Gang |
The split in styles that separates the 70's funk-era Kool & The Gang, which would garner strong support, and the ballad oriented 80's era after adding new vocalists J.T. Taylor, which would probably not be as widely supported, could be affecting the chances of the group to make headway in voters eyes. If enough voters can consider their entire body of work rather than just focusing on whatever part is most dominant in their memories they have more than enough success and innovation to make it.
Qualifications: 7
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Kraftwerk |
Two words keep them an outside threat for enshrinement - unique influence. Groundbreaking use of electronics changed the face of popular music from the 70's onward. Their influence is well documented even as their music remains curiously unknown and a lack of mainstream familiarity is always dangerous to any artist's chances. Their notoriety will keep their candidacy afloat however, even though it probably won't ever be enough to get them in.
Qualifications: 5
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Major Lance |
One of the pillars of Chicago soul in the 60's Lance wracked up more than a dozen hits in that decade, two of which, "The Monkey Time" and "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um", remain staples of the genre to this day. Yet the Windy City soul sound which was huge throughout the decade is woefully underrepresented in the Hall with only the Impressions making it so far, and so if they're searching for another candidate Lance fits the bill and is highly regarded by connoisseurs of the style.
Qualifications: 5
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Huey Lewis & The News |
Though today they get little respect Huey Lewis & The News were among the most dominant artists of the 80's, both in singles and albums, utilized the video form as well as anyone in MTV's early days, and they helped define the decade musically with their back-to-basics rock style. For too long voters have used image as a determining factor with some candidates, and Lewis, who once said it was hip to be square, may fall prey to that at first, but 12 Top Ten hits are too big to ignore forever and so they should get in eventually.
Qualifications: 7
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Little Anthony & The Imperials |
One of the longer lasting vocal groups to emerge in the 50's, beginning singing exquisite street corner harmony with the smash "Tears On My Pillow" in 1958, they then weathered multiple shifts in the musical landscape around them, scoring again with an uptown soul delivery for a string of hit mid-60's sides that remain widely admired. Anthony Gourdine was one of the most distinctive lead singers in rock and they nicely span two popular eras and styles, which might help if voters seek to have a more diverse roster on stage in a future ceremony.
Qualifications: 6
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Little Feat |
The Hall is noted for giving a recognized and respected figure they wish to honor an induction within a group that otherwise might have trouble even being mentioned for a nomination. Such could be the case with the late Lowell George who's Little Feat was among the more critically acclaimed groups of the 70's. Hugely admired within music circles but the general public is much less aware of them and with George's death decades back they might not be as appealing to voters. Still, they remain a decent long shot candidate.
Qualifications: 5
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Love |
On the commercial side Love is among the least likely candidates for induction, as they were virtually unknown outside their Los Angeles home base, but the critical side makes them a constant threat. Their "Forever Changes" album is considered to be among the greatest ever released and frontman/songwriter Arthur Lee was one of the most inspired musical geniuses to emerge from the late 60's. Maybe a long shot based on sheer accomplishment but not without a chance thanks to their enduring lofty reputation.
Qualifications: 5
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Lonnie Mack |
An outside chance at best but with a wide amount of support from those in and around music since Mack is considered one of the great rock guitarists of all-time, a seminal influence on Stevie Ray Vaughan for one. His only major hit was his 1963 instrumental cover of Chuck Berry's "Memphis", but his other material, including the cult-favorite "Why?" featuring his intense vocals, place him among those whose impact far outreaches their accomplishments in the eyes of many.
Qualifications: 5
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The Manhattans |
One of the longer lasting vocal groups had hits in four decades, from the mid-60's to the 90's, and were a dominant force in the 70's when they scored their lone #1 hit on the Pop Charts, as well as 9 others that hit the Top Ten on the R&B Charts. They were widely respected over the years and have plenty of support from within the music community for at least a nomination. The fact that the style itself is still struggling to get the respect from voters it deserves makes their chances seem even more remote right now, but that could change.
Qualifications: 5
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The Marvelettes |
Motown groups tend to be lumped together by some to begin with and without a "big name" lead that people can instantly identify those groups often get viewed as faceless interchangeable cogs in the Motown machine. But it was the Marvelettes who put the label on the map with "Please Mr Postman", the first #1 pop hit the company had, which solidified Motown's standing considerably when they needed it most. Eight more Top Ten R&B Hits followed and they were one of the first - and most diverse sounding - female groups of note in rock 'n' roll which by rights should be more than enough. Long overdue.
Qualifications: 7
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The MC5 |
Groundbreaking proto-punk band who's attitude defined the style to come. Like many in that sub genre they were without much commercial success but commanded a huge underground following with one near-immortal live album to their credit which launched their career. In the process they completely altered the image of Detroit music, which had been dominated by Motown's accessible style, but now took on a nastier edge thanks to them. That the Stooges have gotten multiple nominations bodes well for their own chances at recognition in the future.
Qualifications: 6
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