As the leaders of the Lo-Fi movement in the 1990’s, Pavement developed a sizable cult following and were consistently among the top of critic’s “best of” lists during that decade. They have been called the definition of Independent Rock in the 90’s and it is easy to understand why when listening to their music. Their cryptic lyrics, penchant for feedback made them superstars in the critical music world; though not in the commercial world. Their high level of respect might be enough to counter their lack of sales (see the Velvet Underground) and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction is possible.

Trent Reznor (Basically, the only official member of Nine Inch Nails) never laid claim to creating the Industrial genre. We will say however, that this is the man that popularized it and gave it just enough if a pop sensibility to make it popular in the early to mid 90’s. As this was the decade where everything “Alternative” was given a chance, the brooding star took advantage of the opportunity and generated some of the best live performances of the past two decades.

The Manic Street Preachers may have been virtually unknown in North America, but they set the English music scene ablaze in the 90’s. Going against the Shoegazing and Acid House movements, the Manics seemed determined to put the rebelliousness back in Rock and Roll. They pushed an anarchistic Rock agenda and though they were a band that achieved notoriety though not necessarily chart success. That probably does not translate into a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

He did not have a lot of success as “Romeo Blue” when he looked back at developing a Retro Funk career, but under his given name of Lenny Kravitz, success was found when he channelled a Classic Blues based Rock sound mixed with a bit of Psychedelic. Retro is a great word to describe Kravitz as everything from his style, his stage presence and of course his music, had a “retro cool” feel. Even though he had a remarkably consistent career, it is that Retro label that could work against him as the Hall may feel that he was not innovative enough and musically looked too much to the past as opposed to the future.