In our countdown we discuss many artists that have crossover appeal. With The Cars, we wonder if it is possible to fit into so many genres that you almost forget what genre they originally came from.

In the early 70’s, Cat Stevens established his mark as a brilliant songwriter capable of delivering hits on both sides of the Atlantic. His songs were deep, personal and introspective and to many who were followers of the Singer/Songwriter movement, Cat Stevens was considered a member of its elite. Few could be considered so powerful with such a soft singing…

A star in R&B in the late 40’s and early 50’s, Charles Brown has been said to be influential on the career of Ray Charles and Johnny Ace.  As this is considered true, Brown’s spot in the Hall was earned but shouldn’t it have been as an Early Influence instead? Inducted in 1999.  From Texas City, Texas, U.S.A.

A very early R&B star, Charlie Christian was one of the first true stars of the guitar.  His Blues work can clearly be heard in BB. King and Chuck Berry and though he deserves a place in the Hall it should be as an Early Influence and not as a Performer. Inducted in 1990.  From Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.

It is common on this list to talk about how important being a great live act is. Perhaps there is no other group on this list that had their career defined by that strength than Cheap Trick; whose take on Power Pop made them a must see attraction in the late 70’s.

The 50’s Rock superstar was required listening to those who followed.  The endless list of musicians who followed Chuck Berry who cited him as a major influence is only exceeded by those who blatantly ripped him off.  No compilation of 50’s music is complete without tracks from Chuck Berry.

Possibly the most copied R&B man of the 50’s and early 60’s, Clyde McPhatter was among the first to bring the Gospel sound to the R&B world.  Hopefully he will continue to gain more recognition in death than he did when he was alive.

An R&B group that morphed into one of the best Doo Wop groups in music history, the Coasters left behind some of the quintessential sounds of the 50’s.  A look back at the Coasters may also find some of the most fun music of the era and few could put smiles on audiences faces better than the Coasters. 

In what essentially was a “supergroup”, the British Blues Rock band Cream could make the case for having the most talent assembled on one stage; a very impressive boast for a band with only three members.  Their work was among the best the last half of the 60’s had to offer and their first two albums (Fresh Cream and Disreali…

Point blank, there was no other group that mastered vocal harmonies in Rock better than the superstar trio of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash.  They were as politically charged as they were talented and though many artists have been called the voice of their generation, this was not an exaggeration with this group.

After we came up with our rankings, it just seemed right for the Cure to be associated with number thirteen (their original rank). The mystical number might fit the gothic image of a band (who ironically despised that label) better than any other group on this list.

As a solo star, Curtis Mayfield was one of the first stars of Funk and one if the first social conscious of African American Music.  He is definitely worth to be one of the few artists to be inducted twice.

Possibly the best “chameleon” in Rock history and potentially the most influential solo superstar ever there can be no doubt that David Bowie’s career is with its own Hall of Fame building adjacent to the main one in Cleveland.

When the idea for this website was in its infancy, the first thing we did was figure who out all the eligible artists who are not in the Hall.  Many elicited a surprised reaction that they were not enshrined, but Deep Purple received the biggest “they aren’t in yet?” reaction from us. As we discussed the idea of this site…

Similar to other artists on this list we suspect that our next selection will generate polarizing opinions. Def Leppard, like many artists associated with the Hair Metal scene often has to overcome the image that the genre created.