Although Charlie Rich was best known for his hits in the early 70’s when he was a “Countrypolitan” superstar, a closer look at Charlie Rich’s career saw an artist who was a true Country artist who blended other genres like Soul, Jazz and Rockabilly effortlessly in some of his lesser known work. Despite the mass success he enjoyed, Rich became pigeonholed to that success and seemed disinterested in creating original material by the decade’s end. A true rebel, the “Silver Fox” was massively successful, though had he wanted to he would have achieved even greater fame.

Possibly the Doo Wop group with the most “Rock and Roll” credibility, Danny and the Juniors performed Doo Wop with a fast danceable pace that might be the definition of late 50’s Rock and Roll. They scored a couple big hits and a few minor hits, but it seems indefinable to have a late 1950’s compilation album without one of their hits on it.

They were dark and moody and one of the early stars of New York City’s No Wave scene. Swans took Noise Rock and slowed it down creating a murky texture of music that was beautiful as it could be depressing. With future albums, Swans proved their ability as musicians as they utilized various other styles but still created albums that could be best described as dark and pretty. A strange feat by a strange band indeed.

A Hard Rocker who was on the fringes of Metal and Album Rock, Billy Squier exhibited a series of success during the first half of the 80’s. With some MTV success and a few singles to his credit, Squier was not able to keep momentum going and his career essentially fizzled out. Having said that, Squier was a solid guitarist and with a few Hard Rock hits to his credit, he was able to leave a mark on the music world.