The original “gangster of love” may have had the most versatile axe careers of all the guitarists on this list. Johnny “Guitar” Watson was a Blues star in the 50’s and easily one of the masters of the Stratocaster. Watson switched off to become a Funk specialist in the 70’s, which showed off his range and ability. The amount of guitarists (Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steve Miller and Sly Stone for example) who claimed to have learned or borrowed from Watson is a long one indeed. What hurts Watson for induction is as acclaimed as he was in music circles, he too often drifted out of the spotlight and he just isn’t known as much as he probably should be.

The formula for Rock success is generally not two girls with a guitar but the politically aware Indigo Girls took their songwriting to levels of popularity they likely never imagined. With lyrical stances of both social and political natures, they gained numerous fans and were able to deliver their messages in a harmonious fashion. They gained enough success and they could be a statement induction for gender and sexual orientation equity in the Hall.

Maybe the Eagle with the highest “Rock credibility”, Joe Walsh was a brilliant guitar player with an under appreciated sense of introspection with his music. As such, he was the most relatable of the Eagles and an informal poll of Eagles fans would likely result in Joe Walsh being the favorite. Already in as a member of the Eagles, it is unlikely that Walsh will go in a second time.

There can be no argument that this was a weaker effort than Paul Weller’s work with the Jam, but by no means does this outfit deserve some of the bad press it received. The Blue Eyed Soul Sophist-Pop was very textured and diverse but with the love that the Jam had within Great Britain it was as if they wanted Weller to fail. Having said that; the best chance for the deserving Paul Weller to break into the Hall is with the Jam.