Not every Rock band dreamed of hitting it big, and many musicians did so only for their craft. Pere Ubu couldn’t possibly have dreamt of the commercial aspect of Rock and Roll, and if they ever got close to it, the band would have likely done everything they could have to stop it. Everything about Pere Ubu appeared to be “Anti-Rock and Roll” and did everything they could to disassociate themselves from it. They were (and still are) a very influential Experimental Rock band, but despite hailing from Cleveland, the only way they will get in the Hall would be to buy a ticket.

As one of the most successful R&B singers of the 80’s and 90’s, Luther Vandross dominated the charts and sold out arenas across the United States. Vandross was as creative as he was smooth, and he took more ownership of his music than a lot of R&B stars did at that time. As popular and innovative as Vandross was, the bulk of his music was veering towards Adult Contemporary sounds and though he was revered in multiple circles there are few interpretations of Luther Vandross that screamed out Rock and Roll.

Like other successful Blues artists on this list, Freddie King came from the heart of the Texas and brought the Lone Star sound across the country. King hit is apex in the early 60’s where his catchy down home Blues was more accessible than some of his peers. Similar to other Electric Blues stars, King was a huge influence on those that followed him. Where King may have suffered was with his voice as he seemed far more comfortable with his soulful instrumentals than he did behind the microphone, but when you could play like Freddie King, you didn’t need to sing that much.

Without a doubt, the most eccentric Rock star of the Golden Age, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins was a true original. With an ominous baritone voice, stage props such as coffins and skulls, Hawkins became an underground Rock star who terrified mainstream America. Screamin’ Jay had no real hits (barring I Put a Spell on You) of note, but his main contribution to the world of Rock and Roll was the use of theatrics. Musically, Hawkins is hardly the most copied artist on this list, but in terms of image he might be.