The Country flavored Pop of Dr. Hook became a big part of the Soft Rock songs that was perfect for AM radio in the 70’s. Their music was a little quirky, as was the band themselves. Many songs were riddled with satire and their concerts were not traditional by any means. Dr. Hook could deliver (and did) songs that were your basic love song, but they were actually at their best when they were at their most unconventional.

Merle Haggard is about is “Country” as it comes but with his association with the respected Bakersfield Sound and Outlaw Country Movement, Haggard has found himself among the elite in terms of respect from his peers. If respect is enough to put him in to the Hall, he would be a lock but despite his massive success in Country he did not have the same crossover appeal that other Country artists had and this will probably keep Haggard out of the Hall.

An accomplished musician who blended styles that complimented his Blue Eyed Soul vocal skills , Robert Palmer became a massive star by conquering MTV “backed” by an air band of models. At the time it drew attention to Palmer but as popular as his music became it lacked the substance of his earlier work. If the Hall looks at his entire work as opposed to his hit making videos, he has an outside shot.

Upon leaving the Soft Machine, Robert Wyatt had a solo career that many critics have said surpassed his previous work. Wyatt was a talented musician whose songwriting covered anything from surreal fables to his leftist political stance. Rendered paralyzed from an accident shortly after his solo debut release, Wyatt was able to perform the rare feat of having his music be his focal point as opposed to his handicap. Still creating music, Wyatt did achieve legendary status in his native England. Had he achieved even a fraction of that notoriety in the States, he would have a shot at induction in Cleveland