The critically acclaimed Jazz “supergroup” receives credit for being one of the most important (some have called them the most important) Jazz Fusion group in history. Like many such designations the label is a debatable one, though it is virtually impossible to belittle their influence on the subgenre they helped to pioneer. With the legendary Miles Davis already in the Hall, the often raised question is which offshoot or disciple of his will get in next. Weather Report is not an impossible candidate.

Much of the work of the Dead Kennedys showed off the best that Punk music had to offer. With the political anger of British Punk stars and the fiery rapid approach of American Punk performers, the Dead Kennedys may not have broken down that many doors in the Punk Rock genre but among the Punk bands of the early 80’s, the Dead Kennedys had few peers, and those who loved the genre revered them.

If you ask people about the Carpenters, chances are you will hear two distinct opinions. Those who loved them will point to the warm soothing voice of Karen Carpenter and the skillfully crafted Pop songs that they produced. Their detractors point towards their lack of Rock and Roll sound and consider their saccharine sweet music as an indicator of all that was wrong with AM radio in the 70’s. As the Carpenters have never been nominated, we figure we know what the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Committee thinks.

The laid back Blues of Slim Harpo allowed the Harmonica master more access to other audiences than his peers. Though there was no doubt that he was a Bluesman, he had a lot of pure Rock and Roll sound to him. As such, the first wave of 60’s Rock and Rollers has often cited him as a major influence. Harpo is far from the most famous Bluesman in history, nor was he the most influential, but nobody made it seem so easy.