We severely doubt that there will be anytime soon where music fans will debate the validity of Rap music especially in terms of its placement in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To those who raise that vocal inquiry, we can only imagine the reaction should the Proto Rap pioneer, Gil Scott-Heron get in.

The term heir apparent is used far too often in Pop Culture. Lou Gehrig may have proved to be the rightful heir to Babe Ruth in the Yankees, but while Eric Lindros had a decent hockey career, his original nickname of the “Next One” (In reference to Wayne Gretzky’s moniker of the “The Great One”) was a title he couldn’t quite live up to. If Rock and Roll had a career equivalent it might be the band once thought to be the heir to the Beatles; Badfinger.

Punk and Disco may have dominated the late 70’s, but that didn’t mean that Rock bands did not break through. The English band Dire Straits managed to churn out some music that has had some astounding staying power over the years.

Although none of the members of the NIHOF committee were alive when Ben E. King achieved his greatest success, we were among the millions that rediscovered him with the re-release of his signature song, “Stand by Me”. Those that found him again, found one of the smoothest voices of and most sophisticated voices of all time.