A controversial selection to us as despite the huge status of Smokey Robinson, his best work was clearly with the Miracles (who were inducted decades after) and was clearly superior to his solo career. Robinson should be in the Hall, but the Miracles should have entered at the same time. Inducted in 1987. From Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

It is really hard to find a place on the world that has not heard a Neil Diamond song, nor a band that hasn’t covered one. Diamond has one of those rare gifts of writing music that has a timeless quality about them and for someone classified as an Adult Contemporary artist he could put on a show with the dynamic force of performers half his age. The mid 70’s found Diamond’s music continue to get softer which may have gained him new listeners, but did him no favors with the critics. Regardless, as long as current artists and new fans keep “discovering” Diamond (especially his early work), his legacy will continue to grow, as will his chances to be inducted.

As popular music grew, television made it a visual medium. Landmark moments were created; as anyone alive could tell you about the first time they saw the grinding hips of Elvis Presley or waiting in anticipation to see the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. Viewing these icons made fans want to see them more and the era of concerts began. Most artists were content to just play their songs in front of a crowd; Alice Cooper wanted to tell a story. An Alice Cooper concert was not like anything else that had ever been done before. Incorporating elements of horror movies and vaudeville to create an elaborate stage act, his theatrics were combined with an underrated song writing style that appealed to the youth of his generation like few had before. Rock history views Cooper as the father of Shock Rock and a key player in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal’s evolution. The 1970’s brought Alice Cooper a lot of success and considering his influence he certainly appears to have the resume of an enshrined artist in Cleveland. Frankly, we really can’t figure out why it took them so long.