The swaggering West Coast Hard Rock superstars conquered arenas and high school smoker’s pits in the late 70’s and early 80’s.  In terms of hits and album sales there are no other Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band that was more successful than Van Halen.

Inducted in their first year of eligibility, U2 remain as superstars who are both relevant and can sell out a stadium.  Even on a list as powerful as this one, that is one hell of an accomplishment.

One of the great bands from England (which says a lot), Traffic was a brilliant meld of Blues, Psychedelic, Jazz and Folk.  To some this was a band that didn’t deserve such an accolade, but to those who really heard them it was a necessary induction.

A band that embodied Blue Collar America, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers put out solid Rock album after Rock album and spectacular concert after concert.  It is this hard work ethos that makes them still a solid attraction today.