When the United States grew tired of the girl group formula, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles found themselves without a record deal and an American audience to perform to. They reinvented themselves as LaBelle, a Rock infused Funk /Proto-Disco group with Space Age costumes and a “new attitude”. Their iconic hit, Lady Marmalade still resonates today and it has been said that this group was the prototype for the En Vogue and Destiny’s Child that followed. Patti LaBelle is the ace in the hole here, as she has had a complete career that was Hall of Fame worthy, but it in this 70’s incarnation where she was at her best.

Billy Preston should be able to enter the Hall in the Sideman category in the future which is probably how he should enter. This isn’t to say that his solo work wasn’t good, because it certainly was. His 70’s Soul Pop work was very good and infectious. It may not have been substantial enough to get him in as a solo performer, but the Sideman wing of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will probably house Billy Preston one day.

Although they did not receive the same the level of commercial success or critical acclaim as other Country Rock bands, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is one of the longest lasting and pivotal bands of the genre. They came out of the Southern California Folk Rock movement and were part of the group that melded it with Country. The Nashville community seemed to embrace the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band more than other Country Rock bands of their era, yet simultaneously they did not receive the same kind of love from the Rock and Roll community. The latter point will probably be enough to keep them out of the Hall.

Considered by many Americans to be a one hit wonder, the Norwegian band, A-ha were actually anything but. Although their breakthrough song and video, “Take On Me” was the song they are most known for, in Europe they had monumental success. At their best as a Synth Pop act, A-ha forayed into Alt Rock elements and had developed a solid reputation as band worth watching live. A-ha are true International stars, and despite an 80’s bubblegum reputation they may have within American circles, many Europeans do not see them that way.