From underground to Cult band to the top Alternative band in North America, R.E.M, hit it big doing things their way.  That alone earned them their first year induction.

Inducted in 1997.  From Athens, Georgia, U.S.A.

Arguably, the most important American Punk band of all time, the Ramones are amongst the most influential artists in music history.  Stripped down Rock and Roll was never so good.

They may have not been the first purveyors of Blue Eyed Soul or even the best, but they were the most commercially viable of the 60’s and some ways the most fun.  With a legacy like that, they were inducted without question to the Hall

Generally, Teen Idols don’t find their way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Ricky Nelson was far more talented than the average Teen Idol.  Nelson flourished in the era between Elvis Presley’s Army stint and the British Invasion and his brand of Rock and Roll was better than he got credit for.