Lynyrd Skynyrd may be the definition of Southern Rock. Their down home Country crossed with Rock approach has left a long list of songs that still resonate across the South an Classic Rock radio stations today.

With a distinctive trumpeting style and an even more distinctive singing voice, Louis Armstrong was a Jazz superstar who crossed barriers throughout his career. He was one of the first black superstars who crossed over into white audiences and despite being a Jazz man is not out of place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

As one of the early R&B stars who was able to cross over to a Rock audiences in the mid 50’s, LaVern Baker’s earthy Blues style made her a natural to become a sexy star in Rock and Roll’s new world. Her pioneering efforts definitely warrant her place in the Hall.

This band is about as important to Rock and Roll as it comes. A Led Zeppelin reunion tour could be the highest grossing tour of all time and it would include an audience that had every age group represented. Sounds like an influential band to us.