A very early R&B star, Hank Ballard helped shape the early days of Rock and Roll.  Ballard did it all, but he was at his best with his risqué version of R&B which helped to set Rock and Roll’s eventual tone.  Ballard was also important in Doo Wop and Dance craze recordings, and if any artist symbolized 50’s music, it could be argued that it would be Hank Ballard.

He may have been dubbed as the “Quiet Beatle” but it was George Harrison who first broke out as a solo star and left behind a legacy of hits and brilliant music.  Though Harrison may not have been the “favorite” Beatle when he was with the Fab Four, he may have become that of many after the success of his individual efforts.

A member of both the Rock and Roll and Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Gene Vincent was a key figure in both the early development of both genres.   Be-Bop-A-Lula is a song strong enough on its own to secure induction to both Halls.

The induction of Gene Pitney may be more of a nod to his songwriting as he penned many hits for others.  Still, Pitney’s own discography has a solid merit of his own being one of the few true Rock stars between Rock’s Origin and the British Invasion.