One of the original divas in music, Dusty Springfield had a timeless voice that could seemingly (and was) applied to varying genres. A listen to Dusty in Memphis shows the London icon off at her best.
The Doors were the dark poets of a turbulent era. With a trippy Blues and Jazz infused Psychedelic Rock, they sounded like no other band around them, and are as big today as they were at their height in the late 60’s. They have to be considered one of the most important additions to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Controversially inducted a year later than they should have been due to a desire to put in a Rap act (The Dave Clark Five actually had more votes than Grandmaster Flash, but the latter was somehow put in anyway), the Dave Clark Five was a hit making machine during the British Invasion era. Though they had a large amount of hits, it didn’t have the staying power of the Beatles or the Rolling Stones but it was substantial enough to earn their slot in the Hall.
A true Rock Star in the era between Elvis and the Beatles, Del Shannon had a number of hits that was among the few true Rock songs in an era that gave so few. His hit song Runaway alone deserves him induction into the Hall.
The Dells dominated the R&B charts and were among the most successful Doo Wop bands ever. The Dells were not just a Doo Wop band as they incorporated Jazz, Soul and Disco into their long lasting career. The Dells were inducted in 2004, though their impact in the 50’s alone should have garnered their induction sooner than that.
Though time has trouble categorizing him, Dion was a successful artist who blended Doo Wop, R&B and Rock to create a successful blend of Pop that gained him chart success. Though his later career was not riddled with commercial success, his abilities were evident and his talent was undeniable.
Possibly the best “chameleon” in Rock history and potentially the most influential solo superstar ever there can be no doubt that David Bowie’s career is with its own Hall of Fame building adjacent to the main one in Cleveland.
Considered the link between 50’s R&B and 60’s Soul, there may be no other group that had a more beautiful sound than the Drifters. They may not have written their own material, but these were the dream voices to write for.
Possibly the most copied R&B man of the 50’s and early 60’s, Clyde McPhatter was among the first to bring the Gospel sound to the R&B world. Hopefully he will continue to gain more recognition in death than he did when he was alive.
In what essentially was a “supergroup”, the British Blues Rock band Cream could make the case for having the most talent assembled on one stage; a very impressive boast for a band with only three members. Their work was among the best the last half of the 60’s had to offer and their first two albums (Fresh Cream and Disreali Gears) should be considered required entries to any true album collector.