It was a pleasant surprise to see Patti Smith inducted as she was certainly not catering to any mainstream Rock ideal. Still, as the Punk poet of her generation and an icon for female rockers, Patti Smith has to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Hugely successful with the Beatles; hugely successful with Wings, hugely successful on his own. Paul McCartney is a living legend; enjoy him while we can.
Many have said that Paul Simon really shone as a solo star apart from Art Garfunkel and considering the vast success he had it is hard to completely counter that point. Simon is a dual inductee and is equally deserving of both accolades.
The main representative of the Philly Soul sound in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the O’Jays and with dominance on the R&B charts in the 70’s their legacy is more than secure.