Although Alice in Chains has been pegged primarily as a Grunge band, of the slew of Seattle bands AIC may have been the one that drew more from the Heavy Metal set than the rest.  They were very successful, charting often despite gloomy material and a dirty Post Punk sound. Equally adept at acoustic performances, AIC was a favorite among many who followed the Alternative set.  It can’t be argued that Nirvana will lead the Grunge charge for the Hall, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Alice in Chains will follow them in if a couple of the other Grunge acts get in.

Generally you don’t think of Nebraska when you look for influential Alternative bands but that is where we find 311, a band that combined Rap Metal with Funk and Reggae.  They built their following slowly with constant touring and grass roots promotion.  Over time, they escaped the American Mid West and achieved National prominence as a key Alternative band.  They did not reach the critical acclaim that other bands of their ilk did and this could be a big reason that they don’t receive the call from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

A superstar in the Adult Alternative world, Sarah McLachlan’s atmospheric Pop-Folk blend garnered her many friends worldwide. Her song writing and vocal skills made her very successful on both the critical and commercial front. It can be argued that her greatest musical contribution was the creation of Lilith Fair, which celebrated the female songwriter and helped launch a few careers with it. She may not come across like a Rock Star, but there are parallels between her and other women who are already in.

In looking back, it is arguable that Warrant was the last real star of the genre of Hair Metal. They really defined what the genre was all about: sex, partying, fun that was far from clean and the power ballads. They did have significant chart success in 1989 and 1990, but like so many others of their ilk, they were wiped off the face of the musical earth shortly after. They are now viewed as a guilty pleasure and “Cherry Pie” is now a mid life crisis song. Does this make them a Hall of Fame act? Only if Def Leppard and Poison get in first!