Perhaps best described as Jefferson Airplane from Hell, the Chicago based band took Psychedelic music and infused with Harder Rock and every satanic and Wiccan image they could think of. Fronted by the siren, Jinx Dawson, Coven became an embodiment of the early look of Heavy Metal (though they did not always sound like it) with their horned finger salute and embracement of all the dark elements of society. The great irony is that this band’s best known hit was when Dawson sang “One Tin Soldier” (credited to Coven) from the Billy Jack Soundtrack, but if that was your only exposure to Coven, then you really haven’t heard them.

This one is a little tricky. As the owner of the ultimate Heavy Metal vocal chords Ronnie James Dio has an overall career that could be considered Hall of Fame worthy. However, to the best of our knowledge, The Hall does not work this way. His 80’s band Dio, may have been his high water mark where his screeching vocals found a place as some of the most pure Heavy Metal of the decade. Ronnie James Dio is again the wildcard in the situation and although the overall performance of Dio may not be enough to get in the Hall they may feel that he personally warrants induction.

When it is said that a musician redefined sexuality, it could be argued that this statement could only meant for Grace Jones. Her androgynous beauty, swaggering confidence and aggressive vocals helped alter Dance music at the advent of the 80’s. Jones shifted away from music to concentrate on a film career, but had she focused primarily on music, she likely would have been ranked higher or have had a better shot to get inducted.

The Country flavored Pop of Dr. Hook became a big part of the Soft Rock songs that was perfect for AM radio in the 70’s. Their music was a little quirky, as was the band themselves. Many songs were riddled with satire and their concerts were not traditional by any means. Dr. Hook could deliver (and did) songs that were your basic love song, but they were actually at their best when they were at their most unconventional.