One of the top of acts from Australia, Midnight Oil initially struggled to achieve stardom but when they did they were able to bring their brand of Alternative Rock to more than just their native Australia. Their politicized messages while often rooted in their own national causes were still able to strike a chord with youth worldwide. Already reaching legendary status in Australia, it is possible that Midnight Oil could crack the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as they did achieve a solid level of success in America.

The Raspberries were an early 70’s Power Pop group that echoed the sound of the British Invasion. Problem was, they did so at a time when many music fans were craving a harder sound and much of the music that they created was considered “uncool” at the time. Time has reflected very well on the Raspberries and the slickly produced music they made proved to be influential in years that followed. Should the Hall wish too induct an early Power Pop group, they may look at this band that gave the Rock world Eric Carmen and induct them as opposed to Big Star or Badfinger.

The Scottish Hard Rock group Nazareth had a great run in the 70’s with some driving Rock songs and a Proto Power Ballads. There is not a Classic Rock station in North America that doesn’t play their songs. Nazareth did achieve a level of success that could potentially garner them a look from the Hall and there is no doubt that straight up Rock bands have a place in the Hall. There is however a long line up of bands like Nazareth and the question is whether they could overtake the others of their ilk who may be ahead of them.

Although the Rolling Stones have been often thought of as the chief rival to the Beatles in the 60’s, it was the fellow Liverpool alumni Gerry and the Pacemakers who was the first to challenge the Fab Four in terms of popularity. Their first three singles charted #1 in the U.K. which made them the first band to accomplish that feat. What hindered the Pacemakers was the very thing that made them popular. Their music was light and bouncy and as the times abruptly changed in the mid 60’s, they were not able to change with it. By 1966, they were finished, but to those who relished the carefree sound of the Mersey Beat there were none better.