Had Bonnie Raitt not won multiple Grammys in 1990, it is possible that Bonnie Raitt would not have had a Hall of Fame career.  She was well respected for her Roots Rock, Blues blend but it was likely those Grammys and debut in the mainstream that landed her a place in Cleveland.

Bob Marley is the undisputed king of Reggae and the greatest export to come out of Jamaica.  Marley’s legend continues to grow long after his death.

Seemingly, the equivalent to a baseball player getting in on his last year of eligibility, it was almost a surprise when the Hall remembered the Soul/Gospel fusion of Bobby Womack.  Many were on the fence as to whether he should have been inducted, but a case could be made either way.

A star who melded Gospel and Soul, Bobby “Blue” Bland was a staple on the R&B charts for decades.  His vocal delivery inspired many, though he never really did crack mainstream America.  Had he tried, he probably would not have been the revered artist is he is today.