Current Rock and Roll Inductees (240)
The “Killer” was a piano pounding icon and one of the first true rebels of Rock and Roll. Scandals prevented Jerry Lee Lewis from being a bigger star, but his early Rock was a huge influence on any Rocker who ever tickled the ivories.
There are many who have claimed Jimi Hendrix as the greatest guitar player who ever lived and those who don’t usually place him in their top five. Hendrix took the guitar to places it had never been before and he may very well be an influence for guitarists for generations to come.
A wonderful surprise induction, Jimmy Cliff was rivaled by only Bob Marley as the greatest ambassador for Reggae. Cliff’s international stardom might make him one of the most respected world wide on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s long list of inductees.
This could be the most interesting case in our discussion. On the surface a Folk singer just seems out of place in a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However when one looks at some of the intangibles of Joan Baez, it does not seem out of place at all.
Jimmy Reed was one of the more revered Blues men of the 50’s and his crossover appeal made him one of the more famous ones too. Multiple legends cite him as an influence and his spot in the Hall is definitely earned.
We are going to play the gender card again on this selection. There are musicians who are ranked lower on this list who may have been more successful and played in much bigger venues, but it is our guess that nobody inspired more women to pick up a guitar than Joan Jett.
The legendary “Man in Black” was more than a Country superstar, but was a key figure in the early days of Rock and Rockabilly. After he passed on, the profile of Johnny Cash actually grew and in many ways the original outlaw is respected and beloved more now than he has ever been.
If you were alive when John Lennon was killed, chances are that you remember exactly where you were when you heard the news. Lennon had that type of impact both with the Beatles and as a solo artist, and his death is still mourned today.
A Blues Legend from the heart of Mississippi Delta, John Lee Hooker’s Boogie brand of Blues combined a spoken word and Electric element that made him unique and influential. Hooker is a certifiable pioneer and belongs in the Hall.
John Mellencamp may very well be the defining sound of Middle America. His Roots Rock found a large audience and an unexpected amount of hits. His music reflected his love of the American Heartland, and that portion of America seemed to love him back.
Considered one of the greatest female songwriters of all time, Joni Mitchell is considered an iconic figure of the Folk Rock movement though her skills are not confined to that genre. She is one of the few Canadians currently inducted in the Hall.
How can a band that has not had a new hit in nearly twenty years and reviled by so many still be one of the most downloaded artists today? Despite the criticism that Journey did receive, of the “Arena Rock” bands, it can be argued that only the Steve Perry group has the ability to re-release a song and have…
In the over the top decade of the 70’s KISS were among the flashiest and you could not turn around without seeing their painted faces everywhere. Opinions on whether this theatrical band should be in the Hall are very strong on both the pro and con. Their fervent supporters will point to their massive record sales, vibrant concerts and thirty…
Far more than just a British Invasion Band, the Kinks had a long and fruitful career that was influenced by Garage, Folk and R&B and equally influenced those who followed those respective genres. They are among the top ten of the most important acts to come from the U.K. Inducted in 1990. From London, England
The original number one selection has dropped to number two. The initial holder of the sardonic title of “the most deserving band or artist who should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who is currently not in”, may once again top our list despite being a band with limited commercial appeal; weak North American sales; are largely unknown to…
Many of Laura Nyro’s songs became hits; though ironically not in the version that Nyro herself sung. An influential songwriter who touched many artists, Nyro left behind a long legacy of Singer/Songwriter material, yet did so in the vein of a Poppish, R&B style. She is far from the best known artist enshrined in Cleveland, but those that knew her…
This band is about as important to Rock and Roll as it comes. A Led Zeppelin reunion tour could be the highest grossing tour of all time and it would include an audience that had every age group represented. Sounds like an influential band to us.
As one of the early R&B stars who was able to cross over to a Rock audiences in the mid 50’s, LaVern Baker’s earthy Blues style made her a natural to become a sexy star in Rock and Roll’s new world. Her pioneering efforts definitely warrant her place in the Hall.
There were many who were surprised by Leonard Cohen’s induction to the Hall, but in terms of pure songwriting Cohen was a true master and had few peers. A true poet whose uniqueness set him apart in a world that was already unique, Cohen may not have sold a lot of albums, but he touched a lot of souls.
For many, Linda Ronstadt was Rock and Roll’s first female solo superstar. Though many women achieved success on the Rock platform, Ronstadt was a megastar in the 70’s selling out millions of albums and rescuing classic songs from oblivion. Ronstadt was the first female Rock star that could sell out an arena and with a warm voice and a collection…