Current Rock and Roll Inductees (240)
With a distinct voice and a repertoire of music spanning multiple styles, Neil Young is without a doubt an icon and almost as relevant as he was forty years ago. His fan base is still growing and a dispute that he is not worthy of the Hall would make anyone question whether that person knew what Rock music even was.
Though she was dubbed “The High Priestess of Soul”, Nina Simone was not an artist that could be classified to any genre. Capable of delivering music in varying genres, Simone’s true gift was her ability to change emotions with her singing and she could deliver that regardless of what style she sang. Where she may fail to meet the Hall’s…
Trent Reznor (Basically, the only official member of Nine Inch Nails) never laid claim to creating the Industrial genre. We will say however, that this is the man that popularized it and gave it just enough if a pop sensibility to make it popular in the early to mid 90’s. As this was the decade where everything “Alternative” was given…
There are a million paragraphs that we could write about Nirvana, on top of the million that have already been written. Here is what we will say to keep this as simple as possible: Whether you loved Nirvana, or whether you though they were overrated, the fact is that this is the band that changed the musical landscape.
To this day, many critics lists and personal lists still rate The Notorious B.I.G. as the best rapper who ever lived. He was called the savior of East Coast Rap and his storytelling ability had few equals. He didn’t romanticize the Gangster life but rapped it in a gritty realistic way. His rapping style also did not seem forced and arguably nobody…
Considered one of the pioneers of Gangsta Rap, N.W.A. was not just among the first of their kind, they might just be considered the best.
The main representative of the Philly Soul sound in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the O’Jays and with dominance on the R&B charts in the 70’s their legacy is more than secure.
As one of the most important figures in Soul music, Otis Redding was considered the most pure source of the genre. He died tragically at age 26, and it could be imagined what his creative output would have been had he lived.
It is impossible to think of 70’s Funk without thinking of the George Clinton led groups. This may not be the origin of Funk, but Parliament-Funkadelic was clearly its zenith. This also is the only “hybrid” induction of two different bands in the Hall.
It was a pleasant surprise to see Patti Smith inducted as she was certainly not catering to any mainstream Rock ideal. Still, as the Punk poet of her generation and an icon for female rockers, Patti Smith has to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Before there was the Blues Brothers, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band became the first white (though they were integrated) Blues band of note to cross over into suburbia. They did not have any major hits of note, but by breaking down racial barriers with their brand of gritty Chicago Blues they had a subtle impact. Despite their proficient technical skills,…
Hugely successful with the Beatles; hugely successful with Wings, hugely successful on his own. Paul McCartney is a living legend; enjoy him while we can.
Many have said that Paul Simon really shone as a solo star apart from Art Garfunkel and considering the vast success he had it is hard to completely counter that point. Simon is a dual inductee and is equally deserving of both accolades.
If Nirvana were the Beatles of grunge, then Pearl Jam were the Rolling Stones.The band that was originally named Mookie Blaylock, would be the largest beneficiary of the grunge movement, and of the genre easily the most principled. Perhaps the embodiment of American music for decades, Pearl Jam would become a huge band, but arguably could have been more successful…
To us, this could be the most controversial induction as beyond “When Man Loves A Woman” he didn’t have the most extensive career. With all respect to the ABBA haters, this would be our first ejection.
When the world first discovered Peter Gabriel it was as the eccentric and flamboyant lead singer of Genesis. After splitting with Genesis and starting a solo career, Gabriel moved away from the Progressive Rock sound and was able to create radio friendly songs that still kept true to his eccentric nature. Gabriel was also able to incorporate his work into…
Pink Floyd was the first (and the best by many accounts) Progressive Rock band to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. People still consider Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall as critical listening and they are still being purchased in sizable quantities today.
The Platters were one of the greatest Doo Wop Groups of the 50’s and possibly the vocal group whose hits have the most romantic quality to them. Their music may be somewhat dated in the grand scheme of things, but it is unarguably beautiful regardless of what decade it is.
Although the Police was classified as a Rock band, they owed their debt as much to Ska, Reggae, New Wave and Post Punk. They combined it all in to a sophisticated, sleek sound and captured fans around the world.
The Pretenders were led by Chrissie Hynde who remains one of the biggest female icons of Rock. With the Pretenders Rock ethos in a Post Punk world they managed to be relevant on both sides of the Atlantic. Despite their impressive resume, it was a little surprising they were inducted so quickly.