Current Rock and Roll Inductees (240)
With the ability to make Rock music danceable, and Dance music sound like Rock, Prince quickly emerged as one of the most influential and important musicians of the 80’s and beyond. A listen to the Purple Rain Soundtrack is all anyone needs to hear to understand his credentials.
In their heyday, their music was a ferocious power attack that was among the most innovative of the Hip Hop genre. Lyrically, they were a Hardcore Rap group that brought back political commentary from a true urban point of view that was not seen since the days of Gil Scott-Heron. The entire combination made for a controversial and influential group…
One of the most successful Rock bands of all time, Queen was also one of the most diverse. The Queen discography showcases multiple influences and is a joy to listen to from beginning to end.
Radiohead’s lead singer, Thom Yorke once said that they “constantly absorbed music”, and the overall (and continuing) discography of the band reflects that statement. This isn’t a band that copies, but has always evolved adopting a myriad of genres so well that Radiohead is almost a genre in itself.
Arguably, the most important American Punk band of all time, the Ramones are amongst the most influential artists in music history. Stripped down Rock and Roll was never so good.
If there was a Hall of Fame for misinterpreted sarcasm set to music, Randy Newman would have been a lock a long time ago. As such, the Singer/Songwriter with the biting sense of humor has found himself waited longer than most for the accolade of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
They may have not been the first purveyors of Blue Eyed Soul or even the best, but they were the most commercially viable of the 60’s and some ways the most fun. With a legacy like that, they were inducted without question to the Hall
A certified legend in Rock and Roll, Blues, Gospel and Soul, it can be easily argued that the first fifteen years of Ray Charles’ career should be required listening for anyone who really wants to understand Rock’s early days.
With their amazing blend of Funk, Punk, Rock and Rap, the Red Hot Chili Peppers sounded like no other band before or since. With unequaled energy and incredible innovation, the Peppers took the California sound to places that their musical Mecca never thought possible, and did so with millions of people listening.
From underground to Cult band to the top Alternative band in North America, R.E.M, hit it big doing things their way. That alone earned them their first year induction. Inducted in 1997. From Athens, Georgia, U.S.A.
Generally, Teen Idols don’t find their way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Ricky Nelson was far more talented than the average Teen Idol. Nelson flourished in the era between Elvis Presley’s Army stint and the British Invasion and his brand of Rock and Roll was better than he got credit for.
They say that the Righteous Brothers practically invented “Blue Eyed Soul”, and along with that rarely debated label came some of the most beautiful songs ever made. They may not be the hardest of Rockers, but they are among the most timeless.
If you ask the average person which Beatle’s solo work is not currently recognized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, most would correctly predict Ringo Starr. If you ask that same person who had the least amount of solo hits of the Beatles they would incorrectly pick Starr, who had the exact same amount of top ten hits…
They called themselves the “Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World” and they have the swagger to back it up. Their career is as impressive as anyone else on this list.
Immortalized in a plane crash and made an icon from a movie, Ritchie Valens was the first Latin Rock Superstar and an early precursor to Frat Rock. Valens star may have shined brighter due to his premature demise but had he survived he had the talent to have had a long standing career.
Before he ventured way too far into Adult Contemporary, Rod Stwewart was among the most revered Rockers and Blue Eyed Soul stars around. His first decade of work solidified his Hall of Fame slot.
The great girl group of the early 60’s was fronted by the sultry voiced Ronnie Spector who was quite the exotic beauty in her day. It was said that Phil Spector had lobbied for years to deny the Ronettes to the Hall due to his acrimonious divorce from Ronnie and considering they were inducted soon after Phil’s legal woes there…
Roy Orbison’s voice did not seem made for Rock and Roll, but he used that powerful voice to make some of the most beautiful songs of the early Rock and Roll era. His image and sound remain amongst the most distinct in Rock history.
We wondered aloud if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just plain forgot about our next selection. It is curious that with both the Velvet Underground and the Talking Heads enshrined that Roxy Music; the premier Art Rock band between them has not received a serious look for induction.
With all due respect to Grandmaster Flash, it was Run-D.M.C. that should have been the first Rap act to the Hall. Granted they were not the first, but their impact was so vital, the inaugural Rap slot should have gone to them.