176. America

Maybe it was because they were devoid of that sarcastic irony that a lot of bands have led to America being disrespected. Maybe it was because their first big hit sounded so much like Neil Young that were branded as unoriginal. The many fans that refused those negative labels found a Folk Rock group with rich harmonies and producers of some solid Soft Rock (is that an oxymoron?) music that generated them a large fan base. As the critics didn’t pander over them either, we have a hard time seeing America in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but with a series of songs that have held up reasonably well, they may eventually get the respect that they haven’t quite gotten as of yet.