From San Francisco the Quicksilver Messenger Service did not have hit albums or really even a hit to speak of, but they did have a reputation for having an excellent live act and were one of the first “Jam” bands of note. The latter could make them a potential entrant as the style that they helped to popularize was a respected one and the San Francisco connection does not hurt either.

The first Frenchman on the list may have been equally influential creating music for the eyes as well as the ears. Jean Michel Jarre has been referred to as the man who took the synthesizer to new levels of popularity in Europe during the late 70’s. He was one of the early stars of New Age, Synth Pop, Ambient and virtually every genre that had Electronic elements in them. Jarre became internationally known for the dazzling outdoor spectacles where laser lights and fireworks set the visual backdrops to his audio masterpieces. Jarre is an accomplished musician and certainly had a Hall of Fame career…though it will likely not be a “Rock and Roll” Hall of Fame career.

In the United States, Golden Earring is known for having two huge hits ten years apart. In Europe however, they have had monstrous success and have been one of the major concert draws on that continent for over four decades. Though the success they had in the U.S. was enough to make them concert headliners for awhile, the Hard Rock act will likely not get inducted in Cleveland and may just have to settle for being the most famous Rock group to come out of Holland.

The witty lyrics of the Cockney voiced Ian Dury became a surprise hit in his native Britain. Originally a Pub Rocker, Dury delved into a Punk Rock and Disco to interesting results. With his backing band, The Blockheads, Ian Dury became a superstar in England, though his thick Cockney accent likely hampered him from American success. It is because of the latter that will keep the deceased Ian Dury from Cleveland enshrinement.