There have been many bands that were known for their experimentalism, but we are hard pressed to find a band that used more non Rock genres to create music that found its way into the Rock canon.  In a decade that celebrated independent music, Stereolab may have had the most “independent” sound of all.  Like much of the Krautrock sound that seemed to inspire them, Stereolab had to settle for devoted fans and acclaimed albums but a position rooted in the underground.  Underground can make the Hall, but it will be a tall order for it to happen.

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 had they “played by the rules”.

The Prodigy were one of the most successful electronic bands of the 1990’s, but there were many who did not necessarily view them as electronic.

Out of Buffalo, New York, Mercury Rev did not exactly come from a musical hot spot, but they are one of those rare American bands that are bigger overseas than they are in their native country.

Considered the pioneers of Stoner Metal, Kyuss developed an earthy type of Metal that had the traditional aggression associated with Metal but with a spaced out feel.  This Alternative form of Metal was unique and gave them critical love and a solid fan base, but it failed to generate any significant album sales.  As unique as they were, it was a difficult band to imitate and it still trying to be sorted out just how influential they really were.  Should members of this band get in, it would be from with Queens of the Stone Age.