This one is a little tricky. As the owner of the ultimate Heavy Metal vocal chords Ronnie James Dio has an overall career that could be considered Hall of Fame worthy. However, to the best of our knowledge, The Hall does not work this way. His 80’s band Dio, may have been his high water mark where his screeching vocals found a place as some of the most pure Heavy Metal of the decade. Ronnie James Dio is again the wildcard in the situation and although the overall performance of Dio may not be enough to get in the Hall they may feel that he personally warrants induction.

When it is said that a musician redefined sexuality, it could be argued that this statement could only meant for Grace Jones. Her androgynous beauty, swaggering confidence and aggressive vocals helped alter Dance music at the advent of the 80’s. Jones shifted away from music to concentrate on a film career, but had she focused primarily on music, she likely would have been ranked higher or have had a better shot to get inducted.

The Country flavored Pop of Dr. Hook became a big part of the Soft Rock songs that was perfect for AM radio in the 70’s. Their music was a little quirky, as was the band themselves. Many songs were riddled with satire and their concerts were not traditional by any means. Dr. Hook could deliver (and did) songs that were your basic love song, but they were actually at their best when they were at their most unconventional.

Merle Haggard is about is “Country” as it comes but with his association with the respected Bakersfield Sound and Outlaw Country Movement, Haggard has found himself among the elite in terms of respect from his peers. If respect is enough to put him in to the Hall, he would be a lock but despite his massive success in Country he did not have the same crossover appeal that other Country artists had and this will probably keep Haggard out of the Hall.