Some bands seem so poised for a breakout that you find yourself counting the days until that happens. For a couple of years, musical pundits were predicting massive things for Evan Dando and his band the Lemonheads. They pointed to their catchy songs and Dando’s good looks and with the music industry looking for the next big Alternative thing, they graced music magazine covers and critics best of lists. Their rise to the top never happened, and though they recorded acclaimed music, it never reached the mass audience that was predicted for them. With their buzz long since gone, it is doubtful that the Hall may call for them in 2011 or anytime there after.

Although female rappers are common place today, when Salt N Pepa first broke through they were the first all female rap outfit of note. They were powerful women who gave Rap a new voice. Though they were pegged as probable one hit wonders, they had a solid career crossing over to Pop and R&B with a series of hits in the 90’s. They may not necessarily get inducted for their career, but for the doors they helped to break open.

The last half of the 1980’s was very kind to Poison. They were one of the top Hair Metal bands selling out arenas world wide and dominating music television. Their music was fun party music mixed with some of the most successful power ballads of the era. Like many bands, drug abuse and infighting hampered their growth, but in the early 90’s “fun” music was not selling records anymore and Poison became synonymous with everything that was wrong with music from the 80’s. One of Poison’s biggest hits was preaching about having nothing but a good time, which was one of Rock and Roll’s original messages. They were not a deep band, but they never tried to be.

Known primarily as a band that Kurt Cobain once worshipped, Melvins were a Washington state based band that have been called by some as the true “Godfathers of Grunge”. Their music had a deliberately slow and plodding pace and their Godfather nickname does have some credence as many Grunge acts cited them as an influence. They were far from one dimensional; as they were a very experimental band whose entire catalogue shows depth. Still together, still touring and still recording, the Melvins are seemingly the last of their genre still together. Based on who they have influenced, they may have an outside shot for induction.