There are a few performers in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who got in on the strength of one album, or in the rare case only ever made one album. Link Wray is the only one on this list that we feel comfortable pushing for induction based on just one song. Seriously, the influence of his instrumental song, Rumble was that important.

Considering how long he was active, Wray didn’t record a lot. Frankly, he could have stopped recording after his 1958 instrumental hit “Rumble” and still be on this list. That song introduced the world to the “power chord” and his experimentation of distortion and feedback was revolutionary for its time. Some in the music world have given Wray credit for fathering Hard Rock, Metal and Punk based on that power chord alone. Guitar legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Pete Townshend have cited him as influential, the latter stating that had it not been for Wray “he would have never picked up a guitar”. Considering the caliber of his supporters his chance for induction is certainly better than the quantity of recordings would indicate.

The Bullet Points:

Previous Rank:

2010: #40

Eligible Since:

1985

Country of Origin:

U.S.A. (North Carolina)

Why He Will Get In:

If innovation is truly to the key for induction, he certainly qualifies.

Why He Won’t Get In:

He has a very small catalogue of music

Nominated In:

Never

Essential Albums:

Link Wray & the Raymen (1960)

Link Wray (1971)

Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee:

Rumble (Single, 1958)

Raw-Hide (Single, 1959)

Comanche (Single, 1959)

Jack the Ripper (Single, 1961)

El Toro (Single, 1961)