An accomplished musician who blended styles that complimented his Blue Eyed Soul vocal skills , Robert Palmer became a massive star by conquering MTV “backed” by an air band of models. At the time it drew attention to Palmer but as popular as his music became it lacked the substance of his earlier work. If the Hall looks at his entire work as opposed to his hit making videos, he has an outside shot.

Upon leaving the Soft Machine, Robert Wyatt had a solo career that many critics have said surpassed his previous work. Wyatt was a talented musician whose songwriting covered anything from surreal fables to his leftist political stance. Rendered paralyzed from an accident shortly after his solo debut release, Wyatt was able to perform the rare feat of having his music be his focal point as opposed to his handicap. Still creating music, Wyatt did achieve legendary status in his native England. Had he achieved even a fraction of that notoriety in the States, he would have a shot at induction in Cleveland

As another Punk Rock band from New York City, Richard Hell & the Voidoids had a brief recording career but a powerful one. Credited with helping to establish Punk’s look and style, the Voidoids released one album in 1977 which was as good as anything else the genre produced. Whether or not they can get in the strength of that album (they really didn’t do much after that) is debatable, but regardless their contribution to the genre can not be underestimated.

Despite coming out of San Francisco in the late 60’s, the Flamin’ Groovies were not your typical San Francisco band. They were not a “Hippie” band, nor were they driven by any Psychedelic influences. Like Big Star, the Flamin’ Groovies were a big part of creating the “Power Pop” genre. They were never hit makers but their influence was far reaching in generations that followed.