Known primarily as a Goth band, The Sisters of Mercy combined dark imagery with an intriguing blend of Alternative Pop, Metal and Psychedelic influences.  A very polarizing band, their brooding fans identified with music on a very deep level.  Those who were not fans found them a self-aggrandizing group that was not as good as they thought they were.  Regardless of opinion, their spot as a key Goth and Alternative band is without doubt.

Although he has been classified as a British Folk star, John Martyn was an artist who easily wore many hats. Martyn was a Singer/Songwriter whose guitar skills borrowed equally from the Mississippi Delta as the plains of Scotland. An experimental artist who subtly embraced multiple genres as his career progressed, John Martyn’s talent was never in question, though for the Hall the question was just how much that respect he earned in the United Kingdom translated to America. Our guess will be not enough.

The critically acclaimed Jazz “supergroup” receives credit for being one of the most important (some have called them the most important) Jazz Fusion group in history. Like many such designations the label is a debatable one, though it is virtually impossible to belittle their influence on the subgenre they helped to pioneer. With the legendary Miles Davis already in the Hall, the often raised question is which offshoot or disciple of his will get in next. Weather Report is not an impossible candidate.

Much of the work of the Dead Kennedys showed off the best that Punk music had to offer. With the political anger of British Punk stars and the fiery rapid approach of American Punk performers, the Dead Kennedys may not have broken down that many doors in the Punk Rock genre but among the Punk bands of the early 80’s, the Dead Kennedys had few peers, and those who loved the genre revered them.