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.
We can hear the groans with this selection already. Chances are that if you were a music lover in the 80’s you either loved this band or despised them. If you loved them, you likely had teased hair and envisioned “LeBon” as your future last name. If you hated them, you likely spent a lot of time in the smoker’s pit with a cheap ghetto blaster blaring Heavy Metal. Coincidently, the NIHOF committee had both representatives.
Welcome to the first true heavyweight entry of the Grunge question. The question is not whether a Grunge associated act will get in; because one will. The question is how many, and does the Hall have a quota. With Soundgarden now eligible, we are fascinated to see what will happen.
Some bands just have an iconic status without really trying to. From the unique way that lead singer Lemmy sings upright into the microphone, the umlaut over the second letter ö and their biker look, Motörhead may be more recognizable visually than audibly by those whom are unfamiliar with the British rockers. Of course, fans of Motörhead could never confuse them with anyone else.