5 1970s bands that deserve to be in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but will be left out

Some Phish enthusiasts argue that album sales don’t necessarily reflect quality, but when it comes to being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sales do play a role. They offer a rare global measure of a band’s popularity. While Phish has a strong fanbase in America, their presence elsewhere is limited. Both concert ticket sales and album sales help tell this story about their success.

To qualify for the Rock Hall, a band must have influence and impact beyond the United States. The Tragically Hip is equally deserving as Phish, yet they may never make it due to their strong Canadian following, but limited presence elsewhere. It seems unfair to prioritize the U.S. in a hall that’s meant to celebrate global music greatness.

In addition to selling nearly as many records (eight million) as Phish, The Tragically Hip’s concerts in Canada are equally significant. If they had emerged during the 1970s, their sound would have fit perfectly with that era’s bands. Unfortunately, although they deserve it, they likely won’t be inducted among the iconic groups from that decade.

The Tragically Hip, who have sold eight million records like Phish and played equally important gigs in Canada, would have been a great fit for the 1970s music scene. Had they existed then, they might have been grouped with other iconic bands of that decade, but unfortunately, they probably won’t receive the recognition they deserve.

Five bands from the 1970s that deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (but likely never will be)

Styx

For nearly six years, spanning from 1977 to 1983, Styx ranked among the world’s most successful bands. They have achieved this status by selling over 30 million records and producing eight top-10 singles. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame often acknowledges artists for their long-term success on the charts, and in that regard, Styx truly stands out. Their chart journey began with the hit “Lady” in 1973, and it ended with “Show Me the Way” in 1990.

REO Speedwagon

REO Speedwagon surpassed Styx in album sales, yet their period of peak success was relatively brief. However, they boasted an impressive 13 top-40 singles, demonstrating their immense popularity. Moreover, their concert tours continued to sell out until the band announced its disbandment last year. Similar to REO Speedwagon, Styx and Foreigner share a comparable level of success, with Foreigner being inducted into the hall of fame in 2024.

In the late ’70s and early ’80s, the impact of the foreign band may not have been as crucial as that of REO Speedwagon when it came to album sales, but they still made a significant mark during that time.

Boston

In a spectacular start, Boston’s first album was an enormous commercial success, with almost 20 million copies sold. However, their subsequent albums didn’t match this initial success, although the second and third still performed exceptionally well when compared to most records from that time. What truly earns Boston a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is their profound impact on other bands.

Billy Corgan was heavily inspired by the “wall of sound” approach when he produced much of the Smashing Pumpkins’ early albums. Boston has significantly impacted the evolution of heavier alternative music.

Motörhead

The Rock Hall’s apparent disregard for heavier rock genres might be indicated by the fact that Motörhead, despite their significant influence on metal music spanning decades and the ongoing relevance of their songs, has not yet been inducted. The addition of “Ace of Spades” to a key scene in Apple TV’s Severance series suggests an enhancement of the show due to its inclusion.

This version maintains the original meaning while using simpler language and clearer sentence structures.

As a dedicated gamer, I’d put it like this: “Lemmy Kilmister from Motörhead has been a beacon of inspiration in my life, guiding me on what to do and what not to do. And although it infuriates me that he wasn’t inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I choose to honor his legacy in a way that feels fitting.

Blue Oyster Cult

Band of Crash (BOC) presents a compelling case for induction. With over 24 million records sold worldwide, it’s striking that nearly 70% of these sales occurred outside the United States. This global appeal is undeniably impressive. Furthermore, their impact on the music industry is substantial. In fact, one might wonder where bands like Ghost would be without the powerful sounds of BOC.

2025-04-18 19:30

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