With Johnny Cash we come to another category in the hall, country oriented singers that are inducted as rock members. However, I will argue that Johnny deserves his induction. Johnny had many songs like Jackson, Ring of Fire, and I walk the Line make the top 40 pop charts. While making the charts does not qualify one as a rocker, many of Johnny’s songs had a certain darkness that embodied the spirit of rock, and a lot of his songs could be considered folk rock. Johnny’s output at Sun Records alone would justify his induction, plus his Nashville Skyline work with Bob Dylan assured his entrance. Johnny should be used as a measuring stick when country oriented artists are considered for membership.

Like Johnny Cash, Brother Ray Charles has a certain essence that allows him to transcend all musical boundaries. Ray has been a soulman, bluesman, country singing, standard bearing, rock and roller. Ray could sing it all and make it all sound cool. From the audience inducing What I’d Say to the instrumental One Mint Julep to Unchain My Heart to Beatle covers Yesterday and Eleanor Rigby. Ray was Mr. Electric. Even the most hardcore, bitter rockers would have been turning to pure saccharine if Ray would have covered their song. Oh baby one more time Ray. We need you back. Thankfully like Johnny Cash we have hundreds of albums where we can journey.

Eric Clapton The hall was definitely not slow in inducting ole Slowhand. One could listen to the radio all day and pick out Eric idiosyncrasies on the guitar all day. No one else sounds like Eric. From the Yardbirds to Cream to Blind Faith to Derek and the Dominoes to his guest jams on others works to his solo career, Eric’s guitar speaks to us like a warm friend, and his voice isn’t bad either. Where does one begin? Layla? Sunshine of Your Love? The Core? After Midnight? Eric even made country based tunes rock, and he gets off on ’57 Chevy’s too.

The Clash were one of the first ‘80s based bands to make their entrance in the hall. Are they the most talented? No. One could argue that X was better, but the Clash was more popular, and popularity seems to play a larger role than technique in determining which artist is honored. Should I Stay or Should I Go should belong in every collection, and Rock the Casbah remains relevant.

The Coasters are the clown princes of rock and roll much like Ray Stevens is in the country realm. The band mined the same material as Elvis Presley with the same songwriters (a lot of Leiber and Stoller), and they had a head start as the Robins. Perhaps I am being naïve, but I consider Young Blood, Little Egypt, Yakety Yak, and Charlie Brown timeless.

Eddie Cochrane's influence can be heard in the music of the Stray Cats. His Summertime Blues which scored again for the Who and Blue Cheer, is nothing but pure rock attitude. Eddie would have been huge, but he died at age 21 in a car accident while touring England, an early rock fatality. I am glad the hall remembered him.

Sam Cooke was another artists whose life was taken prematurely. His Chain Gang was later revisited in the Pretenders Back on the Chain Gang. Other songs such as Twisting the Night Away have been covered by artists that include Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, The Animals, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Jim Croce, John Lennon, Bryan Adams, and Tina Turner. And Sam’s ballads Cupid and You Send Me helped many a man score.

Cream is a rock power trio featuring Jack Bruce on bass, Ginger Baker on drums and Eric Clapton on guitar. I use the word “is” because Cream is returning to the stage in 2005. Although there are only three members they sure do rock harder than most 4 piece and five piece bands on classic jams White Room, Sunshine of Your Love and Crossroads. Disraeli Gears is my personal favorite album of the trio. They had their share of long jams too. I’m so Glad.

Creedence Clearwater Revival was led by John Fogerty. Who could have imagined that swamp rock could be so cool? Their songs are timeless and some of them seem to predict the future. Ramble Tamble mentions actors in the White House. Fortunate Son could have been written by today’s democratic party. In Iraq, Who’ll Stop the Rain? Lodi is an eyewitness account of life on the road. The band’s covers of 99 ½ Won’t Do, I Heard it Through the Grapevine, and I Put a Spell on You are electric.

Crosby, Stills and Nash This trio that occasionally is a quartet and has been a six piece (with Taylor and Reeves) band wowed us at the first Woodstock with occasional member Neil Young. Déjà vu is a must in any collection. Suite Judy Blue Eyes has some of the best harmonies in music. CSN had previous experience with the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and the Hollies respectively.