Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: The Outcasts

Neil Diamond

Eligible for nomination since: 1988
Why he's been passed over: Diamond's "serious" turn in the Seventies, complete with rhinestoned, arena-rock showmanship, offends the tastes of the Hall.
Why he should be let in: Robbie Robertson, Quentin Tarantino, and Rick Rubin think he's a genius. Why doesn't the Hall?
Representative song sample:"Sweet Caroline"
Possible presenter: Chris Isaak

Dick Dale

Eligible for nomination since: 1987
Why he's been passed over: Dick's a God to surf-music fans and guitar shredders all over the world, but that puts him in a stylistic box.
Why he should be let in: He invented surf music, not to mention several technical and musical guitar innovations, without which Classic Rock (much less Metal) could not have happened.
Representative song sample:"Miserlou"
Possible presenter: Anthrax

Lee Dorsey

Eligible for nomination since: 1986
Why he's been passed over: Like too many New Orleans artists, he's often taken for granted by a scene that never promoted itself properly.
Why he should be let in: Groove aficionados know he's the man who bridged the gap between soul and funk.
Representative song sample:"Four Corners"
Possible presenter: Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Spinners

Eligible for nomination since: 1986
Why they've been passed over: Philly soul in general has often been passed off by the Hall as too pop.
Why they should be let in: Philippe Wynne's endless vocal ad-libbing alone should guarantee them entry.
Representative song sample:"One Of A Kind (Love Affair)"
Possible presenter: Hall and Oates

Link Wray

Eligible for nomination since: 1985
Why he's been passed over: He only scored one hit, the 1958 instrumental "Rumble."
Why he should be let in: He invented the power chord.
Representative song sample:"Green Hornet"
Possible presenter: Junior Brown

Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns

Eligible for nomination since: 1985
Why they've been passed over: See Lee Dorsey.
Why they should be let in: Their brand of R&B was harder, catchier, and funnier than even the Coasters.
Representative song sample:"High Blood Pressure"
Possible presenter: The Neville Brothers

Jerry Butler

Eligible for nomination since: 1985
Why he's been passed over: The Iceman never made a significant dent in the pop charts, and ruled R&B at a transitional time.
Why he should be let in: "For Your Precious Love" is often considered the first soul record; either way, he was there at the very beginning.
Representative song sample:"He Will Break Your Heart"
Possible presenter: Al Green

The Clovers

Eligible for nomination since: 1985
Why they've been passed over: They predate rock, and as a vocal group, that's a minus.
Why they should be let in: As the most popular R&B group of the early Fifties, how can their influence be argued?
Representative song sample:"Lovey Dovey"
Possible presenter: Etta James

Johnny Burnette and the Rock 'N Roll Trio

Eligible for nomination since: 1985
Why they've been passed over: They're only well-known to rockabilly fanatics. No star power.
Why they should be let in: They were the self-contained rockabilly group, and rock groups from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin are unthinkable without them.
Representative song sample:"Train Kept-A Rollin'"
Possible presenter: Robert Plant