The Top 100 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Hopefuls

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Top 100 Snubs

Bashing the Rock Hall has become the quite vogue thing to do. Of course, they have inducted hundreds of deserving artists alongside those who raise many music fans eyebrows. However, fans get outraged this time every year when their favorites get snubbed…yet again. In the true spirit of Dave’s Music Database, the occasion for a list presented itself. Just who are the biggest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame snubs, those acts which fans most think have been overlooked? More than 90 lists were consolidated to create this list of the top 100 overlooked acts which will hopefully someday be enshrined in the Hall. Here we go: See other Hall of Fames. 1. Motörhead 2. The Smiths 3. Jethro Tull 4. Pixies 5. Boston 6. Devo 7. Sonic Youth 8. Thin Lizzy 9. The Monkees 10. King Crimson 11. New York Dolls 12. Chic 13. Mötley Crüe 14. Emerson, Lake & Palmer 15. The Replacements 16. Styx 17. Jane’s Addiction 18. The Guess Who 19. The B-52’s 20. Dick Dale 21. Three Dog Night 22. Alice in Chains 23. The Scorpions 24. John Coltrane 25. War 26. Slayer 27. Steppenwolf 28. Big Star 29. Brian Eno 30. Björk 31. Harry Nilsson 32. Smashing Pumpkins 33. Diana Ross 34. J. Geils Band 35. Weird Al Yankovic 36. Nick Drake 37. Blue Öyster Cult 38. Grand Funk Railroad 39. Mariah Carey 40. Tommy James & the Shondells 41. INXS 42. Chuck Willis 43. Procol Harum 44. Pantera 45. Barry White 46. Captain Beefheart 47. Jim Croce 48. Megadeth 49. Ted Nugent 50. Mary Wells 51. Ronnie James Dio 52. Ben E. King 53. Connie Francis 54. Love 55. REO Speedwagon 56. The Meters 57. Los Lobos 58. Black Flag 59. Bryan Adams 60. The Dominoes 61. Carpenters 62. Eric B. & Rakim 63. Jan & Dean 64. The Marvelettes 65. Little Feat 66. Meat Loaf 67. Steve Winwood 68. Sting 69. Television 70. The Runaways 71. The Pointer Sisters 72. Tool 73. The Shangri-La’s 74. Beck 75. Bad Brains 76. Faith No More 77. Commodores 78. Joe Tex 79. Patti LaBelle 80. X 81. Afrika Bambaataa 82. De La Soul 83. Toto 84. Mott the Hoople 85. Tears for Fears 86. Johnny Burnette & the Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio 87. Supertramp 88. Kansas 89. Stone Temple Pilots 90. Daft Punk 91. Toots & the Maytals 92. The Sonics 93. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins 94. Nas 95. Dead Kennedys 96. Huey Lewis & the News 97. Rick James 98. Alanis Morissette 99. John Prine 100. Snoop Dogg Resources/Related Links: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame official website Dave’s Music Database: “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees” Dave’s Music Database: “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees ranked” Dave’s Music Database: “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame/NARM’s Definitive Albums” Dave’s Music Database: “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll” Dave’s Music Database (9/2/1995). “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum opened its doors” Dave’s Music Database (1/23/1986). “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted its first class” FutureRockLegends.com First posted 10/11/2011; last updated 4/15/2026.

Alternative Rock: Top 100 Albums

Alternative Rock: The Top 100 Albums

This list was created by aggregating 26 lists focused on alternative and indie rock. See links after the list. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. Radiohead OK Computer (1997) 2. Pavement Slanted and Enchanted (1992) 3. My Bloody Valentine Loveless (1991) 4. Sonic Youth Daydream Nation (1988) 5. Pixies Surfer Rosa (1988) 6. Nirvana Nevermind (1991) 7. The Pixies Doolittle (1989) 8. Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream (1993) 9. Beck Odelay (1996) 10. The Replacements Let It Be (1984) 11. Liz Phair Exile in Guyville (1993) 12. Oasis (What’s the Story) Morning Glory (1995) 13. R.E.M. Murmur (1983) 14. The Smiths The Queen Is Dead (1986) 15. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses (1989) 16. Dinosaur Jr. You’re Living All Over Me (1987) 17. Hüsker Dü New Day Rising (1985) 18. Guided by Voices Bee Thousand (1994) 19. Nine Inch Nails The Downward Spiral (1994) 20. Radiohead Kid A (2000) 21. Hüsker Dü Zen Arcade (1984) 22. Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) 23. Soundgarden Superunknown (1994) 24. Blur Parklife (1994) 25. Joy Division Closer (1980) 26. Pearl Jam Ten (1991) 27. The Cure Disintegration (1989) 28. U2 The Joshua Tree (1987) 29. R.E.M. Automatic for the People (1992) 30. Neutral Milk Hotel In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998) 31. Radiohead The Bends (1995) 32. The Smiths The Smiths (1984) 33. Green Day Dookie (1994) 34. The Strokes Is This It (2001) 35. Elvis Costello & The Attractions This Year’s Model (1978) 36. Jeff Buckley Grace (1994) 37. Pulp Different Class (1995) 38. Slint Spiderland (1991) 39. Joy Division Unknown Pleasures (1979) 40. The Verve Urban Hymns (1997) 41. Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) 42. Meat Puppets Meat Puppets II (1984) 43. Pavement Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994) 44. Björk Debut (1993) 45. Nirvana In Utero (1993) 46. U2 Achtung Baby (1991) 47. The Fall This Nation’s Saving Grace (1985) 48. Wilco Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2001) 49. Talking Heads Remain in Light (1980) 50. Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) 51. Arcade Fire Funeral (2004) 52. Belle & Sebastian If You’re Feeling Sinister (1996) 53. Jesus and Mary Chain Psychocandy (1985) 54. PJ Harvey To Bring You My Love (1995) 55. Primal Scream Screamadelica (1991) 56. Talking Heads More Songs about Buildings and Food (1978) 57. Violent Femmes Violent Femmes (1983) 58. Oasis Definitely Maybe (1994) 59. Portishead Dummy (1994) 60. New Order Power, Corruption and Lies (1983) 61. The White Stripes White Blood Cells (2001) 62. Sleater-Kinney Dig Me Out (1997) 63. Television Marquee Moon (1977) 64. The Clash London Calling (1979) 65. The Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977) 66. Radiohead In Rainbows (2007) 67. Yo La Tengo I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One (1997) 68. Minutemen Double Nickels on the Dime (1984) 69. U2 War (1983) 70. Elliott Smith Either/Or (1997) 71. Elvis Costello & the Attractions Armed Forces (1979) 72. Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine (1992) 73. Gang of Four Entertainment! (1979) 74. Jane’s Addiction Nothing’s Shocking (1988) 75. Alice in Chains Dirt (1992) 76. Weezer Weezer (aka “The Blue Album”) (1994) 77. Wire Pink Flag (1977) 78. Blondie Parallel Lines (1978) 79. R.E.M. Document (1987) 80. Manic Street Preachers The Holy Bible (1994) 81. The Velvet Underground & Nico Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) 82. Tori Amos Little Earthquakes (1992) 83. Pretenders Pretenders (1980) 84. The Magnetic Fields 69 Love Songs (1999) 85. Devo Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo (1978) 86. Elvis Costello My Aim Is True (1977) 87. Patti Smith Horses (1975) 88. New Order Substance (compilation: 1981-87, released 1987) 89. David Bowie Low (1977) 90. Nine Inch Nails Pretty Hate Machine (1989) 91. Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill (1995) 92. The Feelies Crazy Rhythms (1980) 93. Sonic Youth Sister (1987) 94. Jane’s Addiction Ritual de lo Habitual (1990) 95. Depeche Mode Violator (1990) 96. Interpol Turn on the Bright Lights (2002) 97. Teenage Fanclub Bandwagonesque (charted 1991) 98. The Cure Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987) 99. Mission of Burma Vs. (1982) 100. Public Image Ltd. Metal Box (aka “Second Edition”) (1979) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists AlbumOfTheYear.org Alternative Press Amazon.com “Essential CDs by Style” Askmen.com AudioOverflow.blogspot.com Barnes & Noble “Fundamentals” Blender (April 2003). “500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die: Alternative Rock” Digital Dream Door “Alternative Albums” Digital Dream Door “Indie Albums” Google.com “Alternative Albums Frequently Mentioned on the Web” Grammy.com “Alternative Album Winners” Listology.com “100 Greatest Alternative Rock Albums” Listology.com “20 Greatest Alternative/Punk/New Wave Albums Ever Made” Prefix “Best Indie Albums” Rate Your Music, list by Mennyekbeliremete Rate Your Music, list by No Such Dude TheRealMusic.net Record Collector (January 2000). “Classic Albums from 21 Genres for the 21st Century” Stereogum.com “Amazon’s 100 Greatest Indie Rock Albums of All Time” Dave Thompson (2000). Alternative Rock. Backbeat Books; England. Page 817. WBER Radio - New York (1999). “Top 100 Albums of All Time” First posted 5/10/2013; last updated 3/17/2025.

Adrian Denning: Top 100 All-Time Albums

Adrian Denning: Top 100 All-Time Albums

Adrian Denning was (he passed away in 2021) a British music critic who maintained his own personal website (launched in 2001) with album reviews. The list below comes from his site. Click on album titles to see DMDB pages. Click on “AD review” to see Denning’s reviews. Check out other best-of album lists by individuals/critics here. 1. The Beach Boys Pet Sounds (1966): AD review 2. The Beatles Revolver (1966): AD review 3. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses (1989): AD review 4. The Smiths The Queen Is Dead (1986): AD review 5. The Who Who’s Next (1971): AD review 6. The Byrds The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968): AD review 7. Joy Division Closer (1980): AD review 8. Pixies Doolittle (1989): AD review 9. Radiohead OK Computer (1997): AD review 10. Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band Trout Mask Replica (1969): AD review 11. Yes Fragile (1971): AD review 12. The Beach Boys Sunflower (1970): AD review 13. The Divine Comedy Promenade (1994): AD review 14. Nick Drake Five Leaves Left (1969): AD review 15. The Wedding Present Seamonsters (1991): AD review 16. Tom Waits Alice (2002): AD review 17. Brian Wilson Smile (2004): AD review 18. Nick Cave The Boatman’s Call (1997): AD review 19. The Kinks Muswell Hillbillies (1971): AD review 20. Yes Relayer (1974): AD review 21. Randy Newman Sail Away (1972): AD review 22. George Harrison All Things Must Pass (1970): AD review 23. Frank Zappa 200 Motels (1971): AD review 24. David Bowie The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972): AD review 25. The Beach Boys Friends (1968): AD review 26. Denim Back in Denim (1992): AD review 27. Scott Walker Scott 4 (1969): AD review 28. Yes Close to the Edge (1972): AD review 29. Bob Dylan Desire (1976): AD review 30. Nick Drake Pink Moon (1972): AD review 31. Neil Young Tonight’s the Night (1975): AD review 32. Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention We’re Only in It for the Money (1968): AD review 33. Pink Floyd The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967): AD review 34. The Boo Radleys Giant Steps (1993): AD review 35. The Beatles The Beatles (aka “The White Album”) (1968): AD review 36. Van Morrison Astral Weeks (1968): AD review 37. Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited (1965): AD review 38. The Byrds Mr. Tambourine Man (1965): AD review 39. Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde (1966): AD review 40. Fairport Convention Full House (1970): AD review 41. The Fall Extricate (1990): AD review 42. Genesis The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974): AD review 43. Pixies Trompe le Monde (1991): AD review 44. The Kinks Something Else (1967): AD review 45. Joe Meek & the Blue Men I Hear a New World: An Outer Space Music Fantasy (1960): AD review 46. The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers (1971): AD review 47. Sparks Kimono My House (1974): AD review 48. Van Der Graaf Generator The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other (1970): AD review 49. The Cure Disintegration (1989): AD review 50. Joy Division Unknown Pleasures (1979): AD review 51. Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti (1975): AD review 52. The Libertines The Libertines (2004): AD review 53. Tori Amos From the Choirgirl Hotel (1998): AD review 54. XTC Skylarking (1986): AD review 55. Stereolab Dots and Loops (1997): AD review 56. My Bloody Valentine Loveless (1991): AD review 57. Pink Floyd The Wall (1979): AD review 58. Richard & Linda Thompson I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (1974): AD review 59. Velvet Underground & Nico Velvet Underground & Nico (1967): AD review 60. Sparks Lil’ Beethoven (2002): AD review 61. Augustus Pablo King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown (1976): AD review 62. Tindersticks Tindersticks (1993): AD review 63. U2 Achtung Baby (1991): AD review 64. Erykah Badu Baduizm (1997): AD review 65. Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works Vol. 2 (1994): AD review 66. The Auteurs New Wave (1993): AD review 67. The Beach Boys Surf’s Up (1971): AD review 68. Belle & Sebastian If You’re Feeling Sinister (1996): AD review 69. Frank Black Teenager of the Year (1994): AD review 70. Band of Bees Sunshine Hit Me (2002): AD review 71. Bellowhead Burlesque (2006): AD review 72. Broadcast Haha Sound (2003): AD review 73. David Bowie Hunky Dory (1971): AD review 74. Nick Cave Tender Prey (1988): AD review 75. Eliza Carthy Red/Rice (1997): AD review 76. David Bowie Diamond Dogs (1974): AD review 77. Cocteau Twins Heaven or Las Vegas (1990): AD review 78. Ani DiFranco Educated Guess (2004): AD review 79. Polvo Today’s Active Lifestyles (1993): AD review 80. The Fall Dragnet (1979): AD review 81. Felt Let the Snakes Crinkle Their Heads to Death (1986): AD review 82. T-Rex Electric Warrior (1971): AD review 83. Tom Waits Small Change (1977): AD review 84. Wire Chairs Missing (1978): AD review 85. Eric Dolphy Out to Lunch! (1964): AD review 86. Eric B. & Rakim Paid in Full (1987): AD review 87. The Flaming Lips The Soft Bulletin (1999): AD review 88. The Fall Hex Enduction Hour (1982): AD review 89. Paul McCartney & Wings Band on the Run (1973): AD review 90. Fairport Convention Liege and Lief (1969): AD review 91. Felt Forever Breathes the Lonely Word (1986): AD review 92. The Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967): AD review 93. Felt Poem of the River (1987): AD review 94. The Kinks Village Green Preservation Society (1968): AD review 95. King Crimson Red (1974): AD review 96. The High Llamas Hawaii (1986): AD review 97. Ride Nowhere (1990): AD review 98. Ron Sexsmith Ron (1995): AD review 99. The Velvet Underground White Light/White Heat (1967): AD review 100. Ramones End of the Century (1980): AD review Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: Best-of Album Lists by Individuals/Critics AdrianDenning.co.uk (3/30/2007). “Adrian’s Top 100 Albums, so far” First posted 12/12/2021; last updated 6/8/2024.

Radiohead charted with "Creep"

Creep Radiohead

Writer(s): Radiohead, Albert Hammond, Mike Hazlewood (see lyrics here) Released: September 21, 1992 First Charted: April 17, 1993 Peak: 34 US, 37 CB, 18 GR, 25 RR, 20 AR, 2 MR, 7 UK, 30 CN, 6 AU, 2 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.6 UK, 1.1 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 664.0 video, 1259.96 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: By the close of the ‘90s, Radiohead was hailed as one of rock’s most experimental bands, loved by critics and a loyal fan base. However, when the group’s maiden single, “Creep,” was released in 1992, it initially landed with a thud. The singles “Anyone Can Play Guitar” and “Pop Is Dead” followed, but then DJ Yoav Kutner started playing “Creep” on Israeli radio. WK The song was re-released and became what has been called “one of the great loser anthems of our time” HL and a “potent outsider anthem,” MC hitting the top 40 in the U.S. and top 10 in the UK. Its “ironic self-loathing” TC tapped into the same disenfranchised Generation X vibe of the grunge movement even though the group fell more in line with the likes of XTC and R.E.M. TC Still, lead singer Thom Yorke saw himself as a misfit in much the same way as Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and the song bore the “loud-soft dynamics and bleak lyrical sentiments” similar to songs by Nirvana and The Pixies. TB Regarding the former, guitarist Jonny Greenwood infused the song with blasts of guitar noise which he added because he didn’t like how quiet the song was. WK As bandmate Ed O’Brien said, “That’s the sound of Jonny trying to fuck the song up…And it made the song.” WK Yorke wrote “Creep” about a drunk guy following a woman to whom he is attracted. WK The song captures what Guy Capuzzo called “the self-lacerating rage of an unsuccessful crush.” WK As he says, “the lyrics strain toward optimism...[but then] the subject sinks back into the throes of self-pity.” WK The song first surfaced for Radiohead during the recording of their first album. According to bassist Colin Greenwood, Yorke wrote the song during his days at Exeter University in the late 1980s. During rehearsal, Yorke described it to the producers as “our Scott Walker song,” leading them to assume it was a cover. WK While it was original, its similarities to The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe” led to Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, who wrote “Breathe,” receiving co-credit. WK Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Radiohead TC Toby Creswell (2005). 1001 Songs: The Great Songs of All Time. Thunder’s Mouth Press: New York, NY. Page 761. HL Michael Heatley and Spencer Leigh (1998). Behind the Song: The Stories of 100 Great Pop & Rock Classics. Blandford Books: London, UK. Page 117. MC Neil McCormack (3/13/09). Telegraph.co.uk “100 Greatest Songs of All Time” TB Thunder Bay Press (2006). Singles: Six Decades of Hot Hits & Classic Cuts. Outline Press Ltd.: San Diego, CA. Page 255. Related Links: Last updated 7/14/2023.