๐ธ 2001 โ Soul, Pop & Classic Cool
- Aerosmith
- Solomon Burke
- The Flamingos
- Michael Jackson
- Queen
- Paul Simon
- Steely Dan
Queen and MJ in the same year? Thatโs not a ceremony โ thatโs a global event.
๐ค 2002 โ The Classic Rock Lock-In
- Isaac Hayes
- Brenda Lee
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Gene Pitney
- Ramones
- Talking Heads
Ramones and Talking Heads in one go? Punk and art-rock finally getting the velvet rope treatment.
๐ถ 2003 โ Legends Only Mode
- AC/DC
- The Clash
- Elvis Costello & The Attractions
- The Police
- The Righteous Brothers
AC/DC and The Clash in the same room? Thatโs a volume warning.
๐ฅ 2004 โ Funk, Soul & Stadium Moments
- Prince
- Bob Seger
- Traffic
- The Dells
- ZZ Top
- Jackson Browne
Princeโs induction performance alone could power Cardiff Bay for a month.
๐ฅ 2005 โ Political Rock & Proper Anthems
- U2
- Buddy Guy
- The O’Jays
- The Pretenders
- Percy Sledge
U2 going in during their stadium-conquering era? Felt inevitable.
๐ธ The Early 2000s Verdict
By 2005 the Hall had:
- Locked in punk legitimacy
- Crowned classic hard rock
- Brought funk royalty to the stage
- Cemented 70s and 80s arena giants
But you could feel the pressure buildingโฆ
Metal fans were getting louder.
Grunge was officially eligible.
And the internet had started keeping score.
