{"id":54867,"date":"2026-01-04T22:14:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T22:14:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/04\/five-famous-70s-acts-that-have-been-snubbed-by-the-hall-of-fame\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T22:14:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T22:14:28","slug":"five-famous-70s-acts-that-have-been-snubbed-by-the-hall-of-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/04\/five-famous-70s-acts-that-have-been-snubbed-by-the-hall-of-fame\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Famous ’70s Acts That Have Been Snubbed by the Hall of Fame"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The 1970s delivered many legendary artists that helped shape the sound and looks of classic rock.<\/p>\n

While plenty of these acts have been recognized by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame<\/a>, others inexplicably remain out — among them, some of the most dramatic snubs in the Hall\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

After previously exploring five famous \u201860s\u00a0bands that have been snubbed by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame<\/a>, we delve into the 1970s below. Our collection includes iconic acts who\u2019ve enjoyed major chart successes, built fan bases across the globe and built legacies that have forever influenced the musicians who\u2019ve followed them. Yet, for reasons we still can’t comprehend, recognition from the Hall of Fame evades them.<\/p>\n

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Paul Natkin, Getty Images<\/span><\/p>

Paul Natkin, Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Styx<\/h3>\n

Styx<\/a>\u2019s rock resume has been recounted many times, but it deserves examination once again. The band has sold over 54 million albums worldwide. That total includes a run of five consecutive multi-platinum-selling studio albums beginning with 1977\u2019s The Grand Illusion<\/a><\/em> and ending with 1983\u2019s Kilroy Was Here<\/a><\/em>. Their material features an array of timeless hits, including \u201cLady,\u201d \u201cCome Sail Away,\u201d \u201cBabe,\u201d \u201cToo Much Time on My Hands,\u201d \u201cShow Me the Way\u201d and \u201cMr. Roboto.\u201d They\u2019ve also remained a tirelessly touring band, averaging over 90 shows per year since the dawn of the millennium. All that, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has somehow managed to ignore Styx\u2019s many accomplishments. The band has been eligible for induction since 1998, yet hasn\u2019t so much as received a nomination. It remains one of the institution\u2019s most egregious omissions.<\/p>\n

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Brigitte Engl, Getty Imges<\/span><\/p>

Brigitte Engl, Getty Imges<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Motorhead<\/h3>\n

You\u2019d think a legacy as one of heavy metal\u2019s defining acts — coupled with the support of such heavyweights as James Hetfield<\/a>, Dave Grohl <\/a>and Ozzy Osbourne<\/a> — would be enough to give Motorhead<\/a> easy entry into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Think again. Despite being eligible since 2002, the group has never earned enshrinement, and only been nominated once. This isn\u2019t an instance where a band was influential, but only marginally commercially successful. Motorhead sold more than 40 million albums worldwide and scored mainstream hits like “Ace of Spades.” Instead, this seems to be another piece of evidence supporting the Hall\u2019s alleged bias against metal acts. Finally inducting Motorhead would silence some of the critics, while also giving the band their long overdue honor.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Metal Snubs: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 9 Worst Snubs<\/a><\/p>\n

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Watal Asanuma\/Shinko Music, Getty Images<\/span><\/p>

Watal Asanuma\/Shinko Music, Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Boston<\/h3>\n

The knock against Boston<\/a> seems to be a lack of longevity — namely, that the band was only really at its peak for a short period of time. Still, that brief time atop the rock world was so impressive, it should trump any further discourse on the matter. Boston\u2019s 1976 self-titled album<\/a> was the best-selling debut album in history until Guns N\u2019 Roses<\/a>\u2019 Appetite for Destruction<\/a><\/em> came along. It\u2019s a timeless, influential LP that altered the sonic landscape of rock. They followed it up with two more multi-platinum albums, 1978\u2019s Don\u2019t Look Back<\/em> and 1986\u2019s Third Stage<\/em>. Along the way, Boston\u2019s groundbreaking blend of hard and progressive rock, along with classic melodies and studio wizardry, paved the way for a new generation of artists. Look, Jimi Hendrix<\/a> released three studio albums. Same for Nirvana<\/a>.\u00a0Sex Pistols<\/a>? Just one. It\u2019s an apples to oranges debate, but those acts all got in easily. If the only thing holding Boston out is a relatively small catalog (which, it should be noted, actually includes a total of six studio LPs), then it\u2019s time for the Hall to just get over it.<\/p>\n

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Universal History Archive, Getty Images<\/span><\/p>

Universal History Archive, Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Emerson, Lake and Palmer<\/h3>\n

Much has been made of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame\u2019s alleged bias towards metal acts (as mentioned in our earlier note on Motorhead), but it\u2019s possible the Hall has an even bigger issue with progressive rock. Though legendary groups like Yes<\/a>, Rush<\/a> and Genesis<\/a> have earned induction, many other prog rock bands remain ignored. Arguably the biggest is Emerson, Lake & Palmer<\/a>, the supergroup that dominated much of the \u201870s. With the keyboard wizardry of Keith Emerson<\/a>, Greg Lake<\/a>\u2019s powerful vocals and the thunderous sound of drummer Carl Palmer<\/a>, ELP was a force of nature. During their prime period from 1970-\u201978, the band delivered eight studio albums, each of which earned gold certification in the U.S. With musical dexterity, the trio weaved elements of classical, jazz and rock into a bombastically epic sound. Critics called it pompous and pretentious, but fans ate it up. It\u2019s a crime that ELP hasn\u2019t so much as appeared on a Hall of Fame ballot.<\/p>\n

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P. Felix, Daily Express, Hulton Archives, Getty Images<\/span><\/p>

P. Felix, Daily Express, Hulton Archives, Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

New York Dolls<\/h3>\n

Of the five artists listed here, New York Dolls<\/a> appear to have the most momentum towards a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. The group has been nominated three times previously, most recently in 2022. Clearly, somebody<\/em> in the Hall of Fame\u2019s nominating committee is fighting for them. As a groundbreaking artist for both punk and glam rock, the New York Dolls\u2019 influence can be felt throughout generations of artists. Though they only released two studio albums — New York Dolls<\/em> (1973) and Too Much Too Soon<\/em> (1974) — before initially disbanding in 1976, the Dolls’ legacy cannot be understated. A triumphant reunion in the early 2000s, followed by three more albums, only solidified the New York Dolls\u2019 place in rock history. Sadly, at this point, the group\u2019s iconic members like Sylvain Sylvain and David Johansen have all died. Still, a Hall induction would allow for one last celebration of the Dolls\u2019 work.<\/p>\n

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Rock Hall’s Worst Band Member Snubs<\/h2>\n
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When the group gets inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame without you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Gallery Credit: Jim Allen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n