Facing The Music On The RRHOF

If the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame can make room for such 60's hitmakers as the Lovin' Spoonful and the Rascals then why haven't they found a spot for 70's hitmakers like the Electric Light Orchestra and the Cars (and I should add Hall & Oates)? And if Gene Pitney why not Neil Sedaka? If we're talking influence, I'd say it's a tie between the era's. As for hits, well, ELO and the Cars can match the Spoonful and the Rascals. This is no knock on the latter two. I do feel they belong. But Jeff Lynne's production credits with George Harrison, Tom Petty and the Traveling Wilbury's should be enough to get him a nod. In no way is the RRHOF all about hits. Just because you've had a ton of hits doesn't qualify anyone for induction. If that were the case Pat Boone and Paul Anka would be enshrined. But in 2006 when you hear a Cars or ELO song you're hearing timeless hits. Pick up the recently released ELO remasters of Face The Music and A New World Record or the Cars' live DVD/CD and you'll find yourself persuaded that they at least are as deserving as the Dave Clark Five.