Say what you will about the Go-Go’s but they represent a whole scene that has gone largely ignored by the Hall of Fame. X, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, The Blasters, TSOL, Minutemen and other legends of the late ‘70s LA punk era will probably never be inducted because they never reached the level of national/international popularity needed. The Go-Go’s are the first of my “I saw them when they couldn’t fill a small club” bands to be inducted. And as a bonus, Pat Smear (founding member of The Germs) will take the stage with Foo Fighters.
@Elmer_J.Fudd X and Black Flag are the only ones on your list I could see a case being made for being in the Hall, for influence only. I could envision Peter Buck inducting X, he’s said glowing things about them in interviews for years. (my first tattoo was the band’s logo so I’m also a bit biased towards them). The American Underground of the 80s is an era that I feel will forever be left out of consideration for various reasons. They may have released iconic albums and singles, and some of today’s bigger stars may pay homage (check youtube for Bob Mould joining Dave Grohl onstage for a scorching “New Day Rising” and your mind will be blown), but I’d be hard-pressed to say that The Minutemen’s influence has carried far, no matter how much I like Double Nickels on the Dime. Maybe it’s the Rolling Stone Magazine influence: too much '67-‘74 boomer rock that crowds out the "musicians’ musicians." It took waaay to long for Roxy Music to get in, and I don’t hold out hope for Richard Thompson, Pere Ubu or (most depressingly) the Replacements.