The debate continues to rage on as to whether legendary '70s (and workhorse '80s) hard rock band KISS has been thus far snubbed for inclusion by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I say the answer is yes, and I'll now proceed to make a strong and simple case for this position that matches the stripped-down appeal of the majority of this group's massive musical output. Despite some undoubtedly silly lyrical posturing - most of which relies on subtle-as-a-sequined-purple-sledgehammer sexual innuendo - KISS has produced a body of music, especially during its peak period of activity during the above-mentioned decades, that stands the test of time exceptionally well and often exemplifies the quintessential spirit of rebellion inherent in rock and roll since its inception. The fact that the sometimes vapid Van Halen was inducted only four years after that band became eligible for enshrinement and KISS remains outside looking in 35 years after the release of its influential debut album could be enough on its own to make my point.

But I can go on. The ability of KISS to maximize its commercial possibilities can seem cynical, but there's no denying that group masterminds Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are highly intelligent and driven in the arena of grand entertainment. So what if no one's ever going to mistake KISS artistically for a band the caliber of the Beatles, Rolling Stones or the Band? For one thing, the group is closer than many think to a similar kind of genius, and in terms of influence, sheer popularity, longevity, and productivity, there are only a handful of bands in rock history that can dream of rivalling the truth, myth and legend of KISS. Check out some of the links below for more '80s-centered KISS content if you feel like you still need convincing.

• KISS Artist Profile
• Top 10 KISS Songs of the '80s
• Official KISS Online website

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Island Def Jam

OK, so this isn't Bad Company at all but the late-'80s hard rock band composed of that '70s supergroup's original guitarist and drummer, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke, respectively. They may have used the original name to put out music with Brian Howe, the sort of latter-day Lou Gramm/John Parr picked to replace original frontman Paul Rodgers, but there's little musical resemblance between the two groups despite similar personnel.

I take the time to make this statement because once you grasp it as the truth, you may find yourself enjoying the somewhat sleazy, strip club-appropriate hard rock of 1988's Dangerous Age release. "One Night" in particular makes the most of Ralphs' instantly recognizable lead guitar style and hums along quite well as a mid-tempo hard rock song relatively typical of the era. That doesn't mean this is not perfectly serviceable music for those who really enjoy punchy mainstream rock, but just don't expect any revelations here, especially lyrically. Still, I freely confess to playing the hell out of this cassette two decades ago; I could have been doing much worse, that much I can promise you.

• Listen to "One Night" and view its music video here.
• Compare prices on Brian Howe-era Bad Company here.
• Top 10 Most Notable Band Splits of the '80s

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Atco

I'm hoping that the five major rock music deaths that took place in 1980 is as unusually high a number as I assume it is. If not, then going back over the '80s year by year is going to be a far more somber experience than I bargained for. We'll see about that, I suppose, but 1980 certainly announced a changing of the guard in more ways than one. Gone (literally) was rock's quintessential supergroup, Led Zeppelin, and the world would lose its first Beatle - John Lennon - in an extraordinarily tragic and cruel fashion. Many other things happened musically during 1980, of course, some of which lighten the mood a bit, but it's hard to shake the sense of loss inevitably felt during a survey of the year as a whole. Check out my list of 1980's Most Memorable Moments in Music for a holiday mood lift (or something like that, anyway).

Nashville's country songwriters certainly seemed to know what they were doing when they crafted some of the most memorable country-pop crossover tunes of the early '80s, of which this is inarguably one. Built on crisp, tremendously catchy melodies, songs like the No. 15 1981 pop hit "Love in the First Degree" effectively split the difference between modern country ballads, rock guitars and ultimate pop accessibility. In fact, I found myself listening to this track a few years ago with particular glee as I marvelled at the simple but rather ingenious chord progression. Beyond that, the broad use of metaphor so central to the song's lyrical content fit perfectly with its populist appeal and today still makes it far more than just another top country hit of what many would call a traditionally bereft era for the genre. "Baby, you left me defenseless, I've only got one plea:" Produce a few more songs like this and I might actually listen occasionally to commercial country. Well, that's a serious maybe.

• Sample or download "Love in the First Degree" here.
• Compare prices on Alabama CDs here.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of RCA