Thin Lizzy deserves to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Every now and then, I'll examine the resume of an artist fans think should be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame but hasn't been (yet).

• Today, we look at Thin Lizzy, the pioneering hard-rock band behind "Whiskey in the Jar" and "The Boys are Back in Town."

How it works: To be eligible for the Rock Hall, an artist had to release their first official recording at least 25 years ago.

• Thin Lizzy has been eligible since 1996 but nominated just once, in 2020.

Why they matter: Thin Lizzy's twin lead-guitar attack changed the face of hard rock. Bands like Judas Priest, Guns N' Roses and Def Leppard — all Rock & Roll Hall of Famers — copied it as the foundation of their sound.

Worthy of your time: Thin Lizzy has a handful of essential albums, but 1976's thrilling commercial breakthrough "Jailbreak" is a mainstay for any classic rock aficionado.

👍🏽 My thought bubble: Thin Lizzy was the total package in terms of talent, mainstream appeal and influence. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction is long overdue.

Go deeper: My predictions for the class of 2023 nominees