While many big names were bypassed by the committee (Bon Jovi, LL Cool J and The Beastie Boys among them), the latest class of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, announced today, is a pretty impressive one. At some point, they’re going to have a hard time finding legitimate candidates, but this quintet is surely an eclectic and worthy bunch. Here is a primer on the newest inductees:

Neil Diamond: It’s easy to get caught up in the schlock factor with Diamond, but there is a serious body of work to consider here. As a songwriter first at the legendary Brill Building and then as a performer, Diamond has had a hand in countless hits.

There’s a reason that “Sweet Caroline” is one of the great sing-along anthems of our time: It’s just one example of Neil’s unerring sense of song structure, a lost art these days. Plus my Mom, your Mom, and everybody else’s Mom absolutely loves the guy, so that should count for something.

Alice Cooper: The erstwhile Vincent Furnier has become an almost genteel figure on the cultural scene, parodying his former shock rock image on film and in commercials. (Who can forget his dissertation on the history of Milwaukee in Wanye’s World?)

But there was a time when Cooper was seriously freaking out the establishment with his theatrics, which somewhat overshadowed an impressive list of killer singles like “I’m Eighteen,” “School’s Out,” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” outcast anthems that melded glam and hard rock and still jump out of speakers today.

Dr. John: Real name Mac Rebennack, once known as the Night Tripper, and possessor of one of the most distinctive voices in rock, the Doc took voodoo-influenced New Orleans music, mixed it up with rhythm and blues, and emerged with an irresistible sound. Although his career tailed off from its late '60s, early '70s peak, he’s been highly valued as a collaborator and performer all the while and is still a major figure in the Bayou.

Check out his classic 1968 debut Gris Gris. Like Cooper, his early career featured wild stage costumes; like Diamond, he was at The Last Waltz.

Darlene Love: Love was one of the most famous of the girl-group singers who took advantage of Phil Spector’s production genius. Too often though, Spector gets all the credit — classics like “He’s A Rebel, ”“Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry,” and “He’s Sure The Boy I Love” wouldn’t have worked without Love’s gorgeous vulnerability.

This honor is well-timed, since Love always comes to the forefront at this time of the year thanks to “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” one of the best rock X-mas songs ever. She still performs it every year on David Letterman’s last show before the holiday.

Tom Waits: If the Hall of Fame does nothing else, its existence is warranted by the spotlight it shines on artists who may not have ever hit the pop charts but have delivered quality music throughout their careers. Waits is just such an artist, more famous for cover versions of his songs (“Jersey Girl” by Bruce Springsteen, “Downbound Train” by Rod Stewart) than for any of his own recordings.

Maybe this honor will help change that for the guy who went from a boozy balladeer in the 1970s to a gravel-voiced visionary on the challenging but thrilling 1980s triumphs Swordfishtrombones and Rain Dogs.

The induction ceremony will be held March 14th, 2011 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.