Conversation so far:
Why was there a controversy?
Brown's first solo recording did not meet that criterion.
What was the criteria?
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's criterion states that only artists whose first recording had been out for more than 25 years were eligible for induction.
Did many people want to overrule this?
In 2011, a special committee was set up to correct exclusions which might have occurred during the first two years of Rock Hall inductions .
What was the end result?
Bennett, as the Famous Flames' only surviving member, accepted the honor in person in Cleveland on April 14, 2012.

Question: Were they the only ones to bypass the rule through the new committee?
Self-contained rewrite: Were The Famous Flames the only ones to bypass the rule stating that only artists with solo recordings at least 25 years old are eligible for induction through the new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee?