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.

Question: Did many people want to overrule this?
Self-contained rewrite: Did many people want to overrule the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame criterion that states that only artists with first recordings out for more than 25 years are eligible for induction?