I agree with Knives, I'd much rather see someone that actually rocks, a band that carves out its own identity, usch as the VU, The Stooges, Television, or Sonic Youth, than someone who just steals songs from old, dead black blues singers. Hell, even Miles Davis, through works like In A Silent Way, Bitches Brew, and On THe Corner, rocked harder than Led Zeppelin ever did. If I wanted to hear my dad's music, I'd turn on the Classic Rock station.
Also, radio play is determined by Soundscan numbers- the easiest way to get something played is just to vote with your dollar, or whatever your currency of choice may be.