Metal Bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Metal bands in the Rock HoF, now that’s a funny story
For many decades, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame didn’t seem to appreciate Metal bands. However, things are slowly changing. Not that they are worshiping them now, but at least there are some positives to be taken.
It took the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 23 years (since it was founded in 1983) to induct a proper metal band.
That happened in the now distant 2006 when one of the pioneers of Heavy Metal – Black Sabbath were inducted, although Black Sabbath’s first album came out in 1970. Meaning they were eligible for induction since 1995!
For those unfamiliar with the rules and standards the inductees need to fulfill before being eligible to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, here they are:
ELIGIBILITY
Artists—a group encompassing performers, composers, and/or musicians—become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. Besides demonstrating unquestionable musical excellence and talent, inductees will have had a significant impact on the development, evolution, and preservation of rock & roll.
*taken from the official website of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Many would argue that Led Zeppelin was the first metal band to be inducted (in 1995). However, I have always viewed them more as hard & blues-rock to be honest. Although that doesn’t exclude Hard Rock bands from the “discrimination” by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Similar to metal bands, hard rock groups have been heavily overlooked by the voting committee. At the end of the day, hard rock and heavy metal aren’t mutually exclusive.
Since the induction of Black Sabbath we’ve seen a small, but notable rising trend when it comes to inducting Hard Rock and Metal bands into the Hall of Fame. Especially in the last few years.
So far we’ve had Metallica, Kiss, Van Halen, Alice Cooper, Rush, Guns N’ Roses, and freaking finally Deep Purple joining the HoF. It’s disrespectful what they did to Deep Purple who were eligible for induction since 1993. But were included in 2016, “only” 23 years later. God damn!
10 Fun Facts about Deep Purple
Nominees for the class of 2019
The fifteen nominees for the class of 2019 have already been released. And Def Leppard alongside Rage Against the Machine is part of that group as well.
- Def Leppard
- Devo
- Janet Jackson
- John Prine
- Kraftwerk
- LL Cool J
- MC5
- Radiohead
- Rage Against the Machine
- Roxy Music
- Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
- Stevie Nicks
- The Cure
- The Zombies
- Todd Rundgren
The inductees will be announced in the second week of December. However, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on March 29, 2019.
Additionally, the fans are also able to vote for the nominees. You can cast your vote HERE.
Seems like Def Leppard and Stevie Nicks are favorites among the fans.
Even though we will probably get another Metal band in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, should we be pleased with it? In my opinion, not really. Why? Because there are dozens of other Metal bands who have been eligible for more than a decade now but still aren’t inducted nor even nominated.
By the way, in no way I am trying to discredit Def Leppard. They deserve to be part of it and I am happy for them.
Just complaining about not having inducted enough Metal bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
5 Metal bands that deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Judas Priest
Formed in West Bromwich, England in 1969, Judas Priest has been one of the most important heavy metal bands. True pioneers of the genre.
When they came out nobody knew how to categorize their music because of their different and distinct sound. While others were trying to label them as punkers and whatnot, they created a new genre of music.
Sometimes I have a feeling that not only the industry but the community also doesn’t show the respect Judas Priest deserves!
Also, Judas Priest has been eligible for induction since 1999. That’s some serious BS from the industry. Seems like they will have to wait for couple more years before getting the recognition they deserve.
Motörhead
Formed in London, England in 1975 by Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister, Larry Wallis, and Lucas Fox. Motorhead has been eligible for induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001.
Despite the superb original lineup, Motorhead had its most successful years during the period of Lemmy, Eddie ‘Fast’ Clarke on guitar, and Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor on drums. Also, Lemmy was the only constant member from the beginnings of the band till his death in 2015.
An interesting fact is that Lemmy never considered himself nor Motörhead as heavy metal. The man was all about the Rock ‘n’ Roll.
In an interview in 2011 he said: We were not heavy metal. We were a rock’n’roll band. Still are. Everyone always describes us as heavy metal even when I tell them otherwise. Why won’t people listen?
However, even if Lemmy himself doesn’t consider to be metal, he and his band left a big mark on the metal community which loves them dearly.
Would love to see Motorhead as part of the Metal bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as soon as possible.
10 Lemmy Kilmister Facts You May Have Not Known
Mötley Crüe
Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, but you have to give credit when it’s due.
Formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981, Mötley Crüe has been a proper (hair) metal force in the 80s and 90s. Having sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, they are one of the most successful bands of all time.
On September 13th, 2018, the band announced that they have reunited and were working on a new album. Their first album since 2008 (Saints of Los Angeles).
Also, they have been eligible for almost 15 years. It’s about time they get nominated at least.
Iron Maiden
Another British heavy metal band that is still not inducted even if it’s eligible since 2005.
Formed in London, England in 1975, Iron Maiden has become the epitome of heavy metal. They’ve been making heavy music since the very beginning and their influence on metal as a genre is immeasurable. Them not being part of Metal bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is just pure ignorance.
When asked about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Iron Maiden’s frontman Bruce Dickinson in the past has said that is “an utter and complete load of bollocks”. [A place] “run by a bunch of sanctimonious bloody Americans who wouldn’t know rock ‘n’ roll if it hit them in the face.”
In a recent interview for The Jerusalem Post, Bruce said
“I’m really happy we’re not there and I would never want to be there. If we’re ever inducted, I will refuse — they won’t bloody be having my corpse in there.”
Unquestionably justified criticism. Fingers must be pointed at the committee.
However, I doubt them not being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame can hurt their reputation. They are already above it.
Megadeth
Since Metallica’s induction in 2009, people have been constantly guessing which one of the remaining three from the “Big Four” will be inducted next. But sadly, that day still hasn’t arrived.
Formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, Megadeth has been eligible for induction since 2010. Having sold over 38 million copies worldwide, they are one of the biggest Metal bands and part of the American thrash metal ‘Big Four’.
I might be a bit biased towards Megadeth, but with albums like Rust in Peace and Peace Sells…but Who’s Buying?, their place should be cemented with the rest of the Metal bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Ronnie James Dio
As a bonus, we also have to include the great Ronnie James Dio who has been overlooked by the Hall of Fame. His contribution to metal and music in general can be matched by few. Even if we ignore his work with Rainbow, Dio, and Black Sabbath, he is still the man that popularized the “devil’s horns” that are now synonymous with rock music.
It doesn’t get more rock and roll than that!
10 Interesting Facts About Ronnie James Dio
Other outstanding metal and hard rock bands that deserve to be immortalized
- Anthrax
- Slayer
- Pantera
- Scorpions
- Dio
- Rainbow
- Thin Lizzy
- Whitesnake
If you feel certain bands are missing from the list, feel free to add them in the comment section below!