Tom Morello Urges Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to Induct Iron Maiden
Tom Morello, the legendary guitarist of Rage Against the Machine, is once again advocating for the induction of a hard rock and metal band into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This time, his sights are set on the iconic British metal band Iron Maiden, who have been eligible for induction since 2005.
In a recent interview with the Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz, Morello expressed his admiration for Iron Maiden and his desire to see them recognized by the Rock Hall. "Mother-flippin’ Maiden, dude! That’s been on the top of my list for a while," he said. "I feel very, very fortunate that they let me into that room to make my case for the Randy Rhoadses and the Kisses and the Stevie Ray Vaughans, Rush, Judas Priest, and MC5 — but Maiden’s next."
Morello has a history of advocating for hard rock and metal bands that have been overlooked by the Rock Hall. He previously inducted Randy Rhoads in 2021 and Kiss in 2014, and his own band, Rage Against the Machine, was inducted by Ice-T in 2023.
Iron Maiden has been nominated for induction into the Rock Hall twice, in 2021 and 2023, but has yet to receive the nod. However, they are currently leading the fan vote at the Rock Hall’s in-person "Voice Your Choice" voting kiosk, ahead of other popular bands like Blink-182, Styx, "Weird Al" Yankovic, and Motley Crue.
Iron Maiden’s Lead Singer Bruce Dickinson Not Impressed
While Morello and many fans are eager to see Iron Maiden inducted into the Rock Hall, the band’s lead singer, Bruce Dickinson, is less enthusiastic. In a previous interview, Dickinson called the Rock Hall "an utter and complete load of bollocks" that is "run by a bunch of sanctimonious bloody Americans who wouldn’t know rock ‘n’ roll if it hit them in the face."
Dickinson also stated that he would refuse to attend the induction ceremony if Iron Maiden were to be inducted. "Rock ‘n’ roll music does not belong in a mausoleum in Cleveland," he said. "It’s a living, breathing thing, and if you put it in a museum, then it’s dead. It’s worse than horrible, it’s vulgar."
Metal Snubs: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 10 Worst Omissions
Iron Maiden is not the only metal band that has been overlooked by the Rock Hall. Here are 10 other metal artists who most deserve to be inducted:
- Black Sabbath
- Judas Priest
- Motorhead
- Megadeth
- Slayer
- Pantera
- Sepultura
- Tool
- Avenged Sevenfold
- Ghost
Conclusion
Tom Morello’s advocacy for Iron Maiden’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is just the latest example of his dedication to recognizing the contributions of hard rock and metal bands. While Iron Maiden may not be universally loved, their influence on the genre is undeniable, and their induction would be a well-deserved recognition of their achievements.
FAQs
Q: Why is Tom Morello advocating for Iron Maiden’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
A: Morello has a history of advocating for hard rock and metal bands that have been overlooked by the Rock Hall, and he believes that Iron Maiden’s influence on the genre makes them a worthy inductee.
Q: Has Iron Maiden been nominated for induction into the Rock Hall before?
A: Yes, Iron Maiden has been nominated twice, in 2021 and 2023, but has yet to receive the nod.
Q: What is Bruce Dickinson’s stance on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
A: Dickinson has expressed skepticism about the Rock Hall, calling it "an utter and complete load of bollocks" and stating that he would refuse to attend the induction ceremony if Iron Maiden were to be inducted.
Q: Who is leading the fan vote at the Rock Hall’s in-person "Voice Your Choice" voting kiosk?
A: As of this week, Iron Maiden is leading the fan vote, ahead of other popular bands like Blink-182, Styx, "Weird Al" Yankovic, and Motley Crue.
