Iron Maiden’s harsh opinion of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

O Iron Maiden is eligible to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2005, the year in which their eponymous debut album completed 25 years of release. Even so, the legendary heavy metal band was never recognized by the institution, which has a problematic history with the style and its ramifications – to the point that it was slow to include Deep Purple, Judas Priest and Kissas well as ignoring Motorhead, Thin Lizzy and other representatives.

To get an idea, the maiden competed for a place in the rock hall only twice: in 2021 and, more recently, in 2023. It was passed over on both occasions. In the first, they were chosen Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, Jay-Z, Carole King, Todd Rundgren and Tina Turner. In the second, the vacancies were occupied by Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, The Spinners and Rage Against the Machine.

Faced with this complicated history, the members of the British group have never been excited to be part of the institution that declares itself “the rock and roll hall of fame”. In a recent interview with metal hammer, the bassist and leader steve harris said he never worried about it.

“I’m not exactly against it or anything like that, you know? If people are recognized there, that’s fine. But I never bothered with it. We never made music to be in any hall of fame.”

The musician also points out that the way of choosing the rock hall it is somewhat questionable. It is not the fans who choose the attractions, but a body of judges chosen by the institution. The public can even participate, but it counts as one vote among the approximately thousand received.

“If it was something voted on by the fans, fine. But the way it works, no matter how many fans vote, it only counts as one vote. Therefore, it does not represent anything. I don’t know how I would feel if we were actually chosen.”

Bruce Dickinson’s Harsh Words

if steve harris he chose his words a little better so as not to upset anyone, Bruce Dickinson opted for a much stronger speech when addressing the topic. In an interview with Telegraph (via Igor Miranda website), the vocalist of Iron Maiden directly said that he does not want to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And his reason is somewhat indisputable.

“I don’t want to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Because we are not dead yet!”

Right away, Dickinson explained that heavy metal can intimidate those responsible for the institution. This would explain the absence of bands of this style being introduced to the hall.

“Some people feel almost actively threatened by metal. Not by the nature of the music. But because it doesn’t fit your worldview of what pop music should be, which is: pop music is disposable, dear ones. Well, we don’t make throwaway pop music.”

A similar speech was presented by the singer in 2018, during a chat with The Jerusalem Post. At the time, he even said that he would refuse to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if the maiden chosen for the “honor”.

“I’m actually really glad we weren’t there, I never wanted to be there. If we were introduced, I’ll decline. Rock and roll doesn’t belong in a mausoleum in Cleveland, USA. It is a living, breathing thing. If you put it in a museum, it’s dead.”