Tom Morello criticises Iron Maiden’s absence from The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello has expressed his desire to see Iron Maiden appear in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, even though the band couldn’t care less about being inducted.
The musician adores the English metal band, which significantly inspired his approach to guitar. Forming in 1975, the band would go on to become one of the most successful groups within the genre, pioneering heavy metal alongside bands like Judas Priest, Motörhead, and Def Leppard.
However, Iron Maiden are reluctant to be part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, not seeing the point of the institution. Morello thinks otherwise, though, appearing on The Eddie Trunk Podcast and sharing some thoughts on the matter.
“I will chew my leg off like a coyote in a trap if I can’t get Iron Maiden in,” Morello said, in reference to the fact that he is part of the nominating committee. “While there are many other deserving acts, Iron Maiden for me is the last most egregious oversight in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
Morello is adamant that the influence Iron Maiden has exerted over rock music, particularly the metal genre, is too much to be ignored. “Iron Maiden is like the gold standard of metal bands and they’re not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And I know Bruce Dickinson said he doesn’t really care. Well I care as a fan. I care very, very much about it,” he continued.
“So I’m gonna do all I can to get, [with] whatever limited influence I have, to get Iron Maiden in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.” Morello simply doesn’t understand why a band wouldn’t want to be part of the institution. “A lot of young rock ‘n’ roll guitar players have no respect for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. None of their favourite bands are in it,” he added.
Rage Against the Machine were inducted by Ice-T in 2023, although only Morello accepted the award, stating during his speech, “Like most bands, we have differing perspectives on a lot of things, including being inducted into the Rock Hall. My perspective is that tonight is a great opportunity to celebrate the music and the mission of the band—to celebrate the fifth member of the band, which is Rage Against the Machine’s incredible fans.”
It seems as though Morello’s dream to see Iron Maiden in the Rock Hall won’t be coming true anytime soon, with the band remaining staunchly opposed to the idea.
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