Iron Maiden‘s Bruce Dickinson has branded the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame “an utter and complete load of bollocks.”
The legendary heavy metal band are eligible to be inducted into the institution, having released their self-titled debut album back in 1980. Artists are not able to be put forward for induction until it has been at least 25 years since their first album or single was released.
The Hall Of Fame’s organisers claim there is more criteria for entry than just letting a quarter of a century pass, however. They say that includes “the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock ‘n’ roll”.
Dickinson wrapped up a spoken word tour of Australia last night (October 24), during which he held Q&A sessions with fans and read excerpts from his autobiography, What Does This Button Do? At the Melbourne stop last week (October 19), one fan asked him if he thought Iron Maiden should be inducted into the Hall Of Fame.
“Absolutely,” he replied. “I actually think the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is an utter and complete load of bollocks, to be honest with you. It’s run by a bunch of sanctimonious bloody Americans who wouldn’t know rock and roll if it hit them in the face. They need to stop taking Prozac and start drinking fucking beer.”
Earlier this month, the set of nominees for the 2019 induction into the Hall Of Fame were announced. First-time nominees included Devo, Roxy Music, Stevie Knicks, Todd Rundgren, John Prine, and Def Leppard. Artists who had been nominated before included Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Janet Jackson, The Cure, Kraftwerk, MC5, Rufus & Chaka Khan, LL Cool J, and The Zombies.
Fans can now vote for who they want to enter the Hall of Fame. The final inductees will be confirmed in December before a ceremony – with performances from the successful acts – takes place next year.
