The Rock Legends That Criticized The Rock Hall Of Fame

Since it opened its doors in 1986, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has been both celebrated and criticized. While its mission is to honor the biggest names in rock, many in the music community, including some of the genre’s biggest stars, have voiced their frustrations with the institution. Here’s a look at what these rock legends have said about the Hall and why they feel the way they do.

Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott: “Faceless Tuxedo-Wearing Morons”
Joe Elliott, lead singer of Def Leppard, didn’t hold back when discussing the Hall’s voters. He called them “faceless tuxedo-wearing morons,” suggesting that their selections often felt arbitrary and out of touch with the true spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.

Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson: “Utter and Complete Load of Bollocks”
Bruce Dickinson, the frontman of Iron Maiden, openly dismissed the Hall as an “utter and complete load of bollocks.” His disdain was palpable as he criticized their understanding of rock music and firmly rejected any future induction.

Joan Jett: “There Should Be More Women in the Hall of Fame”
Joan Jett has been a vocal advocate for women in music, pointing out the glaring lack of female representation in the Hall. She believes that many talented female artists have been overlooked in favor of their male counterparts, calling for more inclusivity.

Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne: “The Nomination is Meaningless”
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, has referred to the Hall’s nomination as meaningless. He expressed concern that the voting panel consists of industry insiders who don’t truly grasp what Black Sabbath is all about, making their recognition feel hollow.

Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan: “Bloody Arrogant and Rude”
Ian Gillan, the lead singer of Deep Purple, didn’t hold back either. He labeled the Hall’s voters as “bloody arrogant and rude,” criticizing them for overlooking Deep Purple’s significant contributions to rock music.

Kiss: “Spineless Weasels”
The band Kiss took their criticism a step further, publicly feuding with the Hall both before and after their induction. Gene Simmons has called the Rock Hall a joke, even suggesting he might buy it just to change its management. Their refusal to perform at the ceremony and Paul Stanley’s biting comments during their acceptance speech underscored their frustration.

Ted Nugent: “It’s Sacrilege”
Ted Nugent was outraged by the Hall’s choices, deeming it sacrilege that artists like Grandmaster Flash and Patti Smith were inducted while he was left out. He attributed his exclusion to political correctness and clashed with the institution over their selections.

Joe Walsh: “There’s a Lot Us Artists Would Change”
Joe Walsh, the guitarist for the Eagles, criticized the Hall’s induction process. He pointed out that corporate influence often clouds the selection, leading to confusion over who gets inducted and why. Walsh called for a more transparent and fair approach.

Paul Rodgers: “I Don’t Think Rock ‘n’ Roll Belongs in a Museum”
Paul Rodgers, known for his work with Free and Bad Company, rejected the Hall’s offer to join. He felt that rock ‘n’ roll should not be confined to a museum; it thrives in live performances and the energy of its fans.

Sammy Hagar: “Fans Should Always Control the Vote”
Sammy Hagar, while applauding Bon Jovi’s induction, emphasized that fans should have the ultimate say in who gets inducted. He believes that the true enthusiasts of rock music should always have a voice in the process.

Sex Pistols: “We’re Not Your Monkeys”
The Sex Pistols made a bold statement before their 2006 induction, calling the Hall a “piss stain” next to them. Their scathing open letter expressed their disdain for an institution they felt was irrelevant to their ethos.

Kirk Hammett: “They Just Don’t Fucking Get It”
Kirk Hammett of Metallica vented his frustrations over the exclusion of influential bands like Motorhead and Thin Lizzy. He argued that the Hall fails to recognize these bands’ impact on rock, highlighting a generational disconnect in their selection process.

Elton John: Donna Summer’s Snub a “Total Disgrace”
Elton John voiced his disappointment over the Hall’s failure to induct disco legend Donna Summer, calling it a “total disgrace.” He questioned how an institution could overlook such a significant artist and advocated for more diverse recognition.

Greg Kihn: “Throw the Bums Out, Let’s Start Over Again”
Greg Kihn urged for a complete overhaul of the Rock Hall’s induction committee. He highlighted inconsistencies in their decisions and called for fresh perspectives to ensure deserving artists get recognized.

Chrissie Hynde: “Total Bollocks”
Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders expressed regret over her induction, labeling the Hall as “total bollocks.” She felt it lacked authenticity and was more about establishment recognition than genuine musical accomplishment.

Steve Miller: “I Felt Like I Was in a Fucking Reality TV Show”
Steve Miller’s experience during his 2016 induction left him disillusioned. He compared the event to a reality TV show, feeling disconnected from the Hall’s agenda and questioning its focus on self-promotion rather than honoring artists.

Judas Priest: “A Total Joke”
Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest expressed his frustration, calling the Hall a “total joke.” He emphasized the lack of respect for the pioneers who helped shape the genre and highlighted the disconnect between the Hall and the artists it aims to celebrate.

Steve Lukather (Toto): “They Hate Our Guts”
Steve Lukather of Toto felt that personal biases influenced the Hall’s decisions. He believed that his band was treated unfairly due to underlying animosities that impacted their chances of induction.

Vinny Appice: Dio’s Exclusion is “A Joke”
Drummer Vinny Appice criticized the Hall for not recognizing Ronnie James Dio, a key figure in heavy metal history. Appice considered Dio’s exclusion a “joke,” emphasizing the Hall’s oversight of artists who have made significant contributions.

Todd Rundgren: “I Don’t Care About It”
Todd Rundgren dismissed the Hall as an “industry invention,” showing indifference to the institution despite his induction. He viewed the event as inconsequential, highlighting the gap between the Hall’s significance and artists’ personal views.

Foreigner: “It’s Very Juvenile, the Whole Thing”
Lou Gramm of Foreigner critiqued the Rock Hall’s decision-making as “juvenile.” He pointed to personal vendettas that skewed the selection process, revealing the internal politics affecting the Hall.

Bon Jovi: “I’ve Sold More Records Than Their Artists”
Jon Bon Jovi directly challenged the Hall, suggesting that personal feuds among the voting board led to his band’s exclusion. He used record sales to measure his band’s worth, questioning the institution’s integrity.