When it comes to rock and metal artists, the Hall of Fame bearing the namesake of rock ’n’ roll has often taken its time to induct some of the genres most influential artists. Black Sabbath didn’t get in until 2006. KISS was eligible in 1999 but didn’t get nominated until 2009 and inducted in 2014. Deep Purple was eligible all the way back in 1993 but didn’t receive the honor until 2016. Iron Maiden and Motörhead remain two pivotal artists to the hard rock and metal genres that haven’t received recognition from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Metal icons Judas Priest have been eligible since 1999 and had appeared on the nomination ballot in 2018 and 2020. Finally, after more that 20 years of eligibility, Judas Priest has been inducted into the Rock Hall. “Wow, this is so exciting — at last. At last, you know?” Halford told Billboard after receiving the news before the public announcement. “And, glory hallelujah, there’s another metal band in the Hall Of Fame! That’s the blessing we’ve all been waiting for.” The band will receive the Musical Excellence Award at the Nov. 5, 2022 ceremony in Los Angeles which also will honor Emimem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eurythmics and Carly Simon in the Performers category. “Nominee ballots are sent to an international voting body of more than 1,000 artists, historian, and members of the music industry,” Rock Hall officials said in a statement. “Factors such as an artist’s musical influence on other artists, length and depth of career and the body of work, innovation and superiority in style and technique are taken into consideration.”
According to the Hall Of Fame, the Judas Preist members that will get inducted include current members Rob Halford (vocals), Ian Hill (bass), Glenn Tipton (guitar) and Scott Travis (drums), along with former members K.K. Downing (guitar), Les Binks (drums) and late drummer Dave Holland. Notably, Tim “Ripper” Owens, who fronted the band from 1996 to 2003, was left off the induction list. Former co-founding guitarist K.K. Downing’s relationship with the band has also been contentious in recent years, but bassist Ian Hill said he didn’t foresee any drama at the ceremony. “Ken was an integral part of this band for a very, very long time,” Hill said. “He deserves to be there along with the rest of us.” After the news broke of the honor, Halford also said former members of the band are welcome to be part of the induction: “They have every right to be a part of the event,” he said. “I’m very pleased for everybody. There’s no bitterness. There’s no angst. There’s not that kind of stuff that’s lingering. If there is you have to push all that away. You have to push it to the side and just understand and accept and respect this wonderful opportunity and what it represents in terms of recognition and a celebration.”
Halford spoke about the possibility of induction back in 2020 with Word In Your Ear: “Am I bothered if we ever get in? Not really. But I think we do deserve to be in there. Because I look at the list of people that are in there, and I feel that we have a place. And it would not only be for Judas Priest — it would be for British music, particularly British heavy metal music, and that’s a beautiful achievement. Sabbath are in there, which is great. But I’ve always said that as far as what the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame represents, the genre of heavy metal music hasn’t really been looked after enough and respected enough. So, I’d like to feel that eventually we will get in.” The induction ceremony will be held on November 5 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. It will air at a later date on HBO and stream on HBO Max. There will also be a radio simulcast on SiriusXM’s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Radio channel 310.
Pat Benatar’s induction is also considered long overdue. “We are thrilled and humbled to become part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame family,” Benatar wrote on Twitter. “Thank you to everyone who voted especially the fans and congratulations to all the other inductees.” Dolly Parton originally declined her nomination, though the Rock Hall confirmed shortly afterward that she would not be taken off voting ballots. The country legend recently worried that she would be “taking away from someone that maybe deserved it, certainly more than me because I never considered myself a rock artist,” she said she would “accept gracefully” if she were inducted because “the fans vote.”
