QUEENSRŸCHE's TODD LA TORRE Blasts ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME As 'Joke Of An Organization'

[MetalAges]

QUEENSRŸCHE's Todd La Torre has blasted the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a "joke of an organization". The singer made the comment as the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has come under increased criticism over its perceived lack of respect for the heavy metal genre. Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility. The Rock Hall didn't induct BLACK SABBATH until 2006, and METALLICA followed three years later. On Friday (May 14), La Torre took to his Twitter to write: "The Rock And Roll Of Fame [sic] doesn't really recognize many bands. Well, that door swings both ways. More bands do not recognize this joke of an organization, and rightfully so." Rock Hall rules state that artists become eligible a quarter century after their first records were released, but the Hall also claims that other "criteria include the influence and significance of the artists' contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock 'n' roll," which is, of course, open to interpretation. Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn't get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014. DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn't get inducted until 2016. JUDAS PRIEST was on the ballot for Rock Hall induction last year, but failed to receive enough votes to make the class of 2020. Having been eligible for induction since 1999, PRIEST was previously on the ballot for the 2018 class of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but was ultimately left out of the inductee list. IRON MAIDEN was on the ballot for Rock Hall induction this year, but didn't make the class of 2021. Earlier this week, Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame president and CEO Greg Harris denied that the heavy metal genre isn't respected enough by the Rock Hall, saying: "We celebrate all forms of rock and roll. We've nominated MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST have been nominated, we put DEF LEPPARD in… Those that are nominated, over 80 percent of them eventually do get inducted. So it's really a question of, let's keep nominating them, let's get 'em on the ballot, and let's get it out to the voting body."

The Rock and Roll of Fame doesn't really recognize many bands. Well, that door swings both ways. More bands do not recognize this joke of an organization, and rightfully so.

— Todd La Torre (@toddlatorre) May 14, 2021​

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