Iron Maiden was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last Saturday, becoming one of the few heavy metal bands to receive the honor, alongside Black Sabbath, Metallica, Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne. However, none of the band members attended the ceremony, as they are currently on tour. They had also said that they wouldn’t attend even if they weren’t touring, as they don’t like attending such award ceremonies and have repeatedly stated over the years that they don’t care whether they are inducted into the Hall or not.
Like the Gallagher brothers from Oasis, who also didn’t attend the ceremony, Iron Maiden were celebrated by other musicians who performed some of their songs. The supergroup featured Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Rob Trujillo, accompanied by St. Vincent on vocals, Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk, Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 and Jack Black, who also helped sing a bit of “The Trooper.”
Iron Maiden honored at Rock Hall induction by Hammett, Trujillo, John 5 and more
The band’s leader, main songwriter and bassist Steve Harris told Metal Hammer last July said he wouldn’t go to the ceremony, because he “don’t do those sort of things”. Bruce has his own strong feelings about it, which is his opinion. It’s never really bothered me one way or the other, because awards aren’t what we do this for. But in a weird way I’m glad it’s happened so the Americans will stop banging on about it. To me, if you get offered something, you say, ‘Thank you very much.’ But did I lose sleep over getting it or not getting it? No. (I won’t go), I don’t do those sort of things. I didn’t even go to the recent red-carpet thing for the (Maiden) documentary. It’s not me.”
During the same conversation Bruce Dickinson also commented on the induction: “I can’t even summon the energy to be vitriolic about it. I appreciate that a significant number of people are happy for us. That’s nice. It’s not something we’re bothered about.”